Eilat, Israel: travel guide
Red Sea reefs, desert mountains and winter sun at Israel's southern tip
Israel's Red Sea resort at the country's southern tip, a year-round beach and diving destination with coral reefs, a marine observatory and desert landscapes of the Arava and Timna.
About Eilat
Eilat is Israel's Red Sea resort, wedged at the southern tip of the country between the Gulf of Aqaba and red desert mountains. It is a beach and diving town where the sea is warm and the sun reliable for much of the year.
Snorkelling and diving on the coral reefs are the main attractions, along with the Underwater Observatory and boat trips on the gulf. Inland, the desert offers hiking in the Eilat Mountains, Timna Park with its rock formations and ancient copper-mining history, and jeep rides across the Arava.
Eilat suits sun seekers, families and divers, and winter is the most comfortable time to visit Eilat because summer heat is extreme. It is also easy to combine with a day across the border in Jordan.
- Country
- Israel
- Currency
- ILS
- Time zone
- Asia/Jerusalem
- Nearest airport
- ETM
Last updated
Top places to visit in Eilat
Underwater Observatory Marine Park
Marine park / aquarium · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · entry ₪119 (≈ ₹3,690)
A marine park with an underwater observation tower set on the reef, plus shark and turtle pools and Red Sea aquaria, one of Eilat's top family attractions.
Dolphin Reef
Dolphin sanctuary & beach · 4.4 rating · about 2.5 h · entry ₪74 (≈ ₹2,300)
A private beach on the gulf where a pod of bottlenose dolphins lives in an open enclosure, with floating piers, relaxation pools and snorkelling with the dolphins.
Coral Beach Nature Reserve
Coral reef reserve · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry ₪35 (≈ ₹1,090)
Israel's finest snorkelling reef, a protected stretch of Red Sea coral with marked underwater trails teeming with tropical fish just off the shore.
Timna Park
Desert & geology park · 4.7 rating · about 4 h · entry ₪49 (≈ ₹1,520)
A desert park of red sandstone formations, ancient Egyptian copper mines and rock carvings, natural arches and the "Solomon's Pillars", about 25 km north of Eilat.
Red Canyon
Slot canyon · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A short, spectacular slot canyon of red sandstone in the Eilat Mountains, with ladders and handholds through narrow polished passages.
Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve
Desert wildlife reserve · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · entry ₪40 (≈ ₹1,240)
A desert wildlife reserve north of Eilat breeding animals mentioned in the Bible — onagers, oryx, ostriches and desert predators — viewed on a driving safari loop.
Botanical Garden of Eilat
Botanical garden · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₪55 (≈ ₹1,710)
A hillside "garden of the pillars" of desert and tropical plants with shaded trails, a treehouse and a spring, giving views over the gulf.
North Beach (Eilat)
Resort beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Eilat's main resort beach along the lagoon and promenade, backed by hotels, bars and the marina, with calm water and views to Jordan's Aqaba.
Things to do
- Red Sea Coral Reef Snorkelling Water Sports · 3 h · from ILS 150 per person
- Introductory Scuba Dive Diving · 3 h · from ILS 350 per person
- Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise Boat · 1.5 h · from ILS 90 per person
- Eilat Mountains Jeep Safari Adventure · 4 h · from ILS 300 per person
- Timna Park Guided Day Tour Day Trip · 6 h · from ILS 250 per person
Day trips and tours
- Eilat Red Sea & Timna 8 h · from ILS 360
Where to stay in Eilat
- North Beach & Lagoon about ILS 900 per night
Eilat's resort core around the lagoon and promenade, walkable to beaches, bars and the marina.
- Coral Beach about ILS 800 per night
The quieter southern strip by the reef, best for divers and snorkellers.
Hotels
- Herods Palace Eilat 5-star · ILS 1,600 to ILS 3,200 per night
- Leonardo Plaza Eilat 4-star · ILS 900 to ILS 1,600 per night
- Prima Music Hotel Eilat 4-star · ILS 700 to ILS 1,200 per night
- Arava Hostel Eilat 2-star · ILS 130 to ILS 400 per night
Where to eat
- Pago Pago Seafood, Mediterranean, Grill · about ILS 220 per person
- The Last Refuge Seafood, Mediterranean · about ILS 160 per person
- Ginger Asian Kitchen Asian, Thai, Sushi · about ILS 130 per person
- Eddie's Hideaway International, Grill, European · about ILS 150 per person
Getting to Eilat
Airport: Eilat (Ramon) (ETM)
How visitors arrive in Eilat
- Flight to Ramon Airport By air from Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion) · common
Ramon International Airport handles all flights into Eilat, with services from Ben Gurion and Haifa and some European winter flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Intercity bus from Tel Aviv By road from Tel Aviv · common
Intercity buses from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva all arrive at Eilat's central bus station; the city has no rail service. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Intercity bus from Jerusalem By road from Jerusalem · common
Long-distance buses link Jerusalem with Eilat's central bus station, reached via the Negev. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Border crossing from Jordan By road from Aqaba (Jordan) · possible
Travellers from Aqaba reach Eilat via the Arava (Rabin) crossing just north of the city. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Airport bus line 50 to the hotel area
Line 50 runs from Ramon Airport through the hotel area to Eilat Central Bus Station. A separate Line 30 goes via the central station on to the southern beach and Taba border. Source: egged.co.il
- Airport shuttle to downtown unconfirmed
Ramon Airport has a shuttle service into Eilat alongside taxis and buses. Services can be limited around Shabbat, so confirm with the operator or your hotel before you land on a Friday evening or Saturday. Source: elal.com
- Taxi from Ramon Airport unconfirmed
Taxis are available for the drive from Ramon Airport, roughly north of the city on Highway 90, to hotels. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Ovda and the old Eilat City airport no longer take commercial flights, so ignore old signs pointing to them. Flights land at Ramon Airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Intercity bus to Central Bus Station
Egged coaches from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva arrive at the Central Bus Station on HaTemarim Boulevard. Eilat has no rail service. Seats are assigned, so book ahead. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- From Taba (Egypt) the border, local buses 16 and 30 run to the Central Bus Station. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bus
Local city buses loop around Eilat, with a separate line running out to Coral Beach and the Taba border crossing.
- Car Rental Self
Rental car offices operate in Eilat, handy for trips into the surrounding Negev desert and along the Red Sea coast.
- Taxi
Taxis operate across Eilat and can be found cruising the streets, day and night.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Timeshare / "free gift" touts
North Beach promenade, Eilat
Promoters offer free gifts, tours or scratch-cards to lure you into long timeshare or holiday-club presentations.
How to avoid it: Ignore unsolicited "you've won" offers; do not hand over your passport or sign anything on the spot.
Best time to visit Eilat
- Jan 21°C
- Feb 23°C
- Mar 26°C
- Apr 31°C
- May 36°C
- Jun 39°C
- Jul 40°C
- Aug 40°C
- Sep 37°C
- Oct 33°C
- Nov 28°C
- Dec 23°C
More in Israel
Frequently asked questions about Eilat
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Eilat?
- The highest-rated places in our Eilat guide are Red Canyon, Timna Park, Coral Beach Nature Reserve, Underwater Observatory Marine Park, Dolphin Reef.
- Where should I stay in Eilat?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Eilat: North Beach & Lagoon, Coral Beach.
- How do I get around Eilat?
- Ways to get around Eilat covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Eilat?
- Scams reported to us for Eilat include Timeshare / "free gift" touts. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Eilat?
- Average daytime highs in Eilat run from 21°C in Jan to 40°C in Jul.
- Which airport is nearest to Eilat?
- The nearest airport to Eilat has the code ETM.