Things to do in

Rundale municipality

Be collected at your accommodation in Riga and be driven straight to the region of Bauska city. Visit several palaces from the 18th century and one crusader's castle from the 16th century. Rundāle Palace, formerly Ruhenthal then Ruhendahl, is one of two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland in what is now Latvia. The other is Jelgava Palace. Rundāle Palace was built in two periods, from 1736 until 1740 and from 1764 until 1768. It is situated at Pilsrundāle, 12 km west of Bauska.  Mežotne Palace is a manor house located in the Mežotne municipality in Bauska district, in the Semigallia region of Latvia. The palace is one of the most outstanding examples of Classicism architecture in Latvia. Bauska Castle is a complex consisting of the ruins of an earlier castle and a later palace on the outskirts of the Latvian city of Bauska. Jelgava Palace, also known as Mitava Palace, is the largest Baroque-style palace in the Baltic states. It was built in the 18th century based on the design of Bartolomeo Rastrelli as a residence for the Dukes of Courland in their capital Mitava, which is Jelgava today. The Dukes of Courland also had a summer palace by Rastrelli nearby called Rundāle Palace.  Either choose a restaurant for dinner or your driver can arrange a picnic if you prefer. After the visit to Jelgava castle, you will be returned to your accommodation. 

Mini Baltic Tour includes minivan and driver and will start with a pick-up from your hotel in Riga at 10:00. During this tour, there will be 3 main stops for sightseeing. The first short stop will be at Bauska Castle (optional stop can be made at Mezotne Castle as well), arriving at 11:30. Bauska Castle consists of two parts: the ruins of the old part and the new part which was the residence of the Dukes of Courland. Your next stop will be at Rundale Palace at 12:15. This will take the longest time to see with its palaces, gardens and amazing museums. Also, there will be guided tours available for extra cost. Rundale Palace is Baroque and Rococo in style. The last and the most exciting place to see is right outside of Latvia just 70 kilometers away from Rundale Palace called the Hill of Crosses at 15:00. This is hill with thousands of crosses and prayers and exciting to see. Travel back to Riga at 17:00.

This full-day day tour is the best choice for those who want to save time, money, and see the most important sights along the trip from Riga to Vilnius. Visit Bauska Castle, which is surrounded by a picturesque scenery and represents an example of military architecture (XV - XVII century). The castle consists of two parts: the fortress built especially for the use of firearms and the residential castle fortified with bastions, protective walls and earthen ramparts. About two hours is reserved to explore Rundale Palace, one of the most outstanding monuments of Baroque and Rococo architecture in Latvia, which sometimes is called as ‘The Versailles of Latvia’. Rundale Palace is built in the mid-18th-Century by the Russian court architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, it was the summer residence of the Duke of Courland. The two-story castle contains 138 elaborate rooms, a lovely French garden and a museum dedicated to the history of Latvia. Last but not least is a unique ensemble of Lithuanian folk art - The Hill of Crosses. The monument with more than 200.000 crosses in various sizes and materials stands on Jurgaiciai - Domantai mound. During your visit at The Hill of Crosses, you will learn more about the legendary stories why the Hill appeared. In the evening finish your drive and arrive in Vilnius city.

Enjoy a complimentary hotel pick-up and transfer from your centrally located Vilnius hotel or accommodation to Riga through the Hill of Crosses in Siauliai and Rundale palace in Latvia, with a possible stop at Bauska castle in Latvia. The drive to the Hill of Crosses will be about 2.5 hours from Vilnius. The Hill of Crosses has about 100,000 crosses and is an historical architectural monument and a unique composition of folk art. It is said that first crosses were erected here by the next-of-kin of the rebels that fell in the 1831 rebellion. The Hill of crosses attracts people with its spirituality, authenticity, and sacred nature and was visited by Pope John Paul II. After exploring this site, you will head to Rundale Palace, which is an approximately 40-minute drive. Rundale Palace is one of the two major baroque palaces built for the Dukes of Courland in what is now Latvia. In 1735 Duke of Courland Ernst Johann von Biron bought land in Rundale with an old medieval castle in the territory of a planned summer residence. The old castle was demolished and construction after the design of Bartolomeo Rastrelli started in 1736. Your drive to Riga after your visit to the palace is approximately 1 hour.

Discover the highlights between Riga to Vilnius with this ticket. Travel from the heart of Riga through south Latvia and north Lithuania on your way to Vilnius. Make some stops at well-known landmarks on the route.  Be picked by your guide from the meeting point in Riga and sit back and relax as the Latvian countryside passes by on the way to the Bauska Castle complex. Snap pictures of this romantic castle that is situated on a narrow green peninsula and surrounded by two rivers. Continue to the Baroque Rundale Palace. View this classic 18th-century palace before heading to one of the most sacred and spiritual places in Lithuania, the Hill of Crosses. Admire this site of pilgrimage where thousands of crosses have been left over the past 200 years.  Finish your tour at Katedros aikštė (Cathedral square) in Vilnius. Use your complimentary guidebook to help you get around the city. 

Start with pickup from any location within Siauliai. Enjoy a small-group experience and the knowledge of your local, English-speaking guide. First you will visit the Hill of Crosses pilgrimage site. Marvel at over 200,000 crosses, effigies and statues brought by Catholic pilgrims over many centuries. See statues of the Virgin Mary, tiny effigies, rosaries, and carvings of Lithuanian patriots that have been brought to the hill.  Next, cross over into Latvia to visit the Rundale Palace, the most beautiful baroque palace in Latvia. The palace was built in 18th century is an outstanding example of the early work of Italian-Russian architect Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, who also designed the famous Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The professionally renovated palace interiors are decorated with authentic 18th century furniture, paintings. The most impressive features include the Golden Hall, the White Hall, and the bedroom of the Duke of Courtland, Johan Ernst Biron.

Start your trip from Vilnius Town Hall Square. Sit back and enjoy a comfortable ride to your first sightseeing stop: the Hill of Crosses. Continue your trip in Latvia with a visit to Rundale Palace, one of the most stunning Baroque treasures in Latvia. Explore this brightly-colored building surrounded by an extensive and splendid garden. Enjoy a break at Bauska Castle, an impressive example of military architecture. End your trip at Riga Town Hall in Latvia.