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City in Southern Israel
Photo: via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Eilat (אילת, aka Elat) is the only Israeli city on the Red Sea. Eilat (pop 85,000) is the southernmost town in Israel, isolated from the rest of the country by the Negev desert. It's sandwiched between Taba in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan, and often used as an access route to those cities because of its large modern Ramon airport.
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The best place for scuba diving and located here are some of the best dive clubs in Israel, offering technical diving courses, rebreather, nitrox, tri-mix, etc. The whole coastal area is protected by the nature reserve authority and divers are expected to follow regulations. It is also a great place for snorkeling, windsurfing and kite-surfing plus it has fantastic views of the bay.
One of Eilat's most popular attractions, this is a good way to view the Red Sea marine life without getting wet. Its white tower (Eilat's most famous landmark) offers great views above water and goes below the surface to view the marine life. The park's aquariums contain sharks, sting rays and turtles, plus lots of multicolored Red Sea fish, and the huge glass windows allow visitors to get a clear view the tanks' occupants. The Oceanarium simulator is also a lot of fun for kids - though it may be a little scary for the smaller ones. All in all it's a nice family morning out. With a day ticket, you can enter for up to three consecutive days if you take a selfie with your ticket at the selfie point, to the left of the entrance. This is described on the website and is also explained at the ticket office upon request. The park closes at 17:00, but the shops and stalls close at 16:00. During this hour, you'll practically have the park to yourself.
South Beach (3 km south of town towards the Egyptian border). Not just a tourist trap, the staff actually work to rehabilitate dolphins for life in the open sea - from whence they came. However, in the past the release of dolphins into the bay has on occasion resulted in the consumption of many of the nearby coral reef's inhabitants, so that the dolphin release project is on hold. Various paid options are available for interacting with the dolphins, starting with snorkeling with the dolphins at ₪227. It's a very nice beach with lots of small pools and rich shrubbery. It has a fantastic spa (relaxation pools) and is well worth a visit. For those who want to get up-close to a dolphin book your swim or dive as early in the morning as you can. The dolphins get weary of visitors as the day goes on. Piers leading out onto the water allow everyone to get as near to the dolphins - as the dolphins want.
Two viewing platforms overlooking the Red Sea. Parking is available.
Annual event takes place in the last week of August and Jazz musicians from all over the world come to Eilat, for a week of fun, sun and lots of Jazz.
A shopping mall with an ice skating rink. There is free skating as well as lessons. Once a day you can watch a professional ice show.
Eilat is one of the best locations in the world for learning how to kitesurf. The weather and sea conditions are perfect for beginners with steady northern winds and a calm sea. KiteXEilat offers various beginners classes.
Lucky Divers
No license and no experience necessary scuba diving. As is legal in Eilat, an experienced dive master will accompany you on what could be your first ever scuba experience. They provide a short tutorial of the basics, and worry about all the technical details leaving you able to concerning yourself solely with breathing, and of course observing the magnificent neon subaquatic landscape.
If you don't want to splurge on scuba diving you can still see a nice variety of Red Sea fish by snorkeling along the south beach. You can rent the equipment usually from a Kiosk nearby. Flippers or suitable footwear recommended as the coral is sharp.
Eilat Field School
The Hiking Division of the SPNI (Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel) gives information and advice on desert hiking and trails in the Eilat region.
Offers half- and full-day desert tours, desert/snorkeling tours, bike and jeep tours. Operated by Colin Porter, Licensed Desert Guide and marine biologist.
An interactive stargazing experience in the nighttime desert outside Eilat. Using a special camera, you can see the deep sky as well as the moon and planets on a computer screen, rather than through the eyepiece of the telescope. Watch the image build as light is collected, and hear tales about the personalities of the heavens as well as scientific explanation of what is going on up there. "What's Up" is suitable for all ages and is handicapped-accessible, although there are no toilet facilities at the site.
The Ginsburg-Ingerman Overseas Student Program offers short-term academic programs at the Eilat campus. Programs focus on Hebrew language, marine biology, and gastronomy.
An Ethopian restaurant.
Chinese restaurant and bar. Not nearly as expensive as it is exclusive, it's a good spot for dining if you don't mind seeing your picture in the local Eilat gossip pages.
American foods restaurant, a great burger place in the middle of the tourist center. Prices are cheap and the burgers are tasty and huge.
Price includes choice of entrée with vegetables, soup and salad bar (+ dessert, if any). Food prepared by Hotel School student chefs; tasty and good quality. Takeaway.
An attraction in itself, it is strictly non-kosher it serves sushi, sea-food and steaks. Anchored on the waters of the Marina. A little pricey, but no more than other restaurants and you definitely get far more for your money.
Falafel, shawarma and pizza.
The bar is a good option. If you're looking for a place with stuck-up people, barbie doll bartenders, or tough-looking bouncers, look somewhere else, because Unplugged is nothing like it. The drink selection is somewhat limited, but still fairly good. The music ranges from American pop to Israeli trance, and they play songs in both Hebrew and English. You have the option of either sitting at the bar, chilling on a big couch, or dancing with the friendly locals. This place is often crowded, even on a Monday night.
Christian run, this hostel is a nice and welcoming place with peaceful staff and surrounding. Every Friday they have a community/bible session with free food afterwards. It is a great opportunity to get a free New Testament and to save some shekels.
Beit HaArava
This motel has a homey feel, there are many tables and grills outside to allow relaxation away from the crowds. Mostly the rooms are private but they do offer dormitory accommodations for a cheap price. Member of ILH.
Hebrew: Beit Sefer Sadeh
All rooms have bunk-beds, private shower/toilet, A/C, mini-fridge and electric kettle (free coffee/tea). No dorms. Outdoor barbecue, picnic tables in Camp Ground. Parking for hostel' guests. Ecologically friendly hostel has a relaxed kibbutz-style atmosphere and often hosts youth groups during the school year as well as hikers, divers and surfers all year round. Free WiFi.
Not at all expensive yet very clean and nice place to stay. One can book entire room or bed basis as per the need. The cafeteria serves very good breakfast as well in the morning.
Offers you private rooms for ₪100 per person per night, food included. David has worked as an Eilat hotel chef his whole life and serves you the most amazing food. He has two kinds of rooms: double bed room and twin bed room. He meets you on arrival and brings you to the apartment. 5-10 min from the bus station, 20 min from the beach (walking).
A colourful place to stay, eco-friendly bed and breakfast accommodation off the beaten track, very cozy.
Rooms include a fridge and electric kettle.
Eilat Club Hotel is the largest suites hotel across the Middle East and the only hotel across Israel designed and built under the inspiration of the sea.
Eilat Club Inn Hotel is a resort in a wadi overlooking a breathtaking desert view.
Large, nicely located hotel with a good pool area.
The Prima Music is an exceptionally designed, concept hotel situated under picturesque desert mountains and overlooking the magnificent Red Sea at Coral Beach on the outskirts of the Eilat.
Clean, well-maintained hotel with friendly staff and terrific breakfast
formerly U Suites, Le Meridien
Spa center, beach, a children's club, a dance bar, a business lounge, and spacious suites.
formerly Crowne Plaza Eilat
Panoramic lagoon views, contemporary design, and a relaxing atmosphere.
Central beach front hotel with a great pool area.
No longer run by Sheraton, Herods offers a "near Las Vegas" experience, with staff in togas wandering around a pompously decorated palace. Service isn't quite up to scratch though, although the (separately charged) Vitalis spa is excellent by any standard. Like many Las Vegas hotels, this hotel is built (or overbuilt) to resemble historic buildings, in this case domed Middle Eastern architecture.
The hotel’s entrance is shaped as a temple dome with natural light pouring in from the windows above. The circular shape gives arriving guests an immediate sense of tranquility. The floor is decorated with mosaics of animals symbolizing the wisdom of the King Solomon, who, according to legend, could speak their language. Archeological artifacts portraying ancient Egyptian events adorn the dome.
Large swimming pool with sunbathing beds and deck chairs and “Astraland” club, which is filled with games for children and toddlers.
186 rooms, including 12 suites, all at ground level, a large swimming pool and deck at the centre of the village.
152 rooms, pool, marina, children's activities.
A mall located on the promenade and beach-line, closest to the airport.
Ice rink and many international brands.
Eilat's outlet mall.
By plane
By bus
Eilat has no rail service so the bus is your only public transport option for the time being.
By car or taxi
There are a couple of ways to drive from Tel Aviv to Eilat. One is via Mitzpe Ramon.
Border crossings
From the bus station, people will try to get you into a taxi to take you to the border, but don't bother unless you have great difficulty walking, as it is literally less than 500 m down the road.
By bus
Local bus services usually begin 07:00-08:00 and end 21:00-22:00. Ask the driver for exact times.20 one ride without transfers.
By taxi
Taxis prowl the streets day and night looking for fares. Insist on the meter, or agree on the fare in advance (Eilat's taxis are famously mercenary).
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Aqaba · International · AQJ
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