On your next visit to Israel, don’t miss the 10 Best Things to Do in Eilat for some adventures along the Red Sea. You can easily get to Eilat by shuttle bus from Tel Aviv or by shuttle bus from Jerusalem. Whether you are visiting for a few days or several weeks, the southern city of Eilat is a fantastic beach town to explore. There are plenty of activities in the city and surrounding area, and Eilat is a great starting point for tours in Israel, Jordan, and Egypt. With so much to choose from, here are our picks for the “Top 10” list:
Swim With the Dolphins
Dive into the turquoise waters of the Red Sea and play with the stunning aquatic life. Visitors have the opportunity to see and observe bottle-nosed dolphins up-close at Dolphin Reef. The reef is home to tropical fish, beautiful corals, and everyone’s favorite clowns of the sea: the playful dolphins.
Discover Jordan
Visit Petra from Eilat! This once-in-a-lifetime experience is just a hop, skip, and a jump away! Eilat is the perfect starting point for a tour to the rose-hued UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are day tours and two-day tours with daily departures to the ancient lost city.
Explore the Underwater Marine Observatory
With such a beautiful coral reef along the shores of Eilat, hundreds of people visit this observatory every year. You can enjoy a view of the sea creatures, observe the turtles and stingrays, and check out the newest addition, the shark pool!
Dive in the Red Sea
Coral Beach is often ranked as one of the best places to dive in the world. The reefs are protected by the National Parks Authority and are popular with locals and tourists alike. Whether you wish to explore the depths or just flutter along the surface and snorkel, Eilat is the perfect place to be.
Visit Timna Park
Timna is a beautiful park in the desert, just north of Eilat. It’s home to the world’s first copper mine, and with over 15,000 acres of land, there are plenty of trails to hike. The park is best visited with a tour or shuttle from Eilat.
Relax on the Beach
If you just want to rest and work on your tan. Eilat has numerous beaches to choose from. Some beaches are connected to hotels and have a lifeguard, while others are quieter and more remote.
Go Shopping
The city of Eilat is a tax-free zone. This makes it a popular place to go shopping. There are various shopping centers within the city, selling products from all over the world.
Hike in the Mountains
From inside the city, it is difficult to miss the towering mountains that surround Eilat. The Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve, just outside the city, is a great place to start your hike. Our Red Canyon Shuttle takes you to the most beautiful hiking trail in the region.
Explore the Desert
The Arava desert around Eilat covers some of the most spectacular desert scenery in the world. Our Red Canyon, Desert Agriculture, and Kibbutz Life tour takes you into this special region. Slightly further lies the Negev region – with craters, towns, and historic sites attracting visitors from all over the world. These can be experienced on our Negev Desert Tour. Tour packages are also available.
Try a New Water-Sport
Feeling adventurous? Why not try something new? Test your skills at wind-surfing, kite-surfing, water-skiing, stand-up paddle-boarding, and parasailing. There are a number of locations in Eilat that offer lessons and rentals to satisfy your adrenaline cravings.
Scheduled to open in Passover 2021 will be “Splash,” a 7-acre water park. The water park will feature unique water slides with cool tech effects, like broadcast screens. The park will feature a 24-meter-high water slide – the highest water slide in the Middle East – and a huge children’s area.
That’s our 10 Best Things to Do in Eilat. For more ideas about what to do when you’re visiting, check out our Eilat Travel Guide!
