Where to stay in Eilat — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks
Eilat is Israel's southernmost resort city, perched at the very tip of the Red Sea on the Gulf of Aqaba. The water is so clear you can spot coral straight from the shore, and with 360 sunny days a year it works as a beach escape in any season. It's the country's top spot for coral diving and snorkeling, and a gateway to Petra in Jordan — the border is just a 10-minute drive away. If you want sea, desert, and three countries (Israel, Jordan, Egypt) in one trip, Eilat is the place.
Why stay in Eilat
Israel's best coral diving
Coral Beach Nature Reserve protects the world's most northerly tropical reefs. Walk in from the shore and you're among clownfish, lionfish, and sea turtles — no boat trip needed.
Sun all year, no rainy season
A true desert climate with 360 sunny days a year. Even winter stays warm at around 21°C, which is why it's a favorite cold-weather escape for Europeans and Israelis alike.
Base for Petra and the desert
The Jordan border is a 10-minute drive, making day trips to Petra and Wadi Rum easy. North of town you'll find Timna Park and the Red Canyon.
Tax-free shopping
Eilat is a VAT-free zone, so goods cost less than elsewhere in Israel. The Ice Mall even has an ice-skating rink in the middle of the desert.
Pick an area first — where to stay in Eilat
Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel
North Beach (North Shore)The heart of the resort, right on the sandy beach and marina, within walking distance of restaurants, bars, and nightlife — ideal for first-timers without a car.
Coming soonMerkaz (City Center)The in-town district about a 10-minute walk from North Beach, with a wide price range, the central bus station nearby, and plenty of local eateries — good value.
Coming soonCoral Beach (West Shore)Along the southern coast near the reef and Underwater Observatory — best for serious divers, though it has fewer shops and restaurants than the city.
Coming soonMarina / LagoonAround the yacht marina and lagoon, with a romantic vibe, colorful evening lights, and waterfront restaurants — great for couples.
Coming soonRanked reviews — find your ideal stay in Eilat
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights
We're rolling out Eilat stay reviews — meanwhile search Eilat hotels across all 3 sites now
Local dishes to try in Eilat
- 1🐟
Grilled Red Sea Fish
Freshly caught fish seasoned and charcoal-grilled, served with a spread of salads and homemade focaccia — easy to find at the beachfront spots along Coral Beach.
📍 Local specialty - 2🧆
Hummus
Silky mashed chickpeas topped with tahini, olive oil, beans, boiled egg, and spicy peppers, scooped up with warm pita. Local favorites like Eliyahu serve it homemade.
📍 Israeli staple - 3🍳
Shakshuka
Eggs poached in a bubbling tomato-and-pepper sauce, served in the pan with bread for dipping — the quintessential Israeli breakfast or brunch.
📍 Breakfast classic - 4🥗
Israeli Salad
Finely diced tomato, cucumber, onion, and pepper dressed with olive oil and lemon — a crisp, cooling side that comes with almost every meal in the desert heat.
📍 Refreshing - 5🍮
Malabi
A silky milk pudding topped with rose syrup, pistachios, and coconut — the perfect cool way to finish a meal on a hot day.
📍 Cool dessert - 6🦐
Red Sea Seafood
Shrimp, crab, and shellfish from the Red Sea, stir-fried in garlic and olive oil or turned into soup. Marina spots like Les Sardines and Fish Market serve it fresh.
📍 Waterfront dining
- 1🐠
Coral Beach Nature Reserve
The world's most northerly tropical reef, accessible straight from the beach. Snorkel among clownfish, lionfish, and turtles, with gear rental, showers, and loungers all on site.
📍 Snorkeling - 2🔭
Underwater Observatory Marine Park
A tower descending 12m below the surface lets you see coral and fish without getting wet. Aquariums, a shark tank, and turtle and stingray pools make it a family favorite.
📍 Family - 3🐬
Dolphin Reef
A private beach where a pod of dolphins lives in a natural bay. Book a swim or dive alongside them, or just relax in the shaded, laid-back setting.
📍 Swim with dolphins - 4⛏️
Timna Park
About 25km north of the city, a desert reserve famous for striking rock formations, Solomon's Pillars, and ancient copper mines thousands of years old.
📍 Desert - 5⛸️
Ice Mall
A giant domed mall with an ice-skating rink at its center, plus brand stores, food courts, and over 27 attractions — a great way to beat the desert heat.
📍 Shop & cool off - 6🌿
Botanical Garden of Eilat
A shady hillside garden with waterfalls and wooden swings, a cool break from the city heat and lovely views over the gulf.
📍 Nature - 7🏜️
Red Canyon
A narrow gorge of red-orange rock carved by wind and water, walkable in a couple of hours — one of the most popular half-day trips from Eilat.
📍 Hiking - 8⛵
Glass-Bottom Boat
A roughly 2-hour cruise around the bay where you watch coral and fish through the glass floor without getting in the water, with shaded seating, a snack bar, and a sun deck.
📍 Reef viewing
Things to do in Eilat
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Eilat — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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3 Eilat hotels our team picked for you
Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison
★ 9.5LuxuryU Coral Beach Club Eilat - Ultra All Inclusive
Top-rated ultra all-inclusive
★ 9.0Luxury
★ 8.7Upper-midLeonardo Club Hotel Eilat - All Inclusive
All-inclusive with on-site water park
โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในEilat
ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ
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🚆 Getting around Eilat
Ramon Airport (ETM)
Eilat's main airport, about 18km north of the city, handling domestic flights from Tel Aviv and international charters. Egged buses (lines 30/50) reach the city in about 35 minutes.
Egged city buses
Line 30 runs to the central bus station roughly every 30 minutes at standard local fares — tap on with a Rav-Kav card. Handy for reaching Coral Beach and the airport.
Bus from Tel Aviv
Direct Egged coaches run from Tel Aviv's central bus station to Eilat in about 4.5 hours, several times a day and budget-friendly — reserve a seat in advance.
Taxis & walking
North Beach and Merkaz are easily walkable, and most hotels sit within strolling distance. A taxi from the airport into town runs roughly 84–95 NIS.
Border crossings to Petra & Taba
The Yitzhak Rabin crossing to Jordan (Aqaba/Petra) and the Taba crossing to Egypt are both only about 10 minutes from town, with hotel-pickup day tours to Petra available.
Where to go next near Eilat
JerusalemAn honest guide to where to stay in Jerusalem — real neighborhoods (Old City, Mamilla, German Colony), the holy sites worth your time, the food to eat, and how to get in from Ben Gurion.
See this city's guide →
Tel AvivWhere to stay, what to see, and where to eat in Tel Aviv — a Mediterranean beach city of sand, nightlife, Bauhaus architecture, and ancient Jaffa.
See this city's guide →
HaifaA complete guide to Haifa — northern port city, UNESCO Baha'i Gardens, sweeping Mediterranean bay views and gateway to the Galilee. Where to stay, what to see, what to eat and how to get around.
See this city's guide →
NazarethBoyhood town of Jesus, the Basilica of the Annunciation, an old souk, and standout Arab-Galilean food.
See this city's guide →Frequently asked — where to stay in Eilat
When is the best time to visit Eilat?+
Eilat has 360 sunny days a year, so it works any time. The sweet spots are spring (Mar–May) and autumn (Sep–Nov) when temperatures are comfortable. Summer (Jun–Aug) gets very hot, often above 40°C, while winter stays mild at around 21°C — perfect for a cold-weather beach escape.
Can I visit Petra from Eilat?+
Yes, easily. The Yitzhak Rabin border crossing into Jordan is just about 10 minutes from town. You can take a one-day round-trip tour to Petra, or a 2-day tour that adds Wadi Rum, often with hotel pickup. Bring your passport and budget for the border fee plus the Jordanian visa.
Which area should I stay in?+
First-timers without a car should pick North Beach or Merkaz (city center), both walkable to the beach, restaurants, and the bus station. If diving is your priority, stay at Coral Beach next to the reef, while couples tend to love the romantic Marina/Lagoon area.
Ready to book your Eilat stay?
Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking