In this small town, you can cross the International border more than 30 times in less than 5 kilometres

A border town unlike any other

Baarle is actually made up of two separate municipalities: Baarle-Nassau (the Dutch part) and Baarle-Hertog (the Belgian part). But calling it a “border town” hardly does it justice. The two countries’ territories are so deeply intertwined that in some places, you could be eating dinner in the Netherlands and using a Belgian bathroom.

All of this strange geography comes from medieval land deals. Back in the day, land was traded like poker chips between local dukes and lords. Those land agreements stuck around for centuries, and when modern borders were drawn, officials had to follow them, no matter how bizarre the results. The final layout was hashed out in the 1840s, and it involved literally thousands of tiny land parcels being divvied up between the two countries.

The result? 22 Belgian enclaves inside the Netherlands, and within some of those Belgian enclaves, more Dutch enclaves. It’s like geopolitical Inception.

Life on a shifting line

What’s really fascinating is how normal life is here, despite the madness on the map. Locals are used to the border signs (little white crosses in the pavement) and treat it as part of everyday life. Some homes straddle the line so perfectly that residents sleep with their head in one country and their feet in another.

And yes, people have literally moved their front doors to take advantage of better tax laws or postal systems. In Baarle, which country your house “belongs to” is based on where your front door opens. So if your home sits on the line, you can pick a side by relocating your door.

Businesses, too, have made clever use of the geography. During COVID lockdowns, when rules differed between Belgium and the Netherlands, some cafés adjusted their seating to make sure they could stay open, by operating on the less restricted side.

You might expect chaos, but Baarle functions surprisingly well. Each part of the town has its own mayor, town council, police, and national services. But they also work together. The two sides share libraries, cultural centres, and even festivals.

The town has been nicknamed “Europe in miniature” for its peaceful coexistence and complex layout.

Aside from the novelty of hopping between countries, Baarle has a unique charm. The streets are quaint, the culture is a blend of Dutch and Belgian traditions, and there’s a sense of pride in being part of something so uniquely distinct.

Whether you’re a geography nerd or just curious about the quirks of Europe, Baarle is definitely worth a visit.

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