Eilat Hotels

Eilat Rundown

Eilat is one of the most popular targets for international arrivals in Israel. The resort city represents the extreme southern point of the Negev Desert triangle and borders Egypt and Jordan (and almost Saudi Arabia) on the north end of the Gulf of Eilat/Aqaba and Red Sea. ... Read more »

The city of close to 50,000 people depends heavily on the ebb and flow of annual tourism and, by extension, delivers most of the telltale characteristics of a reliable beach destination. The one difference, however, is that in addition to coral reefs, beaches, nightlife, leisure and entertainment, Eilat also serves as a gateway to remarkable nature reserves, spectacular desertscapes and singular archaeological sites. Wonderfully, all of this inherent allure unfolds within hours of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

A military base and strategic port for decades after the establishment of the State of Israel, Eilat's resort hub conversion began in earnest after peace was made with Egypt in 1979. In the decades thence, development on the coast has come fast and furious. A panoply of luxury hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and other modern attractions serve the needs of visitors today.

EILAT’S TOP 10

10. Kings City is a Biblical theme park owned by controversial billionaire Lev Avnerovich Leviev.	5. Eilat Marina teems with pleasure watercraft.
9. Makhtesh Ramon looks like a massive impact crater but is actually a geological oddity endemic to the Negev Desert.	4. Timna Valley, north of Eilat, unfurls the ruins of a Neolithic copper mine and some of the most bizarre and photogenic topography in all of Israel.
8. Water sports, from scuba to snuba, form the backbone of Eilat recreation.	3. Bedouin Tours take visitors deep into the desert to elucidate on a venerable way of life.
7. Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve is the place to sniff out exotic species like the caracal, griffon vulture, oryx and wild ass.	2. Dolphin Reef is a pristine habitat for bottlenose dolphins on the shores of the Red Sea.
6. Underwater Observatory Marine Park brings all the wonders of the Red Sea vividly to life.	1. Coral Beach Nature Reserve is the crown jewel of Eilat and an underwater paradise for snorkelers.

EILAT EVENTS

Eilat International Film Festival is the flagship event in the resort city.

Red Sea Jazz Festival takes place over four days in late August and lures tens of thousands to the city.

WHEN TO GO

Eilat has a typical desert climate with warm to hot and almost rainless weather throughout the year. Summers, in particular, wield a potent punch and feature temperatures in the 76°F (24°C) to 104°F (40°C) range. As a result, June to August swelters and demands visitors take special care while outdoors.

Winter, on the other hand, is low season in Eilat for a reason. With temperatures between 50°F (10°C) and 72°F (22°C), December to February is not exactly prime beach time.

The months of April and October, while still hot, offer a good compromise between the two extremes.

GETTING AROUND

Eilat Airport provides service to and from Tel Aviv and Haifa. Average flight time is less than one hour. A good many tourists, however, fly in from the likes of London-Gatwick and Brussels to Taba International Airport in Egypt. A taxi from Taba to the border takes 40 minutes, with another 30, on average, to cross over. Eilat is another 10 minutes away.

Eilat Central Bus Station on HaTemarim Street offers regular daily service to and from Tel Aviv. The trip takes about 5 hours. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance.

Visitors can also cross over from Aqaba, Jordan to Eilat and either walk from the border or take a taxi to the main resort area.

A plethora of cars for hire ferry visitors to and fro in Eilat. The central promenade, however, is small and quite manageable on foot.

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