What to See in Bauska, Latvia? Castle, Motor Museum + More

Location: Bauska, Latvia

Cost: Some objects has an entrance cost (links bellow)

Length: ~5,5km from bus station to all attractions and back

How to get there: Public transport or driving.

Location: Bauska Nature Trail

If you’re arriving in your private chariot, feel free to drive straight to the castle. But as we are on foot today, I suggest we take the scenic route along Bauska Nature trail. It follows the river and is separated from the rest of the city by a ground embankment, so we can imagine we are trying to sneak into the castle unnoticed. 

Now, I’ll be honest: in February, the scenery might look a bit sad. At this time of the year most of the places in Latvia look as if all the color has been sucked out of them.

But trust me, in any other season, it’s bound to be more vibrant and cheerful. And even in winter’s gray grasp, the trail is far more interesting than the day to day city scenes.

The highlight of the Bauska Nature Trail is the “Corner of Happiness.” Here, you can capture the perfect photo with the castle already framed—no need for Instagram filters.

You may have to have a little battle with the wind, as the frame turns in every breeze as if it had the mind of its own. But if that happens, don’t stress. Just punch it back to the position you wanted. It may be a bit of a challenge, but from the bright side – it is more customizable this way.

Location: Bauska Castle

Cost: There is an entrance fee. Check ticket prices and working hours.

Bauska Castle is like a labyrinth. 

Some stairs take you up, others down, and there are countless doors leading to an almost endless number of rooms to explore.

The entrance fee is a bit steep at 9 euros, but honestly, the castle is impressive enough to justify the cost. And if you’re still undecided, you can always admire its grandeur from the outside for free.

Discover the Grand Rooms of Bauska Castle

With each room you enter, you’ll notice an unusual pattern—the halls become emptier and emptier as you go. But oh, how grand they are!

High ceilings soar above you, thick stone walls hold centuries of stories, and the decorative fireplaces give each room character.

There aren’t many pieces of furniture, but the ones you do find are as grand as the rooms themselves. Massive wooden desks, intricately carved chests, and unbelievably small beds. And it makes sense – before the era of consumerism people just had way less stuff.

I always find the kitchen the most intriguing part of any historic estate. There’s always something surprising. For instance, this massive pestle looks like it could crush anything. What would you even use it for? Surely not herbs? 

Bauska Castle Tower: A Panoramic Perspective

As you enter the tower, something moving on the ground catches your eye. What is it? A ghost?

You are a bit cautious, but gather the courage to approach it. Turns out it’s a projection telling the story of how Bauska Castle has evolved over the centuries.

Then, you look up where the guts of the tower unfolds in front of you. You can see all the intricate details—the bare walls, wooden beams, and the roof. It’s like you’re peering into the tower’s very soul.

The best part? You can climb the stairs to take in the views from above. It’s hard to say whether the views are more impressive from the top or the bottom. What’s your take?

Before our trip, I tried to find out if there was an observation tower where we could see the city from above, as that is something I try to do in every city. But I couldn’t find any information. So discovering the Bauska Castle tower was a very pleasant surprise.

Location: Bauska Town Hall

The Town hall is a neat, rosy building with a tower. Inside, you’ll find a tourism information center.  Click-click! And a picture is ready.

Location: Rose alley

Right next to the Bauska Museum, there is an avenue of never wilting roses. 

Look carefully! What do you see here?

The more I look, the more interesting this place seems. At first, you probably notice houses worn by time, with fabric roses attached to the walls. But soon, you’ll realize how perfectly these romantic flowers complement the weathered buildings, creating a poetic contrast.

Walking by the street you spot a sign on one of the houses. “Come in the courtyard” it says. Hmm. Is that “Come to the dark side we have cookies?” type of a thing?

Such signs always make me a bit suspicious, but just around the corner, I can spot a glimpse of a mosaic fragment. I’d read earlier that there’s a fish mosaic somewhere in Bauska, so I think this is not a trap and it’s safe to proceed and snap a picture of that, too.

Location: Bauska Motor Museum

Cost: Has an entrance fee. Check entrance fees and working hours.

Can you spot what this car is missing? That’s right—mirrors.

One of the many interesting things you can learn at the Bauska Motor Museum is that mirrors weren’t always included in a car’s base equipment. They were actually optional accessories. Can you imagine? I shudder at the thought of road safety back in those days.

The museum staff are very knowledgeable and eager to share fascinating facts about the retro cars on display. I’m someone who usually distinguishes cars by color, yet I am still intrigued by what a vintage fire truck and a trailer-summer house looked like.

If you are not yet convinced, here’s another fun fact: did you know that cars without roofs used to be cheaper than fully enclosed ones? Why? Well, you’ll have to visit the Bauska Motor Museum on your own and ask the staff to find out.