Towering red rocks, mystic vortexes, mesmerizing sunsets, and verdant forestry — sounds like something straight out of a fantasy book, right? Well, it’s all real, and it’s called Sedona, known for its stunning landscape, and it also happens to just be one of my favorite places in Arizona.
I can’t be selfish and keep it all to myself, knowing how amazing it is, so I’ll be spilling the beans in this 7-day Sedona travel guide.
I’ll be covering it all in this post to make sure you fall in love with Sedona, as many others have done before. Whether it’s the unmissable hikes and magical viewpoints to the healing vortexes and incredible day trips, it’s all included.
7-Day Sedona Trip Itinerary At a Glance
- Day 1: Arrival in Sedona and Hiking
- Day 2: More Hiking + Restoration
- Day 3: Sedona Jeep Tour and Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
- Day 4: Chapel of the Holy Cross, ATV Tour, and Sunset at Lover’s Knoll
- Day 5: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, Wine Tasting, and Sunset at Verde Valley
- Day 6: Day Trip to the Grand Canyon
- Day 7: Slide Rock State Park, Spa, and Departure
Tip: If you’re still searching for accommodation, be sure to check out these unique places to stay in Sedona.
Day 1
Arrival + Exploring the Best Hikes in Sedona
Soon after checking into your accommodation, you should be ready to take on Sedona’s favorite pastime: hiking.
But, before that, you’ll need to grab something to eat — traveling isn’t a joke. One great place to grab a bite is Elote Cafe, known for its Southwestern goodies.
Get ready to burn those calories with a fun but tough hike on the Cathedral Rock Trail, which features the Cathedral Rock landmark as seen on hundreds of Instagram accounts. It’s one of Sedona’s best hikes, and it’s best seen at sunset.
An easier alternative is Red Rock Crossing, perfect for seeing the sun set behind Cathedral Rock and taking a swim.
End the day in downtown Sedona — but call it “uptown” to score some cool points with the locals. It has shops selling everything from Native American art and books to outdoor gear and crystals.
Day 2
More Hiking + Restoration
Rise and shine, it’s time for day two, and what better way to start it off than with a hike ending in a sunrise spectacle? A local favorite, the Devil’s Bridge hike isn’t as menacing as the name suggests; it’s actually quite easy.
Wake up super early to beat the crowds that gather here as early as 9:00 am. Sacrificing some sleep is rewarded with a walk atop a bridge made of rock, offering a vantage point where the sun glistens on the red rocks in the distance.
Nearby, you can enjoy a hike to the less popular Birthing Cave — which is shaped like a teardrop in SFW language and, well, think birthing, and you’ll get the gist of its NSFW definition.
As the day draws to an end, you’re just about ready to realign your chakras at the many vortexes here. The Airport Mesa Vortex is easily the best one, offering 360-degree vistas and a mind-blowing sunset. I’ve covered the others in this Sedona vortexes guide.
For dinner, grab a pizza at Picazzo’s.
Day 3
Doe Mountain, Sedona Jeep Tour, and Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village
With landscapes like this, you could spend day after day hiking, and I think you should. Another popular Sedona hike for starting the day is the hour-and-half Doe Mountain trail, offering 360-degree views at the peak.
Afterward, gear up for a thrilling Sedona Pink Jeep Tour that drives on the rugged red rocks.
The jeep descends on the Road-of-no-Return — it’s not as terrifying as the name suggests — and takes you past the desert flora and fauna. You’ll make two stops, which offer stunning panoramic views of the Southwest wilderness and its towering spires.
Refuel with Southwestern fare with a Mediterranean twist at Rene Restaurant.
Before the day ends, be sure to visit Tlaquepaque Art Village, where galleries display amazing art and live music serenades the soul.
Day 4
Chapel of the Holy Cross, ATV Tour, and Sunset at Lover’s Knoll
This isn’t just a Sedona hiking itinerary. The city obviously has more to do in the morning, including visiting the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It’s an icon of the city that stands as an architectural marvel built into the red rocks.
It’s also found nearby the Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village, which has coffee shops perfect for a breakfast meal.
Today is all about giving your legs rest, so an ATV tour is perfect for seeing more of Sedona without taxing your feet. This 4-hour Sedona ATV tour will take you past Native American ruins, canyon crawls, and Sedona postcard vistas all marked on your map.
Again, you’ll end your day with another beautiful sunset, and this one requires nothing but walking — I told you there’s no hiking in Sedona today.
Head to Lover’s Knoll on a sunny day, and you’ll find an Instagrammable spot where the sun takes refuge behind Cathedral Rock.
Dinner with an outdoor patio awaits at Canyon Breeze.
Day 5
Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride and Wine Tasting
Day five will be spent relaxing, and it starts off with a bang.
Catch the sunrise from the comfort of a hot air balloon during the ascent. You’ll also be able to take in the beauty of Sedona’s natural wonders and see some wildlife from a bird’s eye view with a celebratory toast to end the 4-hour experience.
Not many know this but Sedona has a wine region, but now you know and must obviously get a taste of the grapes. Dedicate five hours of your time to this wine-tasting tour, where the vino is paired with a personalized charcuterie board.
Day 6
Day Trip to the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park is around two hours north of Sedona, so you just can’t miss it, even if you have to dedicate an entire day to it. If you aren’t already familiar, the Grand Canyon is massive and has things to do by the bucket load.
I recommend going there as part of this 11-hour guided group tour. Not only will you be taken to the many impressive vistas like Yavapai Point and Mather Point, but you’ll also learn about the history and culture of the canyon.
Cough up a little extra, and you can upgrade the experience with a thrilling 30-minute helicopter ride above the Grand Canyon.
Day 7
Slide Rock State Park, Spa, and Departure
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end, but who says the end should be boring? On day seven, you’ll need to make Slide Rock State Park your final stop, especially on those warm days.
Slide Rock is a desert gem with a river oasis where you can careen down a natural water slide and splash into a cooling pool of water. Sure, you might end up with a few bumps and bruises, but it’s worth it.
All those days spent hiking are bound to catch up to you. So, take care of that soreness and those knots with a spa day at the beautiful Mii amo — you deserve it.
One Week Sedona, Arizona, Itinerary | Final Thoughts
And that’s a wrap on our whirlwind adventure of a trip to Sedona. From chasing sunsets atop Cathedral Rock to ending days with a fine glass of wine, we’ve soaked up every drop of Sedona’s charm; all you have to do is make your choice.
Don’t have a week, but still want to know how many days in Sedona are enough to scratch that travel itch. Then check out this Sedona 3-day itinerary for shorter Sedona, Arizona, vacations.
