9 Best Sights in Eilat, Eilat and the Negev

Less than 1 km (½ mile) south of Eilat is one of the finest, most densely populated coral reefs on the planet; it's also the world's northernmost reef. Close to the shoreline and zealously guarded by the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, it stretches 1¼ km (¾ mile) and contains more than 100 types of coral and 650 species of fish. In the lagoon, divers and snorkelers take two bridges or a trail marked by buoys to reach the reef wall. Stunning multicolored fish and soft and hard corals are your rich reward. There are hot showers, a snack bar, and snorkel rentals. Kids should be at least five to snorkel.

Running northeast from the intersection of Durban and Arava streets, North Beach is what comes to mind when most people think about Eilat. This part of the beach is convenient if food and drink are on your agenda. Here you’ll find kiosks selling drinks, ice cream, and other snacks, and along the Promenade are many more options for fuller meals. Adventurous types can go paragliding or rent a paddleboat. Across the bridge—opposite the Queen of Sheba, Royal Beach, Dan, and Herods hotels—lies a beautifully landscaped series of beaches.

Walking south, you'll pass several mellow beaches, including Kochav Hayam and HaZahav, before you come to Royal Beach, where white-shirted attendants rent space on private platforms. Very expensive drinks can be ordered from the nearby Royal Beach Hotel and vendors sell popsicles and sodas. Head past the marina, where you can enjoy a ride in a glass-bottom boat, and you’ll encounter family-friendly beaches with names like Tarshish, Leonardo, Rimonim, and HaPnina, where hard-core sunbathers oil themselves for maximum exposure. North Beach comes to a natural end by Le Meridien Hotel, whose beach is the only private one. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; water sports. Best for: partiers; sunset; swimming; walking.

A planked walkway leads to a hideaway consisting of a warren of open spaces designed for pure relaxation. Blink and you might miss it—and trust us, you won't want to. This place offers a true one-of-a-kind experience. Three pools—a deep seawater pool, a soft rainwater pool, and a saltwater pool that'll have you floating Dead Sea–style—offer hours of rest and relaxation. Before you change and shower, help yourself to a glass of wine or the delicious selection of cookies and dried fruits, or slice and squeeze your own fresh orange juice from a juicer set up on a rustic tree stump. Admission to the pools is strictly capped, ensuring a lack of overcrowding; you must reserve in advance by booking online or by phone. During the day, the pools offer stunning views of the water through tented-plastic windows; at night, candles and heaters enhance the atmosphere. For an additional fee, an instructor will float you around the pool in a 30-minute "relaxation technique," a series of undulating exercises that further enhance the experience. Once you're done floating, you can spend the rest of the day walking along the boardwalk to look at the dolphins or ordering drinks from the small bar in the front room. For the price of admission, you get to stay as long as you want.

One of Eilat's star attractions can be recognized by its tall, space-needle-like structure punctuating the waves just offshore. A short drive from Eilat, this is the largest aquarium complex in the Middle East. Plan to spend several hours here (there's a cafeteria for lunch on the premises). Twelve windows provide views of rare fish so magnificent and so Day-Glo colorful that it's hard to believe they're real; there's an unlighted room where phosphorescent fish and other sea creatures glow in the dark. And there are turtle and stingray pools, too. Don't miss feeding time (11 am daily) in the 650,000-liter Shark Pool. The anaconda snakes, poisonous frogs, and piranha are fed in the Amazonas exhibit at 3 pm. Captain Jaws takes you on a sea journey during an audiovisual show presented in a simulated-motion theater with moving seats at the Oceanarium.

A 300-foot wooden bridge leads to the Underwater Observatory. Head down the spiral staircase and into the sea—you are now 15 feet underwater, where two round, glass-windowed halls, connected by a tunnel, offer stunning views of the surrounding coral reef, home to exotic tropical fish. The Observatory Tower—reached by stairs—gives coastal views of Israel's neighboring countries. There's a café up here. You can also take a ride on the Coral 200 glass-bottom boat. Bus 16 runs to, and Bus 15 runs from, downtown Eilat every half hour.

This former military base is now home to plants from all over the world, as well as some grown from seeds thousands of years old. The small, family-friendly park is a green oasis in the middle of the desert. An easy walk takes you to a waterfall and an artificial rain forest that mists every few minutes. You can explore the whole garden in under an hour. The refreshment area serves coffee and ice cream.

Very popular with families, this observation point has a high admission charge, but the perks make it worthwhile. The highlight is the opportunity to walk on wooden paths extending into the water. You may see a dolphin leaping, but more likely you'll see groups snorkeling with dolphins. If you feel like trying it yourself, it costs about NIS 360 per person. The spacious, sandy beach is punctuated with billowing palms and bright tropical flowers, and chairs and umbrellas are available (arrive early to avoid crowds). There's an indoor café--bar to escape the sun, a great gift shop, and even a video you can watch to learn about dolphins.

This lookout point along the border road with Egypt is an easy trip from Eilat. Head west along Route 12 into the Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve. After 12 km (7½ miles), turn left at the orange sign for Mount Yoash and continue 1 km (½ mile) up a rough and winding stone road. Park and take in knockout views of the alternating light and dark ridges of the Eilat Mountains, the mountains of Edom rising behind the Jordanian city of Aqaba, and the Nahal Geshron gorge emptying into the Red Sea at Taba, in Egypt. A beautiful two-hour hiking trail begins in the parking lot. The Jordanian army operated a strategic post here until 1949, when Israeli forces took it during the last campaign of the War of Independence. The raising of a makeshift Israeli flag here marked the end of the war.

Start at the quieter, northernmost end of Eilat's waterfront tayelet, or promenade, which begins near the Jordanian border. The 3-km (2-mile) stretch is also known as the Peace Walk, because it is hoped that one day it will continue to Aqaba, Jordan. As you head south, purple and pink bougainvillea pour down from the Royal Beach Hotel's terrace above. Add to your enjoyment by stopping for an ice cream from one of the stands. If you're here at sunset, savor the showstopping view of the Red Sea turning deeper and deeper shades of red against the backdrop of the Edom Mountains to the east and the rugged Eilat Mountains to the west. On a clear day, you can see as far as Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

A stroll past swanky hotels on one side and palm-lined beaches on the other brings you to the Dutch Bridge, which opens for tall-masted vessels. The lagoon is where yachts are anchored and various small craft are for hire; on the other side is the marina, where cruise boats of all types wait to sally forth. The promenade winds past more beaches covered with sunbathers. The scene includes artists doing quick portraits, vendors selling all sorts of knickknacks, and meandering street performers.

At the roundabout at Durban and Arava Streets you can continue along the waterfront—with the Mul Yam shopping mall on your right—until you reach a small palm-filled plaza with a tiny, cement-block-shaped building with a statue of four fighters raising a comrade aloft. This is Umm Rash Rash, where the Israelis first took control of the Gulf of Eilat in March 1949, as determined by the United Nations' partition plan. The small building—the only one that existed at that point—is a far cry from today's luxury resorts. The promenade effectively ends right before the Aria Hotel. 

Attracting a younger crowd, South Beach retains a bit of a funky vibe. Stretching for 11 km (7 miles), South Beach is actually much longer than North Beach, but Eilat Port (look for the gaudy gambling boats moored there) cuts it in two pieces. North of the port sits Dekel Beach, with a shaded Bedouin tent, tanning raft, snorkeling station, and beach bar. It's great for families during the day, and often hosts private parties in the evening. Past Dolphin Reef sits Almog Beach, a relaxation haven with a full bar and restaurant, low-slung tables, and ample parking. Farther down the shore, Aquasport Beach is a standout; local scuba divers and water-sports enthusiasts know this is the laid-back alternative to better-trodden coves, and the vibe is free-spirited and decidedly chilled-out. There's a scuba school suitable for all levels of skill and experience. Amenities: food and drink; showers; water sports. Best for: swimming, snorkeling.