The world is inevitably split into sections, from continents, to countries, to states and regions. Explore new destinations to open your world by going to the edge of these visitor-friendly and picturesque borders, sometimes within a city!
When visiting these bordering countries, always check beforehand if a visa is required when crossing and make sure to get the necessary stamps on either side. Get inspired with our list of 10 unique borders and border crossings worth the detour.
River Guadiana – Spain and Portugal
Zipline over the Spanish-Portuguese border with Limitezero © Limitezero
Have a hard time choosing between the delicious foods and appealing climate on both sides of this border? Make a soaring trip from Spain to Portugal faster than you can finish a hot serving of cataplana de marisco (typical Algarve seafood dish).
Here’s the gist: Límitezero, a 720-metre zipline across the River Guadiana, takes you from Sanlúcar de Guadiana, Spain to Alcoutim, Portugal where you’ll not only cross a border, but also a time zone! With time being set an hour behind in Portugal, you’ll have plenty of minutes to spare upon landing for sunbathing on the “praia fluvial” (river beach) before heading back across the river by ferry.
Mount Everest – Nepal and China
The international summit doesn’t seem that far from the Everest Base Camp, Nepal
Only the brave and ambitious border crossers will have the chance to cross what is the world’s highest international border. Situated between China and Nepal, the border divides the summit point of Mount Everest at 8,848 metres.
Don’t expect to get your passport stamped up there though, no border patrols are to be seen, but if you’re trekking through the North Base Camp (China-side) you’ll be required to have a Frontier Pass and an Aliens’ Travel Permit on top of the required travel permit for Tibet and Chinese visa. The Base Camp on the Nepal side (requiring slightly fewer permits – National Park entry permit and trekkers permit on top of visa) is barely less challenging yet more popular, with tens of thousands attempting the trek every year.
No matter what side you choose to ascend, be aware of altitude sickness and extreme weather conditions, if you want to enjoy the same colourful sunrise or charming tent scenery as those who’ve reached the summit since 1953.
Wagah border – India and Pakistan
Crowds join on the Wagah border for the daily commemoration of Indo-Pakistani relations
One of the world’s most historically conflicted borders – stretching across 3,323 kilometres, and visible from outer space due to the floodlights that illuminate it – the Indo-Pakistani border should be on the top of your list of unique borders to visit. Every evening on the Grand Trunk Road, a major road link between India and Pakistan, a ceremonious show of pride and commemoration of friendly relations takes place.
Indian residents seated on one side of the Wagah border, Pakistani residents on the other, witness the opening of the countries’ respective gates with soldiers from either side clicking their heels, walking with gusto, culminating in the simultaneous lowering of their flags. Emotions are palpable when proud crowds shout and clap as two soldiers shake hands and slam their gates shut.
Canusa Avenue – Canada and USA
The border separating Canada and the USA in Vermont symbolised by a row of potted plants
Walking along Canusa Avenue (or Rue Canusa, if you’re walking on the Canadian side) is the perfect introduction to the daily struggles of residents living on the Canadian-American border between Québec and the state of Vermont. To abide to the rules completely, visiting their neighbours across the street requires a check-in at the border post down the road.
While the line isn’t always clearly marked between both countries, it is comically visible at the Haskell Free Library and Opera House. Built on the border in 1901 to provide an open space of community and culture, the library straddles each country, with only a discreet demarcation on the floor to show which side of the building belongs to whom. Although the entrances are on the US side, strolling from one isle to another is a freely international affair.
Iguazú/Iguaçu Falls – Argentina and Brazil
Standing at the Triple Frontier in Paraguay, see Argentina and Brazil on the other sides of the river
What is more exciting, watching tonnes of water throwing themselves into seemingly bottomless gorges or crossing a bridge uniting two of the largest countries of South America? We’ll let you decide for yourself on your visit to the Iguazú Falls. Border crossing may seem fairly relaxed as local buses or taxis may not stop at border patrols unless you request it, but the stamp upon exit and entry is essential, if you don’t want to pay a fine.
The cities on either side (Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil and Puerto Iguazú, Argentina) are charming and each worth a visit. A must attraction is the boat trip in the Garganta del Diablo, or the Devil’s Throat, to see the grandeur of the falls from below. On both sides, walkways will give you the roar and splash effect you’d only expect from this force of nature.
Not far from the falls, the two countries meet with Paraguay at the Triple Frontier where the Iguazú and Paraná Rivers meet. You can also immortalize this border crossing on glossy paper with the different countries’ flag colours behind you on the bridges respectively crossing their borders: the Tancredo Neves Bridge (Brazil-Argentina), or the accurately named Friendship Bridge (Brazil-Paraguay).
Iron Curtain Trail – Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia
Cycling in Austria along the Iron Curtain Trail – Eurovelo 13
Near Rajka, Hungary, a few kilometres away from the banks of the Danube stretching through Eastern Slovakia, the three borders of Hungary, Austria, and Slovakia intersect. Where the continent was once divided into East and West by the Iron Curtain, today sits a triangle picnic table uniting three nations in the heart of a tri-cultural sculpture park.
Usually a pit-stop while cycling along the 6,800-kilometre bike path known as the Iron Curtain Trail – Eurovelo 13, head north across the Slovakian border to Bratislava or, just south of the Hungarian border, to the town of Bezenye emphasizing the mixity of cultural heritage and local history with its trilingual name: Bezenye (Hungarian), Bizonja (Croatian), and Palersdorf (German).
Four Corners Monument – Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, USA
Spread your arms or jump up high to reach all four state corners at the same time © Jeff_Terrell
For the fee of $5 (cash!) to be paid at the entrance station in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, straddle four states at the same time: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Although the actual meeting of the states’ corners was inaccurately surveyed in 1868 by about 1800 feet, the monument holds symbolic value and continues to attract curious visitors road-tripping through the states.
Around the monument lies a region steeped in Ancestral Puebloan heritage, with archaeological remnants dating back to 1200 A.D. like the ruins of settlements at Hovenweep National Monument, Utah. The rugged reliefs of Monument Valley in Utah on one side, the lush pine hills of the Navajo Lake State Park in New Mexico on the other, you’ll have endless choices of what state to go to next.
Don’t leave without the inevitable photo-op, crouching over each corner, a hand and foot in each state.
Vatican City – Rome, Italy
Post your letter at the Vatican Post Office, a unique souvenir from the Vatican City
Sitting within the city of Rome is a city of its own – Vatican City, which encompasses the Vatican City State. Also considered the smallest and least populated nation, as the siege of the Catholic Church, Vatican City’s power is not to be neglected. Nevertheless, access is relatively loose, with only a checkpoint under a metal detector for security reasons separating you from the Saint Peter’s Square in the Vatican City with the rest of Rome.
Once inside the city walls, you’ll find all the essentials of a modern city with the Vatican Post Office, Vatican Radio, and the Vatican Pharmacy. Oh, and brush up on your Latin, recognised as one of the city’s official languages.
Old and new Sarajevo – Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina
The meeting of cultures, where old and new Sarajevo intersect
The aftermath of Bosnia’s war for independence, from 1992 to 1995, is inevitable as you stroll the capital city, Sarajevo. Throughout the city, Sarajevo Roses — splatters of red resin-filled scars from mortar shell explosions — remind visitors and locals alike of the tragedies that took place in that spot. Although not an international border between two countries, on Ferhadija Street, a clear, inlaid marker on the ground — stating “Sarajevo Meeting of Cultures” — marks the border between the two dominant cultures that shaped the city.
Rotating on that spot, you’ll notice the architecture is significantly different. Stare into the past to the East, down a street of Islamic and Ottoman heritage, starting with the stone walls of the Gazi Husrev-bey bazaar. Look West towards modernity where sleek, shiny storefronts define the contrast of western culture’s influence.
Northern and Southern Hemisphere – Mitad del Mundo, Ecuador
Stand in the middle of the world, on latitude zero in Ecuador
No passport necessary here, as you won’t be crossing international borders, but rather a geographical divide. In what is appropriately called Mitad del Mundo city (the middle of the world) in Ecuador, you can stand on a monument dedicated to the equator in both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres at the same time – well, kind of.
Similarly to the Four Corners borders, the exact position of the border between both hemispheres is off by a couple hundred meters. Yet, the monument and its bright, yellow line were placed on what is misconceived as latitude zero.
