Are you headed to Sedona and still looking for an itinerary for 5 days in Sedona, Arizona? Then I’ve got you covered!
Sedona is without a doubt my favorite place in Arizona – the hikes are stunning, the sunsets are lovely and the entire vibe in the city is so calming.
Sedona has a lot to offer – so it can be super hard to choose what to do when it is your first time in the area.
Luckily, we just got back from Sedona and had a blast! To make sure your holiday is just as perfect, I have created this blog post!
Let’s get to it!

5 Days in Sedona – Overview
If you are just here to grab the Sedona itinerary without any further explanation, you are in the right spot. Further down in this post, I’ll take a deep dive into all the cool things to do and share some insider tips from my last vacation.


Day 1: Arrival in Sedona
Your Sedona adventure starts with arriving and settling into this beautiful desert town. The drive into Sedona is already breathtaking, so you might want to stop for some pics already!
We came all the way from Tucson, so it was quite a drive.
After your travel, you’ll want to relax and take in the surroundings. If you arrive by midday, head to your hotel or Airbnb to unpack and unwind.
Spend the afternoon lounging by the pool and getting into vacation mode. Soak up the warm Arizona sun and let the natural beauty around you start to work its magic (Sedona is said to have healing qualities – keep that in mind).

Dinner at Mariposa
For dinner, treat yourself to a meal at Mariposa. It is one of the best restaurants in the city – so what better place to celebrate the start of your vacay.
Mariposa is a Latin-inspired grill with breathtaking views. The food is delicious, and the sunset over the red rocks makes it the perfect way to end your first day.
You’ll feel refreshed and ready for the exciting days ahead!
Justin’s tip: try the Yuca Fries and the Scottish Ocean Trout!
Day 2: Exploring Devil’s Bridge
Morning: Hike to Devil’s Bridge
Start your day early with a hike to Devil’s Bridge. It is one of Sedona’s most famous natural landmarks.
While many people say it is overrun by tourists, it is still totally worth visiting. We were lucky and people were kind enough to not crash each other’s pictures!
The trail is moderate, but the stunning views from the top make it totally worth it. The last part is pretty difficult, but luckily it is only for a short while.
If you’re brave enough, you can even walk out onto the natural bridge for a photo op.
Important: there are two trailheads, one is pretty close to the bridge but it is only accessible with a 4×4. The other one is about 1,5 hours of hiking away from the bridge.

Noon: Lunch at Oaxaca
After your hike, head into town for lunch at Oaxaca Restaurant. It is usually not too busy at noon, so you can snatch a seat with a prime view without reservation.
It’s a local favorite offering delicious Mexican food with a view of the Red Rocks. The staff is friendly and the food is super delicious – just what you need after that hike!
Afternoon: Yoga or Massage
Take the afternoon to recharge – you’ll need this time to yourself after hiking Devil’s Bridge.
Sedona is known for its spiritual energy, so it’s the perfect place to book a yoga session or a massage.
Once you arrive in Sedona, you’ll see that the entire area is filled with spas, massage salons, reiki practitioners, and lots of alternative treatment options. You can even do aura readings on every corner.
This is your chance to do something good for your mind and body! I was planning on heading to a foot spa – but sadly our car broke down so I spent the afternoon at the garage.
Evening: Dinner at Tlaquepaque
End the day with a cozy dinner at one of the charming restaurants in Tlaquepaque. Tlaquepaque is my favorite place in the city.
It is known to be Sedona’s arts and shopping village. The vibe is super relaxed and artsy, with cute courtyards and galleries. They have super cute courtyard restaurants with outdoor seating under fairy lights there.
Enjoy a peaceful evening strolling through the village after your meal – and maybe even buy some art to take home.



Take Home Dessert: Cake Couture
After your digestive walk through Tlaquepaque, stop by Cake Couture. They have the cutest cupcakes in Arizona – I promise!
We grabbed a handful of delicious treats to take back to our Airbnb! It’s not cheap – but nothing in Sedona is. And it was super delicious!


Day 3: Outdoor Adventures at West Fork
Morning: Hike the West Fork Trail
Begin your day with a hike on the West Fork Trail at Oak Creek. This trail is my favorite because it is entirely different from other trails in Sedona.
It won’t lead you through arid deserts, but rather along a peaceful creek and flush forests. You’ll have to cross the creek a couple of times, but you won’t get wet unless you are super clumsy (like me).
It’s an easy hike, making it perfect for a relaxing start to the day. The lush surroundings are a nice contrast to Sedona’s famous red rocks. If you are lucky, you’ll see loads of wildlife here.


Noon: Slide Rock State Park
After your hike, head to Slide Rock State Park for some fun and relaxation – and a cool-down.
The natural water slides formed by the smooth red rocks are a must-try – and it is a super unique thing to do.
Bring a swimsuit and enjoy sliding down the creek or simply soak up the sun by the water. But I warn you – the water is icy cold!
It’s a great spot to cool off after your hike – and you can even grab some snacks there for a picnic in a lovely meadow.

Afternoon: Late Lunch
Grab a late lunch at a nearby cafe or restaurant – there are quite a few lovely places on the side of the road in the forest.
You can also buy food inside Slide Rock, so it is pretty relaxed.
Evening: Stargazing
Wrap up the day with some stargazing. Sedona’s dark skies make it one of the best places to view the stars.
Whether you go to a dedicated stargazing spot or simply lie on a blanket outside your accommodation, you’ll be amazed by how many stars you can see. Our Airbnb had a hot tub – so naturally that was our place to be every night for starry skies.
If you want to be a bit more adventurous – they even have stargazing tours around the desert at night.
It’s the perfect way to end a day full of outdoor adventure. If I hadn’t seen it myself, I would not believe how bright the stars shine there, even at 9 in the evening.

Day 4: Discover Verde Canyon
Morning: Brunch at Cress on Oak Creek
Kick off your day with a relaxing brunch at Cress on Oak Creek. It is without a doubt the most fancy place in Sedona.
Cress is a beautiful riverside restaurant, and I love their lunch menu.
The calm setting along the creek is perfect for a slow morning, with fresh, farm-to-table dishes and peaceful views.
It’s a great way to recharge before your adventure in Verde Canyon.
Noon: Relax and Unwind
Take the late morning to relax. You can head back to your accommodation, walk around town, or find a quiet spot to meditate or read.
Sedona is all about slowing down and connecting with nature, so embrace the calm before your afternoon plans.

Afternoon: Verde Canyon Railroad
In the afternoon, board the Verde Canyon Railroad for a scenic ride through Arizona’s breathtaking wilderness. The tickets are a little expensive, but it is a lovely experience and I wouldn’t want to miss it.
The train ride goes through beautiful canyons and past stunning rock formations, through tunnels, and ends at a scenic little village before turning around.
You can either do an afternoon ride with a charcuterie board and champagne or do a sunset/stargazing tour.
The trains themselves are modeled after the old trains (including train music) that used to run on this route. It is truly a sweet experience.

Evening: Sunset Spot
After the fun train ride, you’ll head back to Sedona in the early evening hours.
End your day with a perfect sunset at one of the famous sunset spots:
- Airport Mesa
- Cathedral Rock
- Red Rock Crossing
- Bell Rock
- Schnebly Hill Road
Sedona’s sunsets are legendary, so pick a viewpoint or head back to your accommodation if it has a nice view.
The sky lights up with incredible colors, making it a picture-perfect moment to wrap up your fifth day in Sedona.

Day 5: Day Trip or Hiking
On the last day in Sedona, you might want to escape the city for a little bit. For that reason, I have gathered my favorite day trips from Sedona that you can book on your last day.
Since we loved Sedona so much and had more time for the excursions later, we opted to stay in the city and do some more hiking. So alternatively, I’ll present you with two more amazing hikes in Sedona.
Option 1: Day Trips from Sedona
Grand Canyon National Park
Just a 2-hour drive from Sedona, the Grand Canyon is a must-see.
Spend the day exploring one of the world’s most iconic natural wonders, with breathtaking views and plenty of trails to walk.
In my opinion it is a bit overrated – but something everyone should see at least once nonetheless.

Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend
Head to Page, Arizona (about 3 hours away), to experience the beauty of Antelope Canyon.
You can check out the famous slot canyons (either go to Upper or Lower Antelope Canyon). Since they are on the Navajo Reservation, you need a tour guide for this.
Later, take a short hike to Horseshoe Bend for incredible views over the Colorado River.

Montezuma Castle and Montezuma Well
This is a shorter day trip (about 40 minutes away) – but nonetheless super cool. If you don’t want to sit in the car forever, this is your best option.
The trip takes you to ancient cliff dwellings and a serene natural well. It’s a fascinating historical and scenic stop.
Option 2: Popular Hikes in Sedona
Cathedral Rock Hike
This challenging but rewarding hike offers stunning panoramic views of Sedona.
It’s a shorter trail but steep in parts, perfect for an adventure with a view. It is super instagrammable – so make sure to bring your camera.

Subway Cave via Boynton Canyon Trail
This is one of Sedona’s hidden gems, so you should definitely check it out for some cool Insta-pics.
Subway Cave is reached by hiking the Boynton Canyon Trail. It’s a moderate hike with a unique reward—this cave has a natural arch that makes it look like a subway tunnel.
This is a perfect spot for adventure and photography!

Soldier Pass Trail (Seven Sacred Pools)
The Seven Sacred Pools are a stunning natural wonder located along the Soldier Pass Trail. This is definitely also a cool option for your last day in Sedona.
These beautiful pools are carved into the red rock and fill with water after rainfall (so you might wanna do this one spontaneously).
It’s a moderate hike with incredible views, perfect for nature lovers and Instagrammers alike.

How Many Days Do I Need in Sedona?
I think 5 days is the perfect amount of time to stay in Sedona. The entire vibe of Sedona is relaxation and calmness, so you don’t want to rush through this experience.
You can probably see the most famous spots in 3 days or less, but I definitely recommend staying at least for 4 nights in Sedona.
On our fifth day in Sedona, we kind of started to get bored with it and were excited to move on – that is a good sign that we picked a great timeframe for our trip.
If you have a lot of time (and money) you can probably keep busy for about 7 days in Sedona.

Conclusion: 5 Days in Sedona Itinerary
This blog post is a detailed 5-day itinerary for a trip to Sedona, Arizona. On day one, you arrive, relax, and enjoy dinner with views of the red rocks.
Day two takes you on the famous Devil’s Bridge hike, with yoga or a massage to unwind. On day three, explore the scenic West Fork Trail and cool off at Slide Rock State Park.
Day four offers a peaceful brunch before a ride on the Verde Canyon Railroad.
On the final day, you can choose between taking a day trip to the Grand Canyon or Antelope Canyon or hiking to Cathedral Rock or the hidden Subway Cave.
This itinerary blends adventure, relaxation, and amazing natural beauty – and I hope you’ll love Sedona as much as I do.
If you are not sure yet if Sedona is the right place for you, check out my ultimate Arizona travel guide for more inspiration.