Eilat is Israel’s southernmost city, a sun-drenched resort town wedged between the Negev Desert and the crystalline northern tip of the Red Sea. It’s a place of striking contrasts — jagged red mountains plunging into some of the world’s most biodiverse coral reefs, duty-free shopping strips sitting alongside ancient Bedouin trails. For cruise passengers, a day here can feel like three destinations rolled into one.
Arriving by Ship
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Eilat, which sits right in the heart of the city along the Gulf of Aqaba. The terminal is compact and manageable — you’ll be steps away from the beachfront promenade within minutes of disembarking. Taxis, tour buses, and local guides typically gather just outside the port gates, making it easy to organise your day quickly. Worth noting: Eilat shares its shoreline with the Jordanian city of Aqaba and the Egyptian resort of Taba, which you can actually see from the waterfront. Passport checks and security screening are standard at the terminal, so carry your documents and budget a few extra minutes on the way back aboard.
Things to Do
Eilat’s underwater world is its biggest drawcard. The coral reefs here are remarkably accessible — you don’t need to be a certified diver to experience them. A glass-bottom boat cruise is a brilliant option if you want to peer into the reef without getting wet. 🎟 Book: Glass Bottom Boat Cruise in Eilat For those ready to go deeper, an introductory dive with an instructor lets you explore the reef up close, even with zero prior experience. 🎟 Book: Introductory Dive in Eilat
On land, the Eilat Mountains offer dramatic desert scenery that feels completely removed from the beach town below. Red Canyon, a narrow slot canyon carved from sandstone and iron oxide, is one of the region’s most photogenic natural landmarks — reachable by jeep on a guided tour through some genuinely wild terrain. 🎟 Book: Red canyon jeep tour in Eilat The International Birding and Research Centre is worth a visit if you’re travelling during migration season, when millions of birds pass through this narrow corridor between continents.
Perhaps Eilat’s most extraordinary day-trip opportunity is a crossing into Jordan to visit Petra — the ancient Nabataean city carved into rose-red cliffs. It’s a full-day commitment but utterly unforgettable, and it’s logistically straightforward from the port. 🎟 Book: Day Tour to Petra from Eilat Check your ship’s departure time carefully before booking, as these excursions run long.
Local Food
Eilat’s food scene reflects its role as a tourist destination — international options are plentiful — but Israeli cuisine is absolutely worth seeking out. Start with shakshuka, a rich tomato and egg dish that locals eat morning, noon, and night. Fresh falafel and hummus are everywhere and cost almost nothing from street stalls along the promenade. Seafood is predictably strong here: grilled Red Sea fish, calamari, and prawns feature on menus up and down the waterfront. For something more substantial, look for restaurants serving a full mezze spread — small plates of baba ganoush, tabbouleh, pickles, and warm pita that keep arriving until you beg them to stop. The North Beach area has the most concentrated dining options within easy walking distance of the port.
Shopping
Eilat has been a duty-free zone for decades, which means electronics, perfume, jewellery, and alcohol come with genuinely attractive price tags. The New Tourist Centre and the Shalom Centre shopping malls are the main hubs, stocked with international brands alongside Israeli designers. For something more meaningful to take home, look for Dead Sea cosmetic products (available everywhere, but reputable brands matter), handmade Bedouin jewellery, and locally produced Eilat stone — a striking blue-green gemstone mined uniquely in this region and found nowhere else on Earth. The outdoor market stalls along the promenade are good for browsing, though apply your negotiating instincts freely.
Practical Tips
Eilat is hot — consistently and sometimes brutally so. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 40°C (104°F), so sun protection isn’t optional. Bring a hat, high-SPF sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle. The Israeli currency is the New Israeli Shekel (NIS), though US dollars and euros are widely accepted in tourist areas. Hebrew is the official language but English is spoken confidently by almost everyone working in tourism and hospitality. Respect local customs around religious sites — modest clothing covering shoulders and knees is appropriate. Taxis are metered but confirm this before getting in; rideshare apps also operate in the city. Most major attractions are open on Saturdays, but some businesses observe the Jewish Sabbath from Friday sundown.
Cruises That Visit Eilat Israel
Eilat appears on the itineraries of several major cruise lines operating in the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. MSC Cruises and Costa Cruises both include Eilat on select sailings that traverse the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, often departing from European home ports such as Genoa, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Venice. These voyages typically range from 10 to 14 nights and incorporate multiple stops across Egypt, Jordan, and sometimes the UAE.
Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean occasionally route world cruise segments or extended grand voyages through Eilat, particularly those navigating the Suez Canal. These sailings often originate from Southampton, Barcelona, or Fort Lauderdale and can span anywhere from 20 to 100+ days.
The best time to cruise to Eilat is between October and April, when temperatures are pleasantly warm rather than punishing, typically hovering between 20–30°C. Winter sailings are especially popular as European travellers chase warmth during the colder months.
🚢 Cruises That Stop at Eilat Israel
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Eilat rewards curious travellers willing to look beyond its resort-town surface. Whether you spend the day floating above coral, rattling through desert canyons by jeep, or standing open-mouthed before the Treasury at Petra, this small city at the bottom of Israel delivers experiences that linger long after the ship has sailed.
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📍 Getting to Eilat Israel
Use the interactive map below to explore the port area and plan your route from the terminal.
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