The sunny city of Eilat enjoys sunshine almost all year round, clear and calm blue seas, spectacular views and an abundance of underwater wildlife

Location

Eilat is the southernmost city in Israel. It enjoys a bustling port, a 10 km stretch of beach mostly covered with pebbles or rough sand (some beaches have brought gentler sand for the benefit of their guests) and great proximity to Sinai and the ancient ruins of Petra. About 45,000 people live in Eilat and it draws large number of local and foreign temporary inhabitants, who come for temporary jobs, and crowds of tourists who come to swim, sunbathe and relax.

Weather

It rains in Eilat about 12 days a year and the temperature almost never goes below 20°C/68°F during the day. In short, it is the perfect city for a vacation. In the summer, the city becomes a scorching furnace, with temperatures reaching 40°C/104°F during day time, and in winter, there are plenty of sunny days. Though you won’t see many locals venturing into the cold waters of the Red Sea at this time of year, it is certainly possible to enjoy a swim even in mid January. The waters in the Eilat Gulf are clean, crystal clear and deep, so their temperature remains crispy cold even when the sun is blazing, making for a very refreshing dip. Despite the extraordinarily convenient weather conditions, the ideal time to visit Eilat would naturally be autumn and spring, when the weather is quite perfect (around 28°C/86°F) for a seaside or poolside vacation.

Atmosphere and Attractions

Eilat has become, over the years, a bustling tourist city that boasts numerous hotels, restaurants and attractions and an overall serene, laidback atmosphere. The striking purplish-red mountains that dominate its views, both opposite the bay behind Aqaba and as the backdrop of the sprawling city of Eilat, make for an especially dramatic setting and give Eilat a truly unique appearance. Accommodation in Eilat varies greatly, and tourists can choose between cheap guestrooms tucked away in residential areas, posh five star hotels overlooking the Eilat Bay and any kind of accommodation that comes in between. The range of restaurants is also very impressive and perfectly suited for a wide variety of tastes and preferences.

Eilat has plenty to offer in the way of attractions. Along the beaches you will find plenty of water sport centers offering water skiing, paragliding, boat rentals and what not, and a wide selection of scuba diving clubs that offer guided underwater tours, diving courses, introductory courses and trips down to Sinai for some more breathtaking underwater aquatic sights. On land, you will find the famous Dolphin Reef and the fascinating Underwater Observatory (located near the famous Eilat Coral Reef) alongside non-aquatic attractions such as the elaborate 3D cinema (the Imax) and an intriguing icy haven (Ice Space), and the annual famous Red Sea Jazz Festival, among other things.

Eilat is a friendly, serene and fun sea and sun city that seeks to accommodate various travelling tastes and styles. It certainly is a tourist town, with all that the title entails, but it also a very mellow and easygoing kind of place where you can focus on the kind of experiences you favour and avoid the places that less fit in with the atmosphere you seek.