11 Border Towns That Let You Experience Two Cultures in One Trip

6. Görlitz, Germany — Zgorzelec, Poland

Görlitz and Zgorzelec were once a single city divided after the Second World War, leaving a layered cultural and architectural legacy. Wander the well-preserved German old town with its ornate facades, then cross to Zgorzelec for smaller shops, Polish bakeries, and riverside walks. Train and bus connections are convenient, and the crossing itself is a brief walk over bridges spanning the Neisse River. Currency and practicalities are straightforward for EU travelers, though visitors from outside Europe should carry ID and check entry requirements for both Schengen and non-Schengen nationals. Food lovers will notice differences: hearty Central European dishes in Görlitz versus Polish pierogi and regional pastries in Zgorzelec. The two towns host joint cultural events and film festivals, which can be a special chance to see how communities reconnect through the arts. For photos, the stone bridges and cobbled lanes make excellent subjects at golden hour.