From Riga: Hill of Crosses & Jelgava Tour - 2 Countries in 1 Day
Recommended by 99% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Riga, Latvia
- 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses is a powerful monument to the Baltic nation's battle for independence and a pilgrimage site dating back to the 19th century. This day trip makes it easy for travelers in Riga to cross over the Latvian-Lithuanian border to visit this fascinating display of thousands of crosses while learning all about the site’s history and significance. This small-group tour also includes a stop at the historic city of Jelgava in Latvia.
- Visit Lithuania’s Hill of Crosses on a guided day trip from Riga
- Delve deeper into the history of the two countries than you would alone
- Sit back and soak up the scenery as someone else drives
- Go beyond Latvia's capital to learn about local life
What's Included
- Professional English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Comfortable round-trip transportation in an air-conditioned vehicle
- Guided experience with introductions at all main stops
- Exterior visit of Jelgava Palace with historical explanation
- Bottled water
- Traditional Latvian herbal drink experience
- Lunch and drinks (available for purchase during the tour; pre-order option available)
- Personal expenses
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Herdera laukums 6, Centra rajons, Rīga, LV-1050, Latvia
Please meet the driver/guide in front of the main entrance of Riga Cathedral (Rīgas Doms).
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Operating hours.9:00 am
Itinerary
1
Riga Cathedral
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Kalviai
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Kryziu Kalnas
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
4
St. Simeon’s and St. Anna’s Orthodox Cathedral
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
5
Pedestrian Bridge Mitava
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Driksas Promenāde
1 hour • Admission Ticket Not Included
7
Jelgava Palace
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Riga Cathedral (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Infant seats available
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Coffee stops and detours can be arranged with driver
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 29 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
5.0
based on 179 reviews
Kathy_P, Apr 2026
Marius was an excellent guide. It was a great day I highly recommend . The crosses were impressive and Jelgava was a lovely place.
Michael_S, Apr 2026
Excellent tour and very well looked after by Erland (hope I spelt the name right). Gave us lots of interesting information and made sure everyone was included
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Michael,
Thank you for your great review and for choosing Latvia Guide Tours for your trip from Riga!
We’re happy to hear you enjoyed the Hill of Crosses & Jelgava tour and felt well taken care of throughout the day. Erlens will be glad to know you appreciated his knowledge and effort to include everyone.
This 2 countries in 1 day experience is one of the most unique tours from Riga, and we’re glad you had such a positive experience.
Hope to see you again on another Baltic tour!
Best regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
Dawn_B, Apr 2026
We had such a brilliant day!
Our guide was super friendly and knowledgable.
The Hill of Crosses is so worth a visit, and another country ticked off!
Other stops were great too with a lovely lunch stop.
Would definitely recommend this trip!
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Dawn,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that you had such a brilliant day on our Hill of Crosses tour.
It’s great to know that you enjoyed visiting the Hill of Crosses and that the additional stops, along with the lunch experience, made your day even more special. We’re also very pleased that your guide’s friendly and knowledgeable approach helped create a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Thank you for recommending this day trip — it truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again on another tour in Latvia or the Baltics in the future!
Kind regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
Arun_M, Apr 2026
It was an absolute fantastic experience right from pick up to the drop-off. Maris was a great Tour Guide and he explained all the historic aspects in great detail. He was extremely friendly as well.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Arun,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a fantastic experience from pick-up to drop-off.
It’s great to know that you enjoyed the tour and that Māris made it even more special with his detailed insights into the history and his friendly approach. We’re proud to have guides who are both knowledgeable and welcoming, and your kind words will mean a lot to him.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another memorable day trip from Riga in the future!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
Maureen_W, Mar 2026
Trip does exactly what it says it will. Very good knowledgeable guide who imparted lots of interesting facts without it being too over the top. Good coach. A good opportunity to see the countryside. It was a well put together mixture of places and sights. Highly recommend
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Maureen,
Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that the tour met your expectations and delivered exactly the experience you were looking for.
It’s great to know that you enjoyed the balance of interesting insights from your guide without it feeling overwhelming, as well as the comfortable journey and the chance to explore the countryside. We’re glad the combination of sights and stops created a well-rounded and enjoyable day for you.
Your recommendation truly means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again on another memorable day trip from Riga in the future!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
Daniel_H, Mar 2026
Very unique experience at the Hill of Crosses, our guide was extremely knowledgeable and livened up the minibus journey by sharing lots of interesting facts about Latvian and Lithuanian culture.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Daniel,
Thank you for your kind words! We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed your Hill of Crosses tour and found it to be such a unique experience.
It’s wonderful to know that your guide’s knowledge and insights into Latvian and Lithuanian culture made the journey even more engaging, and that the minibus ride felt lively and interesting along the way.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another memorable day trip from Riga in the future!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
David_D, Mar 2026
Amazing tour, the hill of crosses was a unique and amazing sight, Edite our tour guide was very helpful and very knowledgeable of the sights, would definitely recommend going on this tour.
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear David,
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re truly delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found the Hill of Crosses to be such a unique and memorable experience.
It’s especially wonderful to know that Edīte made your journey even more enjoyable with her knowledge and helpful approach — we’ll be sure to pass along your lovely feedback to her.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we’d be happy to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience in the Baltics anytime!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
Jane_R, Mar 2026
Great comms before visit and clear instructions for pick up. Minibus driver and Edite our guide were both welcoming and the minibus was comfortable. Edite was an amazing guide, so knowledgeable and took time to answer any questions. The stops for the border and the hill of crosses gave us the right time to explore. The tour was extremely smooth and we were so well looked after. Lunch stop was lovely too. Highly recommended
Response from Host, Apr 2026
Dear Jane,
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Hill of Crosses tour and that everything — from the communication to the smooth journey — met your expectations.
It’s great to know that Edīte’s knowledge and the comfortable minibus made your experience even more enjoyable, and that you had just the right amount of time to explore each stop, including the lunch break.
Your recommendation truly means a lot to us, and we hope to welcome you again on another day trip from Riga in the future!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
RuthRebekah_J, Mar 2026
Great day out with lots of interesting stops. Tour was punctual and comfortable. It was easy to find the pick up location and everything ran very smoothly. Our guide, Maris, was super knowledgeable, charismatic and engaging. He ensured everything ran to a very well-paced schedule and the information he provided on a huge range of topics related to Latvian history and culture was so impressive. The coffee stops and lunch tea-room were well-selected and had lots of choice at very reasonable prices. I’d definitely recommend this tour to anyone travelling to Riga!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Ruth,
Thank you for your wonderful and detailed review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a smooth and enjoyable day trip from Riga, and that everything from the pickup to the overall organisation met your expectations.
It’s fantastic to know that Maris made the experience so engaging with his knowledge, charisma, and insights into Latvian history and culture. We’re also glad you enjoyed the carefully selected stops along the way, including the coffee breaks and lunch options.
Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we truly appreciate you choosing our tour while visiting Riga. We hope to welcome you again on another memorable guided tour in Latvia!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours
Brian_H, Mar 2026
Martis (spelling?) was an excellent guide/ driver. He was very passionate and knowledgeable about each site we visited. He was personable and translated for us at the smaller stops that didn’t have English speakers. He was filled with history and knowledge of the region, a great tour to do to see hill of crosses and some stops on the way without making it too long of a day. I would recommend to anyone.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Brian,
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you had such a great experience on your day trip from Riga. It’s wonderful to know that Maris made the tour both informative and enjoyable with his knowledge, passion, and personal approach.
We’re especially glad you appreciated the visit to the Hill of Crosses and the carefully planned stops along the way, making it a comfortable and enriching experience without being too long.
Thank you for your recommendation — it truly means a lot to us! We hope to welcome you again on another guided tour in Latvia.
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours
John_N, Mar 2026
Brilliant day tour. Erlands was extremely knowledgeable and his humour and friendly demeanor was a joy to experience. Really enjoyed this trip and appreciate the brilliant contribution from Erland.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re delighted to hear that you had a brilliant day exploring Riga and that Erlands made the experience so enjoyable with his knowledge, humour, and friendly personality.
Providing engaging and informative guided tours in Riga and Latvia is what we strive for, and it’s wonderful to know that Erlands contributed so much to your experience.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again on another memorable tour in Latvia.
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours
karla_g, Mar 2026
long but very enjoyable day, it was much better than we expected.
there was so much to see, and to experience.
we had the best tour guide Maris who had so much knowledge to share, he really made the trip special!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Karla,
Thank you very much for your wonderful review! We are delighted to hear that the tour exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed such a full and memorable day exploring Latvia.
There truly is a lot to see and experience on this tour, and it means a lot to us that you appreciated the journey. We are especially happy to hear your kind words about Maris. He is a fantastic guide with a deep knowledge of Riga and Latvia’s history, and we’re glad he helped make the experience so special for you.
Thank you again for choosing our Riga and Latvia tour. We hope you left with many great memories, and you are always very welcome to return and explore more of Latvia in the future.
Warm regards,
The Latvia Guide Tours Team
Andrew_M, Mar 2026
A great day visiting the Hill of crosses including a stop at the Latvia Lithuania border crossing.
Lunch is at a small cafe on the way back, very reasonable priced
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Andrew,
Thank you for your review and for joining our tour. We’re glad to hear you enjoyed visiting the Hill of Crosses and the unique experience of stopping at the Latvia–Lithuania border along the way. It’s also great that you appreciated the lunch stop on the return journey.
We hope to welcome you again on another day trip from Riga in the future.
Best regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
Helen_W, Mar 2026
A very enjoyable trip. Informative tour guide who was very pleasant & shared lots of relevant information & history during the day. We were a small party in size (probably due to time of the year) which made it extra personalised. Jannis took the time to check we were all happy & comfortable whilst travelling.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Dear Helen,
Thank you very much for your kind review. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and appreciated the informative guidance throughout the day. It’s wonderful that the smaller group made the experience feel more personal and comfortable.
We’re also glad that Jannis helped make the tour enjoyable and ensured everyone felt well taken care of during the journey.
We hope to welcome you again on another day trip from Riga in the future.
Best regards,
Latvia Guide Tours Team
Victoria_J, Feb 2026
This was a great tour and quite a fascinating place to go. Crosses made out of a variety of materials including lego.
Crossing the boarder was simple and we only stopped to take photos.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Victoria,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. The Hill of Crosses truly is one of those places that surprises people — both in atmosphere and in the creativity behind many of the crosses.
We’re glad the journey was smooth and enjoyable for you. It’s always our goal to make the day feel easy, interesting, and memorable from start to finish.
Warm regards,
The Latvia Guide Tours Team
Kial_G, Feb 2026
Eriens was very knoweldageble and friendly. She shared alot of important about both Latvia and Lithuania as well as life before independence. The tour was fantastic. I’m so glad we did it. Thanks for a fantastic day!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear that you had a fantastic day and enjoyed learning more about Latvia, Lithuania, and the period before independence.
It means a lot to know the experience was both informative and enjoyable. We’re truly glad you chose to join the tour and that it became a highlight of your trip.
Warm regards,
The Latvia Guide Tours Team
Ian_M, Feb 2026
Great guide and information. A cold snowy day but a very nice day out. Really recommended if you have extra time in Riga
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Ian,
Thank you for your kind words and for recommending the tour. We’re very glad to hear that, even on a cold and snowy day, you had such an enjoyable experience.
Winter in the Baltics can be crisp and beautiful, and when paired with the right company and engaging stories, it truly becomes something special. We’re pleased to know the guide’s insights and information helped make your day both interesting and worthwhile.
It’s wonderful to hear you would recommend this experience to travelers spending extra time in Riga — that means a lot to us and to future guests considering the tour.
We hope to welcome you again on another adventure soon.
Warm regards,
The Latvia Guide Tours Team
Paul_C, Feb 2026
A great day with some amazing scenery tour guide Erlens was a top bloke who made us all feel welcome very knowledgeable, well recommended 👍
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Dear Paul,
Thank you for your great feedback!
We’re very happy to hear the day exceeded your expectations. The landscapes around Riga really offer something special, and it’s always rewarding to know our guests leave with strong impressions and good memories.
Your recommendation means a lot to us. We’d love to welcome you back for another experience in the future!
rxypg8pkq2, Jan 2026
Normand’s was prompt, very likable and catered to our requests. He gave us as much time for pictures and sightseeing as we wanted.
He was knowledgeable and gave us good and useful information without talking all the time.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re really glad to hear that Normunds made the tour comfortable, flexible, and enjoyable for you. Giving guests the freedom to enjoy sightseeing and take photos at their own pace, while also sharing useful local knowledge, is exactly what we strive for.
It’s great to know you appreciated the balance between information and quiet moments to explore. We truly hope to welcome you again in Latvia.
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours
Hitomi_O, Dec 2025
Dont forget to bring your passport. Janis was a wonderful guide, with many stories. The bus driver was also great!
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you, Hitomi, for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the guide’s stories and that both the guiding and driving contributed to a pleasant and comfortable day.
We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future.
Latvia Guide Tours
Paul_C, Dec 2025
This tour was excellent and informative, Janis our tour guide delivered the trip effortlessly and is a credit to the company, was a long day but definitely does not feel like it, enough stops to break it down and the lunch stop is a lovely cafe on the river which is very reasonable price and excellent quality. Once again Janis made this tour and clearly loved his job. They should have a tip pot at front of bus as I would have made a donation, would highly recommended this trip.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you, Paul — we really appreciate you taking the time to write such a generous review. We’re delighted that the day flowed so smoothly and never felt long, even with the distance covered.
We love hearing that the guide’s enthusiasm and enjoyment of the job came through and helped shape the overall experience. Creating tours that feel relaxed, engaging, and well balanced with the right number of stops is something we care deeply about, and it’s great to know this worked well for you.
We’re also glad you enjoyed the lunch stop by the river — choosing welcoming local places is an important part of the journey for us. Thank you for the recommendation and for traveling with us; we’d be very happy to welcome you back anytime.
Latvia Guide Tours
Linda_B, Dec 2025
Fab tour guide, gave us lots of interesting information and stories (and even a shot of Riga Balsam!). Very comfortable coach and great, safe driver. Above all, very interesting tour to the Hill of Crosses, and nice stops along the way for more memories and photos. A really lovely day.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you, Linda, for taking the time to share your experience with us. We’re delighted to hear that the tour felt informative, comfortable, and enjoyable throughout the day.
It’s wonderful to know that the guide’s stories and local insights added something special to your experience, and that you appreciated the comfortable coach and safe driving. We always aim to combine engaging guiding with a relaxed and well-organized journey, including thoughtful stops along the route.
We’re very pleased that the visit to the Hill of Crosses made the day truly memorable for you. Thank you for your kind words, and we hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future.
Latvia Guide Tours
Alan_F, Dec 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed my tour. The Hill Of Crosses is a beautiful place and well worth visiting. The Russian orthodox Church is stunning. Our guide Viktorija was lovely and a wealth of knowledge.
AF Scotland.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you very much for your thoughtful feedback! We are truly happy to know that your journey was such a positive experience and that the places you visited left a strong impression on you. Our team is always proud when guests feel both inspired and well cared for, and your kind words about Viktorija’s professionalism mean a lot to us. It would be a pleasure to welcome you again in the future.
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Tours
Ana_B, Dec 2025
Viktoria was a great guide for us, very helpful, gave good info on the history of Riga, Latvia and the Hill of Crosses.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We are happy to know that your day with our team was enjoyable and informative. It is especially nice to hear that Viktoria made your journey through Riga and the Hill of Crosses engaging and comfortable. Your feedback means a lot to us, and we truly hope to welcome you again on another adventure in Latvia.
Kind regards,
Latvia Guide Tours
lee_o, Oct 2025
Good to see outside of riga, there is definitely more to Latvia than Riga. wasnt a thing the guide didn’t know. Well impressed
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Lee! It’s great to hear that you enjoyed exploring beyond Riga — Latvia truly has so much more to offer, and we’re glad you got to experience that. Wonderful to know that the guide’s knowledge made an impression as well. We appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again for more discoveries outside the city!
— Latvia Guide Tours
Michael_M, Oct 2025
Great trip, Erlens was a fantastic guide, very knowledgeable and approachable. Small group. Great lunch stop. Highly recommended
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you, Michael! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that the small group atmosphere made the experience even more personal. Erlens will be happy to know his knowledge and friendly approach made a positive impact on your day. And we're glad the lunch stop was a highlight too! Your recommendation means a lot to us.
— Latvia Guide Tours
Lynn_K, Sep 2025
Very informative. It’s so much more than the Hill of Crosses. We were shown a lot more & had lunch at a nice little venue.
Our guide Victoria was very pleasant and knowledgeable.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Lynn,
Thank you for your kind words! We’re delighted you enjoyed not only the Hill of Crosses but also the extra stops and the lunch. Victoria will be so pleased to hear your compliments. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you back to Latvia someday!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Team
RIIKKA_J, Sep 2025
I like how well everything went. We get water when we get to car. Erlens was good telling us stuff about Latvia and ofc of Hill of crosses. I recommend this tour operator
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Riikka,
Thank you for sharing your kind feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the little touches along the way. Erlans will be happy to know his stories made your visit more memorable. We truly value your recommendation and hope to see you again in Latvia!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Team
Nicola_C, Sep 2025
Our tour guide Viktorija was fantastic. She was so well informed and engaging.
The hill of crosses is a powerful place of peace & remembrance. Lunch was well organised and really delicious. Highly recommend 5 stars
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Nicola,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the tour, especially the visit to the Hill of Crosses and the lunch. Viktorija will be thrilled with your kind words. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back again soon!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Team
Elizabeth_G, Sep 2025
Erlans was such a wonderful guide! Very friendly and knew his stuff. I really enjoyed the tour.
Thanks you to Oskars as well for driving us around all day!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Dear Elizabeth,
Thank you for your lovely feedback! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour — Erlens and Oskars will be very happy to hear your kind words. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope to see you again in Latvia one day!
Warm regards,
Latvia Guide Team
From $65.75
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