The Largest Cities in Arizona

1. Phoenix

Arizona's capital, Phoenix is a place where big-city sophistication seamlessly mixes with its beautiful desert landscape.

Situated in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, the city is 3.5 hours from the state’s iconic Grand Canyon, one of the World's Natural Wonders. Phoenix’s metropolitan area, commonly referred to as the Valley of the Sun, is surrounded by low mountain ranges, including the White Tank Mountains, Superstition Mountains, McDowell Mountains, and Sierra Estrella. The city offers a diverse array of attractions such as world-renowned museums, historic neighborhoods, luxury spas, upscale boutique shops as well as popular outdoor activities like golfing, hiking, mountain biking, and mountain climbing.

2. Tucson

An Arizona hub of activity, the city of Tucson is situated in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by five minor mountain ranges that include the Tortolita Mountains, Santa Catalina Mountains, Santa Rita Mountains, Tucson Mountains, and the Rincon Mountains.

Proudly listed as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, Tucson is known globally for its plethora of divine restaurants and culinary traditions. For some of the most authentic Mexican cuisine north of the border, you will want to explore The Best 23 Miles of Mexican Food.

Tucson is also known for its historic sites, museums, boutique shops, and premier outdoor recreational activities.

3. Mesa

Located in the Sonoran Desert, the city of Mesa is situated approximately 18 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona. From innumerable outdoor recreation opportunities to Native American artist displays to farm-to-table dining, Mesa is a city rich with culture and natural beauty. Mesa is also home to Sloan Park where two Major League Baseball teams, the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland A’s, conduct their annual spring trainings. There are two rivers and three lakes within 30 minutes of the city where visitors can enjoy water activities that include boating, fishing, and jet skiing. The city’s downtown area is filled with lovely boutiques, museums, and charming cafes.

4. Chandler

Situated within the picturesque Sonoran Desert, the city of Chandler is located about 23 miles southeast of Arizona’s capital, Phoenix. Chandler plays host to vibrant annual festivities and events, including the Ostrich Festival and the Chandler Jazz Festival. Rich with culture and history, the city offers a variety of museums and attractions for visitors to explore, including the Chandler Museum, Tumbleweed Ranch Park, and the Arizona Railway Museum. Visitors can peruse the charming streets of downtown Chandler trying local fare, admire public art, and shop in boutique stores. Chandler offers a variety of outdoor recreation that includes golfing, horseback riding, and hiking.

5. Glendale

Glendale is self-proclaimed “Arizona’s Antique Capital,” with support for the claim from a USA Today article in 1998 and Sunset Magazine in 2004. Situated nine miles northwest of Phoenix, Glendale offers its visitors first-class accommodations and one of the nation’s finest entertainment and sports districts. Nestled in the Sonoran Desert and surrounded by several mountain ranges, the area provides a variety of picturesque outdoor activities to enjoy that include hiking, mountain climbing, and riding ATVs.

The charming Historic Downtown Glendale neighborhood was listed among the country’s top ten best locations for shopping by Sunset Magazine and USA Today.

6. Scottsdale

Scottsdale is a beautiful desert city in the state of Arizona located approximately 13 miles east of Phoenix. Situated in the picturesque Sonoran Desert, this city is known primarily for its luxury spa resorts and championship golf courses, including the famous TPC Scottsdale. With popular attractions like the Tonto National Forest and Superstition Mountains nearby, visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities that include guided hiking tours, camping, and mountain biking. Scottsdale has also been known to provide residents and visitors alike with a vibrant arts and culture scene, award-winning gastronomy, and high-end shopping districts.

7. Gilbert

The most populous town in the United States, Gilbert is a desert town nestled between the mountains southeast of Phoenix, Arizona. Gilbert has proudly been recognized by CNN’s Money Magazine’s list of “Best Places to Live in America.” While exploring the town’s charming Heritage District that represents its original location, visitors can explore the Gilbert Historical Museum and learn about the town’s rich history. Gilbert is the ideal place for the outdoor enthusiasts of the world with its plethora of championship golf courses and Central Trail System, featuring over 135 miles of unmarked and marked trails for bikers and hikers to explore.

8. Tempe

A truly laid-back city in the Sonoran Desert, Tempe is a wonderfully vibrant oasis situated just east of Phoenix, Arizona. The city’s crown jewel, Arizona State University was listed as “#1 in the U.S. for Innovation” by Best Colleges U.S. News & World Report. Visitors can take a scenic hike up Hayden Butte Preserve or “A” Mountain as the locals call it, go mountain biking at South Mountain Park, or take a Desert Belle cruise on Lake Saguaro and learn about the area’s geography, geology, and wildlife. You will enjoy the city’s arts and culture scene, world-class shopping, and sensational gastronomy.

9. Peoria

Peoria is a charming Sonoran Desert city in the Salt River Valley situated northwest of Phoenix, Arizona. The first facility of its kind in the country to be shared by two Major League Baseball teams, Peoria Sports Complex is the proud home of the Seattle Mariners and the San Diego Padres for spring training and player development. Peoria has a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy that include horseback riding along Lake Pleasant, going for a scenic hike up Sunrise Mountain, and taking a glider ride with Northwest Sky Sports over the picturesque mountains and desert. Visitors will appreciate the city’s historical museums and fine art galleries.

10. Surprise

Often referred to as the “playground of the West Valley,” Surprise, Arizona is a desert city situated to the northwest of Phoenix. Major League Baseball’s Spring Training is one of the busiest times of the year with Surprise Stadium proudly serving as the home of the Cactus League’s Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. Another one of Surprise’s major attractions is its championship golf courses, with the picturesque backdrop of the White Tank Mountains and perpetual blue skies, it’s easy to see why. Surprise’s culture and arts offer everything from traditional performances and crafts to fine arts galleries.