Eilat is a little Israeli town place near the border with Aqaba on the Jordanian side, and Taba on the Egyptian side. There is something about this sunny location, so distant from big cities, and filled with Mediterranean heat that draws millions of tourists every year – both Israeli tourists and people crossing the border from Aqaba and Taba. If you’re coming from Ben Gurion International Airport of Israel it’s a 5-6 hours drive, but you can also get a flight to Eilat itself, so you better stay a night or two in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem or Beer-Sheva.
Places to see
For me, I just can’t get enough of this little city. Yes – you can walk the tourist area back and forth in an hour or two, and yes there are only so much things you can actually do in terms of attractions, but somehow I just can’t get enough of the Israeli warmth, and the red sea is amazing – fish wise and relief-from-the-hot-weather wise.
And now that the convincing portion of the evening is done let’s dive in:
- You want to see the whole beauty of the red sea marine life, but don’t want to go for a diving? No problem – “The underwater observatory” is just out of the city center and you can see underwater or even board a little submarine. In addition there is a shark pool, turtle observatory and much more.
- Beaches and Pools – If you’re gonna stay in any of the hotel mentioned under “where to stay”, you’ll have a good, big pool, and except hotel #5, a very close beach access. Use them! When you get your room, you also receive a towel card that you can trade for a towel in the pool area and use in the pool or on the beach. Once done return the towel and get your towel back. Some of the biggest beaches have marine sports ( pretty expensive but great experience )
- Promenade – you know those festival booths? On Eilats’ promenade the call them “Basta” and open them all year long ( although winter is a bit slow ). The promenade starts with the main Mall called Red sea mall, through something called “slingshot” ( great one-time experience made of you and a friend sitting in a big ball shooting up ), a bar with ice sculptures, a beautiful bridge, nice bars like “3 monkeys” and ends near the Jordan border.
- Timna Valley – This one is outside of Eilat, but it’s worth your time. They offer different stuff so just go to their website to learn more.
- Dolphin reef – Should I even add? You get to see dolphins, and for additional price even dive with them.
- The max 3D movie theater, Kings city, Desert Jeep Tours – Those ones are great, but definitely not a must see ones – If you have the time search online for one of those, or ask in your hotel.
Dolphin Reef Eilat
Tips
- Prices – tourist cities prices are not fun – $30 for a Hot Dog and a drink for 2 people is just too much – buy your food before you arrive to any attraction or a beach.
- Weather – this is not your average hot weather – summer in Israel is hard even for the locals – luckily the is air condition literally everywhere – in your room, in every restaurant, bar, store etc. But still, consider how much you like\dislike when it’s hot outside, and don’t be surprised to see shirtless guys.
- Actual Tips – Israeli service personnel at bars and restaurants get their salary from the tips. It’s customary to leave 10%-15% tip after you finish eating.
- Know when to book – You should know that the high season is April-September ( and sometimes October – it depends on Jewish holidays ), and the prices are very different between midweek and weekend booking ( weekends defined Thursday-Sunday ).
Where to stay
- Herods Palace
- Hilton Eilat Queen of Sheba
- Royal Beach Isrotel
- Isrotel Royal Garden – This one is interesting – they have indoors mall – very good addition in their hot weather.
- Magic Sunrise All Inclusive Resort – This is not really in Eilat but in Eilot – They do have free bus shuttle every hour, and it’s about 10 minutes drive to the beach. The interesting thing is that Eilot is a kibbutz – small village – so sometimes you’ll smell.. nature.. once you’re out of the hotel. This is the only hotel that has small cottages (in addition to the regular hotel building ) with about 5-6 rooms, so it feel more intimate, yet you’ll not be disturbed by your neighbors since there is total separation between the rooms.
- Princess Hotel – Far from the city, but has a private beach.
If you’re young and looking for some young-vibe hotels there are many – some looks worse than motel 6, but some are better. One of the most popular is U Coral Beach All Included.
Main photo credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Underwater_Observatory_in_Eilat.jpg
Dophin reef photo credit: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:PikiWiki_Israel_15217_Dolphin.JPG
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