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Eilat—Israel's ultimate tourism city—offers a multitude of attractions for visitors of all ages and tastes: from laid-back beaches and soothing spas to non-stop activities both in and out of the crystal clear waters, world-class shows, and even an ice centers for the ultimate escape from the heat. We’ve rounded up a list of things to do in the South to make the best of your utopic getaway:
1. Sound Waves
Eilat's musical fountain, which spreads over 1,500 square meters, is Israel's largest fountain. With 320 jets spraying water to a height of 30 meters and 400 LED lights, it's one of the city's prime outdoor attractions. By day, the area serves as a watery playground for those seeking to cool off from the heat. As the sun descends, it offers an amazing show of water, lights and music. Nearby, there's a skate park for amateurs and professionals.
Park Eilat, 2 Derech Yotam St
2. Soothing Luxury
Dolphin Reef, known for offering encounters with dolphins in their natural environment, is also a perfect place for winding down on vacation. This unique green oasis features streams to cool tired feet as well as three relaxation pools – seawater, fresh water, and floating salts – along with soothing underwater music. Guides help visitors with sessions of music and relaxation techniques, based on the principles of Watsu. A large terrace facing the reef offers comfortable pillows for reclining, with glorious sunset views. After dark, dozens of candles create a special kind of magic.
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Dolphin Reef, Eilat (dolphinreef.co.il)
3. Underwater Wonderland
There's always plenty of action on and under the water at Eilat's beaches, from riding bananas and giant mattresses to hang-gliding and surfing to snorkeling or diving through the coral reefs. Those wishing to explore the world under the ocean without needing a snorkel or an oxygen balloon can take a trip on a glass-bottomed boat. In the crystal-clear waters, visitors in the transparent lower deck can easily see the wonders of the undersea forest with its colorful marine life, including the odd small shark.
© Shutterstock
Eilat Yachts, in the Marina
4. Shivery Shopping at the Ice Mall
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Israel's coolest shopping center combines two sports: shopping and ice-skating. The 1,800-square-meter ice rink features performances and also offers ice-skating and skating lessons. The little ones can ride sleds shaped like animals. There's also a snow park with amusements straight from the North Pole, a cinema, a transparent igloo, slides, swings and a Gymboree. Shops, cafes, restaurants and fast-food stalls offer refreshments.
5. Extreme Sports Park
Fans of extreme sports will find the Top 94 challenge park well worth a visit. The covered, air-conditioned facility offers a variety of challenges: a 19-meter cliff, 9-meter climbing walls, ring climbing, zip-lining and rappelling, hanging ropes, springboard, 430-meter go-kart track, a paintball and archery complex, and a shooting range. It also features a museum of historic weapons that honors Negev fighters.
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Hashravrav St., Eilat industrial zone (top94.co.il)
6. Chill on Mosh's Beach
Eilat's trendiest beach, which belongs to singer Mosh Ben Ari, is a small, quiet beach on which great care has been taken to preserve the environment. Along the beautiful beachfront, mattresses, pillows and seating areas have been strategically located and offer sea views against well-tended greenery. The beach is known for its vegetarian restaurant.
© Shutterstock
Mosh’s Beach, Eilat facebook.com/moshbeach
7. Cheers at Three Monkeys Pub
Israel's southernmost pub always attracts tourists from around the world, and the music too is international. The pub features an "aquarium," where visitors can watch the action from behind a glass wall while enjoying some luxury libations. The pub offers exotic cocktails and excellent bar food.
© Roni Belhassan
Royal Beach Promenade (threemonkeys.rest.co.il)
8. Pink Flamingos
Thousands of pink and gray flamingos are annual visitors to the salt pools of Evrona, just north of Eilat, and some have made the site their permanent home. The birds can be seen all day, but they are most spectacular in the evening hours, when they enter sleep mode and crowd together with their feet in the water. Bringing binoculars is recommended.
Eilat © Shutterstock
Evrona pools, southern Arava, 20 km north of Eilat