Things to Do in Eilat

Eilat sits at the very southern tip of Israel, where the desert meets the Red Sea in a surprisingly dramatic fashion. This resort city has managed to carve out a unique identity as Israel's gateway to underwater adventures, with some of the most accessible coral reefs in the world just steps from the shore. What makes Eilat particularly interesting is how it balances being a serious diving destination with a family-friendly resort town - you'll find world-class marine reserves alongside water parks and shopping malls. The city's location is genuinely striking, hemmed in by the Jordanian and Egyptian borders with the stark beauty of the Negev Desert as a backdrop. While it's definitely built for tourism, there's something authentic about how locals have embraced the laid-back, sun-soaked lifestyle here. The contrast between the arid landscape and the vibrant underwater world creates an almost surreal experience that tends to surprise first-time visitors.

Eilat's dining scene reflects its position as both a resort destination and a multicultural Israeli city. You'll find excellent Middle Eastern cuisine alongside international options catering to the tourist crowd. The fish restaurants along the marina serve fresh Red Sea catches, while the mall food courts offer familiar international chains. For something more authentic, head away from the main tourist strip to find local favorites serving everything from Yemenite soup to Ethiopian cuisine. Many restaurants stay open late to accommodate the resort town lifestyle, and kosher options are widely available alongside non-kosher establishments.

Eilat enjoys year-round sunshine, but the timing of your visit really depends on your heat tolerance. Winter months (December-February) offer perfect weather with daytime temperatures around 20-25°C, making this peak season with higher prices and crowds. Spring and fall provide an excellent balance of warm weather and manageable prices. Summer can be intensely hot, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C, but this is actually ideal for serious divers and snorkelers since you'll spend most of your time in the water anyway. The Red Sea maintains comfortable temperatures year-round, so underwater activities are always pleasant regardless of air temperature.