Trapped Towns and Borrowed Land: Inside Spain’s Strangest Borders
June 2025
Spain’s geography is a riddle of treaties, enclaves, and territorial leftovers. While most countries have simple borderlines, Spain’s are tangled with history and oddities that stretch across two continents. From African cities flying the Spanish flag, to towns hidden inside France, and even islands that swap nationalities—here’s a deep dive into the strangest and most unique borders of Spain.
1. Llívia: A Spanish Town Marooned in France
Llívia is an enclave—a Spanish town entirely surrounded by French territory. The reason dates back to the 1659 Treaty of the Pyrenees. While France annexed several nearby villages, Llívia was classified as a “city,” so it remained Spanish. Today, a special access road connects Llívia to the rest of Spain, cutting through French land. Without the Schengen agreement, crossing in and out could technically require two visas for international travelers.
2. Ceuta and Melilla: Spain’s Cities in Africa
Across the Mediterranean, Spain holds two fortified cities: Ceuta and Melilla, located on the Moroccan coast. Although Spain insists they’re integral parts of the country, Morocco claims them as occupied land. These enclaves are equipped with fences, sensors, and surveillance towers, forming one of the EU’s most fortified external borders. The political tension surrounding these cities reflects the lingering shadows of colonialism.
3. Gibraltar: The British Rock in Spain’s Backyard
Though not Spanish, Gibraltar adds to the border puzzle. This British Overseas Territory is surrounded by Spain and fiercely contested. It’s only 6.8 km², but its location at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea gives it huge strategic value. Since Brexit, issues over border controls, airport use, and sovereignty have reemerged, keeping this tiny territory in the spotlight of Spanish‑British diplomacy.
4. Shared Streets: Le Perthus and Els Límits
In the eastern Pyrenees, the town of Le Perthus is split right down the middle. The northern half lies in France, while the southern part—known as Els Límits—is in Spain. The main street is the actual border, with Spanish shops on one side and French cafés on the other. You can literally walk between two countries in seconds without realizing it.
5. Os de Civís: A Spanish Village Only Reachable Through Andorra
Os de Civís is a Spanish village that, paradoxically, cannot be accessed from Spain directly. You have to go through Andorra—a microstate nestled in the Pyrenees. This oddity exists due to mountainous terrain and historical road networks. The town is technically Spanish, but functionally Andorran‑connected.
6. The Zipline Border: Spain to Portugal in 60 Seconds
In Sanlúcar de Guadiana, a unique zipline allows travelers to glide across the Guadiana River from Spain into Portugal. It’s the only international zipline in the world, crossing a natural border with stunning views—and no passport checks required.
7. Isla de los Faisanes: The Island That Changes Countries Every 6 Months
Nestled on the Bidasoa River between Spain and France, this small island is co-owned by both nations. Known as the world’s smallest condominium, Isla de los Faisanes changes hands every six months: Spanish from February to July, and French from August to January. This unique system has endured since the Treaty of the Pyrenees.
8. Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera: The Rock with Barbed Wire
Near the Moroccan coast lies Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, formerly an island but now attached to land by a sandbar. It’s a tiny rocky outcrop, yet it’s heavily guarded by Spanish forces. In 2002, a minor Moroccan incursion sparked a military standoff, reminding the world that even the smallest rocks can carry massive diplomatic weight.
Conclusion: History Etched in Borders
Spain’s borders are more than lines on a map—they’re echoes of imperial conquests, treaties, wars, and diplomatic arrangements. They reflect how geography, politics, and legacy intertwine in unexpected ways.
So next time you think of borders as simple, think again. In Spain’s case, the line between countries is often blurred, broken—or simply bizarre.