Milestones in Eilat's History

10th march 1949- Eilat is liberated by the Golani & Negev brigades. An ink flag of Israel is raised at Um Rash Rash.
October 1956- Sinai campaign. Opening of the Straits of Tiran to shipping. New port opened and Eilat road opened and Eilat becomes the southern gateway of Israeli State.
January 1958- Beersheva- Eilat road opened.
April 1958- Timna copper mines start production.
March 1959- Eilat declared a town and a municipality is formed (6,000 residents).
May 1967- Egypt closes the straits of Tiran.
June 1967- Following the six- Day War victory, the straits reopened, enhanced tourism to Sinai via Eilat.
1969- Eilat- Sharm Al- Sheikh road opened to traffic. Eilat now has 13,000 residents. 
 October 1973-Yom Kippur War. Egypt closes Bab El- Mandab Straits (entrance to the Red sea) to ships destined for the port of Eilat.
June 1975- First European charter fight landed in Eilat.
April 1982- Peace Agreement with Egypt, temporary border is drawn at Taba.
October 1985- The Eilat College opens as an independent association, an Institute for higher studies and professional learning.
November 1985- Eilat becomes an international tourist center, with the opening of the tourist season. The Knesset (The Israeli parliament) passes the Eilat Free Trade zone law.
January 1989- Taba returned to Egypt.
October 1994- Signing of the peace Treaty with Jordan.
25th February 1999- Eilat celebrates its 50th jubilee. Population: 50,000.
2005- Eilat has over 11,000 guest rooms and 55,000 residents. The city has border crossing to both Jordan and Egypt.

Attractions, Sites and Places of interest

Due to Eilat's location and geography, the city is able to offer its visitors an endless list of activities. In the following list you can find more than few attractive locations.

Coral world underwater observatory Marine Park

The newly renovated park offers a wide range of breathtaking attractions, fascinating exhibits of Red Sea marine life and Oceanarium Motion Theater.
The museum is open Saturdays to Thursdays 8.30- 16.30, Fridays and holiday eves 08.30- 15.00.
Situated 7 km south of Eilat in the Coral Beach Nature Reserve. Bus no.15.
Tel: (+972) 08- 6364200. www.coralworld.com

Dolphin reef

A unique site in Israel and the world over, where people can meet and observe (from specially built floating piers) dolphins in their natural habitat.
For the whole family- a private beach (no lifeguard), beach chairs, sunshades and restaurant.
Dolphin experience is not included in the entrance fee.
Snorkeling with the dolphins from age 10 and diving with the dolphins from age 8. Recommended to book is advance.
Open daily, southern beach, from 9:00 am.
 Tel: 08- 6371846. www.dolphinreef.co.il

Coral Beach natural reserve

A world of fantastic beauty exists beneath the water of Eilat's sparkling bay. Coral Beach Nature reserve is one of the most famous marine life reserve, the most northern coral reef in the world and the only one in Israel. You will find there an enthralling combination of the most variegated corals which together create picturesque "gardens" and habitat to myriad multicolored tropical fish: colorful butterfly fish, many- hued parrotfish, mulls and many more.
Coral Beach Nature Reserve is located south of Eilat on the Eilat Taba road, opposite the field school. Snorkeling equipment rental (deposit required).
 Open: 09:00- 18:00. Bus no. 15.
Tel: 08- 6376829. www.parks.org.il

Excursions around Eilat:

Southern Eilat mountains- Nahal (River) Shlomo

Length of the route: about eight km.
Duration: about three hours. It is suitable for the entire family.
We start the route at the campground near highway 12 (there are signposts). The route goes through the Nahal Shlomo riverbed (fit for all types of vehicles) and considered easy to walk.
The route continue to the south, and goes to the foot of Yehoshafat Mountain and to its eastern side, continuing south and going east of Rehav'am Mountain.

We cross the Eilat Nature Park and end the route on meeting Route 90. On the way we can notice a variety of rock patterns, in different shapes and colours, and sparse flora which is typical to the area. We pass near the estuary of three streams- Nahal Yehoshafat, Nahal Rehav'am and Nahal Tzfahot, which all flow to the riverbed of Nahal Shlomo. We recommended to walk from both directions: North to South and vice verse.

Tour by Car: The Red Canyon and Nahal Shani
We will take Highway 12 west from Eilat for just 9 km to the Netafim Military Border Crossing. As we pass the mount Hezkiyaho observation point, overlooking 3 countries: Israel, Egypt and Jordan, we'll see a small sign pointing right in the direction of the Red Canyon. We'll descend the dirt path for approximately 1.5 km. To the parking area. The drive from Eilat will take approximately 25 minutes.

We are now ready to begin our pleasant hike on foot. Heading north and continuing on the short dirt path from the parking area (the green path, pointing right), we will begin our descent into the canyon.

Stopping periodically to take in the sights we continue down the small winding canyon and arriving at nahal shani, a wider wadi filled with abundant flora. Going east on the path (right) into the ravine of Nahal Shani, we will continue on the central path towards the Red Canyon. The splendid canyon is only a short part of Nahal Shani, about 300 meters in length, and therefore it is worthwhile to look up at the breathtaking patterns on the sandstone as we go to. As a result of debris in the Nahal Shani riverbed, the sandstone has a red tint. This kind of stone is created from the wearing down of ancient rocks. At the exit of the canyon, where the wadi widens, we climb up a path and return to Nahal Shani and then to the parking area. The hike last between one and two hours, and is suitable for the entire family.

Sites outside the city:

Hai- Bar yotvata Nature Reserve 
 
Animal life in the days of our ancestors was quite different from that in our times. Some animals have become totally extinct and only a few have managed to overcome the many obstacles and survived. About a dozen species of animals have disappeared from Israel's landscape. In 1968 the Hai- bar yotvata Nature Reserve was set up with a view to reintroduce and acclimatize the desert's biblical animals. An area of "Acacia Savannah", with many Acacia trees and with a relative abundance of natural pasture, was fenced. Asiatic Wild Ass (Onager), Addax, White Oryx, Scimitar Oryx, African Wild Ass and Ostrich were brought into the area.
The "Predators Center" is a live exhibition of predators such as Wolves, Tigers, foxes and many others.
The predators roam about in large enclosures and you can observe them through acoustic glass partitions.
Location: In the southern Arava, near kibbutz Sammar, 37km north of Eilat.
Access: Turn east at kibbutz junction and drive 1.5km to the predators Center.
Tour: Acacia Savannah- by private car. Predators center- by walking. 
Entrance fee: required
Visiting hours: open all weekdays & Saturday 09:00- 17:00. Friday & Holidays 09:00- 16:00.
Tel: 08- 6376018     www.parks.org.il
 
Timna Park

Timna Park combines incredible scenery and fun activities for the entire family with a fascinating historical tale.
The park is located approximately 25 kilometers north of Eilat, in the middle of the Red Sea Desert. The horseshoe-shaped park, created by tectonic plate movement tens of millions of years ago, spreads out over an area of 60 square kilometers and is part of the Syrian-African rift.
This extraordinary locale contains within it an astonishing "window" to the geology of the region. On one side are tall, dark, jagged granite peaks. Lying opposite, the softer, rounded red and white sandstone stripes festoon the park. The spectacular landscape of acacia trees and desert plants, along with herds of wandering gazelles and ibex, is displayed against the dramatic backdrop of the mountains.

Copper mining began in Timna more than 6000 years ago, at the end of the fifth millennium BCE.
Timna boasts the world's earliest copper mine, dating from the time when man first began to smelt this metal. Here, also, the technological revolution started, when metal began to be used in daily life. The Egyptians established an enormous copper mining operation in this breathtaking location, between the fourteenth and twelfth centuries BCE from the reign of Seti I through Ramses V. Their partners in this venture were the Midianites from the northern Arabian Peninsula. The ancient Egyptians used donkeys to transport the copper ingots to the only natural port on the Gulf of Eilat, located at Coral Island. Some researchers speculate that this island was also the site of the port that was built and renovated by King Solomon in "Etzion-Geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the Land of Edom" (Kings I). Mining continued through the Roman period, the first and second centuries CE, as well as after the Arab conquest.
The Arava Expedition, headed by Professor Beno Rothenberg, has excavated and restored the various sites in Timna Park over the past thirty years.

Park Hours: 08:00 - 16:00, every day except Fridays and holiday eve (till 13:00).
Summer Hours: (July -August): Sundays and Fridays 08:00 - 13:00 only.
On other days of the week thay are also open from: 18:00 - 20:30. Final visitors enter by 20:00.

Avdat National Park

Founded by the Nabateans in the 4th century BCE, Avdat was a way station along the "Spice Route"- a caravan route for the transportation of herbs, spices, perfumes and treasures from the orient and the Arabian Peninsula, via Petra and the Negev, to the Mediterranean shores.

The Avdat Park is home to two churches, a monastery from the Byzantine period, remains of a villa, observation point and living quarters from the roman period. A baptism site is evidence of the Christian influence on the local Nabateans.
There is information center on the premises offering an audiovisual film. You can receive maps and information on tours of the area and on the spice route.
Open: 8:00- 19:00
Tel: 08- 6555684 or 08- 6554418
 
Ein Avdat National Park

Ein Avdat is a national park with waterfalls and rock formations, rich in desert flora and fauna. Some of the most beautiful walking tours are available here.
Open 7 days a week 08:00- 16:00
Tel: 08- 6555684 or 08- 6554418

Kibbutz Sde Boker- Desert Home of David and Paula Ben- Gurion

David Ben Gurion was the first prime Minister of the state of Israel. In 1953 he resigned from the government and joined the kibbutz. For Ben- Gurion, settling the Negev was a mission of national, military and economic significance.
After his death, it was decided that the house should become a museum and memorial site. The house is open to the public and has been kept as it was during his life.
Open: Sun- Thurs. 08:30- 16:00; Fri- Sat: 08:00- 14:00.
Tel: 08- 6560469     www.bgarchives.ac.il
 
Tourist information center:

Eilat: 08- 6309111
Lev Harava: 08- 6582007
Mitzpe Ramon: 08- 6588691
Har Hanegev: 08- 6557314
Beer sheva: 08- 6234613
Dead Sea: 08- 6594408