Yes. It isn’t illegal or anything. As the 7th, and southern-most continent of the world – encased in a splendor of snowy landscape (about 98% of it) – it’s hard to believe that any traveler would want to go there on vacation or ice sightseeing (most people go to cross off their bucket list), but yes, it is possible to go. Moreover, no one country has claim to the region so travelers won’t have to face immigration border, with Penguins most likely, stamping passports. You might require visa if you’ll be passing through several countries, and you might need permissions from your government if its part of an environmental treaty, but most tourist agencies handle this.
Even though Antarctica is the unofficial continent of Penguins, dolphins and whales, there are certain rules travelers must adhere to, and certain expectations they must have before embarking on their journey.
What Not to Expect
#1. Accommodation: while some 1000 to roughly 5000 scientists live on the continent for research purposes, there are no actual buildings on the continent. This is primarily to preserve the natural habitat of the continent for the animals that live there (humans have 6 other continents to do as they please). So if you’re going, don’t expect to actually live in a building. Some tourists arrange for “camps” on the continent, but they’ll involve sleeping bags, tents and not much else. Most people who work on cruise ships actually live in Ushuaia, Argentina, while researchers live in shores, islands or boats nearby.
#2. Souvenirs: while souvenirs are the hallmark of every tourist trips, with souvenir shops dotting virtually every street, Antarctica is free of those, and it’s actually illegal to try taking something for yourself, even a tiny penguin-like pebble to give a loved one. Your only memory of …
