Rundale Palace

Rundale Palace is a Baroque summer residence of the Dukes of Courland at Pilsrundale, in the Bauska area of Zemgale, about 75 km south of Riga. It was designed by Francesco Bartolomeo Rastrelli, the architect also associated with major palaces in Saint Petersburg, and is often described as Latvia's most important Baroque monument. By car the trip takes about 1 hour 15 minutes via the A7 through Iecava. By public transport, a bus from the Riga International Coach Terminal runs to Bauska, with a local bus onward to Pilsrundale, taking 2 to 2.5 hours and costing about 4 to 6 EUR each way. Because of the transfer, many visitors choose a car or a group tour, which is often combined with Bauska Castle.

Inside, the palace holds ceremonial rooms, the Golden Hall and the White Hall, along with ducal living quarters and exhibitions on the history of the building and its restoration. The grounds include a French formal garden with clipped hedges, fountains and pathways, and a rose garden that is a particular draw in summer. An adult ticket covering the palace and garden was about 17 EUR per a 2026 guide, and current prices should be confirmed on rundale.net.

A sensible one-day arc starts with an early departure from Riga to reach the palace on opening. The morning is best used for the interior rooms, which need about two hours, followed by lunch at the palace cafe or a nearby restaurant. The afternoon suits the formal garden and the rose garden, then travel on to Bauska, about 12 km away, for the castle ruins and the confluence of the Musa and Memele rivers before returning to Riga by late afternoon or evening.

The best period is May to September, when the gardens are in full leaf and the roses bloom, typically peaking in June and July. Winter visits are possible but the formal garden is much less rewarding. Group tours from Riga cost about 120 to 145 USD per adult on booking sites, which include transport and often a guide. Food options are limited near the palace, so planning lunch in advance helps.