🇰🇵North Korea
One of the most isolated countries on Earth, accessible only through tightly controlled, government-organized tours.
Sign in to mark this country.
Capital
Pyongyang
Best time
Not currently applicable for ordinary tourism — see note below
Language
Korean
Currency
North Korean won (not generally used by visitors; foreign currency typically required)
North Korea permits only extremely limited, strictly guided group tourism for most nationalities, with visitors accompanied by state guides at all times and access to a small, fixed set of sites. Several Western governments, including the United States, restrict or strongly advise against their citizens' travel there given serious documented risks to individual travelers. This entry describes North Korea factually for reference — it is not an endorsement or recommendation to visit, and anyone considering it should research current, specific official guidance and restrictions for their nationality thoroughly first.
🏙️ Pyongyang's monumental architecture
🪖 The DMZ from the northern side
⛰️ Mount Kumgang
🎎 Mass games and state spectacles
Trip essentials
Budget: All travel must go through a small number of authorized tour operators offering fixed-price, fully guided packages — independent budgeting is not applicable, and current package costs and restrictions by nationality should be researched directly.
Visa: All visitors require a visa arranged through an authorized tour operator, and several nationalities (including, at various times, US citizens) have faced specific restrictions or bans on travel to North Korea. Check your government's current official travel advisory and any nationality-specific restrictions before considering this at all.
Suggested days: 0 — Not meaningfully estimable in the usual sense — trip length and itinerary are entirely fixed by the authorized tour operator and government-approved program, not by individual preference.
Safety: North Korea permits only tightly controlled, government-organized tourism. Several governments, including the United States, have restricted or strongly advised against their citizens' travel there given documented risks to individual travelers, including past cases of detained tourists. This is a highly unusual travel situation requiring serious, specific research — not a typical destination to plan casually from a general guide.
Tastes of North Korea
Naengmyeon
Cold buckwheat noodles, particularly associated with Pyongyang-style preparation.
Kimchi
Fermented vegetables, shared with South Korea as a staple across the peninsula.
Bibimbap
Mixed rice with vegetables and meat, found in a North Korean style as well as the more internationally known southern version.
Sinseollo
A hot pot dish of meat, vegetables, and seafood, traditionally associated with royal cuisine.
Top attractions
Suggested itinerary
FAQ
Can tourists actually visit North Korea?
Yes, but only through a small number of authorized tour operators offering tightly fixed, fully guided group itineraries — independent travel is not possible, and some nationalities face specific restrictions or bans.
Is it safe to visit?
Several governments have documented serious risks to individual travelers, including past cases of detained tourists, and specifically restrict or advise against their citizens' travel. This requires serious, nationality-specific research before any consideration, not general guidance.
Can US citizens visit?
US passport holders have faced specific, significant restrictions on travel to North Korea at various points — check current, specific US State Department guidance directly, as this has changed over time.
What should I know before even considering this?
This is a genuinely unusual travel situation that differs fundamentally from ordinary tourism — thorough, current, nationality-specific research through official government sources and reputable specialized tour operators is essential before any serious consideration.