Summary
Click on the pictures to enlarge them and click on the tabs for more information and recommendations.
Eilat, located at the tip of the Red Sea, is Israel’s southernmost city. Known for its calm beaches, aquatic life, and crystal clear waters, it is a premier vacation destination for the Red Sea region.
Eilat is a city mostly known for its beaches, snorkeling, and scuba diving—the central focus during my visit to Eilat.
Since Eilat is such a small city, this will be a useful but short adventure guide to help you maximize your Eilat experience.
And, to be completely honest, I prioritized scuba diving on my trip to Eilat. It is a wonderful city, but this guide does not do it justice. I will add more relevant information after another trip.
Recommended Duration of Visit
3 days (ideal), 2 days (doable), 1 day (difficult)
Click for some interesting facts about Eilat
- Eilat is a free trade zone. This means that many goods here are not subjected to customs duty, making them cheaper than other goods in the region.
- Tourism is the city’s main source of income.
Before You Go
Flights / Getting There: It is practically impossible to find a direct flight to Eilat from outside the country. The best way is to fly from Tel Aviv to Ramon International Airport (Code: ETM). Eilat will be a short 20-minute car ride away from that airport.
Overview
Climate: Winters are usually between 52 to 73 °F (11 to 23 °C). Summers are usually between 79 to 104 °F (26 to 40 °C). In general, Eilat is warm throughout the year and hot during the summers.
Communication: : Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages in Eilat. However, English is very common here as well and you will have no trouble finding someone who can speak the language.
Navigation: Being within such a small area, Eilat is very easy to navigate. You should be using Uber or other rideshare services for most of your transportation needs. It is too hot to walk around for extended periods of time, and waiting for buses can be miserable as well.
Lodging: Airbnb is an excellent option in Eilat. It’s a vacation destination dependent on tourism, so many people have homes that they are willing to rent out at low prices.
Activities Planning: There isn’t much planning involved when it comes to Eilat. If you are flying to Eilat, one of your main objectives should involve the beach, snorkeling, or scuba diving.
Special Considerations
- You will be interrogated by security whenever you fly. The questions can be very specific (Why are you here? Who are you here with? Did you receive any gifts from strangers? Do you know anyone here? Where are you from? Which state? Which city? What do you do? How do you know that person? Where did you meet?), but this is normal due to Israel’s heightened security.
- Just answer the questions in the most straightforward way. They honestly do not care as long as you do not appear suspicious or threatening.
- If you have anything remotely suspicious, like a black battery pack, they will scan everything. So, make sure you allocate plenty of time at the airport. The security searches can easily take 30 minutes.
Peak Seasons: Summer (June to August) is the peak season.
Currency: : Israeli Shekel (ILS). Currency Converter.
Things to Do: Attractions and Activities
Beaches: The beaches in Eilat are known for their crystal clear water and vibrant aquatic life. Whether you’re in the mood for popular or remote locations, Eilat’s beaches are sure to delight. Within seconds of stepping into the water, colorful fishes can be seen cozying up and welcoming you.
Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 4 hours.
Eilat Bazaar: If you’re into shopping and bargaining, then this market is what you’re looking for. Many shops in the bazaar offer a unique variety of food, jewelry, trinkets, and shirts, among others.
Cost: Variable depending on activity. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.
| Make sure to have proper footwear (ideally sandals but flip flops are good, too). You can rent locks and towels near many of the beaches, and there are numerous kiosks that rent snorkeling gear as well. |
| If you are in dire need, swimming clothes can be purchased here as well. And there are multiple stores that sell the same items at different prices, so take your time exploring. The bazaar opens past 10 pm. |
Mall Hayam Eilat: As the commercial center of Eilat, Mall Hayam Eilat features shops, restaurants, and cafes alongside a scenic view of the sea.
Since Eilat was granted free trade status, many goods from this mall are exempt from certain taxes. As a result, prices are lowered to very competitive levels.
Cost: Variable depending on activity. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.
| The mall opens late (until around 11 pm). It is possible that alcohol is cheaper here compared to the rest of the country. |
Things to Do: Attractions and Activities
Victoria’s appeal and uniqueness stems from its architecture, gardens, ecotourism, and little quirks. The tourism website lists many of the attractions/activities and their ticket prices. You can show up and buy tickets as well. Currency: Canadian Dollars (CAD).
Beaches: The beaches in Eilat are known for their crystal clear water and vibrant aquatic life. Whether you’re in the mood for popular or remote locations, Eilat’s beaches are sure to delight. Within seconds of stepping into the water, colorful fishes can be seen cozying up and welcoming you.
Cost: Free to visit. Recommended Duration of Visit: 3 – 4 hours.
| Make sure to have proper footwear (ideally sandals but flip flops are good, too). You can rent locks and towels near many of the beaches, and there are numerous kiosks that rent snorkeling gear as well. |
Eilat Bazaar: If you’re into shopping and bargaining, then this market is what you’re looking for. Many shops in the bazaar offer a unique variety of food, jewelry, trinkets, and shirts, among others.
Cost: Variable depending on activity. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.
| If you are in dire need, swimming clothes can be purchased here as well. And there are multiple stores that sell the same items at different prices, so take your time exploring. The bazaar opens past 10 pm. |
Mall Hayam Eilat: As a commercial center of Eilat, Mall Hayam Eilat features shops, restaurants, and cafes alongside a scenic view of the sea.
Since Eilat was granted free trade status, many goods from this mall are exempt from certain taxes. As a result, prices are lowered to very competitive levels.
Cost: Variable depending on activity. Recommended Duration of Visit: 1 – 2 hours.
| The mall opens late (until around 11 pm). It is possible that alcohol is cheaper here compared to the rest of the country. |
Things to Do: Adventurous Activities
Scuba Diving
Scuba diving is the premier activity in Eilat and my main reason for visiting the region. The Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve is strikingly beautiful and the water conditions—warmth, visibility, variety, and aquatic life—is perfect for scuba diving. If luck is on your side, you might even see the occasional dolphins that pass through the region.
Food
GENERAL
More information on Mall Hayam Eilat
- Mall Hayam Eilat offers an excellent assortment of foods, and the shawarma is the best of them.
- Shawarma: A meal consisting of thinly sliced meats. The meat is stacked into a cone-like shape and roasted on a slowly-turning vertical rotisserie. The slices are shaved off as the cone continuously rotates.
- Many places make their shawarma differently, so you can be pleasantly surprised by the variation in style and taste.
What to order: The Shawarma.
More information on Itzik Shawarma
- Surprise. More shawarma. As previously mentioned, many places make their shawarma differently. Itza Shawarma, with its hole-in-the-wall vibe, makes some of the best shawarma in Eilat.
What to order: Take a good guess. It’s called Itza Shawarma.
Final Comments on Eilat
Initially, I was hesitant to prioritize scuba diving in Eilat. I see now that I was mistaken. Eilat’s beaches do not disappoint, and they hide many wonders beneath the surface. Not only were the dives simple and stress-free, but the friendly fishes were also lovely and so very friendly.
On a final note, make sure to share this page so others will know more about Eilat!
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