Where to stay in Eilat

Eilat is Israel's southernmost city, with a population of 56,004, a port and popular resort at the northern tip of the Red Sea, on what is known in Israel as the Gulf of Eilat and in Jordan as the Gulf of Aqaba. The city is considered a tourist destination for domestic and international tourists heading to Israel.

Eilat is at the southernmost tip of the country, with its "window on the Red Sea". It is first and foremost a resort town devoted to sun, fun, diving, partying and desert-based activities. Sprawled along 7 km of Red Sea coastline, between the borders of Egypt and Jordan, it offers spectacular views of the Gulf of Eilat (Aqaba). It began as a strategic military outpost, and a port town used to export potash and copper and import goods from Asia and Africa, such as oil and vehicles.

Getting in

While Eilat is - for a country as small as Israel at least - far away from the rest of the country, the government is subsidizing international flights and the border crossings to/from Jordan and Egypt are a lot less hassle than one might expect, making Eilat surprisingly easy to reach - if not necessarily from the rest of Israel.

Getting around

Central Eilat, that is the Promenade Area and city center. Central Bus Station, Main Post Office, banks, etc. are within easy walking distance, although during summer months the scorching temperatures make walking around unpleasant. Only the closest public beaches are a sweaty stroll from the center; dive sites require transportation. Local bus services usually begin 07:00-08:00 and end 21:00-22:00. Ask the driver for exact times. All routes cost ₪4.20 one ride without transfers.

Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.