With 360 sunny days a year and very little rain, Eilat is THE destination for a summer or winter holiday. You will need a good few days to visit Eilat as there is so much to do and see. Are you ready?
Some background information: Eilat, Israel's southernmost city, a busy port and a popular holiday resort located in the southern Negev desert, the Arava, on the northern tip of the Red Sea, with the Egyptian city of Taba to the south, the Jordanian port city of Aqaba to the east and within sight of Saudi Arabia to the south east. Eilat's temperatures can exceed 40 degrees C in the summer and decrease to 21 degrees C in the winter, with water temperatures ranging between 20-26 degrees C.
Let's go.
First you will need a place to stay – Try out one of the many hotels. Would you like to rest your weary bones and be pampered at one of the many spas? Would you enjoy a resort package? What about a guesthouse, a hostel or a short term rental apartment? There is always the possibility of Bedouin hospitality.
Then you have to try out Eilat's famous beaches - Hashchafim Beach screens films, Hazahav Beach offers a romantic atmosphere and Papaya Beach has an exotic vibe plus a playground for the kids. At the Dolphin Reef you can swim with dolphins, at the Royal Beach you are served on the beach and at the Migdalor (Lighthouse) Beach you can just chill out.
If you're traveling with children, take them to Kings City, the Camel Ranch, the IMAX Cinema, Nightmare Eilat or to Ice Space. The Underwater Observatory is also a must. Take a boat ride in a glass bottomed boat. In the clear blue water you can see some of the amazing 1,200 species, some of which are only found here. Try out the new family diving courses. You and your children aged 12 and up can discover the amazing sea world and at the same time experience wonderful family bonding.
Are you nature lovers? The International Bird Park tells the story of the millions of birds which migrate to and from Europe through Africa and the Middle East. The Eilat Field School, offers some specialized, educational hiking tours introducing visitors to desert ecology and the Red Sea. Visit the Antelope Ranch at Ein Avdat. Don't miss the Yotvata and the Coral Beach Nature Reserves.
Are you up for more extreme adventures? Take a jeep desert tour, a mountain bike tour, a trek or a camel ride. Try out the Rope Park which offers 19 attractions and 34 passages from level to level, with 700 meters of rope tracks, bridges, ladders and a bungee jump for teens and adults. If that is not exciting enough you can try and scale the 19 meter wall, the 200 meter long omega, paintball wars or bows and arrows. If 19 meters is not high enough, you can always try paragliding. Feel the freedom and see it all from high above.
Are you a fan of water sports? There is scuba diving, snorkeling, parasailing, tubing, banana boating, water skiing, kite surfing, at the numerous diving and surf clubs.
And what about shopping? You can't miss the open air fresh produce market, the shops along the promenade, all for VAT free shopping. You will definitely need an extra suitcase for all the bargains you will find.
Don't forget to leave time for a visit to the art galleries and theaters, museums and cinemas.
But wait a moment. We haven't talked about the restaurants, wine bars and bakeries? The chef restaurants and bakery, located in the industrial area, were established by Eilatis. The wine houses are also located in the industrial area and are waiting for the wine connoisseurs. Some of the wines come from a boutique vineyard in Eilat.
But wait yet another moment. What about the festivals, international competitions and sports events? There are Chamber Music festivals, artist fairs, the International Bird Watching Festival, street artists, acrobats, live statues, the International Film Festival, the International Belly Dance Festival, the Red Sea Jazz Festival, the Red Sea International Music Festival, the International Bridge Festival, the Med Salsa Festival, the Epson Red Sea World of Underwater Images Competition, wind surfing competitions, the 29th International Academic Sports Association events with 1,500 participants and the non-olympic sporting events which expect 1,900 participants and many, many, many more.
And you thought you would have a relaxing holiday in Eilat. Of course you will. All Eilat has to offer is for your total enjoyment and relaxation.
And, Eilat is waiting to welcome you back for your second and third visit just in case you didn't manage to do it all this time.
For infromation about Eilat hotels please visit Hotels in Eilat