Eilat and the Red Sea
At Israel's southern tip, where the desert meets the Red Sea, Eilat is a sun-soaked resort town famous for warm, clear water and one of the northernmost coral reefs in the world. It is the perfect place to unwind after days of touring.
Why it matters
Eilat sits on the Gulf of Aqaba at the head of the Red Sea, bordered by Jordan, with Egypt and Saudi Arabia within sight across the water. While its appeal today is mainly leisure, the surrounding wilderness is steeped in the biblical story of the Exodus, when the Israelites wandered the deserts of Sinai and the Negev, and the region has been a crossroads of trade for millennia.
The city's real treasure is underwater: the Red Sea's coral reefs teem with brightly coloured fish, drawing snorkelers and divers from around the world, and the Coral Beach Nature Reserve protects one of the most accessible reefs anywhere. For travellers combining Israel with Jordan, Eilat is also the natural bridge toward Petra and Wadi Rum, just across the border.
Explore pilgrimage toursHighlights of Eilat
- The Red Sea coral reef, by snorkelling or diving
- Coral Beach Nature Reserve
- The Underwater Observatory Marine Park
- Relaxing beaches along the Gulf of Aqaba
- Desert scenery and nearby Timna Park
- Views toward Jordan and Egypt across the gulf
Good to know. Eilat is hot and sunny most of the year, so sun protection and reef-safe practices matter. It works well as a restful finale or as the crossing point to Jordan.
Fits. A relaxing finale on beyond-pilgrimage itineraries and the gateway on Israel and Jordan packages.
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