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Eilat, Israel offers Red Sea coral reefs, desert adventure, beaches, nightlife and sun-filled sightseeing on Israel's southern coast. Explore marine life.

Between Mountains and Coral Sea

At Israel’s southernmost tip, Eilat occupies a narrow coastal plain between the rust-coloured mountains of the Negev and the clear waters of the Gulf of Aqaba, the northeastern arm of the Red Sea. Its landscape is unusually concentrated: beaches, coral reefs and desert viewpoints lie within easy reach of a modern resort city, while the borders of Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia can be sensed across the surrounding gulf. Warm weather through much of the year has shaped Eilat’s hotel-lined waterfront, outdoor culture and relaxed holiday rhythm.

A Gateway to the Southern Desert

Eilat is more than a beach resort. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve protects one of the northern Red Sea’s most accessible reef environments, and the Underwater Observatory Marine Park reveals the marine life below the surface without requiring visitors to dive. Dolphin Reef combines a coastal setting with opportunities to observe dolphins in their natural marine environment, while the International Birding and Research Center Eilat reflects the city’s position on a major migration route between Europe, Asia and Africa. Beyond the urban area, the red granite landscapes of the Eilat Mountains and the geological formations around Timna Park give the region a distinctly desert character.

City Life and the Waterfront

Eilat’s centre is practical and understated, with shopping streets, cafés and restaurants serving visitors from Israel and abroad. The North Beach promenade and marina provide the city’s most concentrated evening atmosphere, while the south coast feels more open and nature-focused. Water sports, glass-bottom boat trips, diving and snorkelling complement slower pursuits such as watching the light change across the mountains. Eilat’s appeal lies in this contrast between resort convenience, accessible marine wilderness and the immense, sparsely settled desert beyond the city.

When is the best time to visit Eilat?

Best: December–February · 24–25°C

Best 24° Temperature Range for JanuaryLow: 10.5°C, High: 24.1°C Precipitation Range for JanuaryLow: 1 mm, High: 5.2 mm J

Best 25° Temperature Range for FebruaryLow: 11°C, High: 25.2°C Precipitation Range for FebruaryLow: 1 mm, High: 5.2 mm F

29° Temperature Range for MarchLow: 13°C, High: 29°C Precipitation Range for MarchLow: 1 mm, High: 5.2 mm M

34° Temperature Range for AprilLow: 16.7°C, High: 33.8°C Precipitation Range for AprilLow: 1 mm, High: 5.2 mm A

38° Temperature Range for MayLow: 20.7°C, High: 37.9°C Precipitation Range for MayLow: 1 mm, High: 5.2 mm M

41° Temperature Range for JuneLow: 24°C, High: 41.2°C Precipitation Range for JuneLow: 0 mm, High: 0 mm J

43° Temperature Range for JulyLow: 26.3°C, High: 43.3°C Precipitation Range for JulyLow: 0 mm, High: 0 mm J

44° Temperature Range for AugustLow: 27°C, High: 44.4°C Precipitation Range for AugustLow: 0 mm, High: 0 mm A

41° Temperature Range for SeptemberLow: 25°C, High: 41°C Precipitation Range for SeptemberLow: 0 mm, High: 0 mm S

37° Temperature Range for OctoberLow: 21.7°C, High: 36.7°C Precipitation Range for OctoberLow: 0 mm, High: 0 mm O

31° Temperature Range for NovemberLow: 17.7°C, High: 30.9°C Precipitation Range for NovemberLow: 1 mm, High: 5.2 mm N

Best 25° Temperature Range for DecemberLow: 13.3°C, High: 25.3°C Precipitation Range for DecemberLow: 1 mm, High: 5.2 mm D

Average daytime high and rainfall by month
Month	High (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
January (best)	24	3
February (best)	25	3
March	29	3
April	34	3
May	38	3
June	41	0
July	43	0
August	44	0
September	41	0
October	37	0
November	31	3
December (best)	25	3

Getting to and around Eilat

How to get there

Eilat is served by Ramon Airport, located north of the city near the Timna area, with onward bus, taxi and private-transfer connections. Flight availability varies by season and origin. Long-distance buses connect Eilat with major Israeli cities, including Beersheba and Tel Aviv, and the city is reached by road via Route 90 through the Arava Valley. There is no passenger railway to Eilat, so rail travellers must transfer to road transport elsewhere in Israel. International visitors arriving through Ben Gurion Airport should allow substantial additional travel time for the final journey south, whether using a connecting flight, bus or hire car.

Transportation

Eilat’s main hotel and waterfront areas are relatively easy to explore on foot, although the city is spread along the coast and the southern beaches are several kilometres from the centre. Local buses serve the urban area and provide access towards the beach and hotel zones, while taxis are useful for early departures, luggage and journeys to outlying attractions. Hire cars offer flexibility for the Eilat Mountains, Coral Beach, the birding centre and desert sites beyond the city. Roads outside the built-up area can be isolated, and visitors should carry water and avoid remote desert walks during the hottest part of the day.

Best attractions in Eilat

Eilat’s principal attractions combine marine life with desert scenery. At the Underwater Observatory Marine Park, observation windows and aquariums introduce the ecosystems of the Gulf of Aqaba, including the coral reef below the surface. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve is the city’s defining natural attraction, with protected reef habitat accessible to snorkellers and divers through designated areas. Dolphin Reef offers a coastal setting for observing bottlenose dolphins and learning about their environment, while the International Birding and Research Center Eilat highlights the remarkable spring and autumn migration corridor crossing the Arava. Along the northern waterfront, beaches, the marina and the promenade provide straightforward resort sightseeing, with views towards Jordan and the mountains beyond the gulf. Further afield, the red rock landscapes of the Eilat Mountains and the copper-mining valleys of Timna Park add geological and archaeological depth, although both require transport beyond the central hotel area.

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Best landmarks in Eilat

Eilat’s most distinctive landmarks are closely tied to its geography and modern development. The Underwater Observatory Marine Park is recognisable for its marine observation facilities and expresses the city’s long relationship with the Gulf of Aqaba through science and public education. The Coral Beach Nature Reserve, marked by its protected coastal environment and accessible reef, is a natural landmark rather than a monumental building. In the urban centre, the seafront promenade and marina represent Eilat’s transformation from a remote frontier settlement into a resort city, while the port reflects its strategic Red Sea role. Beyond the built-up area, the craggy Eilat Mountains form the region’s defining visual backdrop, with granite and sandstone ridges shaped by desert erosion. Timna Park, north of Eilat, contains the celebrated rock formations known as Solomon’s Pillars and extensive evidence of ancient copper production, making it an important regional landmark rather than a city-centre sight.

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Explore Eilat on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Eilat

Best restaurants in Eilat

Eilat’s dining scene reflects its resort economy and southern location, with restaurants concentrated around the North Beach waterfront, marina and central commercial areas. Menus commonly draw on Israeli and Mediterranean traditions: salads, grilled fish, seafood, hummus, falafel, shakshuka and grilled meats sit alongside international dishes aimed at a varied holiday clientele. Fresh fish and seafood are particularly fitting near the gulf, although the city’s supply is not defined by one exclusive local cuisine. Cafés and casual eateries provide breakfast, coffee and light meals, while hotel dining adds a broader range of formal and buffet-style options. Kosher restaurants are widely available, and observant visitors should remember that opening patterns can change during Shabbat and Jewish holidays. Because Eilat serves both Israeli holidaymakers and international visitors, dining ranges from practical beachfront meals to more polished evening restaurants rather than following a single regional style.

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Best bars in Eilat

Eilat’s evening life is concentrated around the North Beach promenade, marina and hotel district, where bars, cafés and restaurants stay active later than in many inland desert towns. The atmosphere is predominantly holiday-oriented, with outdoor seating, music and views across the gulf rather than a dense network of specialist clubs. Larger hotels may offer evening entertainment, live music or performances, while the marina area provides the most convenient setting for a drink after a day on the water. Nightlife can become busier during Israeli holiday periods and quieter outside peak seasons, and individual venues change over time. Visitors should remember that alcohol consumption is subject to Israeli law and ordinary local considerations, while Shabbat and Jewish holidays can affect opening patterns and public activity. Eilat’s strongest after-dark experience is often the simple combination of a warm promenade, illuminated hotels and mountains silhouetted across the water.

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Best nightclubs in Eilat

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Best shops in Eilat

Shopping in Eilat centres on the North Beach hotel district, the promenade, central commercial streets and modern shopping centres, where visitors find fashion, cosmetics, electronics, souvenirs and holiday essentials. The city is widely associated with tax-free retail for eligible purchases, but conditions, product categories and documentation requirements can change, so travellers should check current rules at the point of sale. Shopping is more contemporary and resort-oriented than traditional, with fewer historic market quarters than Israel’s older cities. Souvenirs often draw on the Red Sea and desert setting, including beach goods, jewellery, Dead Sea products and locally themed crafts, while Israeli food products and wines provide more distinctive gifts for some visitors. Small convenience shops and cafés are useful around the waterfront, whereas larger retail centres offer air-conditioned browsing during the hottest part of the day. Border-region products should be bought from reputable retailers with clear provenance.

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Eilat essentials

Currency and Payment

Israel uses the new Israeli shekel, designated ILS or NIS. Cards and contactless payments are widely used in hotels, established restaurants, attractions and larger shops, while cash remains useful for small purchases, some kiosks, markets and occasional transport transactions. ATMs are available in central Eilat and the main visitor areas, though international card issuers may apply their own fees or currency-conversion rates. Check whether a terminal offers payment in shekels or in a home currency, as dynamic currency conversion can use a less favourable exchange rate.

Safety

Use ordinary urban precautions in Eilat, particularly around crowded promenades, beaches, buses and shopping areas, and keep valuables secure when swimming. Desert heat and dehydration are more significant practical risks than the city’s relaxed resort atmosphere may suggest; carry water, use sun protection and follow marked routes around rocky terrain. Swim and snorkel only in designated or appropriately managed areas, respecting signs, lifeguards and marine-protection rules. Visitors should also monitor current official travel and security guidance, especially when considering border areas, remote desert excursions or regional travel beyond Eilat.

Emergency Situations

In Israel, call 100 for police, 101 for Magen David Adom medical emergencies and 102 for the fire and rescue service. Give the exact location, particularly when calling from a beach, trail or desert road, and ask accommodation staff or local authorities for help if language creates difficulty. For urgent medical treatment, Magen David Adom can direct callers to appropriate care; travel insurance should cover medical expenses and organised outdoor activities where applicable. Mobile reception can be inconsistent in remote desert areas, so organised excursions should not be undertaken without suitable water, navigation and communication arrangements.

Do's and Don'ts

Respect signs, lifeguards and environmental regulations at beaches and coral sites, and do not touch coral, feed marine animals or remove shells and other natural material. Modest clothing is appropriate when leaving resort beaches for shops, neighbourhoods or religious places, even though swimwear is normal on the waterfront. Keep noise considerate in residential areas and observe local customs around Jewish holidays, when businesses and public transport may operate differently or close. Tipping is customary in restaurants when service is not already included, while exact expectations can vary; check the bill rather than assuming.

Local Tips

The North Beach promenade is convenient for a first orientation, but the southern coast offers a closer relationship with Eilat’s protected reef and open desert setting. The International Birding and Research Center is especially interesting during migration seasons, when the city’s position between continents becomes apparent. For landscapes, combine a short urban visit with a carefully planned outing towards the Eilat Mountains or Timna Park, which lies north of the city rather than within it. Early mornings are best for walking and wildlife, while sunset reveals the changing colours of the surrounding mountains and gulf.

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics

English	Local	Say it
Hello	שָלוֹם	[shalom]
Goodbye	להתראות	[lehitraot]
Yes	כֵּן	[ken]
No	לֹא	[lo]
Please/You're welcome	בבקשה	[bevakasha]
Thank you	תודה	[toda]
Excuse me/Sorry	סְלִיחָה	[slicha]
How are you?	איך אתה?	[ech ata?]
Fine. And you?	טוב. ואתה?	[tov. veata?]
Do you speak English?	האם אתה מדבר אנגלית?	[haem ata medaber anglit?]
I don't understand	אני לא מבין	[ani lo mevin]

Eating & Drinking

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to see the menu, please	אני רוצה לראות את התפריט, בבקשה	[ani rotse leraot et hatafrid, bevakasha]
I don't eat meat	אני לא אוכל בשר	[ani lo ochel basar]
Cheers!	לחיים!	[lechayim]
I would like to pay, please	אני רוצה לשלם, בבקשה	[ani rotse lishlem, bevakasha]

Emergencies

English	Local	Say it
Help!	עזור!	[ezor!]
Go away!	לך לעבר!	[lech leavar!]
Call the Police!	תקשר למשטרה!	[taksher lemishtara!]
Call a doctor!	תקשר לרופא!	[taksher larofe!]
I'm lost	אני אבוד	[ani avud]
I'm ill	אני חולה	[ani hole]

Shopping

English	Local	Say it
I'd like to buy...	אני רוצה לקנות...	[ani rotse liknot...]
I'm just looking	אני רק מסתכל	[ani rak mistakel]
How much is it?	כמה זה עולה?	[kama ze ole?]
That's too expensive	זה יקר מדי	[ze yakar madi]
Can you lower the price?	אפשר להוריד את המחיר?	[efshar lehorid et hamehir?]

Time & Numbers

English	Local	Say it
What time is it?	מה השעה?	[ma hashaa?]
It's one o'clock	השעה חד	[hashaa chad]
Half past (10)	חצי (עשר)	[chatzi (eser)]
Morning	בוקר	[boker]
Afternoon	צהריים	[tzohorayim]
Evening	ערב	[erev]
Yesterday	אתמול	[etmol]
Today	היום	[hayom]
Tomorrow	מחר	[machar]
1	אחד	[echad]
2	שניים	[shnayim]
3	שלושה	[shlosha]
4	ארבעה	[arbaa]
5	חמישה	[chamisha]
6	שישה	[shisha]
7	שבעה	[sheva]
8	שמונה	[shmone]
9	תשעה	[teshaa]
10	עשרה	[eser]

Transport & Directions

English	Local	Say it
Where's a/the...?	איפה נמצא...	[eifo nimtza...]
What's the address?	מה הכתובת?	[ma hakatovet?]
Can you show me (on the map)?	אתה יכול להראות לי (על המפה)?	[ata yachol leharot li (al hamepa)?]
When's the next (bus)?	מתי האוטובוס הבא?	[matay haotobus haba?]
A ticket (to ....)	כרטיס (ל...)	[kartis (le...)]

History of Eilat

Ancient Trade at the Gulf Head

The head of the Gulf of Aqaba has long been valued for its access to the Red Sea and the routes linking the Levant with the Arabian Peninsula. The biblical port of Ezion-Geber is traditionally associated with the area, although its precise location remains debated among scholars. Archaeological evidence from nearby sites records copper production, maritime activity and movement through the southern Arabah, while later Nabataean and Roman networks connected the region to wider desert commerce. The city visible today therefore occupies a landscape with a much longer history of trade and strategic movement than its modern resort identity suggests.

Copper, Caravans and Timna

The mountains and valleys north of Eilat contain important traces of ancient copper working, particularly in the Timna Valley. Mining there took place during several periods, including the Bronze Age and the era associated with the Egyptian New Kingdom, and continued in different forms under later regional powers. Routes through the Arabah carried metals, food and other goods between inland settlements and the Red Sea. The mines and smelting sites around Timna do not form part of Eilat’s urban centre, but they help explain why the southern Negev attracted organised settlement and long-distance economic activity over many centuries.

From Islamic Rule to Ottoman Frontier

After the rise of Islam, the Gulf of Aqaba formed part of a wider political and commercial world linking Egypt, the Levant and western Arabia. Control of the southern routes shifted through successive Islamic dynasties, while the region’s arid conditions kept permanent settlement limited compared with the great cities of the north. Under Ottoman rule, the area remained a sparsely populated frontier zone rather than a major urban centre. Its importance lay chiefly in geography: the gulf, desert passes and routes towards Arabia made the southern tip strategically significant even when the settlement itself was small.

The Modern Frontier Takes Shape

The modern history of Eilat began after the establishment of Israel in 1948, when the remote southern outpost became part of the new state. Eilat was formally established as a town in 1951, and roads, utilities and port facilities gradually connected it with the rest of Israel. The port was especially important because it provided access to the Red Sea and maritime routes beyond the Mediterranean. These developments transformed a lightly settled frontier into a strategic transport point and the foundation for the city’s later growth as a resort.

A Port and Resort City

During the 1950s and 1960s, Eilat developed simultaneously as a commercial port, a military and border town, and a destination for domestic tourism. Improved road connections made the journey from central Israel more practical, while hotels and waterfront facilities expanded as the city became associated with sunshine and sea-based recreation. The reopening of the Straits of Tiran to Israeli shipping after the 1967 war strengthened the port’s regional importance, although later changes in trade and transport reduced its centrality compared with the city’s tourism economy.

Eilat in a Changing Region

Eilat’s position at the meeting point of Israel, Jordan and Egypt has continued to shape its identity. The Israel–Egypt Peace Treaty of 1979 and the Israel–Jordan Peace Treaty of 1994 altered the political landscape around the Gulf of Aqaba and created a framework for more formal regional contact, even though border crossings remain subject to documentation and security procedures. In recent decades Eilat has strengthened its reputation for marine recreation, desert tourism and bird migration research. The opening of Ramon Airport in 2019, north of the city, marked another stage in the development of its visitor infrastructure.

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Free Eilat Travel Guide & Mobile App

Between Mountains and Coral Sea

A Gateway to the Southern Desert

City Life and the Waterfront

When is the best time to visit Eilat?

Getting to and around Eilat

How to get there

Transportation

Best attractions in Eilat

Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve

Dekel Beach

Hananya Beach - חוף חנניה ספורט ימי ושייט

Eilat Light

Best landmarks in Eilat

Underwater Observatory Park

Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve

Dolphin Reef

Mosh Beach

Explore Eilat on the map

Neighbourhoods in Eilat

Best hotels in Eilat

Best restaurants in Eilat

Pastory Eilat

Omer's

Casa Do Brasil

Cafe Optimi Eilat

Best bars in Eilat

Three Monkeys

Barbis Eilat

Paddy's

Mike's Place Eilat

Best nightclubs in Eilat

Leonardo Club Eilat

Three Monkeys

Mike's Place Eilat

פאב הדובים

Best shops in Eilat

Ice Mall

Azrieli Mall Hayam

Big Eilat

Royal Garden