Inspiring stops on the Bauska side
The Bauska region is a place where nature, culture and man-made values intertwine. Here you can find silence and harmony, as well as colourful adventures – from exploring historical sites and cultural events to culinary discoveries on local producers’ farms. The special charm of this region is the vastness of Zemgale, rural hospitality and modern tourism. Here everyone will find their own travel story – leisurely, enjoyable and memorable.
Bauska is located just under an hour’s drive from Riga and is easily accessible to local travellers and tourists alike. It is a city where the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers meet to form the Lielupe, and where the breath of the Middle Ages and the serene nature of Zemgale can still be felt. This place is enchanting with peaceful charm, but at the same time it offers a variety of adventures – from historical sites to fine flavours and romantic walks.
“On the Bauska side, we take special care to ensure that every guest feels both local hospitality and a professionally developed and high-quality service offer. Tourism here involves close cooperation with tourism service providers, and this allows visitors to enjoy a varied, modern and organised experience,” says Inese Turkupole-Zilpure, head of the Bauska Region Tourism Information Centre.
The magic of nature
Nature in the Bauska area unfurls like an ancient story. At the confluence of two rivers – the Mūsa and the Mēmela – there are vast floodplains and verdant landscapes, which are especially beautiful in the summer greenery or shades of golden autumn. The Bauska Castle tower offers a fabulous view of the river bends, and it is one of the most romantic views that allows you to enjoy the scenery of Zemgale. There are also several nature trails and walking routes in the area that allow you to explore both the city landscape and the surrounding nature. For example, the route along the banks of the Mēmela and Mūsa rivers (~9 km) leads through the old town of Bauska and ends at the castle and the beginning of the Lielupe, revealing both historical objects and natural views. In turn, the road to the Vilis Plūdonis Museum “Lejenieki” (~8 km) is a peaceful hike along city and country roads that connect Bauska with the poet’s family home. More natural trails can be enjoyed in the Skaistkalne karst falls area (~3 km) or in the Zvirgzde White Dune area (~3–5 km), characterised by a unique rolling landscape and silent forests. For more experienced walkers, a longer route to the Mežotne Castle Mound (~13 km) or the international pilgrim route “Camino de Santiago”, which crosses the entire Bauska region, is also suitable.
Those who want to explore the surroundings even more should visit the Mežotne Castle Mound, which majestically towers over the Lielupe River. Here you can not only enjoy the landscape, but also feel the grandeur of the ancient Semigallian settlements. The viewing platform of the castle mound offers a view of the Lielupe River and the Mežotne Castle, built in the classicist style, on the opposite bank.
Cultural and historical charm
Bauska is proud of its old town, which has preserved the street layout of the 17th century. In the centre of the old town is the market square and Bauska Town Hall. A noteworthy sight is the renovated Bauska Town Hall, which was once the most magnificent and luxurious town hall in the entire duchy. Today, Bauska Town Hall serves both as a representation and as a sightseeing object; wedding ceremonies are held here, delegations of high-ranking guests are received and important awards are solemnly presented. Tourists can visit the Weights and Measures Exhibition and the interior exhibition.
It is also definitely worth seeing the Bauska St. Spirit Church, the Synagogue Garden and the Vilis Plūdonis Monument. Bauska is also deservedly proud of one of the most beautiful treasures of Latvian architecture – Bauska Castle, which is the only renovated Renaissance and Mannerist style castle in Latvia. Here, ancient stone walls meet the renovated Courland Duchy Castle, which allows you to experience both the power of a medieval defensive fortress and the elegance of the Renaissance era. From the tower, you can observe the confluence of rivers and the city panorama, while inside you can enjoy museum exhibitions and participate in exciting medieval activities.
Not far from Bauska, on the banks of the Lielupe River, stands the majestic Mežotne Castle – a pearl of classicism with a special aura. Next to the castle is a 10-hectare park, the creation of which began at the same time as the construction of the castle.
An equally romantic destination is Rundāle Palace – a true Baroque and Rococo masterpiece, often called the “Latvian Versailles”. A visit to the castle is not only a cultural event, but also an aesthetic experience – luxurious halls, works of art and spacious French gardens, which are magnificent in every season. In the spring, you should go here to see the magnificent flowers of tulips and other bulbous flowers, but during the summer, not only collections of roses bloom here, which create a unique atmosphere, but also peonies and hydrangeas. A walk along the symmetrical paths among the scent of roses, fountains and a historic apple orchard is like a little fairy tale, making you feel the romance in every detail.
Cultural adventures that inspire
In the Bauska region, culture and traditions are not just museum exhibitions – they are alive, colourful and saturated all year round. The fencing competitions, which take place every year in the middle of summer, are a favourite among spectators. Meanwhile, Rundāle Castle becomes a music and art stage every summer – concerts in the baroque gardens and festive light evenings are a special experience. The lime kiln “Ceplis” renovated by musician IGO is a wonderful cultural space, where various concerts are held on Thursdays in the summer.
Various concerts, exhibitions and festivals are also held in the city itself, which give a more festive atmosphere to everyday life. In the spring, around Easter time, the Vimba Festival is held here, when fishermen gather together and compete in catching vimba. At the same time, fans enjoy the activities arranged by the organisers for the whole family. Every September, the “Ciere” event is held, when you can get to know the stories of buildings and people during a night walk through the old town. The “Zemgale Great Market” is also taking place, which will bring together more than 100 home-grown producers and craftsmen. Also, the Auseklis mill has been hosting the Sowing and Reaping Festival for more than 15 years, demonstrating ancient rural crafts.
Active recreation and exploration
Along with culture and history, the Bauska region also offers active recreation opportunities. Here you can go boating on the Mūsa, Mēmeli and Lielupe rivers, letting yourself be carried away by the peaceful rhythm of the river and enjoying the natural landscapes. Cyclists have access to various routes that lead past historical sites and quiet rural landscapes.
For adrenaline lovers, the “Mūsa Raceland” car track will be a real paradise – an international-level motorsports centre, where the atmosphere of competition alternates with the opportunity to try your hand at the track. Here you can try out buggy rides, go on adventure trips off-road with jeeps or quads, as well as feel the racing atmosphere in rallycross. It is a place where the roar of the engine and the feeling of speed create unforgettable emotions for both participants and spectators.
Bauska region is rightly proud of its impressive vintage car exhibitions, which can be viewed in two places. One of them is in the recreation complex “Miķelis” and is the largest private collection of vintage cars in the Baltics. In parallel with the farmstead, a collection of agricultural machinery was built here over the years. Of particular interest in the collection are tractors that were used in the Latvian countryside in the first half of the 20th century. Currently, the collection of vintage vehicles has been supplemented with passenger cars. The collection features more than 100 different technical units, including passenger cars, trucks and fire trucks, various agricultural machinery, as well as motorcycles and engines.
The second exhibition can be viewed at the Bauska Motor Museum, which is a branch of the Riga Motor Museum. Here you can see both historical passenger cars and trucks, as well as military vehicles, as well as look into the world of Soviet-era transport. The museum also has no shortage of interactive elements and creative classes, so it is attractive to both car enthusiasts and families with children.
The Bauska Museum is no less exciting. It keeps stories about the city's history, allowing you to look at ancient objects, photographs and documents. The museum's exhibitions are rich and diverse, providing an opportunity to get to know the life of the people of Bauska at different times. Especially for children and families, the museum offers a toy exhibition, creative activities and thematic exhibitions, which make learning about history lively and exciting.
Taste experience
A trip to the Bauska region is impossible to imagine without delicious meals. Local cafés and restaurants delight with the traditional flavours of Zemgale – from fresh farm products to creative interpretations.
A particularly popular stop for gourmets is the Bauska brewery, where you can learn the secrets of traditional beer brewing and taste local beer. Local producers who create distinctive products play a special role in the Bauska region. For example, the “Celmi” farm makes wonderful cheeses. “Celmi” cheeses are popular not only with Zemgale locals, but are also known and appreciated by Riga residents. “Celmi” cheese has become popular on breakfast and party tables, is included in café and restaurant menus, can be purchased at markets and eco-product stands in supermarkets, and is exported. Meanwhile, for those who are not yet familiar with the products of the “Celmi” farm, the company offers a tasting accompanied by an attractive story from the owner. Another delicious example is the homestead farm “Padegas”, where watermelons, melons, sea buckthorn, rhubarb, vegetables, berries and herbs are grown on three hectares using organic methods. They make juices, syrups, jams, sauces, pastilles and other delicacies without artificial additives from what we grow themselves. You can buy seasonal vegetables on the farm, pick sea buckthorn yourself, get to know the poultry and domestic animals, as well as relax on the banks of the Īslīce River.
Home production here is not limited to food. Craftswomen who work with textiles, clay, wood, candle making, and fabric painting together create a cultural and aesthetic space, which is also brought to life every day. For example, the company “Gusto”, which was founded with the belief that humans are a gift from nature and that true beauty lies in nature. Using carefully selected raw materials, without traditional preservatives, it is created in small batches so that it reaches the buyer fresh, gentle and sensitive. On the tour, you can get to know the story of the family business, the world of ingredients and the secrets of production – touch, smell and feel the nuances given by nature, as well as learn about the advantages and challenges of natural cosmetics.
The association “Vēsturisko rekonstrukciju studija Rokoko” has united history lovers who have fallen in love with the sophisticated Rococo era and other historical styles. Their passion is learning about the history of fashion, making costumes and accessories, as well as “reviving history”, in theatrical excursions and performances. Since 2018, the association has been operating the creative space “Mazā muiža”. A unique collection has been created in the renovated old barn – exact replicas of historical costumes and accessories have been created over more than 15 years. The exhibition hall is open to visitors and allows you to trace the development of fashion from the second half of the 18th century to the end of the 19th century. All exhibits are the handiwork of the members of the association.
In conclusion, Inese Turkupole-Zilpure emphasises: “The greatest satisfaction is to see how home-grown producers, entrepreneurs and creative people of our region create an offer for guests with true passion. It is their contribution and hospitality that makes Bauska region a place where everyone – both local and foreign travellers – feels welcome, cared for and appreciated and feels at home.”
