Discover Bauska: Castle, Old Town and River Landscape

Bauska combines medieval urban history, castle ruins, museums and a distinctive river landscape. Those planning a trip with a variety of experiences will find cultural discoveries here as well as nature and activity options. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Bauska, you can therefore first consider whether the old town, the history of the castle, the rivers or an active day trip should be the main focus of your stay.

Old Town, Castle and Town Hall as a Cultural Focus

Bauska Old Town is an urban monument of national significance. Its medieval urban structure has been preserved, with two main streets running parallel to the river, smaller cross streets and a central market square with the town hall. This creates a clear historical theme for your walk: the townscape consists not only of individual buildings, but also of the arrangement of the streets and the square.

Bauska Castle stands on a picturesque peninsula at the confluence of the Mūsa and Mēmele rivers, where they form the Lielupe. The oldest part is the castle of the Livonian Order, built in the mid-15th century, of which only ruins remain. The later part of the complex was built in the late 16th century as the residence of the Kettlers, the Dukes of Courland. The central tower can be climbed and is located 50 metres above sea level.

The town hall also provides a special highlight: it is currently the only reconstructed 17th-century town hall in Latvia. The guided tour “Svari un mēri Bauskā” combines the history of the town hall with historical weights and measures. Visitors can be weighed and measured using old units such as the pud and the ell, and receive a certificate. This is an engaging way to connect the town’s history with a tangible experience.

Museums with Unusual Themes

The Bauska Museum offers an exhibition about Bauska in the 20th century. Another special feature is the permanent toy exhibition: it explores the world of toys and dolls from the late 19th century to the early 21st century and is the only one of its kind in Latvia. This makes it a worthwhile standalone activity for anyone who would like to discover everyday history through familiar yet historically significant objects.

The Bauska Motor Museum uses a 400-square-metre space for around 30 exhibits. It presents vehicles from the history of automobiles in Latvia and around the world during the 20th century, as well as agricultural machinery and other objects from everyday life. In addition, the “Bauska” Studio of Applied Folk Art, which operates as a department of the museum, offers advice on assembling and making the traditional costume of the Zemgale region.

Rivers, Nature and Activity

Bauska Nature Park is a Natura 2000 protected area that preserves untouched sections of the Mēmele, Mūsa and Lielupe rivers. The Bauska Nature Trail is located in this nature park, which is likewise designated as a Natura 2000 site. Anyone wishing to include time outdoors alongside sightseeing can incorporate these nature activities into their travel plans.

Water-based experiences are also part of the local character. Bauska has two popular bathing spots for residents: one on Rīgas iela by the Mēmele and one on Krasta iela by the Mūsa. For longer cycling tours, the 138-kilometre “Iecavas augšteces loks” cycle route also starts in Bauska. You should take the route into account when planning your days and stages.

More Experiences for Your Travel Plans

Bauska Old Town can be explored with the free “Iepazīsti Bausku!” audio guide in Latvian, Russian, English, Lithuanian and Estonian. The Bauska Museum also offers the educational programme “Piedzīvojums 20.gadsimta Bauskā”. The Bauska Brewery gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the secrets of traditional beer production and taste local beer.

This allows you to shape your stay in different ways: one day can be devoted to the castle, town hall and old town, and another to the museums and regional culture. For nature and activity days, the nature park, nature trail, bathing spots and long cycle route offer a range of different themes. When choosing your accommodation, this mix helps you define your preferred focus without limiting the trip to just one type of experience.

More Places in the Surrounding Area

If you would like to explore other places in this selection in addition to Bauska, you can find Pāce, Grenctāle, Likverteni, Ceraukste, Mežotne, Jauncode and Code here.

To the higher-level travel overview: Bauskas Novads.