Sometimes we’d love to hop over to another country in the blink of an eye and breathe some different air. And that doesn’t always mean we have to hop on a plane. For instance, Central Europe’s largest English-style landscape park lies between Germany and Poland and can be reached from Berlin in just about two hours. But there’s an even more special place—one that wasn’t officially declared part of Poland until after World War II—that’s even closer: Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice together form a cross-border twin city that lies simultaneously in Germany and Poland.
The two cities are separated by the Oder River, with the actual national border running right through the middle of the river. This makes for a particularly exciting experience: within a short walk, you suddenly find yourself in another country—with a different language, a different atmosphere, and often different prices as well.
The most famous connection is the city bridge between Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice. There, you can walk from the German city center directly into Poland in about ten minutes. Additionally, other bridges connect the two cities, making the region one of the most visible examples ofEuropean border opening and cooperation.
Historically, Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice were originally a single city. It was only after World War II that the Oder became the German-Polish border, and the eastern part of Frankfurt later developed into the independent Polish city of Słubice. To this day, however, the connection between the two places remains strongly palpable.
On the German side, you’ll experience historic architecture, a university atmosphere, and the laid-back vibes of Brandenburg. On the Polish side, the atmosphere is often livelier, with markets, restaurants, small shops, and a different culinary culture. Many visitors therefore use the trip to explore both sides in a single day. Morning coffee on the Oder promenade in Germany and later pierogi, Polish street food, or shopping in Słubice—it’s exactly this mix that makes the place so special.
Frankfurt (Oder) also boasts several architectural highlights. Particularly well-known is the imposing St. Mary’s Church in Frankfurt (Oder), one of the largest brick churches in northern Germany. In addition , historic buildings, university structures, and the promenade along the Oder River shape the cityscape.
