Rundale Palace: Day Trips and Tours from Riga

Rundāle Palace is one of the most significant displays of Baroque architecture in Latvia and is a popular attraction for both national, and international visitors on vacation. Built by the Dukes of Courland, this landmark features a fascinating history, which you can discover on a day trip to Rundāle Palace from Riga.

Whether your interests lie in the palace’s spectacular gardens or in its opulent interior, filled with impressive murals and gilded walls, you’re bound to find Rundāle Palace captivating.

Here's all you need to know about Rundāle Palace, one of the most exciting day trips from Riga.

How to get to Rundāle Palace from Riga?

Rundāle Palace is located in the Bauska Municipality of the Semigallia region of Latvia. It is approximately 80 kilometers south of Riga.

From Riga to Rundāle Palace by car

The journey to Rundāle Palace by car takes just under 1.5 hours and follows the A7 south of Riga as far as Bauska. Here, you’ll merge onto the P103 to complete the final leg of your route.

From Riga to Rundāle Palace by bus

Those without access to a car can instead make the jaunt to Rundāle Palace via a direct bus, leaving from Rīgas SAO, which takes just over 1.5 hours and also stops at Bauska Castle.

Guided tour to Rundāle Palace from Riga

Alternatively, book a guided excursion to Rundāle Palace and let someone else take care of the transportation details for you. These day trips usually begin with a convenient accommodation pickup service between 9 AM and 10 AM, and last between 4 and 10 hours.

In order to benefit from this service, you’ll simply select your hotel from a dropdown list upon booking and, on the day of your tour, await collection from a friendly guide in the lobby at a predetermined time.

How much does the entrance ticket to Rundāle Palace cost?

The entrance fee for Rundāle Palace varies throughout the year, with higher prices during the summer season. The admission fee is charged per person and students with valid identification can benefit from a small reduction on the below charges.

• Long Route: €10
• French Garden: €2 - €4
• Combined ticket: €11 - €13

What is the typical itinerary?

While each Rundāle Palace day tour is unique, all excursions feature similarities. After a seamless pickup from your guide, you’ll hit the road, traveling south down the country toward your main destination. Along the way, you may stop at Bauska Castle where you can stretch your legs and explore the history of the site via its numerous rooms.

Alternatively, you may save Bauska Castle for after you’ve visited Rundāle Palace. Upon arrival at the palace, you’ll typically participate in a guided tour of the facility and its gardens alongside a private guide who will provide you with fascinating tidbits of information on the site.

From here, you may return to Riga. However, in some cases, you’ll continue on to other destinations, such as the Hill of Crosses, to gain a greater understanding of Latvia through the ages, before finishing up your Rundāle Palace day trip back at your hotel.

What kinds of tours are available to go to Rundāle Palace?

There are several different Rundāle Palace day trips to choose from depending on your personal travel style and any additional destinations you may wish to visit.

Private half-day tour to Rundāle Palace from Riga

Those with a limited time can select this day tour to Rundāle Palace, which allows them to gain an insight into its extensive history in just 4 hours. You’ll wander the site alongside a knowledgeable guide who is dedicated to your enjoyment of the excursion, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ask any burning questions that spring to mind.

Discover the baron who first commissioned the palace and his 20-year banishment to Siberia, as well as how the site was used as a hospital during the French invasion of Russia, and its occupation by the Germans during WWI.

Full-day tours to Rundāle Palace plus Bauska Castle from Riga

If you have a little more time to spare, opt for a day trip to Rundāle Palace and Bauska Castle. You’ll begin by admiring the Baroque and Rococo architecture of Rundāle Palace, which was constructed in the 18th century as one of two palaces for the Dukes of Courland.

After touring the opulent landmark, which has been transformed into a museum, you’ll continue to Bauska Castle, which features both a castle and palace from different time periods, and is also linked to the Dukes of Courland, once serving as a residence to the elite.

Private tour to Rundāle Palace plus Hill of Crosses and Bauska Castle and from Riga

A Rundāle Palace day tour that hops between several destinations across Latvia is the ideal choice for those wishing to cram as many of the country's attractions into their vacation as possible. You’ll begin at Bauska Castle where you can stroll the attraction’s exterior and marvel at its architecture, or alternatively, roam its rooms imagining the lifestyle of the elite that once lived here.

Then, you’ll continue on to the exquisite Rundāle Palace where you can admire its perfectly-manicured gardens and grand halls before journeying to the Hill of Crosses — a holy spot for devout Christians.

How much does a day trip to Rundāle Palace from Riga cost?

Day trips to Rundāle Palace vary significantly in price, depending on their duration and inclusions.

A half-day tour lasts 4 hours and costs €190 per group of up to three. However, if you’re part of a larger group, you can request an excursion that accommodates up to seven participants for €200 per party. This breaks down to less than €30 per head. Included in the price is roundtrip transportation and the services of a driver guide. However, entry to the onsite museum is at your own expense.

If you select an excursion that includes the Hill of Crosses and Bauska Castle, you’ll pay €190 as a solo traveler. You can book for up to seven guests and with this number of people in your party, the price reduces to between €80, and €90 each.

A day tour to Rundāle Palace and Bauska Castle is also a private affair, and costs €260 if you choose to travel solo. However, you’ll save money per head by booking as a group and, with the maximum of seven guests in your party, you’ll each pay between €70 and €80.

What will you see and do?

Rundāle Palace was originally commissioned by Duke of Courland, Ernst Johann von Biron, after he demolished an earlier castle on the patch of land. Building commenced, however, it was paused when the duke was banished to Siberia for more than 20 years. This was a big fall from grace for the nobleman who acted as a powerful influence on Anna of Russia.

During his years of power, the duke ordered approximately 1,000 executions and exiled between 20,000, and 40,000 individuals to Siberia. Upon his return to Latvia, building of the palace resumed and was completed in 1768, serving as a home to Biron until his death in 1772.

During the 20th century, the landmark suffered damage in the fallout of the Latvian War of Independence and later served as housing for military veterans, and a school. In the 1960s, it was transformed into a museum and several years later underwent serious restoration efforts.

Today, those on a day tour of Rundāle Palace can discover many of its original rooms and learn about the duke behind its construction.

What are the opening times?

The Rundāle Palace museum is open to visitors between 10 AM and 6 PM during the summer, from May 1 to October 31. Throughout the rest of the year, it closes an hour earlier, at 5 PM.

The onsite French gardens have the same opening hours, except for between June 1 and September 30 when they close an hour later than the rest of the venue, at 7 PM.

When is the best time to visit Rundāle Palace?

The best time to visit Rundāle Palace is during late spring and summer (May to September). The palace gardens are in full bloom, especially in June and July, making the experience even more magnificent. However, to avoid the crowds, consider visiting in May or September.

What other day trips can you do from Riga?

• Jurmala day trips from Riga
• Kemeri National Park day trips from Riga
• Sigulda day trips from Riga
• Turaida day trips from Riga
• Gauja National Park day trips from Riga

Travel tips

• Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking, both inside the palace and in the gardens.
• The Baroque garden of Rundāle Palace is one of its highlights, especially during the blooming season. Allocate time to stroll and enjoy its beauty.
• There's a café on the premises where you can have a meal or a quick snack. It can be a good place to rest and refresh during your visit.