Can tourists visit Pyongyang and what should they know?
Posted on Feb 09, 2026 / Travel
You *can* visit Pyongyang as a tourist, but it’s not like going to most cities — trips are usually done with official guides and set itineraries rather than free-form travel. North Korea keeps tight control on foreign visitors, and you’ll usually have to follow tour paths, be accompanied by guides, and stick to approved sites and hotels. There’s also a legal side: travelers often need special visas and must check travel advisories from their own governments before booking anything. Inside the city, your experience is shaped by strict rules and planning rather than spontaneous exploration. Some tours include visits to big monuments, museums, and even the subway, but you won’t get much casual street time or independent wandering. Pyongyang isn’t open like other capitals where you just show up and explore at your own pace. The whole trip can feel controlled, but it also offers a very different view of how a capital city functions.
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