Eilat and vicinities

It takes almost five hours to get from the Tel Aviv iconic Central Bus Station to the Red Sea resort city of Eilat on a bus. The road through the Negev desert is windy and picturesque, especially for those who are not accustomed to such desolate landscapes.

Eilat proper, however, is far from being desolate. Metaphorically far, the desert starts where the city ends.

My friends who live in Eilat for many years were very hospitable. They provided me with a room to stay and were my guides for the whole weekend in and around the city. I wouldn’t be able to see even a fraction of landmarks and points of interest without their help. Otherwise, places like the Timna Park and Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve are pretty much accessible either on a car or as a part of an organized tour only.

Eilat from above with the Red Mountains and the Jordanian side of the gulf in the background

Eilat Mountains

Eilat Mountains with Israel-Egypt border in the background

Timna Park

The Chariots rock engravings area — “The Chariots”, where the rock engravings from the XIV–XII centuries BCE were found

Hai-Bar Yotvata Nature Reserve