You probably haven’t heard of Sitka, Alaska’s hidden gem on Baranof Island. The coastal town is not only naturally stunning and steeped in history but is also Alaska’s fishing capital, considered by some to be the ultimate destination for salmon fishing in Alaska. Visit this magical island town before it’s on the major tourist track.
My first adventure in off-the-beaten-path Sitka really exceeded my expectations of this somewhat sleepy little town in Alaska. I used to work onboard cruise ships and even lived in Alaska for a time, yet Sitka was still on my list to visit. Finally, I added Sitka to my itinerary for a three-week adventure exploring more of Alaska. To my surprise, it was bustling with activities, and the main street was adorable, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and quaint little shops to visit. If you love to boat, fish, hunt, hike, or bike, Sitka really has it all in the outdoor activity category. I stayed in the heart of Sitka’s downtown so I could walk everywhere. Honestly, one could stay for a week and still not see and do everything Sitka has to offer. My personal favorite stop was the bear sanctuary (which I write about in this post), where I met some flavorful locals who make Sitka thrive. If you have the chance to fly into Sitka or make a port call via a cruise ship, I definitely recommend it! Keep reading for all of my recommendations.
The awe-inspiring beauty of the largest national forest in the US
Sitka lies at the heart of the United States’ largest national forest, Tongass National Forest, which also comprises the largest intact temperate rainforest in the world. Home to a dormant volcano, Mount Edgecumbe towers 3,200 feet above the picturesque Sitka harbor.
This stunning Alaskan island town is isolated, only accessible by air or sea, which has safeguarded its stunning natural beauty against over-tourism.
Sitka’s rich history and culture
In addition to Sitka’s spectacular scenery, the town has many layers of history, from centuries of Indigenous life to the intervention of modern world powers. History lovers will enjoy visiting the dozens of places in Sitka on the National Register of Historic Places.
Indigenous communities in Sitka
The area was originally inhabited by the Tlingit people. Today, Sitka is home to a flourishing indigenous community composed of thousands of Alaskan Natives. You can learn more about the past and modern Indigenous communities in Sitka at the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s website.
A former Russian colony turned first capital of the US Alaskan territory.
Native populations lived in Alaska long before the era of foreign traders and explorers. In 1741, Sitka was discovered by a Russian expedition and then explored by Aleksandr Baranov (Baranof), who built a fort and trading post, establishing Old Sitka/Fort St. Michael in 1799.
As you can imagine, the Russian traders clashed with the local Tlingit community, eventually defeating them at the Battle of Sitka in 1804. By 1808, the Russian outpost was the capital of Russian Alaska, and Baranof — the namesake of the island, even today — governed from 1790 to 1818.
But after its defeat in the Crimean War, Russia faced economic and political turmoil. The country offered to sell Alaska to the United States in 1859 to help boost the economy and offset the country’s rivalry with Great Britain. In 1867, the US paid only 7.2 million dollars for the massive Alaska territory. The formal transfer took place on October 18, 1867, and Sitka served as the territorial capital until 1906 when it was moved to Juneau.
Best activities and things to do in Sitka
Sightseeing in Sitka for history buffs
You can still see Russia’s cultural influence in Sitka today. Two places I recommend are the cathedral and Baranof Castle Hill.
Most famous is the 1848 St. Michael’s Cathedral — the first Orthodox cathedral in North America. You can’t miss its onion dome, which towers over downtown Sitka! Visitors are welcome every day from 12 pm–2 pm.
You should also check out National Historic Landmark Baranof Castle Hill, referred to as Castle Hill, which is one of the most historically significant sites in Alaska. The park marks the very spot where ownership of Alaska was transferred to the United States in 1867. There is no fee to visit, and an accessible walkway leads visitors to the top of the hill; it’s worth the trek for outstanding views of downtown Sitka and the waterfront.
Sitka, Alaska: Famous for its fishing
Today, Sitka is best known for its premium fishing. The options are abundant — salmon, trout, char, grayling, halibut, rockfish, and lingcod. Many enjoy a full-day fishing charter or a shorter half-day charter to soak up Sitka’s fishing scene.
The city is famous for commercial and recreational fishing, and the fishing industry is the largest private sector employer locally. It’s an incredibly important port for the entire country: Sitka is the US’ 6th largest port by value of seafood. Approximately 30 million pounds of seafood is processed annually, with a first wholesale value of up to $80 million. Sitka’s fishermen are proud to supply the nation and the world with a healthy product sustainably harvested from Alaska’s cold, clear waters.
Local wildlife encounters in Sitka
Visit the Alaska Raptor Center
The Alaska Raptor Center provides medical treatment to hundreds of injured bald eagles and other birds every year. The Center’s goal is to rehabilitate them and release them back into their natural habitat. However, the non-releasable birds join the Raptors-in-Residence; you can meet these eagles, hawks, falcons and owls at the Center. Their program provides excitement and education for more than 36,000 annual visitors and thousands of school children through the Adopt-A-Raptor program. You can adopt a raptor online, too! ($15 adult admission)
Visit Alaska’s orphaned bears at a bear sanctuary
My favorite thing to do in Sitka is visit the Fortress of the Bear Sanctuary. If you want to see Alaska brown bears up close, within 25 feet, this is the place! I arrived the minute they opened the doors and had the place to myself. The experienced naturalists are very helpful and answer all your questions. The rescue center opened in 2007 as a 501(c)3 non-profit educational bear sanctuary, providing a safe haven for Alaska’s orphaned bears. Currently, they care for eight bears. The center has sent bears to the Bronx Zoo, Montana Grizzly Encounter, and the International Exotic Animal Sanctuary in Boyd, Texas. They receive no government funding and rely solely on support and donations from local businesses, visitors, and merchandise sales. ($15 adult admission)
Discover local marine life at the aquarium.
The Sitka Sound Science Center is a respected nonprofit research and education center with a gorgeous aquarium. See local marine life up close and, if you’re brave enough, touch the critters in the tidal pools!
Get active in the outdoors.
Experience Indigenous culture on a rainforest walk in Totem Park
Sitka is well-known for its National Historic Park/Totem Park. Sitka National Historical Park is the site of Russia’s defeat of the indigenous Tlingit people. Today, it’s a great walking trail dotted with totem poles and views of lush rainforest along the way. You can even see totem poles up close at the park’s visitor center.
Want to go hiking in Sitka?
There’s no better way to experience the abundant natural beauty of Sitka than by hiking. There are many trail options for all ages and experience levels. This helpful Sitka trail guide rates the trails by level — easy, moderate, hard — and length.
Boat tours and kayaking in Sitka
If you love to be on the water, you’ll find countless options for being in a boat in Sitka’s waters. Those looking for a workout and wildlife views can take a kayaking tour, while those with boating licenses can opt for a Sitka Zodiac boat tour.
Go for a scenic drive
I can’t get enough of Sitka’s jaw-dropping natural beauty. At the end of a day of walking and exploring, a scenic drive on Harbor Mountain Road is the perfect sunset activity. And even here, you find fun facts about history! The recreational area at the top was once a World War II radar installation. The trail starts about 4.5 miles northwest of downtown at Harbor Mountain Bypass Road. Be prepared for the slightly scary 5.75-mile climb up! This drive might test your driving skills, but the payoff is extraordinary once you reach the amazing views.
Eat and drink at the best restaurants in Sitka
If you do nothing else when visiting Alaska, you MUST eat SEAFOOD — especially salmon! It’s the freshest you’ll ever taste.
Here are some places I love to eat in Sitka:
This place has a refreshing ‘gratuity free’ model of compensation, which means that all menu prices include service, NO tipping. I stopped in for lunch and had mac’n’cheese with salmon!
This spot with a funny name is nice for breakfast and lunch. Lots of pizza options! 😊
Stop in here for the best burger in town! You’ll also enjoy the restaurant’s nice views of the harbor.
Ludvig’s is the #1 fan favorite in Sitka. Unfortunately, it was already closed for the season on my visit. Definitely make a reservation before you go.
- For coffee — If you need a cup of coffee or vanilla chai (yes, please), head to the Back Door Café (behind the bookstore) or Highliner Coffee (which has yummy pastries, too!).
- For dessert — Harry’s Soda Shop, located in the local pharmacy, serves delicious ice cream sundaes, floats, shakes, and more.
Shop local on Lincoln Street in downtown Sitka.
You can find some incredible souvenirs from local shops along Sitka’s main shopping street, Lincoln, in the heart of downtown.
- Buy flaky sea salt straight from the waters of Southeast Alaska at Alaska Pure Salt. You can taste all the options before you buy. The original Sitka flake is tasty on everything! Chef approved 😉
- The Cellar is a one-stop shop for clothing, home goods, and much more. I really loved the women’s clothing selection.
- Shop gifts and locally made jewelry at the Sitka Lighthouse Company Store. I love my Janine Gibbons earrings!
- Local boutique Galanin & Klein carefully sources its inventory from small-run makers and designers across Alaska and beyond.
Where is Sitka? Getting there and visiting
Sitka is in Southeast Alaska, 95 miles from the capital city of Juneau. It’s located on the west coast of Baranof Island in the Alexander Archipelago. Sitka is the only city on the state’s southeast that lies on the Pacific Ocean.
Arrive by plane or boat
Sitka is not on the road system; therefore, it’s only accessible by air or sea. You can fly into the Sitka airport on one of Alaska Airlines’ daily flights from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Seattle. In the summer months, you might choose a picturesque sail into Sitka on a cruise ship.
Getting around the city
Car rental options are limited and are available from the airport. I like to support small businesses, so I rented a car for one day with Sitka Car Rental, a locally-owned company. I loved their flexible, easy pick-up and drop-off.
Map of Sitka
The city of Sitka produces an annual map of the city with major landmarks. Keep this saved on your phone for easy reference throughout your trip!
My Sitka hotel recommendations
Here are a few hotel suggestions for staying in Sitka. There are many short-term rentals available as well.
The Westmark is centrally located in downtown Sitka and offers a complimentary airport shuttle for scheduled flight times. There’s also a bar and restaurant on the property.
Sitka Hotel is located in the heart of Sitka and overlooks the harbor and Crescent Bay. They serve a complimentary continental breakfast.