Eilat

Israel used to be considered only as a destination of religious pilgrimage (Holy Land, Jerusalem, Nazareth), but today the country has become an interesting tourist centre, attracting visitors to its beautiful cities along the coast, which include Eilat, a lively beach resort in the southern tip of Israel, served by a convenient airport.

 

 

Located between the Negev Desert and the Red Sea, the city offers spectacular views and places to walk or take part in sports, such as the very lovely Eilat Marina Beach, which has a tropical feel and lively night life, or the enchanting Coral Beach Natural Reserve, over a kilometre long, where you can admire exquisite colourful fish and brightly hued corals.

 

 

Sporting activities range from relaxing strolls to scuba diving or triathlon (swimming, cycling and running): the Israman Eilat Competition takes place each year and is considered one of the best in the world. A lovely place to walk or cycle is Boulevard Eilat, which offers an explosion of colours that range from the brilliant green of the palms and manicured lawns to the bright white of the buildings.

 

The calming holiday atmosphere, mild year-round climate, welcoming tourist accommodation, friendliness and warmth of the people make Eilat Israel’s pride and joy, not just for beach holidays, but also for the numerous cultural activities on offer, such as the Red Sea Jazz Festival.

 

 

 

Art, music, dance and shows bring joy to tourists and locals alike throughout the year. Camel rides or off-road driving trips can be organised in the nearby Negev Desert to the north of the city to watch the spectacular sunset. Other interesting sites include Timna Park, Red Canyon and Mount Solomon.

 

Even in the past, Eilat’s position, in a large bay, was of strategic importance, and since ancient times it has been used as a port, even at the time of the legendary King Solomon, who built a large fleet of ships here (event noted in the Old Testament) when the city was called Ezion-Geber: ships left for the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa to trade copper from the nearby mines of Timna.

 

 

Eilat, destination of the Jewish people of the Biblical Exodus led by Moses after their departure from Egypt, is still Israel’s only port on the Red Sea. The sea and ancient stories from the time of the Bible cohabit in this exciting city, among entertainment and spirituality.

 

Places well worth visiting are the interesting Underwater Observatory with the Marine Museum and Beach of the Dolphins, as well as King City, a theme park inspired by biblical stories and one of the city’s favourite attractions, which is set in a wonderful palace.

 

Today the city of Eilat, with its unique cultural, artistic and environmental heritage, has some 3 million visitors a year.

 

Its cuisine is also healthy and wholesome, with high quality ingredients such as olive oil and flavoursome French-like cheeses, such as goat’s cheese. Market stalls offer every type of tasty delight, such as olives flavoured with coriander, paprika or lemon, or dried fruit and in particular sweet, soft dates, hummus, an import from the Middle East, as well as local sweets such as Baklava, made of pastry, honey and dried fruit. In addition, the local wines, some of which have been produced for about 5,000 years (as various archaeological sites prove) and which, since the end of the twentieth century have won awards for their high quality.

 

 

Video: new.goisrael.com
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