Southeast Alaska's Sitka is more than just a cruise port stop - this historic town is full of stunning scenery, amazing local seafood, and endless adventures.
I had always pictured Alaska as an arctic tundra of endless snow, dogsled races and igloos, but was blown away by how beautiful and lush Sitka is in the summer time (we visited in late August) and how much there is to do here! Looking for a unique adventure? Sitka is definitely the place.
How to Get to Sitka:
We connected through Seattle from Los Angeles, and the travel day felt surprisingly short. Check Alaska Airlines and other carriers for current flights into Sitka, including whether your route is nonstop or requires another connection. Flight frequency and seasonal service can change.
Sitka is a popular cruise port, but there is far more here than you can fit into a short shore stop. If your itinerary allows, spend a few extra days exploring. Alaskan Dream Cruises ceased operations in 2026 and no longer offers future sailings; compare current operators when planning a new cruise.
The Best Time to Visit:
By far, the best time to visit Sitka and most of Southeast Alaska is the summertime - this is high season here. Temperatures are usually in the 50's-70's, days are long (at the summer solstice peak, sunrise is at 4:00am and sunset not until 10:00pm), and you have the best chances of clear and sunny weather.
Watch my Instagram Highlights from our trip in August here!
Getting Around:
Renting a Car: While the center of town is very walkable, if you're staying a few days, renting a car is ideal! The town is very easy to drive in and very easy to park, and having a car means you can get everywhere you want to very quickly. Check the best rental car prices here.
How Long Should I Stay?
3-5 Days is a great amount of time to spend here. You can have a packed adventurous weekend in 3 days, or stay a little longer for a more relaxed, luxurious time.
Where to Stay in Sitka:
Twin Islands Retreat - We had the pleasure of visiting Twin Islands on our first night in Sitka and not only is the property truly stunning, but the owners Merri and Larry are some of the nicest and most welcoming people we had met anywhere. Twin Islands is a private island just off of Sitka's main harbor and a stay here is all inclusive with activities and homemade meals, and can be booked as individual rooms or as the full island for families or retreats. $$
The Sitka Lighthouse - Featured on Netflix's World's Most Amazing Vacation Rentals, The Lighthouse is by far Sitka's most famous accommodation. The Lighthouse sits on a private island in Sitka Harbor and is only available as a full island rental, sleeping up to 6 people. The lighthouse books up far in advance so make sure to plan your trip early if you want to stay in this incredible spot. $$$
Sitka Hotel - A classic, affordable lodge hotel right in Downtown Sitka, this hotel is great for walkability and having access to everything in town in just a few minute's walk. $
321 Lincoln: This was the simple apartment rental where we stayed and had everything we needed for our trip here! A comfy bed, plenty of room to spread out, a full kitchen, and located right in Sitka's downtown, we were able to walk to everywhere in town that we wanted to go to. This is a no frills accommodation, with all the essentials you would need. $
Looking for more options? Scroll down to the bottom of this page for a Booking.com map with real time prices!
The Shore at Twin Islands
Don't Forget to Pack:
A light raincoat - even in summer, Sitka is often rainy
A zoom camera lens - You'll need it for the wildlife!
A good layering jacket - nights here are cold even when days are warm!
Blundstone Waterproof Boots - perfect for walking and hiking in any weather.
Where to Eat in Sitka:
Salmon at Beak Restaurant
For a small town, there is no shortage of amazing food here - and of course don't miss out on the incredible Alaskan salmon and seafood!
- Beak Restaurant: This was probably our favorite meal in Sitka! Beak feels like a high-end city restaurant with beautiful dishes, but with lots of local flavors like Salmon (naturally), local blueberry pie, and reindeer sausages. Definitely make plans for dinner here one night! $$-$$$
- Fish Eye Coffee: This drive-through and walk up coffee spot in the grocery parking lot is brightly colored and has a full espresso menu with a variety of alternative milks and full smoothie menu. Stop here early if you want to try the food - they sell out of their breakfast burritos quickly. $
- The Mean Queen: A newer bar and restaurant that is definitely a local favorite - we came here a couple of times and it was always lively and busy! Mean Queen specializes in pizza, lunch specials, brunch, and an extensive cocktail list.
- The Fresh Fish Food Truck: $$
- Ashmo's Food Truck: Would you have guessed that Sitka has a great food truck scene? Ashmo's is open for lunch right downtown and has incredible fish tacos, fish and chips, and smoked salmon mac and cheese. There's no seating here however, so prepare to eat standing, perch on the curb, or take your food to go. $$
- Highliner Coffee Co: This cafe has GREAT bagels! We stopped here most mornings for coffee, bagels, and breakfast sandwiches. $
- Wild Flour Cafe and Bakery: A great healthy spot for breakfast and lunch with Acai bowls, high-end coffee, smoothies, lunch bowls, and baked goods.
- Halibut Point Crab & Chowder: Locally owned and locally caught Alaskan crab available as whole crab legs and prepared dishes. People in Sitka love this stand! $$$
- Bayview Pub: locals told us that the Pub has the best fish and chips around! $$
Where to Drink:
- Harbor Mountain Brewing Co: Don't miss this local brewery where they make a variety of small batch, high-quality beers. They also have brunch and pizza at their taproom! $
- The Pioneer Bar: Both a historical site and a local favorite, this is a classic local dive bar - open until 2AM $
- The Mean Queen: I mentioned Mean Queen above for their food, but their cocktail list and 2AM closing time is worth a second mention here! $$
Fun Things to Do:
Sitka marine wildlife boat tour: Explore Sitka Sound with a local crew and look for whales, sea otters, and seabirds; sightings depend on wildlife and conditions.
There is SO MUCH to do and experience in Sitka - I couldn't list them all out here so don't miss my entire blog post on 15 Fun Things to Do in Sitka here. But to start, scroll down for 4 of the most memorable adventures we had in Sitka.
1. Hike Mt. Verstovia to Picnic Rock
I would use two words to describe the hike up to the picnic rock overlook at Mt Verstovia - steep and STUNNING. This trek is a 4.5 mile round trip and in that time you gain 2550 feet of elevation - which translates to quite a vertical climb. But the entire way up, I could not stop commenting on how beautiful every stretch of the journey was. You start across lush fern covered ground, climb through a forest of trees, and then end with a 360 degree view of the city of Sitka, the sea, the mountain range behind, and a crystal clear blue lake. I don't know if I have ever been on a hike more beautiful than this one, and every step is absolutely, 100% worth it. We stopped at the overlook. The route beyond it toward the summit is a different, more demanding undertaking and is not part of this recommendation. This hike doesn't require much technical skill, but does require a decent level of physical fitness and endurance. If you're not used to extensive treks, plan time for lots of breaks.
If I had only one day in Sitka, and the weather was nice, this is absolutely the one big activity I would decide on doing!
2. Take a Boat Tour to Goddard Hot Springs
This half day experience to visit these pristine hot spring tubs is well worth the journey! According to Alaska.org: Goddard Hot Springs "may have been the earliest Alaska mineral springs known to the Europeans and before their arrival Indians came from many miles away to benefit from the healing waters. In the mid-1800s there were 3 cottages at Goddard that were used to house invalids from Sitka. In the late 1880s, a Sitka company erected frame buildings for the use of people seeking the water's benefits." These natural hot springs are now owned and maintained for the city of Sitka and open freely to the public, and the tubs are protected in these cute huts. Getting there takes around 45 minutes to an hour on a boat, and the ride is calm and beautiful - we went with Captain Gary's Sitka Adventures. While we were here, we met a team of salmon fisherman that had been out for a couple of weeks and were stopping here to rejuvenate. I love hot springs, but I've never seen them protected like this, and the entire journey and visit is such a cool, unique experience - I would highly recommend!
3. Visit The Fortress of the Bear
Visiting Fortress of The Bear was one of my absolute highlights while in Sitka. This Bear Rescue takes in orphaned or abandoned young bear cubs that will not survive in the wild and rehabilitates them to save their lives - and many are eventually rehomed to ethical zoos and sanctuaries around the world. I had never seen bears this close before and we had an amazing time watching them move and play, and take some of my favorite animal photos we've ever shot! While you're safely separated from the bears, there's no glass or fencing in between you, making for these unobstructed views (shot here on our Sony 70-200mm lens.) The staff here are incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, and we spent much longer here than we thought we would because we were just having such a great time!
4. Drive a Zodiac Boat through the Islands
Instead of kayaking around the inlets and islands surrounding Sitka, take a Zodiac tour with Sitka Zodiac Adventures. Drive your own boat (no experience necessary) as the owner Andy - and often his young son as co-pilot - guide the way and share local insight and history. The company stocks rubber outerwear to protect from rain and cold if the weather is bad, and we had such a fun time out here! Brandon especially loved his James Bond moment as seen above.
Want to see more? Watch my Instagram Story highlights here for a real time look at an adventurous long weekend in Sitka, Alaska.
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The former 321 Lincoln listing is no longer available at its old URL, so treat it as part of our trip story and choose a currently listed stay for a new booking.
