Eilat
Discover Eilat
Eilat (אילת, aka Elat) is the only Israeli city on the Red Sea. Eilat (pop 85,000) is the southernmost town in Israel, isolated from the rest of the country by the Negev desert. It's sandwiched between Taba in Egypt and Aqaba in Jordan, and often used as an access route to those cities because of its large modern Ramon airport. Eilat is at the southernmost tip of the country, with its "window on the Red Sea". It is first and foremost a resort town devoted to sun, fun, diving, partying and desert-based activities. Sprawled along 7 km of Red Sea coastline, between the borders of Egypt and Jordan, it offers spectacular views of the Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba).
Taste of Eilat...
The main promenade is packed with stylish tourist restaurants offering some of Israel's finest cuisine prepared by master chefs. The variety of restaurants understandably comes at a price, though not as expensive as many restaurants in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. As a rule prices are lower the further away from the tourist areas one goes. For those wishing to eat simply and well there are a number of options in addition to shopping the local supermarkets. There are several good restaurants on or near Eilat's main street, Shderot HaTmarim (The Dates Blvd.). For a Holiday resort the expected assortment of Pubs and Bars exist on the Promenade and are also densely packed in the main square. The hillside around the Central Bus Station contains motels and small private hostels which usually have a room designated as a dorm. You can find some real gems hidden among them but be prepared to take some time checking them out. If you reach Eilat having a backpack, you may be accosted by people offering their houses or parts of them for your accommodation. These are really a gamble, because you never know what to expect and people tend to exaggerate their descriptions. Usually, it would be a nice air-conditioned room with a double bed, shower, TV, sometimes Wi-Fi and some kitchen stuff. Price per day: ₪100-200 and higher, however negotiable, depending on how long you are staying and what standard you want. Start the negotiation as you see the apartment. Extreme but cheap.
Climate
Some 320 km (200 mi) from the hustle and bustle of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, Eilat's climate-induced relaxed atmosphere has always provided a convenient year-round escape for Israelis, and during the mild winter months also attracts thousands of European sun-seekers. Red Sea water temperatures range only between 20 °C in the winter to 26.2 °C in the summer, providing warmth in the winter, and much appreciated chilliness in the summer's heat. Today, the 2-km (1.2-mi) North Beach area is full of hotels with opulent names like Herod's Palace and Queen of Sheba. The Tayelet promenade extends the length of the beach front and hosts numerous stalls, street artists, restaurants, and fashionable shops. The promenade has great views of the bay, and each evening is full of strolling tourists. The southern or Coral Beach, which has coral reefs, is protected by the Israel Nature Reserve Authority. It has many public beaches and excellent scuba diving centers as well as several hotels and hostels.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsWhile Eilat is - for a country as small as Israel at least - far away from the rest of the country, the government is subsidizing international flights and the border crossings to/from Jordan and Egypt are a lot less hassle than one might expect, making Eilat surprisingly easy to reach - if not necessarily from the rest of Israel. Eilat has no rail service so the bus is your only public transport option for the time being. A rail link to other parts of Israel has been discussed for years, but officially "put on hold" indefinitely in 2019. You can take the train as far south as Beersheba or Dimona and then a bus from there. All inter-city buses to and from Eilat arrive and leave from the 29.5562334.952952 Central Bus Station on HaTemarim Boulevard. There is some talk of relocating all or most of the functions of the Eilat Central Bus Station to the extended grounds of Ramon Airport, but when the airport opened, no bus station capable of handling the load of traffic was in place....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Central Eilat, that is the Promenade Area and city center. Central Bus Station, Main Post Office, banks, etc. are within easy walking distance, although during summer months the scorching temperatures make walking around unpleasant. Only the closest public beaches are a sweaty stroll from the center; dive sites require transportation. Local bus services usually begin 07:00-08:00 and end 21:00-22:00. Ask the driver for exact times. All routes cost ₪4.20 one ride without transfers. You may also load a day pass for Eilat area for ₪6.70, a six days pass for ₪33.50 or a month/30-day pass for ₪116 (Rav-Kav required), which is a better option if you need transfers. You can get an anonymous Rav-Kav from the driver, or on Central Bus Station or Ramon Airport (where you may as well be issued a personal one, with photo. A personal card is required for the month/30-day pass). Bus Numbers 1 and 2 do a complete circuit of the city, both passing through the city center before their routes diverge.
Where to Stay
The hillside around the Central Bus Station contains motels and small private hostels which usually have a room designated as a dorm. You can find some real gems hidden among them but be prepared to take some time checking them out. If you reach Eilat having a backpack, you may be accosted by people offering their houses or parts of them for your accommodation. These are really a gamble, because you never know what to expect and people tend to exaggerate their descriptions. Usually, it would be a nice air-conditioned room with a double bed, shower, TV, sometimes Wi-Fi and some kitchen stuff. Price per day: ₪100-200 and higher, however negotiable, depending on how long you are staying and what standard you want. Start the negotiation as you see the apartment. Extreme but cheap. Possible at the North Beach, next to the Jordan border, and also at the South Beach—aka Coral Beach—preferably to the south of the bar called "Migdalor". Pros: stay close to the sea for free.
Money & Budget
As an incentive for businesses and travelers to come here, there is no value-added tax in Eilat. Therefore many duty free shops line the boardwalk culminating in duty free shopping centers. Top brands can be found, and it is joked that the first thing an Israeli does before leaving Eilat is to fill up their petrol tank to the brim. The main promenade is packed with stylish tourist restaurants offering some of Israel's finest cuisine prepared by master chefs. The variety of restaurants understandably comes at a price, though not as expensive as many restaurants in Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. As a rule prices are lower the further away from the tourist areas one goes. For those wishing to eat simply and well there are a number of options in addition to shopping the local supermarkets.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Eilat is relatively close to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, which has become a terrorist hotbed. There have also been terrorist incidents in Eilat. To prevent terrorist infiltration, Israel has built a steel barrier backed by cameras, radar and motion detectors on the Israel-Egypt border. The sun can be very intense all day. Plan transportation and wear plenty of sunscreen including in the water. The 29.5544534.940611 Eilat hospital serves the southern Negev.