Aqaba Travel & Vacation Guide

Summer, sun and music is celebrated at the annual Chamber Music Festival in Eilat. Come here to enjoy music with like-minded. Upcoming artists are announced on their website.

Coral Beach is a spectacular offshore ‘park’ with the world’s most northerly coral reef. This is the main attraction on this enjoyable pay-to-enter beach. You will find anything from cafés to snorkelling equipment for hire here.

Located just north of the port, Dekel Beach is a quiet beach in daytime and a party beach at night. Bring a picnic and change of clothes, and you can stay here the whole day and long into the night.

With clear warm waters, dazzling coral and exotic fish, the resort is world famous for snorkelling and scuba. An instructor will accompany you all the way if you wish. There are many dive clubs with varied rates. Main centre is Coral Beach. Shulamit's Eilat Diving Adventures 34 HaTsaftsefa St, Eilat +972 54 475 8525 shulamit-diving@outlook.com www.shulamit-diving.com Aqua-Sport Coral beach, Eilat +972 863 344 04 Info@aqua-sport.com www.aqua-sport.com

Meet a dolphin face-to-face! This beautiful private beach lets you watch the dolphins in their own environment. It is simply magical.

This special zoo took up the task to train animals for living in the wild. Ostrich, antelope, oryx and co are nurtured in a sanctuary until they are fit enough to be released again. A visit is a fun experience for the whole family.

Adventurers will find a thrill in hiking the Negev desert. You can visit the Mountain Nature Reserve, take a 4x4 journey or join a guided tour. The unique landscape makes this trip a must-do.

North Beach is the main beach area which is divided into a dozen different sections. Some are artificially improved and backed by a lively promenade with extensive leisure facilities, including restaurants to suit all tastes.

In high summer – peak season for Israeli visitors – late-night dance parties are organised on the Taba Road beaches, especially Dekel. Meet other party animals in town.

Dolphin Reef welcomes you to barefoot chic and laid-back fun at a thatched beach bar with dancing by the water. This is the perfect place to just enjoy the presence.

Djs, live-acts, cocktails - you name it, this bar has got it all. Drop by at Messi to enjoy a long night out and meet some new people. The international crowd and the rock music will make this spot your favourite in Eilat nightlife!

Music, sports and party people can be found at Mike's Place in Eilat. Don't miss out on great live bands and football screenings within and bring your friends to spend a great night on the town.

The friendly staff and the laid-back atmosphere of this rustic pub make it a favourite of locals. Come here for dark beer, strong whiskey and great burgers and keep an eye on their weekly programme. They even have pool tables if you are up for a game. Paddy's Irish pub is always worth a visit.

Pago Pago floats in the lagoon with a South Seas theme. They offer an international menu with over 300 drinks to choose from. Needless to say that you will be here for a while.

Azrieli Mall Hayam is the town’s main indoor mall, located where the town centre reaches North Beach. Next to numerous fashion stores, it has many options and comfortable places for a coffee or a snack.

Get a new outfit, buy some beachwear or look for gifts in this well-equipped shopping center. Fashion stores, supermarket as well as book shops offer a great choice of shopping opportunities. What are you waiting for?

Ice Mall in Eilat offers a unique shopping experience with an Olympic-sized ice skating rink at its heart, surrounded by a variety of luxury stores, eateries, and exciting attractions like laser tag and amusement rides, making it a must-visit destination for both shopping and entertainment.

Several North Beach hotels have their own small high-quality malls with a good selection of stylish shops, notably the trendy Le Boulevard mall beneath the Royal Garden Hotel.

The area around North Beach offers a wide variety of shops including bookstores, children’s wear and fashion boutiques. Also, familiar international brands and designers, for lower prices can be found. Look out for Israeli names such as the imaginative, romantic clothes and jewellery of Michal Negrin.

The best time to visit Eilat is between November and March, when the weather is pleasantly warm, ranging from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius, making it ideal for outdoor activities and beach time. This period is less crowded than the peak summer months, offering a more relaxed experience and better accommodation rates. During these cooler months, you can enjoy Eilat's unique attractions, such as snorkelling in the Coral Beach Nature Reserve and exploring the stunning underwater observatory. In addition, Eilat’s winter season hosts exciting events like the Eilat Chamber Music Festival and the annual Eilat Jazz Festival. The mild winter weather also makes it a perfect time to take day trips to the nearby desert landscapes or visit the striking Red Canyon without the oppressive heat of summer.

To visit Israel, your passport should be valid for at least the duration of your stay. While Israel recommends six months of validity, it's no longer a strict requirement as long as your passport remains valid during your visit. Most visitors from countries with visa exemption agreements, including the EU, USA, Canada, and Australia, can enter Israel for up to 90 days without a visa. However, as of August 2024, an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA-IL) must be obtained online at least 72 hours before travel. For those from non-exempt countries, a visa is required in advance. In addition, Israel issues an entry card instead of stamping passports, which helps avoid complications when travelling to certain Arab or Muslim countries. Carry your passport if you plan to visit Palestinian territories, as it may be required at checkpoints.

The closest airport for travellers flying to Eilat is Ramon Airport, located about 18 kilometres north of the city. If you are flying internationally, you might also consider arriving at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, which is about 300 kilometres from Eilat, and then taking a domestic flight or a bus to Eilat.

Eilat’s town centre is compact and easy to get around on foot. Local buses, including Route 1 which serves the hotel area and Route 15 along Taba Road, generally run every 30 minutes from 7am to 7pm—service is reduced on Fridays, with a break around 3pm, and there is no service on Saturdays.

In Eilat, finding taxis is generally easy, especially around popular tourist areas and hotels. Taxis are metered, but it’s advisable to ensure the meter is running or agree on a fare before starting your journey. Another alternative is the local ride-hailing app Gett, which is widely used in Eilat. It's worth noting that taxi fares can be higher at night and on Shabbat, so planning your transportation in advance can help avoid surprises.

In Eilat, the electrical system operates on a voltage of 230V with a frequency of 50Hz. The common types of electrical plugs used are Type C and Type H. Type C plugs are the standard European two-round pin plugs, while Type H plugs are unique to Israel, featuring three flat pins arranged in a triangular configuration.

Super-Pharm is the largest pharmacy chain in Israel, with several branches in Eilat. It offers a wide range of pharmaceutical products, health and beauty items, and over-the-counter medications.

In Eilat, post offices typically operate from Sunday to Thursday, with usual opening hours from 8am to 1pm and 4pm to 6pm. On Fridays, they generally open from 8am to 1pm and are closed on Saturdays. Services provided at these post offices include mailing letters and packages, buying postage stamps, handling registered mail, and accessing various financial services such as bill payments and money transfers.