Located at the southern edge of the Israeli Desert, on the shores of the Red Sea, and right next to the borders with Egypt and Jordan, the resort city of Eilat is one of the most special sites you can visit in Israel. With hot weather all year round, epic diving spots, many popular attractions for families, and great hikes all around.
Best things to do in Eilat
Dive in Eilat’s Reef
Featuring world-class diving and snorkeling spots, Eilat’s Reef is the most unique and popular attraction of Eilat. This part of the Red Sea offers numerous special diving spots, in the clear and calm water of the beautiful sea. Those include options like diving with dolphins, snorkeling among colorful corals and fish, diving in an underwater sculpture garden, and more. Eilat is also a great place to try diving for the first time or get a Scuba Diving certification.
The most popular diving spot in Eilat is Eilat Coral Beach, which stretches along 1200 meters/0.75 miles of spectacular and rich underwater life. The reserve, which is considered to be the northernmost reef in the world, provides an amazing diving experience among diverse sea life, including fish, corals, sea anemones, and more.
We recently visited the magnificent coral reef in Eilat, and we are still amazed by its beauty. The water was warm and inviting, and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect for exploring this underwater paradise. Right by the buoys, there’s this incredible protected area where nature puts on a spectacular show –we swamed alongside graceful swordfish, watching curious crabs scuttle about, and discovering colorful sponges and sea turtles, all in their natural habitat.
Don’t worry if you didn’t bring your gear; you can rent everything you need right there. We opted for simple snorkels and were blown away by what we saw. Some of the most vibrant fish are literally a few feet from the beach! Between dives, we found this charming beachside restaurant that’s perfect for refueling.
What makes this place truly special is its uniqueness. Though relatively young at 2,500 years old, this fringing reef stretches along a kilometer of coastline and hosts an incredible variety of marine life. About 100 different coral species create this underwater city, serving as the foundation for an entire ecosystem.
Eilat’s Underwater Observatory
The Underwater Observatory is overwhelmingly beautiful” and here’s the best part – your ticket is good for three days. Pro tip: don’t try to rush through everything in one go. Take your time, spread it out, enjoy nature’s gifts.
So, what’s worth visiting there?
The underwater observatory offers a rich variety of aquariums—the main attraction, naturally, is to observe and tour these large and intricate displays, showcasing an abundance of fish and marine life native to the Red Sea. During your visit, you’ll explore the square aquarium, the turtle pool, the sea cat cave, the deep-sea creatures exhibit, as well as aquariums featuring tiny, glowing fish, large colorful fish, rare species, sharks, and more. Additionally, guided tours are available to enhance your viewing experience.
Diving with Sharks – For those looking to elevate their snorkeling experience to a new level, a dive in the shark aquarium is available. This activity is open to licensed divers with appropriate insurance. The experience lasts about an hour, and all necessary equipment is provided.
Feeding Marine Animals – If there’s anything more thrilling than observing these magnificent fish and marine creatures, it’s participating in feeding them! This activity, held at scheduled times, offers children an exciting opportunity to watch divers feed the sharks and even participate in feeding young sea turtles.
A Multimedia World – Designed especially for children captivated by screens, an advanced multimedia complex has been set up behind the shark pool, featuring high-quality animation focused on the world of sharks. Activities include interactive games like fish-catching competitions, estimating a shark’s swimming speed, and testing skills to avoid traps, among others. Additionally, the complex includes a unique 360-degree theater where you can watch life-sized whales and explore their fascinating world!
Boat Trip on Coral 2000 – The observatory’s famous glass-bottom boat takes you to the most stunning coral reefs, including the coral reserve and the Japanese Gardens. It’s a breathtaking experience you won’t forget.
Food and Souvenirs – During your visit, you can enjoy delicious meals without leaving the observatory. Options include a meat and vegetarian restaurant, a coffee bar, and a cafeteria. For those interested in souvenirs, a gift shop offers sea-inspired items, and a jewelry store features artistic, unique pieces.
Quick Tips from Someone Who’s Been There:
- Hit the feeding shows early to get the best spots
- Bring a waterproof phone case for those underwater shots
- The morning crowds are usually smaller
- Save the multimedia games for when you need a break from the sun
Shop and dine along the Eilat Promenade
Eilat Promenade is one of the most famous attractions in the city and is known for its diverse stalls that offer a selection of souvenirs, foods, and clothes. The boardwalk stretches along the northern coast of Eilat, and while walking here, you can enjoy the abundance of restaurants, For evening entertainment, you’ll find magical illuminated swings that glow in the dark! your kids will love it. You can also and go through the various performances held in the bars and restaurants on the promenade. Among the points of interest that can be crossed on the promenade, it is worth noting the Mul HaYam Mall, the historical Ink Flag statue, the famous bridge that passes over the connection of Eilat’s lagoon with the Red Sea, and the new marina area that marks the edge of the boardwalk.
Throughout the Promenade, you’ll find several shopping and dining options, at relatively affordable prices, as Eilat is a VAT-free city. On summer days or Jewish holidays, the place gets quite busy, as it seems like there will be something happening here 24/7, while at other times of the year, your stroll here will be a bit more peaceful and quiet. It is most recommended to take a walk on the promenade during sunset time and stay after dark when you can enjoy the nice sea breeze.
Go hiking in the surrounding Mountains
As Eilat is located at the heart of the desert, it is surrounded by beautiful mountains and unique natural phenomena, as the Eilat Mountains are considered by many to be the most beautiful hiking region in Israel. one of the most incredible sites you can find here is Timna Park, which is an ideal day trip from Eilat, featuring unique rock formations, a beautiful lake, and great hikes. Other great options include the Red Canyon, Har Shelomo, and many more.
For a more relaxing option, drive up to Har Yoash, for the most beautiful viewpoint you can get in the area, with a stunning look at the Red Sea and the surrounding mountains.
Hold your breath with the extreme attractions of Eilat
Eilat is the best place in Israel for extreme attractions, with numerous diverse options of activities that will pump your adrenaline up. Those include water activities, as well as unique attractions at the heart of the desert. With options like paragliding, rock climbing, jeep tours, free diving, and much more, Eilat is a boon for lovers of the extreme.
If you or your family isn’t into extreme activities, you can still have a great time at the Ice Mall, which offers an ice-skating rink and plenty of fun attractions for kids, like the Angry Boll game and a helicopter ride.
Best Hotels in Eilat
Of course, you can’t talk about Eilat without mentioning the city’s great accommodation options. With several luxury all-inclusive options, as well as recommended budget options, Eilat is considered to provide a good bang for your buck, at least in comparison to other parts of Israel.
Isrotel agamim
We just got back from Isrotel Agamim in Eilat and we enjoyed every minute! We splurged on one of those cool rooms right by the pool, and it was totally worth it. We had our own sunbeds too, so no morning rush to claim a good spot. The whole place is super pretty, with these fun elephant fountains spraying water around and palm trees everywhere. But you know what really made it special? The staff – they were just amazing! Always smiling, super helpful, and just genuinely nice people.
The food was absolutely incredible! The buffet was a feast for the senses, with so many options we didn’t know where to start. Every cuisine you could imagine, all fresh and beautifully prepared. Whether you’re a picky eater or a foodie, there was something delicious for everyone. Each meal was better than the last – we actually found ourselves getting excited about dinner while we were still finishing lunch! Trust me, you’ll never go hungry here – if anything, you’ll need some serious willpower not to go back for thirds. And last but not least – The restaurant crew was so friendly, always up for a chat and making sure we were happy.
Dan Eilat Hotel
Dan Eilat is located in front of the northern beach of Eilat and overlooks the Gulf of Eilat. It is Close to the city’s tourist center, water sports area, and shopping center. The hotel has popular sports facilities, including 2 swimming pools, water slides, a gym, and a modern spa with 18 treatment rooms. The Dan Eilat Hotel has halls and a conference center suitable for conferences, exhibitions, and family events of all kinds. It also has a beloved Club for children, featuring activities for children in the pool area, disco, creative activities, and a youth club with internet and computer games. The hotel has 375 rooms including suites, family rooms, and a presidential suite.
Leonardo Plaza Hotel
The hotel is located in the best area of the city, with access to the promenade and a private beach. From the hotel windows, there is a spectacular view of the Red Sea beach. Leonardo Plaza Hotel also features a new luxurious spa, a special waterfall pool, and plenty of activities for children and adults alike.
U Splash Resort Eilat
A huge and beautiful desert resort, featuring a popular water park, meals around the clock, unique entertainment shows, a children’s club for all ages, swimming pools, and a rich variety of activities, as well as an indoor pool with a temperature of up to 29 degrees, a heated pool, and a large outdoor pool. At any time of the day during your stay here, you can enjoy rich and varied meals in an all-inclusive style, sweet surprises, indulgent pastries, and refreshing drinks.
Abraham Hostel: budget accommodation in Eilat
Abraham Hostel is a hostel that offers a unique accommodation and hospitality experience in Eilat. The hostel is another branch of the successful hostel chain, which also operates in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Nazareth. Here, you will find rooms of various types such as family rooms, rooms for couples, Grand Family rooms (for families with up to 4 children), and dorms.
The hostel has many common spaces, including a lounge where you can rest after a day of hiking and meet other travelers while sipping a beer or a cocktail from the bar, a TV room where you can watch a movie or a sports game with friends, and a rooftop with a sun terrace overlooking the Gulf of Eilat. There is also a shared kitchen, open 24/7, which is fully equipped With cooking and eating utensils.
