Courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_Beach_Eilat.jpg
Courtesy of http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:North_Beach_Eilat.jpg

When cooler weather sets in, a trip to Eilat is a great way to warm up. Eilat is Israel’s premiere resort town with lots of exciting things to do and see.

Since Eilat is far away from everywhere (whether you fly or drive), it’s a good idea to allocate at least 4 days for your trip. The city is fairly small so all hotels are near the local attractions. You may want to stay at a hotel with a private beach.

The beach in Eilat is something special, since the Red Sea is full of colorful tropical fish and other sea creatures. Beware of sea urchins, as they can be painful to step on. Beach-related activities include swimming with dolphins (not for young children) and the aquarium, with a clear-bottomed boat ride, 3D show and beautiful fish tanks.

Indoor activities in Eilat include the IMAX theater, which shows movies in 3D, and Kings City, a mini-amusement park. Kings City is appropriate for elementary school-aged kids and offers various types of entertainment including a water ride with a flume a the end.

Attractions in Eilat are generally expensive, but one way to save money is to hold off on your shopping till you get to the city. Prices in Eilat don’t include VAT so you can pick up some discounted items in the local stores and malls.