48 hours in Eilat: reefs, restaurants, and relaxation

Take Vegas’ hedonistic offering of casinos and luxury accommodations paired with Cancun’s music-blaring, skin-baring, party-hopping locales and throw in the Red Sea — a stretch of pure blue known worldwide for its treasured diving portals — and you’ve got Eilat: Israel’s most infamous resort town. With a quaint airport increasing its international flights by the second, the tiny plot of hot, hot heat ebbs and flows with swarming people throughout the year thanks to its always-sunny days and always-rowdy nights. But summer is even more of a draw, with locals, tweens and tourists taking advantage of every last beach chair. With an overwhelming list of things to do and places to stay in Israel’s southernmost spa town, Time Out’s very own Jennifer Greenberg has narrowed things down to a 48-hour itinerary of reefs, restaurants, and relaxation. We suggest arriving in the evening, checking in and getting a good night’s sleep in preparation for an action-packed two days of fun in the sun.

 

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Start your morning off right with a continental breakfast at one of the luxurious Eilat Hotels and Resorts. Once you’re settled and satiated, it’s time to head out to enjoy the real reason you came to Eilat: the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. The southernmost city in Israel, Eilat, has been blessed with a spectacular coral reef. This unique Israeli attraction is the beating heart of the mile-long nature reserve that stretches across the gulf. In Eilat, the views are as spectacular above water as they are below, so head over to South Beach for a once-in-a-lifetime Snuba experience.

 

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About a ten-minute walk from the Egyptian border, you’ll find the southernmost scuba diving club in Israel, a small venue with plenty of peace and quiet. Home to the Dolphin Reef, Coral Beach Natural Reserve and Coral World Underwater Observatory, the Southern Beach is perfect for day trips out of the sweltering heat. Diving or snorkelling near the reef, you will see colorful coral gardens home to a variety of multi-hued tropical fish: parrotfish, butterfly fish, giant shellfish and a wide selection of intriguing species that only come out in the dark. Not scuba certified? Don’t fret. The club offers an introductory underwater excursion for those who have no previous diving experience (08-6372722)

 

Head back to the hotel, shower, change out of those wet clothes, and grab a quick bite before the exciting afternoon excursion.

 

 

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Alongside one of the most beautiful open waters in the world, Eilat also contains one of the most divine deserts. Late afternoon is a perfect time to hop on a private Jeep excursion and walk around the Eilat Mountains while listening to fascinating stories that connect the ancient times to today. And there’s no better tour guide to show you the magic, history and power of the desert with its blue sky, colorful sand and variety of desert animals than Luis. Though there are a variety of individualized tours to choose from, the “Special Tour for Families” is an unforgettable experience due to the starlit break at the end of the excursion where you’ll learn to prepare “lafot,” the traditional Bedouin bread over a bonfire and chase it down with herbal tea. This tour starts at four p.m. at the junction of the Red Sea with Solomon Wadi and continues through to Yehoshafat and Gishron Wadi just in time for a sunset view of Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Israel. After the sun has set and you’re filled to the brim with Bedouin hospitality, the Jeep will return you to your abode to doll up for a night out on the town (Call ahead to book: 054-2213336)

 

 

Whether you’re a veteran foodie or a curious culinary novice, a visit to Eilat is not complete without at least one meal at a chef restaurant. Located in a beautifully secluded garden in one of Eilat’s most veteran neighborhoods is a charming restaurant and wine bar by the name of Pedro. The restaurant’s spécialité is fresh high quality meat aged in-house paired with a rich diverse wine list (Pedro is the only restaurant in Eilat to include a wine bar, featuring a large selection of labels, including local wines from the Red Sea Winery). Chef Tal Hershkivitz who runs the kitchen introduces his diners to fascinating culinary experiences: goose liver in pears and ginger, artichoke fillet, rump with polenta, bresaola and more. If the aromas of warm freshly baked focaccia don’t instantly win you over, you can give me a call (08-637-9504)

 

 

It’s time for a night out on the town. Not only is Eilat gorgeous by day, it’s also thriving by night with a strip of bars and nightclubs that aim to impress. If you’re looking for a good pub, Three Monkeys attracts a diverse and dynamic crowd. Located on Eilat’s gorgeous promenade, Three Monkeys is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The reasons being that the bar boasts a wide variety of beverages for the thirsty traveler looking to have a great night, and the staff are super-friendly and the crowd wild, yet social (053-8095180). Other popular choices in the area are Mike’s Place (08-864-9550) and Bears Pub (052-724-4435).

 

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If you’re looking to dance the night away, Selena (054-2042428) and Crazy Elephant (054-2042428) are some of the largest luxurious nightclubs south of Tel Aviv. Under the same ownership, these booming clubs host top international DJs and live performances by incredible musicians. Expect bright lights, loud music and crowded dance floors. Selena’s exclusive open air experience boasts a huge dance floor, spectacular design and comfortable seating area—though it’s doubtful you’ll want to sit as you’ll be too caught up dancing from sunset to sunrise.

 

 

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If you loved your Jeep tour and are seeking more thrills in the desert, I suggest booking a tour to Timna Park, home of the world’s first copper mine. Located just 25 km north of Eilat, Timna Park covers around 15,000 acres. At its center lies Mount Timna, approximately 1,500 feet above sea level. The site has a range of attractions, including ancient rock formations like The Mushroom, The Arches, Solomon’s Pillars, The Valley of Rock Drawings, and offers activities like rappelling, zip-line, and bike tours. For approximately NIS 240, you can book a morning tour (in English) that literally picks you up and drops you off at your hotel’s doorsteps. The tour departs at 10:00 and includes a guided visit to the park, a special fun activity in the colored sands, and an informative presentation about the mines (Book online at:https://www.touristisrael.com/tours/timna-park-tour-from-eilat/)

After an action-packed morning, it’s time to lay back, relax and enjoy the southern rays, poolside at your hotel’s outdoor oasis. Alternatively, is your itching to get back to those crystal Red Sea waters, hit up one of these beaches: Mosh’s beach, Princess beach or Dekel beach.

 

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Get up early and grab some lounge chairs as they are in high demand and disappear quickly. Spend your morning relaxing by the hotel pool or go for the royal treatment at one of the Red Sea’s luxury spas.

 

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The southern sun is intense, even in the morning. So, if you spent the early hours getting your tan on, why not take a break from the pool and avoid heatstroke with some good old fashion retail therapy. After all, unique to Israel, Eilat is completely VAT-free. If you’re on a couples retreat, Mall HaYam (08-6340006) or the 4000 square-meter Queen of Sheba plaza (08-6330811) is the place to explore side-by-side luxury and high street brands. With great food courts, be sure to enjoy a quick bite to recharge between shopping sprees.

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If you’ve come with the kids, Ice Park & Mall Eilat is a great family-friendly alternative. The enormous glass-domed structure contains a mall and arcade/theme park. International and local designer stores offer VAT-free prices, while an Artist Market sells handcrafted jewelry. Whether your travels to the Middle East have you missing a true northern winter or you’re just plain sick of the blazing Eilat heat, come chill out in the mall’s one-of-a-kind indoor skating rink (03-6081140)

 

After cooling down at the Eilat ice mall, it’s time to warm your soul with classy craft cocktails at one of the city of luxury’s chicest restaurants. 5^th Avenue Eilat is a unique, New York style, cocktail bar serving hot meticulous cuisine by the Red Sea. This swank establishment gets its name from its menu, which offers five different types of international cuisine: Italian, American, Mexican, Oriental and Asian. The atmosphere is intoxicating and the food fantastic, but the night doesn’t end here. Keep those cocktails flowing as great musical vibes take over the room and last into the wee hours of the morn. There’s no need to make it an early night…you can sleep on the flight home (073-7585617)