Sitka

Sitka is a gem of the Inside Passage, offering a complex history and unparalleled natural beauty. It was the former capital of Russian America, and its unique past is visible in the onion-domed St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Russian Bishop’s House. Before the Russians arrived, it was the ancestral home of the Tlingit people, whose culture is celebrated today at the Sitka National Historical Park, famous for its collection of towering totem poles set along a forested coastal trail. The town faces the open Pacific Ocean, providing a different landscape than many other Alaskan ports, with the dormant Mount Edgecumbe volcano providing a striking backdrop. Wildlife is abundant here, from sea otters and whales in the sound to eagles and brown bears at local rehabilitation centers. Visitors can reach Sitka by air or via the ferry system. The culinary highlights include incredibly fresh Pacific halibut and black cod. While rain is common, the misty atmosphere only adds to the mystical feel of the temperate rainforest and rugged coastline. Summer is the prime visiting season for wildlife viewing and hiking.

Nearby cities

Anchorage

Alaska's largest city, a gateway to nearby wilderness areas and mountains.

Juneau

The capital of Alaska, one of the few state capitals not accessible by road.

Kenai

A historic center on the Kenai Peninsula, world-famous for its salmon fishing on Cook Inlet.

Homer

Homer is known as the Halibut Fishing Capital of the World, located at the end of the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula.

Dutch Harbor

Located in the Aleutian Islands, Dutch Harbor is one of the world's top fishing ports and famous from 'Deadliest Catch'.

Seward

A spectacular gateway to Kenai Fjords National Park, where glaciers meet the sea and Alaska's marine life thrives.

Sand Point

A remote fishing community on Alaska's Popof Island, known for its pristine wilderness and the largest fishing port in the region.

King Cove

A remote fishing village on the Alaska Peninsula, surrounded by spectacular volcanic landscapes and the wild Bering Sea.

Port Alexander

A remote Alaskan outpost accessible only by water or air, offering a true wilderness experience.

Whittier

A fascinating port town on Prince William Sound, where almost all residents live in a single building.

Seldovia

A charming, isolated Alaskan fishing village accessible only by boat or plane.

Adak

Adak is the southernmost city in Alaska, located in the Aleutian Islands, known for its rugged tundra and military history.

History & landmarks

Skagway

A historic Gold Rush town that serves as a living museum of the 1898 Klondike era, surrounded by rugged mountain peaks.

More places

Tongass National Forest

The largest national forest in the United States.

Gulf of Alaska

An arm of the Pacific Ocean off the southern coast of Alaska.

Port of Anchorage

The most important port for Alaska.

Denali National Park

Home to North America's tallest peak and diverse wildlife.

Bering Sea

A marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean between Alaska and Siberia.