My trip to North Korea's 'Benidorm' - flanked by guards and full of rules
Published: 8/23/2025

Anastasia Samsonova, a Russian tourist, visited Wonsan Kalma, a new holiday resort in North Korea, where she enjoyed a unique, tightly controlled vacation experience. The resort, reminiscent of Spain's Benidorm, offers exclusive access to beaches, hotels, and a water park, but has faced criticism for alleged mistreatment of workers. Despite restrictions and limited tourism access, Anastasia found the pristine, empty beaches and overall experience to be memorable, expressing a desire to return.