Eilat (Israel)

Eilat is the southernmost port city of Israel. The port is busy with both cargo and passenger ships. The city of Eilat itself is a famous resort city at Red Sea's northern coast (in Gulf of Aqaba, aka Gulf of Eilat). City's coral reef, beaches, desert landscapes and top-rated nightlife makes it a popular tourist destination for international and domestic tourists.

The city has population of around 50,000 and covers a total area of 85 km2 (33 ml2). It is part of the Southern Negev Desert, located at Arabah's southern end. Arabah is named the area south of Dead Sea which forms part of the Israel (west) and Jordan (east) border. This makes Eilat also the busiest border crossing point with the neighbouring Egyptian town Taba. The port city of Aqaba (Jordan) is to the east, and across the gulf.

Eilat Marina and the Port of Eilat allow travel by sea. During the 1970s tourism became of increasing importance to the economy of the city as other industries shut down or were reduced. Today tourism is the Eilat's major source of income, despite the fact that the city became a free trade zone in 1985.

Eilat offers a wide range of accommodations, from hostels and luxury hotels to Bedouin hospitality. In recent years Eilat has been the target of millitants from Egypt and Gaza causing a reduced tourist inflow to the region. Attractions include camel tours, birdwatching and ringing station, Coral Beach Nature Reserve, Coral World Underwater Observatory, Dolphin Reef, Freefall parachuting, Yotvata Hai-Bar Nature Reserve, Marina with 250 yacht berths, Timna Valley Park, "What's Up" Observatory in Eilat, Ice Mall ice skating rink.

Eilat cruise terminal