Why come to Eilat in January

For many citizens it has become customary to spend New Year holidays in countries with a mild warm climate. Leaving for Turkey, Egypt or Thailand, people are eager to spend a vacation away from relatives and friends, to avoid the numerous holiday gatherings, which by the end of the New Year holidays are becoming too tiring. There are many citizens who go to Eilat in January, despite the fact that at this time of the year there is not a beach season.

Eilat - southern resort in Israel

Eilat is located on the coast of the Red Sea. Come here at any time of the year, but in the summer in Israel is very hot, so tourists like to visit the country in the autumn-spring months. Despite the fact that the Red Sea is in the tropics, the weather in Eilat in January is very unstable. The local population believes that it is very cold here, it often rains and the cold wind blows. According to our tourists, the city is warm enough, sometimes there will be a little rain, clouds in the sky almost never happen.

On the basis of long-term observations, it was noted that the water temperature in Eilat in January averages 20 ° C. Therefore, if you are lucky with the weather, then you can swim in the sea, although on the beaches at this time of year is deserted. Despite the fact that the water in the sea is quite warm, only hardened and desperate tourists can decide to sunbathe on the beach. The temperature in Eilat in January afternoon ranges from +18 ° C to + 24 ° C. At night it is only + 9 ° C, and after 17.00 hours starts to drop sharply. This increases the wind, so it's okay to have a light jacket or windbreaker with you.

What is the difference in January

Rest in Eilat in January does not look like a rest at any other time of the year. Since weather conditions do not always have time for spending time on the beach, many tourists take walks around the city or get acquainted with the sights of Israel. Eilat is a small city in a small state. Moving from one place to another does not last long.

From Eilat to the Dead Sea, only 2 hours drive. You can get there by yourself using a public bus or book an excursion to get acquainted with the most interesting places. On the way tourists will be shown a reserve with waterfalls and wild animals, the cave of David, the ancient fortress of Masada on top of a cliff. An unforgettable experience will leave swimming in the Dead Sea.

Many tourists who come to Eilat in January, try to visit Jerusalem to see the Judean desert, visit Bethar - the place where Jesus was baptized in the waters of the Jordan, visit the Old City of Jerusalem, see the Way of the Cross, visit the Church of the Holly Sepulcher and attach a note with a request To the Most High in the Wailing Wall.

Travel to Egypt and Jordan

From Eilat, you can reach the border with Egypt by bus in less than an hour. But most often there are one or two-day tourist trips. Departure from Eilat and crossing the border occur at night, so that tourists can see the dawn on Mount Sinai.

During a one-day excursion, travelers visit the monastery of St. Catherine near Mount Sinai. During the inspection of the shrine they will see the well of Moses, the Burning Bush, in the flame of which the Most High appeared to Moses, and also the chapels of the Holy Spirit, John the Theologian, John the Baptist. In total there are 12 chapels and the basilica of the Transfiguration on the territory of the monastery.

On the second day of their stay in Egypt, tourists can get acquainted with the sights of Cairo, visit the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, see the famous Egyptian pyramids and the Sphinx.

For those who came to Eilat in January, no less interesting is the trip to Jordan to the ancient city of Petra. The tour is organized by a Bedouin guide. On the way tourists are shown seven pillars of wisdom, after which they bring to Petra, the capital of the ancient Nabataean kingdom. The city was cut down in the rocks of the Edom mountains for protection from nomads who devastated the settlements of the ancient kingdom. In the Red rocks, houses, temples, a Roman amphitheater and tombs were cut down. In total there are about 800 buildings in Petra.

Excursion to the park of Timna

25 km from Eilat in the Arabian desert is located the nature park of Timna. It covers an area of 60 square meters. Km. During the tour, the gaze of tourists is opened with a stunning natural phenomenon - Solomon's pillars. They formed as a result of sandstone erosion and acquired the most unusual forms. Here you can find a lying lion, an unusual form of mushroom, arch, hanging stone. Here are the ancient mines in which copper was mined. These are the so-called Copies of King Solomon. Recent studies that have been conducted in this area confirm the validity of the biblical descriptions.

On the territory of the park an exact copy of the Tabernacle is built. The real Tabernacle was built for the sacrifices of Moses during the campaign from Egypt to the Holy Land and eventually collapsed.

Observatory in Eilat

The main attraction of the city, which tourists can come to Eilat in January, is the underwater observatory, built in 1975 on a coral reef. It is the first complex in which you can observe the beauty of the underwater world. The aquarium exhibits 360 cube. Meters of water, which is home to a large number of fish, stingrays, mollusks, turtles and other reef inhabitants. In one huge aquarium live predatory and herbivorous fish of the most incredible color.

The pride of the observatory is the aquarium, in which 22 sharks live, floating in the waters of the Red Sea. The main attraction in the observatory is the feeding of sharks.

Other entertainment in Eilat

Near the observatory is the beach "Dolphin Reef". Its territory is fenced with a grid, the entrance to the beach is paid. On the reefs there are pontoons, from which you can monitor dolphins or swim for an additional fee. Next to Eilat there is a small piece of America "Texas ranch". On its territory a feature film was shot, and when the shooting ended, it turned into an entertainment center.

Fans of outdoor activities can make a trip to the mountains. Routes with different levels of difficulty are available for beginners and experienced climbers. January weather in Eilat does not interfere with making trips on horseback or camels. For children there are pony rides. For young people who come to Eilat in January, there are numerous bars and discos.