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    Seattle

    United States

    Seattle

    City

    Seattle is the largest city in Washington state, situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier as a backdrop on the horizon.

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    Seattle is the largest city in Washington state, situated between Puget Sound and Lake Washington, with Mount Rainier as a backdrop on the horizon. You come for the Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, a strong music and coffee culture, and because national parks like Mount Rainier and Olympic are just a few hours' drive away.The city is hilly and shaped by water: ferries depart directly from Downtown, locks connect the lakes to the sea, and from viewpoints like Kerry Park, you see the skyline, bay, and volcano in one picture. Neighborhoods like Ballard, Fremont, and Capitol Hill each have their own character.
    Seattle has around 816,600 inhabitants (state estimate for 2025) and is the center of a metropolitan region on Puget Sound. The Link Light Rail runs from the airport and through downtown, supplemented by buses, two streetcar lines, and the Monorail between Westlake Center and Seattle Center. Its waterside location is special: By ferry, you can be on Bainbridge Island in a good half hour. Highlights include Downtown with Pike Place Market, the historic Pioneer Square, Seattle Center with the Space Needle, the nightlife district Capitol Hill, as well as Ballard and Fremont in the north. For excursions to the national parks, you need a car.

    Sights in Seattle

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Pike Place Market
    Historic Landmark

    1Pike Place Market

    Since 1907, one of the USA's oldest continuously operating markets, featuring over 70 farmers and more than 180 artisans across nine historic acres. Fish stalls, bakeries, and eateries are spread over multiple levels, all the way down to the waterfront.
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    Space Needle
    Attraction

    2Space Needle

    The 605-foot (184 m) tall tower was built for the 1962 World's Fair. From the observation deck at around 160 m, you see Downtown, the Puget Sound, and on a clear day, Mount Rainier; below it, The Loupe, a glass floor, revolves.
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    Chihuly Garden and Glass
    Museum

    3Chihuly Garden and Glass

    Dale Chihuly's glass art across eight galleries, a garden, and the Glasshouse, featuring an approximately 30-meter-long suspended sculpture made of 1,340 individual pieces. Located right next to the Space Needle in Seattle Center.
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    Museum of Pop Culture
    Museum

    4Museum of Pop Culture

    Founded by Paul Allen and designed by Frank Gehry, the museum showcases pop culture from rock music to science fiction, including a large Jimi Hendrix collection and the guitar sculpture IF VI WAS IX made from over 500 instruments.
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    Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
    Museum

    5Hiram M. Chittenden Locks

    Since 1917, the Ballard Locks have connected Lake Washington and Lake Union with Puget Sound. Watch boats navigate the locks and see salmon in the fish ladder's underwater viewing room, with peak activity from July to mid-August.
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    Kerry Park
    Park

    6Kerry Park

    Small viewpoint park on Queen Anne Hill's south slope, offering the classic postcard view: Downtown, Space Needle, Elliott Bay, and Mount Rainier beyond. Best at sunset.
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    Restaurants in Seattle

    1

    The Walrus and the Carpenter

    Oyster Bar by Renee Erickson in Ballard, since 2010 an institution for Northwest oysters and small seafood plates.
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    2

    Canlis

    Since 1950, Seattle's most renowned fine-dining restaurant, housed in a Roland Terry building with views of Gas Works Park and the Cascades. Family-owned and frequently honored by the James Beard Foundation.
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    3

    Pike Place Chowder

    Small shop in Post Alley at Pike Place Market, known for Clam Chowder and other fish soups. A line often forms at lunch.
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    4

    Paseo

    Caribbean sandwich shop in Fremont, whose roast pork sandwich is regularly ranked among the city's best.
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    Food and Beverages

    Seattle dines on the sea: Salmon and oysters from the Pacific and Puget Sound, plus a vibrant coffee culture and a few signature local snacks.
    Pacific Salm

    Pacific Salm

    Wild salmon from the North Pacific is displayed at Pike Place Market's fish stalls and is on almost every menu, whether grilled, smoked, or as a sandwich.
    Oysters from Puget Sound

    Oysters from Puget Sound

    Washington's cool bays supply oysters, which are served raw in Oyster Bars like The Walrus and the Carpenter.
    Chicken Teriyaki

    Chicken Teriyaki

    Since Toshi Kasahara opened his eatery near Seattle Center in 1976, grilled chicken with sweet, thick teriyaki, rice, and salad has been among the city's affordable daily fare.
    Seattle Dog

    Seattle Dog

    Hotdog with cream cheese, originated in the 1980s at a bagel stand in Pioneer Square for hungry night owls after closing time.
    Coffee

    Coffee

    The first Starbucks opened in 1971 at Pike Place Market. Beyond the chain, you'll find independent roasters and espresso bars in every neighborhood.

    History and Culture

    On November 13, 1851, the settler group led by the Denny family landed at Alki Point. They survived the first winter only with the help of the Duwamish and Suquamish under Chief Seattle, after whom the city is named. In June 1889, the Great Seattle Fire destroyed the city center; afterwards, construction was restricted to stone and brick, which shapes the current appearance of Pioneer Square, the city's first neighborhood.With the Klondike Gold Rush starting in 1897, Seattle became the starting point for prospectors en route to the Yukon, and the city's merchants who outfitted them grew wealthy. The Space Needle, today the city's landmark, was built for the 1962 World's Fair.Culturally, Seattle is known for Grunge: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden emerged from the local indie scene, and Jimi Hendrix spent his youth here. The Museum of Pop Culture tells their story. Today, tech companies like Amazon, headquartered in South Lake Union, shape the city, and the first Starbucks opened at Pike Place Market in 1971.

    Nightlife

    1

    Fremont Brewing's Urban Beer Garden

    Brewery with Urban Beer Garden in Fremont, where you can enjoy house-brewed draft beers right next to the brewing system.
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    2

    Zig Zag Café

    Cocktailbar mit Speakeasy-Atmosphäre an der Treppe zwischen Pike Place Market und Waterfront, bekannt für klassische Drinks und erfahrene Barkeeper.
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    Arrival and Around

    AirportFrom Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), the Link Light Rail (1 Line) takes about 40 minutes to Westlake Station in Downtown. Trains run every 8 to 15 minutes depending on the time of day, and the flat fare is 3 US dollars.Train and BusAmtrak long-distance trains stop at King Street Station south of Downtown, including routes to Portland and Vancouver. King County Metro operates the bus network. You can pay with an ORCA card, contactless with a credit card or smartphone, or via the Transit GO Ticket app.Car and ParkingParking in downtown is expensive and scarce; you don't need a car for the city itself. A rental car is worthwhile for trips to Mount Rainier or the Olympic Peninsula.Getting AroundThe Seattle Center Monorail takes you from Westlake Center to the Space Needle in about three minutes. The South Lake Union and First Hill Streetcar lines complement the network. From Colman Dock, Washington State Ferries travel to Bainbridge Island in 30 to 35 minutes, an inexpensive harbor cruise with skyline views.

    Accommodations in Seattle

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    Campgrounds in Seattle

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    Nearby

    Washington (Federal State)

    Washington (Federal State)

    The state of Washington in the far northwestern USA connects the major city of Seattle with three national parks, which you can reach from there in just a few hours by car. Glacier-covered volcanoes, temperate rainforest, fjord landscapes along Puget Sound, and islands on the border with Canada lie surprisingly close to one another here.Mount Rainier, with 14,410 feet (around 4,392 m), the most heavily glaciated peak in the lower 48 states, towers above everything. West of Puget Sound, Olympic National Park protects nearly one million acres of glaciated peaks, ancient rainforests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. To the north rise the North Cascades with more than 300 glaciers, and the San Juan Islands are located in the Salish Sea.It's best to plan a round trip in summer and early autumn, when all mountain passes are open. Mount St. Helens to the south serves as a reminder of the 1980 eruption and can be easily combined with an onward journey to Oregon.
    Victoria

    Victoria

    Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, is located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Around the Inner Harbour are the Parliament and the Fairmont Empress; plus gardens, a compact old town with Chinatown, and Canada's mildest climate.
    Vancouver

    Vancouver

    Vancouver is nestled between the Coast Mountains and the Pacific, making it Canada's third-largest metropolitan area. Stanley Park, city beaches, and the North Shore mountains are just a few kilometers from downtown, making hiking, kayaking, and winter skiing part of everyday life. The city's cuisine is strongly influenced by its Asian immigrant population.
    Granville Island

    Granville Island

    Granville Island in Vancouver, Canada, is a vibrant peninsula that has evolved from a former industrial area into a pulsating cultural and culinary hub. At the heart of the island, you'll find the Granville Island Public Market, offering a rich array of fresh foods, local delicacies, and artisanal products. Beyond the market, the island is home to numerous artist studios, galleries, and theaters, covering a diverse creative spectrum. Here you can discover unique handcrafted items and often watch local artists at work. For families, the Kids Market offers special attractions. It's recommended to visit the island in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the diverse offerings at your leisure. Arriving by False Creek Ferry also provides picturesque views of the city skyline and is an experience in itself.
    Yaletown

    Yaletown

    Yaletown, once a warehouse district, has become a chic hotspot with chic restaurants, trendy bars and luxury boutiques in renovated brick buildings.