A Complete Guide to Eilat, Israel
Read our travel guide on Eilat in Israel. Includes best things to do and see, top activities, how to get, when to go, or where to stay.
For some travelers, Eilat is one of the best cities in Israel for vacation. For others, Eilat is nothing more than an overpriced and superficial city where there's not much to do except for spending money.
One thing is sure. Eilat stirs emotions across the entire traveler's specter as their preferences vary.
Indeed, the first impression of Eilat might not be the best, especially when you see the huge Hotel Zone area or the nearby, industrial-looking port.
But once you start peeling off the unappealing layers and dig deeper under the surface, you might find a city that will surprise you.
Before our trip to Israel, we always thought that Eilat was just a resort town that offers the good and the bad that comes with it.
So it was our surprise to find out that its surroundings are absolutely stunning and you will find many hidden gems there.
Sure, they are not hidden to tourists in the proper sense of the term, but they are still gems not visible at first sight.
So here is everything you need to know about Eilat before you go.
After reading our Eilat travel guide, we hope that you'll decide to explore the southern corner of the country.
Even getting there is an incredible journey worth including in your Israel itinerary.
History of Eilat
While the evidence in the nearby Timna Park suggests that the area was inhabited about 5000 BCE or sooner, the history of Eilat city is very recent.
When the British Palestine mandate ended in 1948, only an abandoned outpost Umm Rashrash stood on the current city's location.
When the Arab-Israeli War broke out, Israel quickly understood the strategic location of this area that granted access to the Red Sea and took control of it without a fight.
Through economic incentives, the Israeli government was able to persuade arriving Jewish settlers to move to this remote area after the war, and the population quickly started increasing.
The importance of the port only expanded during the Suez Crisis and Six-Day War.
Today, tourism plays a super important role in Eilat's economy, and thousands of visitors arrive here every year to enjoy the best of Eilat.
When we walked to the waterfront on one of the warm evening nights, we passed by a new construction site surrounded by construction barriers.
There wouldn't be too much to the story if a series of images portraying the rapid development spanning over the course of 70 years didn't cover it.
Seeing those roughly fifteen photos of Eilat transformation was fascinating and helped us to understand the city just a bit better.
What to See and Do in Eilat
There is always something to do in Eilat, regardless of the time of the year.
From relaxing on the sun, snorkeling at the coral reef, swimming with dolphins, hiking in the desert, learning about millennia-year-old history, or indulging in one of the hotel treatments, Eilat has it all.
Here are our tips on the best things to do and see in Eilat. Whether you are an active traveler or prefer lying on the beach, we've got you covered.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
So once you start looking for things to do in Eilat, probably the first one that will show up is snorkeling in the Red Sea.
The Red Sea in this region is famous for a beautiful coral reef, and you have an excellent opportunity to put on a mask, snorkel, and fins and find out what's the buzz is about.
Of course, if you prefer scuba diving, Eilat is a great place for this activity as well.
Here you can find some popular tours such as Coral Reef Snorkeling Trip with Instructor or Introduction to Scuba Diving.
Coral Beach Nature Reserve
The word is that the best snorkeling place in Eilat can be found in the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, which is about 7 km south of the city.
Coral Beach Nature Reserve is part of the Israel National Park system, so the area is well-maintained but a little bit pricier for our taste.
Don't forget to use your Israel Pass that allows you to visit included parks for free (technically, it's only a discounted price).
And to your question, whether you can find here the best snorkeling in Eilat? Well, that's hard to tell because it's not in our strength to see every corner of the coral reef along the coast.
At the same time, it's hard for us to rate some of the places as we have been spoiled by some of the best snorkeling places in the world on some of our previous trips.
So the thing is that we were not disappointed by the snorkeling experience here.
You should also keep in mind that this is a nature reserve, and the authorities try to protect the coral reef at all costs.
As a result of their efforts, you're only allowed to snorkel in the designated area, and it means that sometimes the reef is just a bit further than you would want it to be.
While we understand the idea and reasoning behind it, this experience might not be for everyone. It's not a dealbreaker, but if you are used to snorkeling without any restrictions, you might not like it here.
And then there is the question of whether the entrance fee is way too pricey or it's just the small cost for the protection and the conservation efforts of the survey.
As we traveled with hand luggage only, we didn't have any spare room for our snorkeling gear.
Luckily you can rent everything at the counter, and while it wasn't cheap either, there was no way around it.
If you bring valuables with you, it's better not to leave them in the car as there are lockers on site.
Beaches
The 10-kilometers stretch between Eilat and Taba offers some great beaches for everyone.
Whether you go to Princess Beach, Mosh Beach, Dekel Beach, Dolphin Beach, Coral Beach, Village Beach, Migdalor Beach (or any other beach that's there), you will surely find a place to enjoy the sand, sea, and sun.
Some beaches are family-friendly, some of them have restaurants or facilities for active people, while some offer an almost serene experience you wouldn't expect to find in Eilat.
And the North Beach in Eilat is busy, but it's right in the city, so you don't need any sort of transportation to get there.
It's hard to pick the best beach in Eilat, and we believe that you should be able to find which one suits your preferences the best as part of the experience.
However, we do believe that the best beaches in Eilat are south of the city, so do yourself a favor, and don't spend your entire vacation only in the northern area.
Moreover, it's not difficult to find a free beach in Eilat, which is great even for those who are visiting Israel on a budget.
Red Canyon
One of the biggest surprises Eilat is hiding must be the Red Canyon.
Spectacular Red Canyon, which lies about 30 kilometers northwest of the city, is simply breathtaking, and you should consider visiting it if you have time.
A narrow gorge created by natural forces over millions of years is best explored on foot, so leave your flip-flops behind and put on some proper hiking shoes.
The reddish canyon's layered rock wall will reward you for your effort like not many places in the Negev Desert.
If you've been to Ein Avdat National Park, Red Canyon offers a very different and much more intimate experience.
While the former is an impressive canyon featuring spectacular views, a year-round stream, and grooves, the latter allows you to touch its walls as you will climb down.
Red Canyon is less than a 30-minute drive from Eilat, and you don't even need a 4WD despite the fact that the last 1.5 kilometer of the road is unpaved.
Timna Park
About 30 minutes drive north of Eilat lies one of our most favorite places in entire Israel. Timna Park is all about archaeology and geology, and you need at least a half-day to see its best attractions.
However, if you love hiking in the desert, you can easily spend an entire day or two there
The only downside of visiting this park is the steep entrance fee, but your entrance ticket is valid for three days, so you can spread your visit over several days if you have enough time.
Timna Park is not just about the stunning rock formations and breathtaking scenery.
Still, you can also find some archaeological sites that prove that Egyptians used this area for copper mining and bronze making as one of the first ones in the history of humankind.
Coral World Underwater Observatory
When we were catching some bronze on the sandy beach of Coral Reef Nature Reserve, we couldn't help noticing a strange-looking white rectangular building with a tower on our right side.
We were not sure about what it was, so I grabbed my phone and quickly googled it. As it turned out, it was Coral World Underwater Observatory, yet another of Eilat's top attractions.
This public aquarium, park, and conservation center are super popular with families and kids, and you'll often find it listed as a must-visit place while in Eilat.
We must admit that we are not the biggest fans of similar places so we didn't go there.
We prefer to see the abundant marine life without the glass separating us from it, but if you ever get bored or you're looking for a family-friendly activity to do in Eilat, you should know this place exists here.
The underwater Observatory Tower tickets start from 105 NIS per adult and 85 NIS per child.
Top Day Trips From Eilat
If you've arrived at Eilat only for the beaches, snorkeling, shopping, or resorts without any intentions of leaving it, then it still never hurts to see some places outside the city, especially when they are so great.
So if you're staying in Eilat for a prolonged period, you might consider taking one of the suggested day trips.
Petra
The Lost City of Petra, built by Nabateans in the 4th century BCE, is a place that is hard to ignore when in Eilat. And knowing that this UNESCO site is only two hours drive from Eilat will make you want to visit it.
We had the chance to see it last year, and we still can't grasp the reality of how spectacular that place was.
Unless you plan to visit Jordan any time soon, then this might be your chance to see one of the world's wonders.
Taking a tour from Eilat to Petra is the easiest way to get there.
Here you can reserve a Petra Tour from Eilat.
The Dead Sea
Leaving the Red Sea for the Dead Sea for a day sounds like fun. The Dead Sea is one of the best attractions in Israel and a place any traveler should not miss out on.
When visiting the Dead Sea from Eilat, don't forget to stop at Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, another natural attraction in the Dead Sea area when you're in the region.
Jerusalem
Even if you decide to stay in Eilat for the entire length of your vacation, make sure to take a day trip to Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is one of the fascinating cities we've ever visited and a must-see for any history lovers out there.
Here you can find a Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Dead Sea Tour from Eilat.
Negev Desert
Exploring the Negev Desert is much more fun than it appears at first sight, as this inhospitable region offers more than meets the eyes.
Visiting places such as fascinating Avdat National Park, peaceful Ben-Gurion's Tomb, vast Makhtesh Ramon, impressive Ein Avdat National Park, or stunning Timna Park is a great way to spend a day or two outside Eilat.
As you can find most of the places on Highway 40, it makes sense to include them in your travel itinerary when going to or from Eilat.
For those who don't travel in this direction, a day trip to Negev Desert is still a must-do.
Pyramids of Giza
Lastly, we can't fail to mention that you can also embark on a private tour to Cairo in Egypt with an English-speaking guide.
The reward for spending several hours on the road are the Pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, the Sphinx, and much more.
Here you can reserve Pyramids of Giza Tour from Eilat in advance.
VAT Free Zone
The city of Eilat is popular for one more reason. Due to its remote location, the city lies in a VAT-free zone, so you don't need to pay a tax when buying things.
Our first experience with this fact was when we were filling up our gas tank at one of the local gas stations.
Gas is quite expensive in Israel, and the usual cost was around 6.60 shekels per liter at the time of our trip.
So when I paid for my fuel at the counter, I found on my receipt that the price was only 5.70 NIS per liter in Eilat.
While the total amount we saved on fuel was marginal in the grand scheme of our total Israel budget, it was still nice to save some money.
So if you have a rental car, don't forget to take a full tank before leaving Eilat.
Shopping
As mentioned above, the VAT-free zone is also popular for shopping. And shopping in Eilat is a big thing.
Eilat has many shopping centers, and you'll find hundreds of outlet stores, international chains, or luxury brands boutiques there.
Except for the suburbs or residential areas, Eilat is a huge shopping zone.
Whether you go to BIG Eilat Complex, Mall Hayam, Sheba Mall, Le Boulevard Mall, or Ice Mall that features a year-round ice rink, Eilat will deliver one of the best shopping experiences in Israel.
Royal Boardwalk or The King Solomon Promenade will allow you to shop without the need to spend time in large shopping centers.
And that's just the Hotels Zone area. Just make sure you have enough spare room in your luggage.
A word of warning. The stores still need to make a profit. Therefore VAT exemption doesn't always translate into lower prices.
Eating Out
You can't expect to have 5-star hotels without fancy restaurants.
Eilat is home to many excellent restaurants, and while the restaurants at the Hotels Zone restaurants are pretty expensive, even budget travelers can find some great places for reasonable prices.
Restaurants such as Pago Pago, Pedro, Little Brazil, Ginger, Olla, or Omer's are among the best restaurants in Eilat, and you're sure for a treat when having a meal there.
As keeping the Israel travel budget at bay is not easy, eating out at pricey restaurants might not be on your menu.
However, you can still find some cheap eats in Eilat serving traditional meals such as hummus, falafel, or shakshuka as well.
And if you're staying in one of the cheap hostels with a communal kitchen, you can prepare some healthy food from the local ingredients by yourself to save even more money.
Staying at Resorts
Eilat is famous for its luxury hotel resorts. So even though we're budget travelers and these places are out of our price range, it would be a shame not to include them in our blog post.
While we usually create only one section focused on accommodation, we might make an exception here.
Most of the Eilat luxury hotels have one thing in common. The location, which is close to the Eilat's beaches.
And as the name suggests, Hotels Zone was built with one purpose in mind - to pamper thousands of visitors each day with superb rooms, exquisite services, and fancy dining options.
We're not saying by any means that your trip to Eilat wouldn't be complete without staying in one of those hotels.
But if your travel budget allows and you like these kinds of things, then you won't find a better place in Israel than Eilat.
So here is the list of some of the best resorts in Eilat.
Queen of Sheba Eilat | If you're looking for a place featuring beautiful rooms with Red Sea views, its own shopping mall, top-quality facilities, or four restaurants, then Queen of Sheba Eilat ticks off all the boxes.
Dan Eilat Hotel | Free parking, swimming pool with a slide, squash courts, or outdoor hot tub, Dan Eilat Hotel is a great place to stay for everyone.
King Solomon | One of the best family-friendly hotels in Eilat, King Solomon by Isrotel Collection offers a large swimming pool, wellness center, entertainment, games, and babysitting services.
Royal Beach Hotel | With newly renovated rooms overlooking its own private beach, three outdoor pools, or fine dining restaurants, Royal Beach Hotel is an excellent value for your money.
Herods Palace Hotels and Spa Eilat | Located on Eilat's North Beach, Herods Palace is a seafront hotel with a wellness center, Arabesque pool, spa, and clean rooms.
Where to Stay
As mentioned above, Eilat is a famous resort town so you can expect to find some great hotels here.
So what if you don't want to stay in the Eilat's Hotels Zone resorts? Don't worry, Eilat still has hundreds of hotels for everyone. And by the way, as you will see, you don't need to stay in Eilat at all.
We visited Israel in November, and the accommodation was relatively affordable, at least compared to some other places we have already been to.
Finding a decent and cheap hotel during the peak season might prove difficult, especially when the locals flock to the city.
Yes, Eilat is beloved not just by international visitors but also by locals.
The problem of Eilat is not a lack of accommodation, but a lack of good and reasonably priced accommodation. Make sure to book your hotel room in advance.
So here's the list of the best hotels in Eilat for every budget.
Budget | HI Eilat Hostel - One of the best hostels in Eilat, HI - Eilat Hostel offers affordable accommodation to budget travelers. Basic but clean rooms, great breakfast, and free (limited) parking is everything you'll need. Moreover, the hostel has an excellent location close to the beach, shopping center, and many restaurants.
Mid-range | The Reef Eilat Hotel - If you want to stay away from the busy streets of Eilat, The Reef Eilat Hotel might be a perfect choice for you. This hotel is located about a 5-minute walk from the famous Coral Beach (and about six kilometers south of the city), and the clean, modern rooms offer stunning views over the bay.
Luxury | Royal Beach Hotel Eilat by Isrotel Exclusive Collection - Located in the main hotel zone, Royal Beach Hotel Eilat offers luxury accommodation. The hotel has air-conditioned rooms with balconies, three outdoor pools, and everything else you would expect from a hotel in this category.
How to Get There
Eilat is well-connected with the rest of Israel and many international destinations. With a good network of highways, buses, and an international airport, traveling to and around Eilat is a breeze.
The only downside might be for some of the city's location in the southernmost tip of Israel.
Unlike getting from Haifa to Acre or Nazareth, which is a matter of 30 minutes, you need to cross the entire Negev Desert to reach the Eilat (or when leaving it).
Here you will find more information on how to get around Israel.
Car
The easiest way to get to Eilat from any place in Israel is by car.
Driving in Israel is easy, and a rental car also allows you to explore Eilat's surroundings efficiently without any hassle and time.
And if you fly into Eilat first, it's nothing easier than renting the car directly in the city or at the airport.
Here, you can find the best deals on rental cars in Israel.
Both Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are roughly 350 kilometers north of Eilat (via Highway 40, 6, and 1), and the journey usually takes about 4-5 hours without stops.
Ein Bokek is 200 kilometers north of Eilat via Highway 90.
Plane
The new Ramon Airport was opened in 2019, and it's located less than 20 kilometers north of Eilat.
When people arrive in Israel by air, they usually choose between the main Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv or Ramon Airport in Eilat.
We opted for Ben-Gurion Airport this time as it made more sense to us, but it might be different for you, depending on your plans.
So don't forget to check whether your nearest airport offers flights to Eilat or not.
By the way, the former airport was located directly in the city, and you can still see its remnants today. However, new development projects will probably take care of this area in the near future.
Crossing the Borders From Eilat
On our last year's trip to Jordan, we also planned to visit Israel as well. Unfortunately, given what was happening around the globe, Israel closed its land borders, so we had to change our plans and come another day.
This means that we won't be able to write a separate post on crossing the borders because we do not have personal experience.
But that doesn't change the fact that it's possible now to make this trip as the borders were reopened once again.
Be prepared that when you're entering Israel, the immigration personnel in Jordan will ask you many questions.
Jordan
Aqaba is a neighboring city to Eilat, and traveling from one country to another should be a very straightforward and painless process.
In order to cross the borders from Eilat to Aqaba (or vice versa), you need to take a taxi to the Arava Border, then go through the border control, and then take another taxi to Aqaba city.
Have all the documents that you're required to have with you to make sure the process will be easy.
Another alternative is taking a shuttle from Eilat to Aqaba, which is slightly more expensive but makes your life easier.
Egypt
Currently, crossing the borders between Israel and Egypt is possible only from Eilat.
Getting from Eilat to Sinai's Sharm El-Sheikh is getting more popular, so the border process shouldn't be that difficult as well.
Unlike Aqaba, Taba is ten kilometers south of Eilat. The easiest way is to take a taxi from Eilat to Taba Border Crossing or bus from the Eilat Central Bus Station (Egged Route 15).
Of course, you can also take a tourist shuttle here as well. The city of Taba is just behind the border.
Make sure you have a visa or Sinai permit depending on the nationality or the purpose of the trip.
When to Go
While you can often hear that the best time to visit Eilat is in September or October, it mostly depends on your preferences.
Before you start planning your Israel trip, there is one crucial thing to consider before you go.
Eilat is one of the best holiday destinations in Israel, and its popularity is not something you should just shrug off.
Timing your vacation is essential here.
Avoiding July, August, and Jewish holidays can save you a lot of money and help you to escape the crowds.
The summer months in Eilat are also known for unbearable heat, but it's also the time of the year when the sea is the warmest.
On the other hand, while the winter in Eilat is mild, it's not ideal for sunbaking.
And even though the sea temperature in winter's month of January or February doesn't drop below 20 of Celsius, some people might consider it too cold for swimming.
Winter can also be unpredictable when you want to hike in the desert due to flash floods.
Here you will find more information on the best time to visit Israel.
What to Pack
One of the perks of spending your holiday in a developed city is the access to everything you might potentially need.
Eilat is not some remote destination without stores, so you don't need to be so punctual about your packing list.
Therefore, in case you forget something at home, the chances are that you can get it in Eilat in a matter of minutes.
So here are some of the items we've brought for Eilat.
Dry Sack | Protecting your valuables from sand, water, or sea spray is a smart thing to do.
Mask and Snorkel | We would have brought a snorkel and mask if we had more space in our backpacks.
Sunscreen | Regardless of the time of the year, bring a reef-friendly sunscreen with high SPF.
Swimsuit | It happens that we forget to pack the most obvious things, so don't leave your swimsuit behind.
Runners | Make sure to bring some close-toed shoes for your hikes in the desert.
Is Eilat Safe?
Being located so close to Sinai in Egypt, where some areas are considered dangerous, you might start wondering how safe is Eilat.
We felt very safe in Eilat, regardless of whether we were on a busy beach or walked on some empty street at night.
And quite frankly, we didn't see any difference between Eilat and other Israeli cities.
Of course, opportunistic crime exists in every tourist destination. So use your common sense, don't carry valuables with you, and you should be fine.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Israel.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Eilat Worth Visiting?
There is no denying that Eilat is a top tourist destination in Israel. Whether it's worth visiting is, however, an entirely different story.
If you love resorts, shopping, hot temperatures, and sea views, then Eilat is a perfect choice for you.
But this area offers so much more, and it would be a shame to skip it just because you don't like these things.
While you can find far more interesting and beautiful cities in Israel, Eilat is definitely worth visiting for its surroundings. And that was also our case.
We arrived in Eilat to see the Negev Desert, hike in the Eilat Mountains, or snorkel in the Dead Sea. And that's what we got.
We loved our time in Eilat, and we believe our Israel road trip wouldn't be complete without exploring this stunning area.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
