Where is eilat in israel

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Last updated: April 8, 2026

Quick Answer: Eilat is Israel's southernmost city, located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea coast. It sits at Israel's only access point to the Red Sea, bordered by Jordan to the east and Egypt to the west, approximately 350 kilometers south of Jerusalem. The city was founded in 1951 and has grown into a major tourist destination with over 3 million visitors annually.

Key Facts

Founded in 1951 as Israel's southernmost settlement
Population of approximately 52,000 residents as of 2021
Receives over 3 million tourists annually
Average annual temperature of 25°C (77°F) with 360 sunny days per year
Home to Israel's only Red Sea port, handling 1.5 million tons of cargo annually

Overview

Eilat is Israel's premier Red Sea resort city, strategically positioned at the country's southernmost tip where the borders of Israel, Jordan, and Egypt converge. The city occupies a narrow coastal strip along the Gulf of Aqaba, with dramatic desert mountains rising sharply behind it. This unique geographical location has shaped Eilat's development from a remote military outpost to a thriving international destination. The area's history dates back to biblical times when it served as an important port for King Solomon's trade routes to Africa and Asia.

Modern Eilat was established in 1951, shortly after Israel's independence, as part of the new nation's effort to secure its southern borders and access to the Red Sea. The city's name derives from the biblical Elath mentioned in Deuteronomy 2:8 as a stopping point during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Eilat developed slowly as a port city, but tourism began transforming the area in the 1970s. Today, Eilat represents Israel's gateway to the Red Sea and serves as a vital economic and strategic asset for the nation.

How It Works

Eilat functions as a multi-faceted city combining tourism, trade, and strategic importance through several key mechanisms.

Tourism Infrastructure: Eilat's economy revolves around tourism, with over 12,000 hotel rooms and numerous resorts catering to international visitors. The city's Ramon International Airport handles approximately 2.2 million passengers annually, with direct flights from major European cities. Eilat's duty-free status makes it particularly attractive to shoppers, while its marine attractions including coral reefs and dolphin reef draw nature enthusiasts.
Port Operations: The Port of Eilat serves as Israel's only Red Sea port, handling approximately 1.5 million tons of cargo annually. This strategic facility bypasses the Suez Canal for trade with Asia and Africa, with specialized terminals for containers, bulk cargo, and petroleum products. The port's location provides Israel with crucial maritime access independent of Mediterranean routes.
Environmental Management: Eilat maintains delicate balance between development and conservation, particularly regarding its coral reefs. The Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve protects 1.2 kilometers of reef with over 270 species of coral and 2,500 species of fish. Strict regulations govern diving and marine activities, with ongoing research at the Interuniversity Institute for Marine Sciences monitoring reef health and biodiversity.
Cross-Border Cooperation: Eilat functions as a hub for regional cooperation through agreements with neighboring Jordan and Egypt. The Wadi Araba Crossing connects Eilat to Aqaba, Jordan, facilitating tourism and commerce between the two countries. Similarly, the Taba Border Crossing to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula enables tourist movement, though security considerations sometimes affect operations.

Key Comparisons

Feature	Eilat, Israel	Aqaba, Jordan
Population Size	Approximately 52,000	Approximately 188,000
Annual Tourists	Over 3 million	Approximately 1.2 million
Major Industries	Tourism (85%), Port Operations	Industry (60%), Tourism (25%)
Coral Reef Protection	Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve (1.2 km)	Aqaba Marine Park (7 km)
Climate Characteristics	25°C average, 360 sunny days	24°C average, 355 sunny days

Why It Matters

Strategic Importance: Eilat provides Israel with crucial Red Sea access independent of the Suez Canal, handling approximately 6% of Israel's maritime trade. This strategic position became particularly significant during the Suez Crisis of 1956 and subsequent conflicts, ensuring Israel maintained maritime connections to Asia and Africa despite regional tensions.
Economic Contribution: Tourism generates approximately $1.2 billion annually for Eilat's economy, representing about 3% of Israel's total tourism revenue. The city's duty-free status and year-round warm climate create a unique economic zone that attracts both domestic and international investment, particularly in hospitality and entertainment sectors.
Environmental Significance: Eilat's coral reefs represent the northernmost coral ecosystems in the world, serving as vital research sites for studying climate change impacts on marine environments. The reefs support biodiversity with over 1,100 species of fish and provide natural protection against coastal erosion along Israel's limited Red Sea coastline.

Looking forward, Eilat faces both challenges and opportunities as climate change threatens its coral ecosystems and regional stability affects tourism patterns. However, planned developments including the Red Sea-Dead Sea Canal project and expanding cross-border cooperation initiatives position Eilat for continued growth. The city's unique combination of natural beauty, strategic importance, and economic vitality ensures it will remain a cornerstone of Israel's southern development for decades to come. As Israel continues to strengthen ties with neighboring countries through peace agreements, Eilat's role as a bridge between nations may expand beyond tourism to include more substantial economic and environmental cooperation.