Eilat

Israel's southernmost Red Sea resort city, with coral reef snorkeling, an underwater observatory and Dolphin Reef, plus the desert landscapes of Timna Park and the Red Canyon to the north.

Eilat is Israel's southernmost city, set at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba, bordered by Egypt's Sinai Peninsula to the west and facing Aqaba in Jordan across the water to the east. It is Israel's only outlet to the Red Sea and the country's most popular holiday destination. The climate is hot desert: winter days hover around 20–23°C, making it a favorite winter escape for Israelis and Europeans, while summer highs often top 40°C and the focus shifts to water activities. The city has two sides. Along the southern coast lies the Red Sea coral reef belt, where snorkeling at the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, the Underwater Observatory and Dolphin Reef are the three must-dos, and it's a good place to get a diving certification. In town, North Beach, the seafront promenade and the Lagoon Marina are packed with hotels, restaurants and nightlife; the whole city is VAT-free, and at the Ice Mall you can go ice skating in the middle of the desert. North and west of town rise the Eilat Mountains and the desert of the Arava Valley: the Red Canyon and Shehoret Canyon are great for hiking, Mount Yoash offers views over four countries, Timna Park with Solomon's Pillars and its ancient copper mines deserves at least half a day, and you can drive through the Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve to see desert wildlife. Getting there: Ramon International Airport is about 18 km from the city, with flights to and from Tel Aviv; long-distance buses from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem take about 4–5 hours. City buses reach the coastal sights, but for the desert sights it's best to rent a car or join a tour. Plan on 3–4 days; you can also cross into Jordan at the Rabin Border Crossing for a day trip to Petra (passport and visa required, and it's fairly expensive). Tips: public transport is reduced on Shabbat (Friday evening to Saturday evening); always carry plenty of water when hiking, and canyons are at risk of flash floods when it rains; check your government's travel advisories before you go, as the situation in the Middle East can change.

Top sights

• Coral Beach Nature Reserve – The northernmost coral reef reserve on Israel's Red Sea coast. Three jetties lead straight to the reef edge, where snorkelers can see coral…
• Coral World Underwater Observatory – An underwater observatory and marine park built in the sea. Visitors can see the Red Sea coral reef through glass windows without getting w…
• Dolphin Reef – Bottlenose dolphins live in a semi-open sea enclosed by floating nets. You can watch from floating platforms, or pay to snorkel or dive wit…
• Timna Park – A desert park of red sandstone with Solomon's Pillars, mushroom rocks, ancient copper mine ruins and an artificial lake.
• Red Canyon – A narrow red sandstone canyon in the Eilat Mountains. The short loop is spectacular, and you climb and squeeze through using metal ladders.
• Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve & Mount Yoash – A classic viewpoint in the Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve, from which you can see four countries at once: Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Saudi A…
• North Beach & Promenade – Eilat's central seafront, with a long sandy beach lined by hotels, a seaside promenade and a lagoon with a swing bridge. The evenings are l…
• Ice Mall – A large duty-free shopping centre with an ice rink in the middle. Skating in a desert city is a unique experience in Eilat.
• Mount Tzfachot – A small hill behind Coral Beach. From the summit you can look out over the Gulf of Aqaba and the coasts of four countries. It is the easies…
• Shehoret Canyon – A narrow canyon with dark rock walls, which together with Amram's Pillars makes a half-day hiking route north of Eilat.
• Amram's Pillars – Red sandstone cliffs carved by wind and rain into huge pillars. Reached directly by car, it suits short hikes and camping.
• Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve – A nature reserve that breeds desert wildlife. You can drive through to see gazelles, wild asses and ostriches, and visit a nocturnal animal…
• Eilat Birding Park – A birdwatching hotspot on the migration route between Africa and Eurasia, where large flocks of storks, raptors, and flamingos appear in sp…
• Eilat Botanical Garden – A tropical garden in the desert city, where streams, waterfalls, and over a thousand plant species create an oasis.
• Ein Netafim – The only year-round spring in the mountains around Eilat, with water dripping from the rock face, where Nubian ibex often come to drink in…

Where to eat

• The Last Refuge – A seaside seafood restaurant on Almog Beach operating for around 30 years, highly favored by locals for its shellfish a…
• Rak Dagim – An established fish restaurant on Tarshish Street, serving fresh fish based on the daily catch, with about 2,000 review…
• Omer's – A kosher meat sandwich shop on HaTmarim Boulevard with high Tripadvisor ratings and budget-friendly prices, perfect for…

Itineraries

• Dead Sea to Red Sea Negev Road Trip – Drive through the Judean and Negev Deserts, passing through Ramon Crater to reach Eilat on the Red Sea.
• Israel and Jordan: Tel Aviv to Amman – Cross from the Mediterranean through the Holy City and the Red Sea, then explore Petra, Wadi Rum, and Amman.