Eilat’s year-round sunshine, abundance of water sports, hotels to suit all budgets and wealth of history are a guaranteed client-pleaser. Dinah Hatch takes a tour
Back in the 1960s, Eilat and the Red Sea region were not part of the international traveller’s consciousness.
Israelis would travel south to Eilat, which had one or two hotels, to escape the troubles of the rest of the country (until last year, there had been no violence in the region) but the rest of the world had little idea of what was on offer.
These days this resort town on the edge of the Negev Desert is full of luxury hotels, fine-dining restaurants, hip clubs and buzzing beaches and is one of the world’s most in-demand winter and summer sun holiday spots.
The weather plays a part – it almost never rains – and the desert breeze does not affect the Red Sea, making for perfectly calm conditions for diving and a whole host of other water-based activities.
Israel Tourist Board director Uzi Gafni said: “Eilat is the kind of place that continues to attract visitors from all over the world – whether they’re looking for a relaxing beach break or some adventure. For this reason, tourism in Eilat continues at a steady pace.”
By day
Clients can view the exotic coral and fish at the Underwater Observatory in Eilat’s Marine Park, where some 40 aquariums showcase the marine wildlife – or swim with bottle-nosed dolphins at Dolphin Reef.
Alternatively, relax on one of the beaches. Head for Village Beach for a pacy, young feel; Princess Beach for a tranquil experience; or Reef Beach for water sports.
Kids will also love King’s City in Eilat, a theme park devoted to the bible and the history of the region.
Nature lovers should try a Land Rover tour of the area surrounding Eilat, which contains The Red Canyon, a vast natural phenomenon of colourful granite stone.
History fans should head to the Timna Valley National Park (pictured above) in the Negev Desert. Situated about 20 miles north of Eilat, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty with amazing archeological ruins and prehistoric rock drawings.
The nearby Uvda Valley has a heritage going back thousands of years and there is evidence of 150 prehistoric settlements. Key sights include the 9,000-year-old Leopard Temple, which bears strange feline carvings, and the Eilat mountains.
By night
If there’s one thing Eilat’s not short of it’s nightlife: this place is teeming with places to eat, drink and shake your thang.
Head for the pubs and clubs around the New Tourist Centre and North Beach Waterfront Parade for a loud, funky experience.
The Three Monkeys near the Royal Beach Hotel is a perennial pleaser for the 18-30 crowd but for a more relaxed, laid-back atmosphere try the open-air bars along the coastline at Village Beach and Papaya Beach.
The international hotels’ piano bars and clubs also attract a trendy crowd and are less formal than you might expect. Head for King Solomon’s Palace or the Princess Hotel.
For a more traditional Israeli evening, the Kibbitz Elot, two miles from town, puts on Middle Eastern nights for tourists. Hotels also put on weekly folklore nights.
Eilat fact file
- Airlines: El Al, Thomsonfly, Israir, BMI and British Airways.
- Flight time: Five hours.
- Currency: Shekel.
- Time difference: GMT +2 hours.
- Weather: Eilat and the Red Sea offer year-round sun. Summer temperatures can reach 45C. In winter, 25C is not unusual.
- Tour operators: Longwood Holidays, Page & Moy, Peltours, Superstar Holidays, Thomson.
- FCO travel advice for Israel: The Foreign Office advises against all travel to Gaza and all but essential travel to nearby areas, except for daytime trips to Bethlehem, Ramallah and Jericho.
