Overview
Sittwe (also known as Akyab) is a city of 120,000 people in Rakhine State, Western Myanmar. Historically, it served as the main hub for tourists traveling to the ancient temple complex of Mrauk U via plane from Yangon.
Day Trips · Museums · Transit Hub
Before you go
Food
Sittwe excels at Rakhine cuisine—spicier than Burmese food—with mondi and catfish curries at affordable local eateries.
Money
Local currency is Myanmar kyat (MMK). Some guesthouses quote prices in US dollars while local expenses use kyat.
Safety
Sittwe is an active warzone surrounded by Arakan Army forces since early 2024. The city and all of Rakhine State should not be entered.
Transport
The airport is the only accessible entry point as of mid-2024. Road and sea access are closed due to military conflict.