Even before arriving at the resort, it is advisable to ask how you can have fun there. In Eilat, for example, you can combine a beach holiday with a variety of excursions. Despite the fact that Eilat has no historical attractions to offer, there is a lot to see here.
Conventionally, all the sights of this resort are divided into those that are located within the city and those that are located 20-40 km from it. So, what to see in and around Eilat?
Botanical Garden
Right at the entrance to Eilat is the botanical garden – you can say that this city of Israel begins with an oasis in the desert.
The garden is small, you can see it in an hour and a half. Here you can walk in the shade of strange trees, sit on comfortable benches and ride swings, and also look into the Rain Forest, where every 9 minutes there is an imitation of rain.
The Botanical Garden of Eilat is one of those attractions in Israel where photos are particularly colorful and impressive. Interesting pictures can be taken against the background of a small waterfall, a huge cactus and an African baobab. A great backdrop will be panoramic views of the Red Sea and the Edom Mountains, which open from the observation decks – there are three of them in the garden.
- The Botanical Garden is located at Carmel St, Eilat 88118, Israel.
- Admission for adults to the territory of this attraction costs NIS 28.
- Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday-from 8: 30 to 17: 00, Friday-from 08: 30 to 15: 00, Saturday-from 09: 30 to 15: 00.
City embankment
The promenade of Eilat is known as a popular tourist destination and one of the most crowded pedestrian areas of the city. Eilat Marina stretches from the coastal hotels and all the way to the coast of the Gulf of Eilat. Along its entire length there are many souvenir shops, small restaurants and cozy cafes, playgrounds and attractions.
Life on the Eilat waterfront does not stop even after dark: bright lights turn on, numerous bars and discos open.
Musical fountain
What else to see in Eilat is the musical fountains that appeared in 2015. Of all the musical fountains in Israel, these are the largest: 350 jets of water rise to a height of 30 m, and they are illuminated by 400 multi-colored LED lamps.
During the show, which lasts 15-20 minutes, a melody (classical, modern compositions) sounds, and in time with it, the water jets change their strength and direction, and the lighting also changes.
The Singing Fountain Show is available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 20:30.
You can find this attraction at: Derekh Yotam / Gan Binyamin Central Park, Eilat, Israel. The location is very convenient – not far from the main city park, within walking distance from most hotels. This factor also played a significant role in the fact that a lot of people always gather to see a musical performance in the city of Eilat.
Isrotel Theater
The Yisrotel Theater is located in the Royal Garden Hotel, located in the city center, at Antiv 5 / Isrotel Royal Garden Eilat., Eilat 88000, Israel. Six nights a week, in addition to Sundays, there is a show known as the “Wow!” show, the “Wow!” theater, and the WOW show.
On the stage, a fascinating performance unfolds with the participation of acrobats, actors, dancers, athletes, comedians. Sparkling humor, phantasmagoria, complexity of tricks, magnificent optical special effects, charming musical accompaniment – these are the words of those viewers who managed to watch the show at the Isrotel theater in Eilat (Israel).
The ticket costs NIS 130. It is better to buy it in advance, since there are only about 600 seats in the hall. It is better to take seats from the 9th row and above: if you sit closer, it is difficult to cover a fairly large stage with your eyes.
Ice Mall Eilat Shopping and Entertainment Center
The state-of-the-art Ice Mall Eilat is located at 8 Kampen, Eilat 8851318, Israel.
The main attraction of the Ice Mall is the 1,800 m2 ice rink. Here you can always go skating by renting skates (by the way, you only need to pay for skates, and the entrance to the ice platform is free). Despite the fact that due to the processing of ice, visitors have to leave the rink every hour, it remains a popular attraction in Eilat.
For children in the shopping center there is another entertainment: a huge ” Luna Park “(1200 m2) with a variety of attractions.
Ice Mall has about 20 cafes and restaurants with different cuisines. Shopping lovers will not be disappointed either – there are boutiques of well-known trade companies in the center.
- Experienced tourists say that the Ice Mall center is just such a landmark of Eilat, which is definitely worth seeing. The center operates on the following schedule: Sunday, Thursday and Saturday – from 9: 30 to 23: 00,
- Friday – from 09: 30 to 22: 00.
The rink often hosts free demonstrations of professional skaters. On the official Ice Mall website icemalleilat.co.il/ you can always view the show schedule.
Camel Farm
“Camel riding (there are only females on the farm) is super! The camel walks calmly and sways steadily. And when you sit astride it, it feels like you’re taking off! This is a complete delight!” These are the impressions of tourists who have visited the camel farm.
The farm offers 1-hour and 4-hour desert excursions. You can also take short walks (10 or 30 minutes) around the ranch-but this is if the camels are on site, and not on a longer hike.
The camel farm is located at Shlomo River / Pob 1553, Eilat 88000, Israel. It is only 10 km from Eilat, in the picturesque bed of the Shlomo River. But public transport doesn’t go there, so it’s either a taxi or a rented car.
You can visit this attraction, see its inhabitants and, if you want, ride camels on any day of the week except Sunday from 08: 30 to 19: 00.
Underwater Observatory Park
The underwater observatory is a large-scale complex consisting of several sections. Therefore, a map of the territory of this attraction in Eilat with a photo and a detailed description will be very useful, and you can take it immediately at the entrance. The map is also convenient because it shows the time of fish feeding (although you can view it in advance on the official website of the park (www.coralworld.co.il/).
For tourists, the aquarium causes conflicting impressions-from delight to disappointment. Most people who have visited similar places in other countries note some “poverty and bleakness of the assortment” of Eilat Park. This fact becomes especially relevant if we mention the very high cost of tickets to the “Underwater Observatory”.
Main Tower
The main tower is a 23-meter-high structure that resembles a lighthouse, and stands directly in the sea. Access to the tower is possible via a 100-meter wooden bridge.
The most interesting thing that awaits tourists here is the underwater aquarium, located at a depth of 8 m. Going down the steps, visitors find themselves in a hall where they can see the underwater beauty of the Red Sea. This aquarium in Eilat is a special attraction. In fact, it is a large glass capsule with air, in which visitors find themselves, and fish swim around in the natural waters of the Red Sea.
After seeing all that the inner halls provide, you can climb a narrow spiral staircase to the very top of the tower, to the observation deck. From it, you can see the coasts of four countries at once: Israel, its closest neighbor Egypt, located across the Gulf of Jordan, and hidden in the foggy haze of distant Saudi Arabia.
Aquariums
A spacious park area with indoor and outdoor aquariums is located on the shore.
The shark pool is most popular. It holds 3,000,000 liters of water, and is inhabited by 20 predators and many small fish. You can view the sharks through a huge glass wall (10 m x 4 m) or from a 15 m long glass tunnel.
No less interesting is the exhibition “Coral Reef of the Red Sea”, the exhibition “Rare fish” from 35 aquariums, the pavilion-terrarium “Amazon Hut”.
Ship “Coral 2000”
A special attraction of the park is the ship with a transparent bottom “Coral 2000”, on which excursions to the open sea are sent. As almost all tourists note, a trip on this ship is a dubious pleasure for several reasons:
- guided tours are available in Hebrew only;
- there are almost always a lot of people, which creates discomfort;
- all the fish that can be viewed through the transparent bottom (if you are lucky) are in a stationary bathyscaphe;
- An additional fee is required: NIS 35 for an adult and NIS 29 for a child.
Practical information
This landmark of the city of Eilat in Israel is one of the most expensive aquariums in the world. The prices are as follows:
- for adults – NIS 99,
- for children aged 3-16 years — NIS 79.
It is officially considered that children under 2 years of age are not allowed in the park, but many tourists deny this information and claim that they passed with their young children. It is most profitable to buy tickets at the ticket offices at the entrance to the park, because when buying online, payment is charged in shekels and due to the conversion conditions, you can still argue about saving money.
The observatory is located at a distance of 8 km from the city center, on the western shore of the Gulf of Eilat. Address: Highway 90, Eilat 88106, Israel. The location is convenient, you can go there from Eilat on your own and see everything without haste. You can get there by bus # 15 and # 16 (there are flights every 30-50 minutes, and the ticket costs NIS 5.9) or by taxi (depending on the distance, the trip will cost NIS 30-50).
To have time to see all the expositions of the park, please note that it is open from 8:30 to 16:00 (daily).
Coral Beach Nature Reserve
Coral beach is located on the coast of the Gulf of Eilat, just 100 m from the Underwater Observatory Park.
In this protected area of Eilat (Israel), the main attraction is the dense coral settlements with a length of 1200 m. To make it convenient to observe corals, two swimming paths (length 150 m 250 m) are marked out at a depth, to which special bridges lead. The reef is fenced, and security guards make sure that no one swims over the fence.
On the beach, you can rent diving equipment: a mask, fins and a wetsuit will cost NIS 38. As tourists note, the quality of masks leaves much to be desired, so it is advisable to have your own inventory.
The beach is always quiet and not crowded, as the entrance fee is NIS 35. The entrance ticket allows you to use sun beds, high chairs, umbrellas, toilets, showers, as well as take drinking water from coolers. The beach infrastructure is adapted for people with reduced mobility.
Opening hours:
- Friday from 9: 00 to 16: 00,
- on all other days of the week from 9: 00 to 17: 00.
To get to this protected area, you need to take a taxi or buses No. 15 and 16.
Dolphin Reef Nature Reserve
The next attraction in Eilat that everyone is recommended to see without exception is the Dolphin Reef Nature Reserve.
Dolphin Reef is a small beach (50 m long) and an underwater coral reef. The beach is clean, with sand and small pebbles, the entrance to the water is stony, there are sun beds and umbrellas.
The coral reef is surrounded by a net, the fence measures 100 m x 100 m. Inside it, in the natural waters of the Red Sea, live dolphins.
This reserve is the only place in Israel and perhaps the best in the world where you can interact with dolphins in natural conditions. Dolphins here do not give performances, and only at their own request play with each other or swim to visitors who are comfortably settled on bridges that go far into the water.
At Dolphin Reef, visitors can not only see dolphins, but also swim with them, or, accompanied by a personal instructor, dive to a depth of 6 m. Participants are from 8 years old, and the dive does not even require the ability to swim. Please note that no one can guarantee the appearance of dolphins and communication with them.
The cost of a ticket that allows you to enter the territory of the attraction, as well as the use of beach umbrellas and sun beds:
- for adults, NIS 67,
- for children aged 3-15 years — NIS 46.
Diving prices:
- for children aged 8-15 years – NIS 309,
- for adults 339.
Prices for snorkeling:
- for children aged 8-15 years – 260 shekels,
- for adults, 290 shekels.
Dolphin Reef is open to the public:
- Sunday-Thursday from 9: 00 to 17: 00,
- on Friday and Saturday from 9: 00 to 16: 30.
It is better to arrive early in the morning, when there are still few people and you can safely see everything.
Dolphin Reef is located at Southern Beach / POB 104 Eilat, Eilat 88100, Israel. It is very close to attractions such as “Coral Beach” and “Underwater Observatory”. You can also get there by taxi, rented car, or buses # 15 and # 16.
Red Canyon Park
This unique natural landmark of Israel is located in the mountains, northwest of Eilat. You can visit the park any day, and completely free of charge.
There are 2 km and 4.5 km long hiking trails in the canyon. In the parking lot, in front of the entrance to the territory, you can view and study the map with marked routes in advance.
Everyone who comes to the park will get acquainted with the fantastic nature of Israel: incredible “Martian” landscapes, mountain panoramas, the bed of a dried-up river, narrow gorges among red rocks. No description or even a photo of this landmark in Eilat (Israel) can convey all its beauty – you need to see it with your own eyes.
You should definitely take water with you! Clothing is needed with closed shoulders and long sleeves, a headdress. Shoes with raised soles to avoid slipping on smooth stone surfaces.
The most convenient way to get to the canyon is by car, which takes about 30 minutes. You can also take bus No. 392 (departs from the central bus station of Eilat), but from the stop you will still need to walk about 40 minutes along a dirt road to the parking lot, which serves as the starting point of the journey.
Timna National Park
Another attraction of Eilat is located in the middle of the Arava desert, in the Timna Valley, surrounded by steep cliffs of various shades.
The park occupies a large territory, which is dotted with a lot of attractions. It is interesting to see the amazing creations created by nature: massive sandstone columns, arches in the rocks, grandiose Pillars of Solomon (the most majestic local natural sculptures), Mushroom rocks. But the most interesting object is considered by many to be the Spiral Mountain, which is diagonally encircled by a spiral staircase.
Other must-see attractions include:
- Copper mines (“King Solomon’s Mines”). Several shafts remain open, and you can even go down into them.
- An artificial lake that has become a center of diverse entertainment.
- Ruins of an ancient temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor.
- Rock paintings left by the ancient Egyptians.
Practical information
Timna Park’s opening hours change seasonally, so it’s best to check the schedule in advance on the official website www.parktimna.co.il/EN/Info/.
Cost of visiting the attraction:
- for adults 49 shekels,
- for children aged 3-14 years — NIS 39.
Along with the ticket, guests are given a map of the park (available in Russian).
There is no public transport to Timna Park. You can use a rented car – it takes only 20 minutes to drive from Eilat on highway 90. Many travel agencies and private guides show attractions in Eilat, so you can always book a VIP tour or join a group tour.
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