From Riga: Hill of Crosses & Guided Rundale Palace, Bauska Castle
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
This tour stands out with a fully guided visit inside Rundale Palace led by a certified guide — not an audio guide or self-guided visit. This allows for a deeper understanding of the palace, its history, and its interiors.
The experience is carefully organized from start to finish, combining transport, guided visits, and multiple destinations into one smooth and structured day tour from Riga.
Unlike simple transfer-style trips, this tour provides guided insight at key locations, including the Hill of Crosses and Bauska Castle, creating a more engaging and informative experience.
A planned lunch stop and well-balanced timing ensure a comfortable pace, allowing you to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please bring your walking shoes
What To Expect
Stop at the Latvia–Lithuania border during your journey to the Hill of Crosses. Enjoy a short guided introduction to the region while crossing between two countries, with time for photos at this symbolic location.
Visit the Hill of Crosses, one of the most unique pilgrimage sites in Europe. Begin with a guided introduction to its history, symbolism, and traditions, followed by free time to explore at your own pace, take photos, and experience the atmosphere of this remarkable location. You will also have the opportunity to visit the nearby Franciscan Monastery, where the open chapel offers a quiet space for reflection.
Options
From Riga: Hill of Crosses & Guided Rundale Palace, Bauska Castle
What‘s Included
Traditional Latvian herbal drink (Riga Black Balsam) tasting
Comfortable round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
Entrance tickets to Rundale Palace and Bauska Castle
Bottled water
Professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour
Guided visit of Bauska Castle including tower access
Fully guided visit inside Rundale Palace with a certified palace guide
Lunch (planned stop; meals paid individually)
Personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
35 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
This tour was very good...
Shailendra s,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was very good and our tour guide , Erlens, made it all possible. He was very engaging and good communicator. We went over the tour time but he was very accommodative. While returning to tallinn, it was raining heavily and he decided to drop us off at our hotel instead of the meeting point. He went above and beyond. An absolute gem.
Great Guide
Tenia M,Jun 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Knowledgable tour guide with lots of stories and happy to answer questions. Tour was a long day with 3 sites but a great day.
Excellent
richard c,May 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A great tour with the best sights of Latvia and Lithuania. Our guide, Maris was fabulous. His knowledge was very impressive, he was friendly, fun and went the extra mile (literally) to return my husband's lost glasses! We highly recommend this tour.
Enjoyable day trip
Farlander,May 29, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Enjoyable day trip in a small group of 8 in a comfortable, air conditioned mini van. Erlens was our amazing guide and driver throughout the trip and provided a lot of information on Latvia’s history and related topics of interest. Tour was well planned with enough comfort breaks along the way. The first attraction was the hill of crosses in Lithuania, followed by Rundale palace with an appropriately timed lunch in the basement cafe/restaurant and then Bauska castle, before heading back to Riga. Trip lasts around 9 hours. Pick up and drop off were in front of Riga Cathedral. Thank you Erlens for looking after us, clicking our pics and giving us a wealth of information and memorable experience overall.
Worth every penny!!
Travel43263769245,May 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I'm usually wary of organised tours because I often feel like herded sheep. This tour was the exact opposite! Elvis was organised but charismatic from the very beginning. He always made sure to explain the plan and never rushed us but kept a good pace. We saw so many things and every step of the way Elvis created a memorable expirience. In the palace we were guided by Olafs and he was beyond words! This could have so easily been a forgettable walk in a picturesque place but Olafs is such a character. In the best possible way!! He clearly loves what he's doing and he's doing it so well. We even asked to take a video of one of his demonstrations cause it was so funny!! What really made this tour so fantastic were the little things that elevated this well thought out tour. Small things like: having us pick our lunch in advance so we don't have to wait for the food hungry later on. Or, I was late coming out of the bathroom and he waited there at the exit to make sure I knew where to go and didn't feel left behind while the others were already briefed and didn't have to wait around for me. What's Apping us before the tour so that we have all the info in advance and a way to contact him in case of anything. Knowing all the best places and angles for photos and taking them so no one had to miss being in the photo. All of us at the tour were so amazed by the quality so the value for money is amazing. It seems like I'm singing praises but truelly there is nothing I could complain about or even was neutral about. If you're unsure if you should go for it don't! I certainly will recommend this to all of my friends. Thank you Elvis!
Very enjoyable trip
andrew g,Apr 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Janis was informative throughout the trip, which was well organised, not rushed, had a comfortable vehicle and was very friendly.
Wonderful day seeing and learning history and culture
kimichow,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had Erlens as our guide and driver for the whole day. He is very nice and knowledgeable about all the different periods of history. We crossed the border to Lithuania to see the Hill of Crosses, a unique place that the Pope had visited. We also had a long visit and lunch at Rundale Palace. Erlens is also a certified tour guide of the palace and was able to give us very detailed explanation and information of all the rooms and history of the palace, which is very well restored. Lastly we visited Bauskas Castle, one of the many from the Teutonic Knights. Overall a long day with lots of interesting information. Erlens himself is well traveled and we heard a lot of fun stories. Highly recommend this tour company!
Elvis Rocks!
hazel i,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a very informative tour, the tour guide was knowledgable and personable. Outstanding food at the Rundale Palace and shots afterwards.
Relaxed fun day
Monica M,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was on time, the van was comfortable, and it all went smoothly. We were never rushed, and we were able to see so much in one day. We learned a lot about the history of the places we were going, but we got into life in general. The weather wasn't awesome, but our guide made it a great day anyways! I would highly suggest this tour to anyone wanting to get a glimpse at Lithuania and to see some beautiful places in Latvia, outside of Riga.
Stunning from start to finish
Nyles M,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our Tour guide was very polite, funny and extremely knowledgeable about Latvia. There were regular opportunities for a bathroom break throughout the journey so if you need to take regular trips to the bathroom this trip would be for you. We started by seeing the Hill of Crosses in Lithuania, a stunning location with hundreds of thousands of crosses situated on two hills. The guide gave us a quick overview of the history of the hills and took photos (for those who wanted it). We then went to Rundale Palace, which was faithfully restored after Latvia's independence from the soviet union (a nice touch is the room that shows you how the rooms looked when they started, the contrast is incredible). This was also where we got lunch and saw the stunning french-style garden afterwards. After this we went to Bauska Castle, where we climbed up the tower to see the picturesque surroundings of the Bauska town (along with the history of the tower). Overall the trip started at 8 and finished around 5 / half 5, and is must do for those travelling to Riga or Vilnius.
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Operated by Latvia Guide Tours