Holiday in Phoenix

About Phoenix

Phoenix is the capital of Arizona and with over 1.6 million inhabitants, it is the fifth largest city in the USA. The metropolis is located in the middle of the Sonora Desert and is the sunniest major city in the world — with an average of 299 sunny days per year and summer temperatures that regularly exceed 45 °C. Camelback Mountain, the 824-meter high local mountain, rises dramatically from the desert plain and offers two challenging hiking trails with spectacular panoramic views over the Valley of the Sun. The Echo Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hiking trails in the Southwest USA — steep, rocky, and most beautiful at sunrise. The Desert Botanical Garden in Papago Park showcases the fascinating flora of the Sonora Desert: over 50,000 plants, including gigantic Saguaro cacti that can live up to 200 years and grow 15 meters tall. These iconic cacti with their raised arms only grow in the Sonora Desert and are the symbol of Arizona. Frank Lloyd Wright, one of the most significant architects of the 20th century, made the desert his home: Taliesin West, his winter studio and architecture school in Scottsdale, is a masterpiece of organic architecture that blends seamlessly into the desert landscape. The Heard Museum Downtown comprehensively documents the art and culture of the indigenous peoples of the American Southwest. Scottsdale, the neighboring city, is known for luxury resorts, golf courses (over 200 in the Phoenix metropolitan area), galleries, and spas. Old Town Scottsdale offers Western charm with boutiques and restaurants. From Phoenix, the Grand Canyon (about 3.5 hours), Sedona (2 hours), and Monument Valley (5 hours) are accessible for day trips or short getaways.