Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Sedona?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Sedona?

Most people spend at least 3 or as many as 5 days in Sedona during their visit. The striking town offers amazing highlights such as the gorgeous scenery, the many shops, the hiking, and the small town charm.

Sedona is a resort town in Arizona that is surrounded by breathtaking desert landscapes. The red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for hiking, photography, and meditative retreats. In town there is a thriving local art community with many art galleries and artisan shops.

Do you have one or two days to visit Sedona? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in Sedona?

Sedona, a small town brimming with sights and attractions, holds immense popularity among tourists. Given only one day, you will likely find yourself hurrying to experience the mountain town vibe and surrounding mountains here. You won't want to miss the chance to take in the beautiful scenery, go shopping, get out into nature, and soak up the small town charm. To truly savor all that the town boasts, a longer amount of time is recommended. Many vacationers opt for at least 3 or as many as 5 days to thoroughly enjoy the mountain vibe of the town. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

How to spend a day in Sedona

Shopping in Sedona is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.

Sedona is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The surrounded countryside is filled with dramatic desert landscapes and striking red cliffs.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • Sunset in the Grand Canyon from Sedona ($241)
  • Grand Canyon Sunset Tour from Sedona ($241)
  • Jerome Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game ($25)

Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Sedona?

With only a weekend, you might feel a bit pressed for time to explore the mountains and scenic town here. After all, With its wealth of sights and attractions, Sedona is a top choice for tourists. To fully embrace Sedona, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to allocate three to five days to take in the beautiful scenery, go shopping, get out into nature, and soak up the small town charm. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.

Sedona, Arizona Sedona, Arizona

How to spend 2 days in Sedona

Having a weekend (two to three days) in Sedona will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the town.

Don't miss Red Rock Crossing Park during your trip to Sedona, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.

The restaurant and food scene here is top notch, so make sure you spend time at one of the local restaurants where you can taste the delicious cuisine. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.


A few tour suggestions include:

  • All inclusive Sedona Join in Wine Tour 200+ 5 star reviews! ($179)
  • Bliss Sedona’s Most Luxurious Wine Tour with Lunch Included ($115)
  • Pedal and Paddle Wine Tour in Arizona ($235)

More Info

If you're looking for more information about Sedona, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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