For many citizens, it has become customary to spend the New Year holidays in countries with a mild warm climate. When leaving for Turkey, Egypt or Thailand, people tend to spend their holidays away from relatives and friends in order to avoid numerous holiday gatherings, which become too tiring by the end of the New Year holidays. There are quite a few citizens who go to Eilat in January, despite the fact that at this time of the year there is no beach season.
Eilat - southern resort in Israel
Eilat is located on the Red Sea coast. People come here at any time of the year, but in the summer it is very hot in Israel, so tourists like to visit the country in the autumn-spring months. Despite the fact that the Red Sea is located in the tropical zone, the weather in Eilat in January is very unstable. The local population believes that it is very cold here, it often rains and a cold wind blows. According to our tourists, the city is warm enough, sometimes it will rain a little, there are almost no clouds in the sky.
Based on yearsIt has been observed that the water temperature in Eilat in January averages 20°C. Therefore, if you are lucky with the weather, you can swim in the sea, although the beaches are deserted at this time of the year. Despite the fact that the water in the sea is quite warm, only seasoned and desperate tourists dare to sunbathe on the beach. The temperature in Eilat in January during the day ranges from +18°C to +24°C. At night it is only +9°C, and after 17.00 it begins to drop sharply. This increases the wind, so it does not hurt to have a light jacket or windbreaker with you.
What is the difference between holidays in January
Holidays in Eilat in January are not like holidays at other times of the year. Since weather conditions are not always conducive to 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 take long.
From Eilat to the Dead Sea only 2 hours drive. You can get to it on your own by regular 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. Swimming in the Dead Sea will leave an unforgettable impression.
Many tourists who come to Eilat in January try to visit Jerusalem to see the Judean Desert, visit Vifara - 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 Holy Sepulcher and put a note with a request to the Almighty in the Wailing Wall.
Trips to Egypt and Jordan
From Eilat, you can get to the border with Egypt in less than an hour by regular bus. But most often tourist one- or two-day trips are organized here. Departure from Eilat and crossing the border take place at night so that tourists can see the dawn on Mount Sinai.
During a day trip, travelers visit St. Catherine's Monastery 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 Almighty appeared to Moses, as well as 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 see 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, a trip to Jordan to the ancient city of Petra will be no less interesting. The tour is organized by a Bedouin guide. On the way, tourists are shown seven pillars of wisdom, after which they are brought to Petra, the capital of the ancient Nabatean kingdom. The city was carved into the rocks of the Edom Mountains to protect it from nomads who devastated the settlements of the ancient kingdom. Residential houses, temples, a Roman amphitheater and tombs were cut down in the Red Rocks. In total, there are about 800 structures in Petra.
Excursion to Timna Park
25 km awayfrom Eilat in the Arabian Desert is the natural park Timna. It covers an area of 60 sq. km. During the tour, a stunning natural phenomenon, the Solomon Pillars, opens up to the eyes of tourists. They were formed as a result of sandstone erosion and acquired the most unusual forms. Here you can find a lying lion, an unusually shaped mushroom, arches, a hanging stone. There are also ancient mines in which copper was mined. These are the so-called Mines of King Solomon. Recent research in the area confirms the accuracy of the biblical descriptions.
An exact copy of the Tabernacle was built on the territory of the park. The real Tabernacle was built for sacrifices by Moses during the campaign from Egypt to the Holy Land and eventually collapsed.
Eilat Observatory
The main attraction of the city, which tourists who come to Eilat in January can get acquainted with, is an 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 exposition aquarium contains 360 cubic meters. meters of water, in which a large number of fish, rays, mollusks, turtles and other inhabitants of the reefs live. In one huge aquarium live predatory and herbivorous fish of the most incredible color.
The pride of the observatory is the aquarium, which is home to 22 sharks swimming in the waters of the Red Sea. The main attraction at the observatory is shark feeding.
Other things to do in Eilat
Not far from the observatory is the Dolphin Reef beach. Its territory is fenced with a net, the entrance to the beach is paid. There are pontoons on the reefs from which you can watch dolphins or swim for an additional fee. There is a small piece of America "Texas Ranch" near Eilat. A feature film was filmed on its territory, and when the shooting was over, they turned it into an entertainment center.
Lovers of outdoor activities can take a trip to the mountains. Routes with different levels of difficulty are available for both beginners and experienced climbers. The January weather in Eilat does not interfere with riding horses or camels. For children, pony rides are provided. For young people who come to Eilat in January, there are numerous bars and discos.
