Traveler’s Guide to Top 10 Things To Do in Eilat

Israel’s first and only Red Sea resort, Eilat is an unassuming but charming destination. It sits on the teensy strip of Red Sea coast squeezed in between Jordan and Egypt, set amid Israel’s desert landscape. The big attraction here are the diving opportunities that abound, like Coral Beach Reserve just south of town where there are fantastic underwater worlds to explore. If you’re not a diver or just want to cool off from all that sunning on the beach, head inland into Israel’s desert for more adventures!

Eilat is a gem! It’s the perfect place to go on vacation. You can enjoy sun and sandy beaches, take in cool water sports while scuba diving or snorkeling, explore ancient ruins of biblical cities like Tel Arad or Kuntillet Ajrud. Not only that but our team has helped create a list of the top tourist attractions in Eilat and things to do you need to check out with their reviews so you know what’s worth your time.

Underwater Observatory Marine Park

On a clear day, you can see the tower of Eilat’s Underwater Observatory Marine Park without getting wet. So why bother going down there? Well, for starters it’s right on the beach and has lots of fresh air-con. It also has an observatory with an amazing high resolution camera that will beam live video underwater to your laptop or phone screen in real time so you don’t have to get all scuba certified like some people.

Location: Coral Beach, Eilat

Official site: www.coralworld.co.il

Experience the beauty of Timna Park in Eilat

In the Timna National Park, you can explore miles of surreal desert landscapes and see an intriguing ancient copper-mining history. It’s famous for its bizarre rock formations that have been sculpted by wind and rain. The most well-known of these is called Solomon’s Pillars, a 50 meter high wall made from sandstone rock which has been carved into pillar shapes with erosion taking place over hundreds or thousands years – just imagine what it looked like then! A flight of steps leads up to a relief depicting Pharaoh Ramses III making an offering to Hathor in commemoration; I’m guessing this was done during the New Kingdom period when Egypt controlled parts of Canaan (modern day Israel).

Location: 30 kilometers north of Eilat

Dolphin Reef – Dive with Dolphins on South Beach, Eilat

The South Beach in Eilat is not as tranquil as it appears on the surface. This charming bay has a resident population of bottlenose dolphins, but visitors will find that they are often up close and personal with them because this beach offers dolphin-watching tours for those who don’t fancy getting wet!

Location: South Beach, Eilat

Official site: www.dolphinreef.co.il

See the colorful coral reef of Eilat’s protected Coral Beach Reserve

Eilat’s premiere diving and snorkeling site is the protected Coral Beach Reserve. The offshore waters are home to a vibrantly colorful world of coral and flitting fish, so if you’re a diver this will be your highlight for an Eilat holiday! Even newbie divers can enjoy it with all the dive tour agencies here that cater specifically to first-timers. Alternatively, there are reefs right off shore which provide shallow enough water where even those who just want to snorkel around without actually swimming or diving still get their underwater fix as masks and goggles can easily be rented on the beach.

Spot rare birds at the International Birding Center

In the area between Africa and Europe, Eilat is a great place for bird-watching. The best seasons to come are during spring and autumn when there will be more species passing through than any other time of year – this small Bird Watching Center on the road towards Jordan’s border post is where you’ll want to bring out your binoculars! Inside the reserve itself are well-marked trails with plenty of hides at their best spots; early morning would be your perfect chance to spot as many birds as possible.

Location: 2 kilometers northeast of Eilat

Botanical Gardens

On the hill above Eilat, this botanical garden is a shady spot of lush tropical trees and plants. It’s an excellent escape from the scorching sun, and the profusion of greenery makes an interesting juxtaposition with the surrounding bare desert escarpment. The temperature here is much more pleasant than down in town where it can reach 45 degrees Celsius or higher! You’ll find all sorts of palms as well as cacti set among eucalyptus bushes that give off just enough moisture to keep things cool – even on hot days like these when there are no clouds in sight. A good place for kids to explore too if you’re traveling with little ones.

Eilat’s Beaches are Breathtaking!

It is easy to see why Eilat, Israel’s most popular beach resort and vacation destination, would be the perfect place for a day of lounging on sands.

There are beaches for everyone here: Coral Beach caters more towards families with young children while Palm Beach has excellent cafés and restaurants- but both offer ample sunbathing opportunities that will make your time in this desert oasis worthwhile!

Hai-Bar Nature Reserve – The best place to watch wildlife in Israel

It would be hard to miss the kibbutz of Yotvata, as it lies at entry point into Hai Bar Nature Reserve. The 10,000-acre park is home to plenty of wildlife and plant life that was reintroduced here since its establishment in 1963 with the aim of populating this area with animals native only found if you were living back in ancient times.

Location: 50 kilometers north of Eilat

Hike the highest peak in northern Israel

This circular hiking trail, just to the south of Eilat town, is an opportunity for incredible panoramic views over the city. The challenging hike takes 4 hours and any level of fitness can tackle it with its well-marked trails leading up close enough to see Jordan’s and Aqaba’s coastal towns below as well as Saudi Arabia across a glittering Red Sea at sunrise.

Take a tour of the Red Canyon in Israel

The Red Canyon is located just off Highway 12, 23 kilometers from Eilat. This place provides a taste of adventure for hikers and nature lovers with little time to explore the desert scenery further. A well-marked trail here is suitable for families and leads you into the red tinged rock before taking around 30 minutes to complete with some light scrambling involved. For those who want even more adventurous exploring there are plenty hiking trails ranging in difficulty so that everyone can enjoy this escape destination!

Keep exploring Eilat with us!

Keep discovering more of Israel’s coastline from the Red Sea to Tel Aviv; you’ll never be bored. Visit our apartments section for top accommodations and attractions, as well as a comprehensive list of things to do in this diverse region.