Moscow Is Touting North Korea as a New Tourism Hotspot. Few Russians Are Making the Trip.
Despite a growing selection of organized tours and deepening ties between Moscow and Pyongyang, few Russians are venturing to the country.
Russian officials are promoting North Korea as an emerging tourist destination, showcasing attractions like beach resorts, ski trips, and special discounts for Russian soldiers who have fought in Ukraine. However, despite this promotional push, the number of Russian tourists visiting North Korea remains minimal. In 2025, only around 5,000 Russians made the journey, with forecasts predicting a slight increase to 6,000 in 2026.
Artur Muradyan, vice president of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, notes that North Korea remains a niche destination on the Russian tourism market.
The tourism surge is linked to Moscow and Pyongyang strengthening their ties following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In June 2024, President Vladimir Putin visited Pyongyang and signed a mutual defense treaty with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which also highlighted plans to expand tourism ties. However, European travel for Russians has become more challenging, with the European Union tightening Schengen visa rules and barring most Russian citizens from obtaining multiple-entry visas in November 2025.
One Russian tour operator offers trips to North Korea, with a first visit package priced at nearly 100,000 rubles ($1,244). Tourists can choose between two tours to Pyongyang, with a "popular" itinerary costing almost twice as much at around $1,900. The eight-day tour departs from Vladivostok and includes sightseeing in Pyongyang, a stay at the newly opened beach resort Wonsan-Kalma, and various cultural experiences.
Russian Ambassador Alexander Matsegora and Primorye region Governor Oleg Kozhemyako praised the resort during a visit, describing it as a "world-class tourist and cultural center." Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed confidence that Russian tourists will increasingly seek to visit the country. The resort, located on the Kalma Peninsula near Wonsan, was once a military airfield and empty area, but has now been transformed into a tourist and cultural hub.
Russian tourists fly into Pyongyang on Air Koryo, a carrier with Soviet- and Russian-made aircraft. Upon arrival, they are greeted by a Russian-speaking guide and served lunch. The tour itinerary varies depending on the package, with options ranging from exploring Kim Il Sung Square and the House of Books to a train journey to Kalma, where tourists spend a week. Guides, typically North Koreans who studied Russian, accompany tourists during all excursions to ensure cultural immersion.
Despite the modest number of tourists, Russian operators are expanding their offerings. Over 40 North Korean tours are available through a single operator, with prices ranging from 10,000 rubles ($124) to nearly $1,244 per tour. Some packages, like the "Patriotic" tour, are specifically timed to coincide with significant dates, such as North Korea's Army Day in early 2027.
The 100,000-ruble ($1,244) package includes a round-trip flight, insurance, a visa, hotel accommodation, meals, guide services, and transport within Pyongyang. A deluxe room costs an additional $580 per night, and the tour includes visits to landmarks such as the Victorious Fatherland Liberation War Museum, Myohyang Mountains, International Friendship Exhibition, Pyongyang Metro, and an Orthodox church.
Written by urgent.news from The Moscow Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
