Eilat

Eilat, Israel’s foothold on the Red Sea, is a modern city with an ancient past and is recorded as the spot from where King Solomon set sail for the incense land of Ophir. Relaxation and water sports are the key reasons for visiting. The city has year-round sunshine, fine beaches, and magnificent coral reefs. This is one of the world’s top diving destinations, and both snorkellers and scuba divers can expect to enjoy typical underwater visibility of around 30m. If you want to avoid getting wet, there is also an option to experience the submarine world at Eilat’s Observatory Marine Park. Swimming with bottlenose dolphins at Dolphin Beach is another popular activity. Eilat’s resort hotels offer multiple free-form swimming pools, extensive leisure facilities, and stunning views over the Red Sea, but they are large and lean towards the mass market. Inland Eilat’s desert hinterland has multiple opportunities for adventure and discovery. The Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve offers several excellent hiking trails, whereas the Uvda Valley boasts petroglyphs dating back 9,000 years and spectacular sand dunes. A drive up Mount Yoash will reward visitors with a panoramic view over four countries: Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. Further north, Timna National Park is the site of King Solomon’s mines and the dramatic natural rock formation known as Solomon’s Pillars. Eilat is also a springboard for the luxurious Six Senses Shaharut Resort in the Negev desert and a visit to the stunning ‘rose-red’ Nabataean city of Petra (in Jordan).