South of Riga, close to the Lithuanian border, three of the region’s best-known sights fit into one day: Bauska Castle, Rundāle Palace and, just across the border, the Hill of Crosses. By car the loop is roughly 280 km. By public transport you can reach Rundāle, but adding the Hill of Crosses on the same day is hard. Here is how to plan it.
The route at a glance
| Stop | From the previous stop | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|
| Bauska Castle | about 67 km from Riga, about 1 h | 45 min-1 h |
| Rundāle Palace | 12 km from Bauska, about 15 min | 1 h 30 min-2 h |
| Hill of Crosses (Lithuania) | about 1 h | 30-45 min |
| Back to Riga | about 125 km, about 2 h |
Bauska Castle
Bauska stands where the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers meet to form the Lielupe. Its castle is two buildings in one: the ruins of a Livonian Order fortress and the residence that the Dukes of Courland built next to it, which now houses a museum. The view over the two rivers from the castle hill is worth the stop on its own.
Rundāle Palace
Rundāle is Latvia’s grandest baroque palace. It was built for Duke Ernst Johann Biron by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the architect of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg, and is surrounded by a large French garden, at its best in early summer when the roses bloom.
- Opening hours in 2026: 10:00-18:00 from June to September (the garden stays open until 20:00 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in June, July and August) and 10:00-17:00 from November to April.
- Tickets: a combined ticket for the main exhibition and the French garden cost €17 for adults in 2026; a garden-only ticket €6.
- Parking at the palace is free.
Without a car: from May to September a direct bus runs from Riga to Rundāle Palace. The rest of the year, take one of the regular buses to Bauska, then a local bus for the last 20 minutes to the stop Rundāles pils.
The Hill of Crosses
The Hill of Crosses lies in Lithuania, 12 km north of Šiauliai and just off the main road to Riga. People have brought crosses here since the 19th century. During the Soviet period the hill was bulldozed several times, and each time the crosses returned; in 1993 Pope John Paul II visited and celebrated Mass here. Today the hill is covered in crosses of every size, from rosaries to carved wooden monuments.
It is free to visit and open at all times. There is a paid car park with a small visitor centre. Thirty to forty-five minutes is enough for most visitors.
Without a car: take a train or bus to Šiauliai (the daily Riga to Vilnius train stops there), then a local bus or taxi for the last 12 km.
The whole loop with a driver
Public transport serves each place on its own, but not all three in one day. AFA Transfer’s Rundāle Palace & Hill of Crosses day trip covers Bauska Castle, Rundāle Palace and the Hill of Crosses, with the time at each stop up to you. Prices start from €250 for a car with up to three passengers; a van for up to seven and a Mercedes-Benz V-Class for up to six are also available. The price is for the whole vehicle, not per person.
Heading on to Lithuania instead of back to Riga? Rundāle and the Hill of Crosses are also stops on the way to Vilnius; see Riga to Vilnius: bus, train, car or private transfer.
Practical tips
- The Hill of Crosses is in Lithuania: carry your passport or ID card, although there is usually no border control.
- Rundāle Palace is busiest on summer weekends; arrive early to see the state rooms before the groups.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the French garden and the paths at the Hill of Crosses involve a fair amount of walking.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Rundāle Palace from Riga?
About 80 km, roughly an hour and a half by car through Bauska.
Can I visit Rundāle Palace and the Hill of Crosses in one day?
Yes, by car: the loop from Riga is roughly 280 km. By public transport it is very hard to fit both into one day.
Is there an entrance fee at the Hill of Crosses?
No. The site is free and open at all times; only the car park is paid.
How much is the palace ticket?
In 2026 a combined ticket for the main exhibition and the French garden cost €17 for adults. Check rundale.net for current prices.
Opening hours, prices and timetables checked in October 2026 against the information published by Rundāle Palace Museum, Visit Bauska and the transport operators. They change, so check before you travel.