Eilat

Eilat is a city of striking contrasts, where the arid, copper-colored mountains of the Negev and Edom ranges meet the crystal-clear, vibrant blue waters of the Gulf of Aqaba. As Israel's only outlet to the Red Sea, it holds a special place in the country's tourism landscape. The city is divided into two main areas: the bustling North Beach, characterized by its lively promenade, luxury hotels, and sandy shores, and the more tranquil South Beach, which is a protected nature reserve boasting some of the most spectacular and accessible shallow-water coral reefs in the world.

Beyond the beaches, Eilat serves as a basecamp for extraordinary desert exploration. Just a short drive north lies Timna Park, an ancient geological wonderland featuring towering sandstone pillars and the world's oldest copper mines. Additionally, Eilat's unique status as a Free Trade Zone means that visitors can enjoy VAT-free shopping, making it a popular destination for retail therapy. Whether you are watching migratory birds, swimming alongside dolphins, or enjoying the vibrant nightlife, Eilat offers a multifaceted holiday experience.

Reasons to Visit

• World-Class Snorkeling and Diving: The Coral Beach Nature Reserve offers incredibly accessible, vibrant coral reefs teeming with marine life.
• Year-Round Sunshine: With over 300 sunny days a year, it is a reliable destination for winter sun.
• Desert Landscapes: Proximity to the breathtaking Negev Desert, including the Red Canyon and Timna Park.
• Tax-Free Shopping: Eilat is a VAT-free zone, offering great deals on clothing, electronics, and cosmetics.
• Dolphin Reef: A unique ecological site where visitors can observe and swim with bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat.

Things to Avoid

• Touching the Coral: The Red Sea reefs are fragile; never touch, stand on, or take pieces of coral.
• Unlicensed Taxis: Always use official taxis with meters to avoid being overcharged.
• Underestimating the Sun: The desert sun is intense. Avoid hiking in the middle of the day during summer and always carry plenty of water.
• Disrespecting Local Customs: While Eilat is a liberal resort town, it is respectful to cover up when leaving the beach and entering the city center or dining establishments.

Local Transportation Tips

Getting around Eilat is relatively easy and convenient. The city is compact, and the main tourist areas along the North Beach promenade are highly walkable. For longer distances, such as traveling to the southern beaches or the underwater observatory, the local Egged bus system is reliable, air-conditioned, and inexpensive. Taxis are also plentiful and can be hailed on the street or booked via apps like Gett. If you plan to explore the surrounding desert regions extensively, renting a car is highly recommended.

Travel Etiquette

• Tipping: It is customary to tip 10-15% in restaurants and cafes unless a service charge is already included.
• Beach Attire: Swimwear is perfectly acceptable on the beach and promenade, but you should put on a shirt or cover-up when entering shops, hotels, or restaurants.
• Environmental Respect: Use reef-safe sunscreen and dispose of all trash properly to protect the marine environment.
• Shabbat: While Eilat is more secular than other Israeli cities and many places remain open, public transportation (buses) stops from Friday afternoon until Saturday evening. Plan your travel accordingly.

Recommended Age Group

Eilat is a highly versatile destination that caters to a wide range of age groups, offering everything from relaxing resorts to high-adrenaline activities.

• Babies (0-2 years): Recommended. The warm climate and numerous family-friendly resorts with dedicated baby pools and amenities make it an easy getaway for parents.
• Kids (3-12 years): Highly Recommended. Children will love the Underwater Observatory, the Dolphin Reef, glass-bottom boat tours, and the calm, sandy beaches of the northern shore.
• Teens (13-19 years): Highly Recommended. Teens can enjoy thrilling water sports like parasailing, jet skiing, and introductory scuba diving, as well as desert jeep safaris.
• Adults (20-64 years): Highly Recommended. Adults can take advantage of world-class scuba diving, luxury spa resorts, vibrant nightlife, and tax-free shopping.
• Seniors (65+ years): Recommended. The flat promenades, accessible beaches, warm winter climate, and relaxing spa facilities make it a comfortable and enjoyable destination for older travelers.

Accessibility Level: Medium

• The main promenade along the North Beach is flat, paved, and highly wheelchair accessible.
• Many of the large luxury hotels offer fully accessible rooms and facilities, including pool hoists.
• Several beaches in Eilat have special accessibility features, including ramps that go directly into the water and specialized beach wheelchairs available for use.
• The Underwater Observatory Marine Park is largely accessible, with ramps and elevators allowing access to most exhibits.
• Some natural sites, like the deeper trails in Timna Park or the rocky southern beaches, may present challenges for those with limited mobility.

Did You Know?

Eilat is situated on one of the world's most important bird migration routes. Twice a year, during spring and autumn, hundreds of millions of birds fly over the city as they travel between Europe, Asia, and Africa, making it a globally renowned destination for birdwatching.

Cool Statistics

• Eilat enjoys an average of 360 sunny days per year.
• The Red Sea water temperature in Eilat rarely drops below 21°C (70°F), even in the dead of winter.
• It is home to the northernmost shallow-water coral reef ecosystem in the world.
• Eilat borders two other countries: Jordan (Aqaba) to the east and Egypt (Taba) to the south.