Top 8 Countries Where Tourists Are No Longer Welcome

Afghanistan: A Nation Off-Limits

Afghanistan has become one of the least accessible countries for tourists since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. International tourism has plummeted due to heightened security concerns, limited consular services, and widespread travel advisories, with the United Nations reporting a significant decline in foreign arrivals through 2022.

Embassies have shut their doors, airlines have canceled routes, and hotels that once welcomed rare adventurers now remain empty. The U.S.

State Department and similar agencies across Europe have all issued the highest-level travel warnings, stressing the acute risks of kidnapping, terrorism, or being caught in unpredictable violence. Even experienced journalists and aid workers now require extensive security protocols just to move around in Kabul.

The few who enter do so at their own peril, navigating a country where checkpoints, sudden law changes, and a lack of basic services make travel nearly impossible. Afghanistan’s once-famous sites, like the Bamiyan Buddhas’ remains, now sit in silence—monuments to a history out of reach for nearly all the world.

North Korea: Borders Slammed Shut

North Korea’s relationship with tourism was always tightly controlled, but since 2023, the regime has made it clear that foreigners are not welcome. In 2024, official tourism numbers plummeted by nearly 70% as the country extended its border closures and increased surveillance of the few who did enter.

Stories from recent years tell of visitors being confined to their hotels, escorted everywhere, and subjected to intense scrutiny. The risk of arbitrary detention is ever-present, as highlighted by several high-profile international incidents.

Political tensions with neighboring countries and the West have only heightened these restrictions, and the government’s paranoia about outside influence has reached new highs. The U.S.

warns its citizens not to travel there under any circumstances, a stance echoed by most European nations. North Korea, once a curiosity for the most adventurous travelers, is now considered a red zone by virtually every global travel advisory.

Venezuela: Beauty Overshadowed by Danger

Venezuela’s spectacular natural beauty has long drawn adventurous travelers, but the reality on the ground in 2025 is grim. The political and economic collapse has led to soaring crime rates, with Caracas consistently ranked among the most dangerous cities worldwide.

In 2023, the number of international tourists dropped by 60%, driven by alarming stories of muggings, kidnappings, and shortages of basics like food and medicine. The U.S.

government’s Level 4 advisory—its most severe—warns of pervasive violence and civil unrest, making even short visits a gamble. Many foreign embassies operate in limited capacity, and travel insurance for Venezuela is nearly impossible to obtain.

Even tour operators who specialize in high-risk destinations have pulled out, citing the impossibility of guaranteeing safety. For now, Venezuela’s waterfalls and wild jungles stand mostly empty, a testament to the country’s ongoing crisis.

Syria: War’s Endless Shadow

Syria’s ancient cities and archaeological wonders were once among the Middle East’s tourism jewels, but the civil war that ignited in 2011 has all but erased its presence from travel itineraries. As of 2025, visitor numbers remain at less than 5% of pre-conflict levels, with only a limited number of journalists and aid workers allowed entry under strict supervision.

The U.S. State Department and nearly every Western government maintain their warnings against travel, with terrorism, armed conflict, and sudden violence considered ever-present threats.

Much of the country’s infrastructure has been destroyed, and basic amenities like electricity, water, or functioning airports are unreliable at best. Even regions previously considered relatively safe have seen renewed violence in the past year.

The legendary souks of Aleppo and the ancient ruins of Palmyra now lie largely abandoned, their silence speaking volumes about the risks outsiders face.

Yemen: Humanitarian Crisis and Closed Borders

Yemen’s ongoing civil war, which erupted in 2015, has made it one of the most dangerous places in the world for foreign visitors. The humanitarian disaster is so severe that international agencies frequently describe the situation as catastrophic, with millions facing food shortages and collapsed healthcare.

By 2024, tourist arrivals had fallen by an astonishing 98% from pre-war figures. Travel advisories from the U.S., UK, and European Union all emphasize the high risk of terrorism, armed conflict, and arbitrary detention.

Airports are often closed or subject to sudden changes in control, making reliable entry and exit nearly impossible. Even the legendary island of Socotra, once a remote ecotourism destination, is now off-limits due to security concerns.

The war has closed off Yemen’s ancient cities and unique landscapes to outsiders, with little sign that conditions will improve soon.

Iran: Tensions and Crackdowns

Iran’s reputation as a cultural crossroads has suffered greatly in recent years due to political tensions and waves of civil unrest. Beginning in 2023, widespread protests over social and economic issues have been met with harsh government crackdowns.

The U.S. and several European governments continually warn citizens about the risk of arbitrary arrest, citing multiple cases where tourists were detained on vague charges.

International visitor numbers have dropped by half since 2021, according to government tourism data. Travel companies have scaled back or canceled tours, and insurance providers are reluctant to offer coverage.

Even iconic sights like Persepolis and Isfahan’s squares are now sparsely visited. The atmosphere is tense, with visible police presence and regular disruptions.

For many, the risks have simply become too high, making Iran an increasingly inhospitable destination for travelers.

Belarus: Political Repression and Isolation

Belarus has become one of Europe’s least welcoming destinations for tourists, a dramatic shift since the controversial presidential elections of 2020. The government’s crackdown on dissent has led to mass arrests, ongoing protests, and a climate of fear that deters both locals and visitors.

In 2024, foreign tourist arrivals dropped by more than 40%, with many Western governments advising against all travel due to the risk of arbitrary detention and unpredictable law enforcement. Many hotels and cultural sites now operate under heavy security or have closed altogether.

The recent suspension of direct flights from major European cities has further isolated the country. Travelers who do enter report an atmosphere of suspicion and frequent police checks.

Belarus, once a quirky off-the-beaten-path destination, now feels like a closed society wary of outsiders.

Russia: Sanctions and Suspicion

In the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia has become increasingly isolated from the global community, and tourism has suffered dramatically as a result. International arrivals fell by 60% in 2023, with many Western countries imposing travel bans and airlines suspending service.

The U.S. and EU countries warn of risks including arbitrary arrest, government surveillance, and difficulties accessing consular help in case of trouble.

The Russian government has also imposed its own restrictions, making it harder for foreigners to obtain visas or move freely within the country. Stories have emerged of tourists being questioned or detained for minor infractions, adding to an overall sense of unpredictability.

Previously bustling sites like Moscow’s Red Square or St. Petersburg’s Hermitage Museum now see far fewer foreign faces.

The ongoing conflict and diplomatic tensions have changed Russia from a once-popular destination to a place many travelers now avoid.

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