The drive to Eilat is long and can be boring, but there are many points of interest along the way that can turn the trip to Israel's vacation capital into an experience as exciting and wonderful as the holiday itself.
The Dead Sea , one of the famous geographical sites in the world, is located right along Rte. 90, the longest highway in Israel going from Mt. Hermon in the north to Eilat in the south. The Dead Sea, called the Salt Sea in Hebrew, is situated some 200 km north of Eilat and many visitors stop there en route to the city. It's the lowest exposed land in the world - some 430 m below sea level - and a world-class tourist resort. In fact, in 2009, the Dead Sea made it to the last round in the "Seven Wonders of the World of Nature" competition. It was one of the final 10 contestants, though it didn't make it onto the winning list of seven. It's a mecca for tourists from all over the world coming to enjoy the water and mud, both of which are said to possess many healing properties.
Masada , a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient fortress in the Judea Wilderness, located at the peak of an isolated cliff. The fortress rises some 450 m above the Dead Sea, which lies at its foot, and some 60 m above sea level. The story of Masada is one of the most famous in Jewish history, symbolizing the heroism and steadfastness of the Jewish rebels against the Roman legion who chose to end their own lives rather than be taken captive and sold into slavery. There are several ways of reaching the top of Masada to tour the fortress, the most popular of which is the cable car. If you're in a hiking mood, you can ascend via the Snake Path, one of the most beautiful walking trails in the world. Many come to Masada at night to wait for dawn and see the sun rise above the horizon.
The observation point above the Ramon Crater is one of the most popular rest stops en route to Eilat, and is located some 150 km from the city. The largest erosion crater or cirque, and a unique tourist attraction in the Middle East, it is 40 km long, 9 km wide, and about 350 m deep. Tourist come to see this wonder of nature, whether from a bird's eye view, from the observation point near Mitzpeh Ramon, or by hiking the trails in the wadis. Visitors to the Ramon Crater get to view rare rock formations and colorful layered rocks marking various geological epochs.
Timna Park , some 25 km north of Eilat, is a popular attraction in Israel and a must-see for travelers heading to a holiday in the city. The park features fascinating points of interest, unusual natural rock formations, and dry river beds. Among the famous sites in the park are Solomon's Pillars, the Chariot Paintings, the Arches, and the Mushroom Rock, as well as a manmade lake where you can go paddle-boating. There are many activities suited to the whole family, and at night the rock formation are illuminated with special lighting. The site is considered exceptional for viewing meteorite showers and falling stars.
The Red Canyon is a deeply-striated, beautiful canyon with sandstone walls of deep red interspersed with layers of clay-based rock in exquisite shades of turquoise. The forces of nature came together to forge one of the most beautiful walking trails in Israel and the whole Red Sea region. The trail, which draws masses of visitors from all over the world every years, is located only 20 km from Eilat and consists of 300 m of colorful walls that wend and wind the entire length and rise to a height of 30 m. The trail is suitable to the whole family, including children, and features some unique desert vegetation.
The Middle Arava is a region that combines tourism with desert farming drawing families and backpackers from all over the world. The Middle Arava is composed of a group of agricultural villages about a 90-min drive from Eilat that invite visitors to enjoy family-friendly activities, such as you-pick farms, honey production, and more.
The Ben-Gurion Hut , a tourist destination at Kibbutz Sde Boker, was the home of David Ben-Gurion, Israel's first prime minister and first defense minister. After his death in 1973, his home was turned into a museum commemorating Ben-Gurion's heritage and his vision of making the Negev Desert bloom. During the tour, visitors can see the rooms of David and his wife, Paula, and learn about their exceedingly modest way of living.
Jerusalem is one of the most historic cities in the world, making it hard to imagine visitors to Israel skipping a visit to Israel's political capital and the opportunity to wander the alleys of the Old City. Most visitors from abroad choose to tour Jerusalem, located some 350 km from Eilat, before vacationing in the south. But, if you're already down south, you can take advantage of one of the organized tours leaving Eilat early in the morning for Jerusalem and returning in the evening in time for a night of fun along the shore of the Red Sea.
