It is the fifth most populated city in the United States and is called the home of the cowboys thanks to its typical scenery of red rock and saguaro cactus, as witnessed by Old Town Scottsdale a few kilometres from the centre.
The city's characteristic feature is that it is located in the heart of the Sonoran Desert and is the closest port of call to the Grand Canyon National Park, so it lends itself as a base of arrival for Europeans who want to devote themselves entirely to Arizona's parks. Phoenix is also close to other parks and reserves, such as Papago Park and Camelback Mountain.
It is the perfect setting for family holidays, weekend adventures or romantic getaways, all topped off with unfailing evidence of American Indian tradition. Here is some useful information about visiting Phoenix.
Travel information: useful info
Inhabitants: 1,660,272
Language: English, Spanish
Local currency: US dollar (€1.00 = $1.11)
Climate: desert, with very little rain, high temperatures and wide temperature range (average temperatures min 16/max 30°)
Time zone: GMT-7 (-7h compared to Italy, -8h when daylight saving time applies in Italy)
Entry requirements: Passport with residual validity of at least 6 months, return ticket, ESTA authorisation
Security info: The official Farnesina website provides useful information on security in the country
Closest airports: Sky Arbor International is the Phoenix International Airport which is only 5 km from downtown, the train from Terminal 4 arrives in the city in 15 min and costs $2/€1.80
Where it is located
Phoenix is located in south-central Arizona, in Maricopa County. It dominates the Phoenix metropolitan area, also known as the Valley of the Sun, which in turn is part of the Sal River Valley.
How to get there
From Milan or Rome: the flight to Phoenix's Sky Arbor International has a stopover in Frankfurt or Philadelphia and takes about 10 hours - Compare flights from €445.00 - see offers
Frommajor European capitals: direct flights from London are provided by Iberia, Finnair and American Airlines
When to go? Info on climate and best time
Month | Average temperatures (min/max) | Precipitation (days/mm) |
|---|---|---|
January | 7 / 20° | 23 days / 4 mm |
February | 9 / 22° | 23 days / 4 mm |
March | 11 / 25° | 25 days / 4 mm |
April | 15 / 30° | 7 days / 2 mm |
May | 20 / 35° | 3 days / 1 mm |
June | 24 / 40° | 0 days / 0 mm |
July | 28 / 41° | 27 days / 4 mm |
August | 27 / 40° | 25 days / 5 mm |
September | 24 / 38° | 16 days / 3 mm |
October | 18 / 32° | 15 days / 2 mm |
November | 10 / 25° | 17 days / 3 mm |
December | 7 / 20° | 22 days / 4 mm |
Climate: sub-tropical desert, with mild winters and hot summers. The average temperature ranges from 13 °C in December to 35 °C in July. Rainfall is a mere 200 millimetres per year
Best time: from a climatic point of view, mid-season is best (between March and the end of May and from September to October). If your visit to Phoenix coincides with a tour of the Grand Canyon, avoid winter.
Period to avoid: summer, from June to August, because of the sweltering heat
Advice: a visit to this city means trekking and hiking, so the recommended clothing is layered clothing, also to better cope with the temperature range. Prefer comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for long walks
Things to see in and around Phoenix
Heard Museum: traditions, culture and history of 22 American Indian tribes in the region told through art and original artefacts.
Phoenix Art Museum: The largest fine arts museum in the southwestern US presents a collection of contemporary works and global masterpieces from around the world.
Arizona Science Center: IMAX planetarium, lectures on the force of gravity, information on the human body and geological movements, as well as the digital world with laboratories and interactive experiments for science and technology enthusiasts.
MusicalInstrument Museum: see, hear and play all kinds of musical instruments from all corners of the world. It is a unique collection.
Papago Park: located just minutes from downtown, it is home to the iconic red rock peaks with a panoramic view from the incredible Hole-in-the-Rock and major attractions such as the Desert Botanical Garden and the Phoenix Zoo.
DesertBotanical Garden: a 50-acre desert garden with a fantastic variety of succulents, including the majestic saguars. The garden also hosts annual art installations that blend well with the local flora.
Old Town in Scottsdale: a popular shopping and nightlife destination in Greater Phoenix, where you can find typical souvenirs such as cowboy hats and western-style jewellery.
Taliesin West: the studio-residence of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, built with materials such as wood, rock, glass and concrete, the so-called organic architecture of which Wright was a master.
Phoenix Zoo: one of the nation's largest non-profit zoos is home to more than 1,400 animals. Ideal for discovering the flora, fauna and inhabitants of the Sonora Desert.
Camelback Mountain: Iconic viewpoint, so named for its resemblance to a camel on its knees. The summit is 365 metres high and offers a wonderful view of the city and the Phoenix Mountains Preserve.
Grand Canyon: Divided into the North Rim, South Rim and West Rim, it is one of America's most important and visited National Parks and one of the most beautiful natural places in the world. It can be reached from Phoenix in about 3 hours by car - find out more
What to do in Phoenix: excursions and tours
How much does it cost to visit Phoenix? Prices, offers and tips
Like the rest of American destinations, the city of Phoenix has a rather high starting budget to consider.
The first cost to be tackled is that of flights, to save money it is recommended to book at least a few months in advance. In general, the cost of living in Arizona is in the national average, with some advantages among which the proximity of the border with Mexico should be mentioned: as far as food is concerned, it is possible to find tasty and cheap street food.
The average prices of the city's hotels and B&Bs are quite high, especially if you stay during weekdays: the rooms are almost all booked by workers on business trips. If you choose to rent a car, costs start at €57.00 per day for a small car. Admission tickets to the parks range from $15.00/€13.60 to $35.00/€31.70.
Where to stay: Hotels and B&Bs from €70.00 per room - see offers
Low cost flights: from €445.00 - look at the offers
Flight+ hotel: A/R flight + 7 days/6 nights from €1.450,00 per person - look at the offers
