Travel to Eilat, Israel with Keytours Vacations

Discover Eilat's Wonders

Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city, is a resort paradise nestled between the Red Sea and the Negev Desert. Its year-round sunny climate makes it ideal for beach holidays, with calm waters perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Coral Beach Nature Reserve offers vibrant reefs teeming with marine life, while Dolphin Reef allows unique encounters with dolphins in their natural environment. Beyond the sea, visitors can explore the dramatic landscapes of Timna Park or embark on desert jeep tours. Eilat is also a gateway for excursions to Petra in Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. With luxury resorts, lively nightlife, and tax-free shopping, Eilat combines relaxation, adventure, and natural beauty, making it a favorite destination for both families and adventure seekers.

Current Weather

102.04 °F - Clear Min/Max: 102.04 °F / 102.04 °FFeels: 101.14 °F Humidity: 22%5 Day Forecast

Trips

Hotels

Activities

Transfers

Description

Eilat, Israel's gateway to the Red Sea, is a stunning city at the southern tip of the country, attracting tourists from around the world. This unique destination offers a wide variety of cultural and sports activities, with its location beautifully framed by water to the south and desert to the north. Along the coast, you'll find great beaches and a charming harbour area, where on clear days, you can see as far as Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

Useful information

Population:

54,743 (2024)

Currency:

New Israel Shekel (ILS)

Emergency Info:

Police: 100
Emergency Medical Services: 101
Fire and Rescue: 102

Opening Hours:

Typical business hours are Sunday–Thursday from 9am to 7pm, and Friday from 9am to 2pm. From Friday evening to Saturday evening is Shabbat, during which Jewish-owned businesses typically close. However, many Eilat stores and restaurants remain open.

Do & See

Chamber Music Festival

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

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.

Dekel Beach

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.

Diving

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

Dolphin Reef

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

Hai Bar

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.

Negev Desert

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

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.

Dining

Bar Beach

Lunch in the sun or dinner under a starlit sky can be enjoyed at this beachbar. Feel the sand between your toes and relax with a delicious cocktail while waiting for your meal. Try the calamari and scampi - they are heavenly.

Barbis Diner

Craving pub food? Then drop in Barbis Diner for savoury hamburgers, salads and fries. The serving are generous and the prizes reasonable.

Eddies Hideaway

Eddies Hideaway is located off the beaten track, with a convivial atmosphere and huge menu of excellent. They serve creative Israeli and Mediterranean cooking.

Ginger

This Asian restaurant is the ideal place for an extended dinner with some friends. Sushi, Tapas, Vietnamese as well as Chinese dishes are found on the menu and the staff will help you with choosing the best wine for your meal.

Little Brazil

This Brazilian restaurant offers you just the best meat and vegetables. Come here for quality steaks or meaty sharing plates. A special service is provided by the "Pasador" who walks from table to table to cut slices of meant in front of your eyes.

Pago Pago

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.

Papi Grill

El Gaucho serves beef — and other dishes — done the Argentinian way. The flair, quality and a vivacious atmosphere match the Argentinian flavours.

Pedro

This is the ideal place for meat lovers. Come here for quality steak, great wine and impeccable service. It is the kind of restaurant you will recommend to your friends.

Cafés

Aroma

Aroma is a chain of coffee shops that can be found all over Israel. Their signature blend, the Aroma Israel blend contains beans from Zimbabwe, Brazil, and Malawi. This café provides free WiFi and tasty snacks.

Dolphin Reef Restaurant

Sit on tree stumps or in cushioned booths and shaded tables at this lush beach café and enjoy a cup of coffee, a light snack or lunch with music.

U Coral Beach Club

Relax at the beach café before or after a dive, also an excellent place to grab lunch. The beach club offers a wide array of activities in addition to tasty food and swift service.

Bars & Nightlife

Beach Parties

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

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.

Messi BAR

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!

Mike's Place

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.

Paddy's Irish Pub

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

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.

Shopping

Azrieli Mall Hayam

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.

BIG Eilat

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

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.

Le Boulevard

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.

North Beach

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.

Tourist Information

Best Time To Visit

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.

Passport/Visa

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.

Ilan and Asaf Ramon International Airport (ETM)

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.

Public Transport

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.

Taxi

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.

Electricity

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.

Pharmacy

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.

Post

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to visit Eilat?

The best time to visit Eilat is during the spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) when the weather is warm but not scorching, making it ideal for outdoor activities.

What are the top attractions in Eilat?

Top attractions in Eilat include the Coral Beach Nature Reserve, the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, and Timna Park, known for its stunning rock formations and ancient copper mines.

How can I get to Eilat from Tel Aviv?

You can reach Eilat from Tel Aviv by taking a domestic flight to Ramon Airport, which is about 20 minutes from Eilat, or by driving approximately 4 hours through the scenic Negev Desert.

What local dishes should I try in Eilat?

In Eilat, try local dishes such as falafel, shawarma, and fresh seafood. The city also offers a variety of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine, reflecting its diverse cultural influences.

How many days should I spend in Eilat?

Spending 3 to 4 days in Eilat is ideal to explore its beaches, visit major attractions, and enjoy activities like snorkeling and desert excursions.

What are some popular activities to do in Eilat?

Popular activities in Eilat include snorkeling and diving in the Red Sea, exploring the desert landscapes, and enjoying water sports and beach relaxation.

Is Eilat a good base for day trips?

Yes, Eilat is a great base for day trips to nearby attractions like the Red Canyon, Timna Park, and even Petra in Jordan, which is accessible via a short drive and border crossing.

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