Eilat Digital Nomad Guide - Tips & Local Information
TRANSPORTATION
| Topic |
Details |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline |
Arkia and Israir (flights to Tel Aviv Ben Gurion or Ramon Airport). |
| ✈️ Top International Airline |
Ryanair and Wizz Air (seasonal flights directly to Ramon Airport ETM). |
| 🛣️ Highway Access |
Route 90 (The longest road in Israel) connects Eilat to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub |
Eilat Central Bus Station (HaTmarim Blvd). No train access yet. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes |
Rav-Kav card used for all Egged buses. Day pass 'Hofshi Yom' approx. 15 ILS. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel |
Egged Bus 444 to Jerusalem or 390 to Tel Aviv (Approx. 4-5 hours, 70 ILS). |
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App |
Gett (Global Taxi) is the primary app. Uber is not active in Eilat for private cars. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental |
Eilat Moto (Kamen St) - Electric scooter rentals approx. 100 ILS ($27) per day. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby |
Mosh's Beach - Sustainable, chill vibe, great for working with a view. |
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏥 Best Hospital |
Yoseftal Medical Center (Yotam Rd) - Full-service public hospital. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers |
Yoga Arava (seasonal festivals) or Studio Sol Eilat for daily classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers |
Icon Fitness Eilat (Ice Mall) - Modern gym with memberships around 200 ILS/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services |
Wash & Go (Eilat St) - Self-service or drop-off available. |
FOOD AND DRINK
| Topic |
Details |
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App |
Wolt is the primary delivery service for almost all restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try |
Shakshuka or fresh grilled fish from the Red Sea (Denis/Sea Bream). |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options |
Pesto (HaTmarim Blvd) - Excellent vegan-friendly Italian and Mediterranean salads. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots |
Golda (Ice Mall) - The most popular high-end Israeli boutique gelato chain. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots |
Rami Levy or Yohananof supermarkets for the best local prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store |
KSP.co.il for electronics (VAT-free pickup in Eilat is significantly cheaper). |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery |
Shufersal Online provides scheduled home delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area |
Tourism Center (Merkaz HaTayarut) - Packed with pubs like The Three Monkeys. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery |
The Soof Brewery (HaOrgim St) - Local craft beers brewed in the Eilat desert. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars |
Wine Glass (Promenade) - Boutique Israeli wines with sea views. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls |
Falafel Halev HaRahav (Tourism Center) - Famous local pita and falafel for 25 ILS. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine |
Pasta Basta (Big Center) - Affordable, fresh handmade pasta. |
CULTURE AND ATTRACTIONS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks |
Underwater Observatory Marine Park (99 ILS entry). |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues |
Eilat City Museum - Covers the history of the city's founding and development. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites |
The Ink Flag (Um Rash-Rash) - Commemorating the end of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites |
Central Synagogue of Eilat - Architecturally unique desert structure. |
| 🎉 Annual Events |
Red Sea Jazz Festival (occurring February and August). |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts |
The Artist Gallery Eilat (near the museum) showcasing local desert artists. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues |
The WOW Show by Isrotel - Long-running Vegas-style acrobatic performance. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets |
The Night Market (Promenade) - Jewelry, local crafts, and clothing. |
| 🎼 Music Scene |
Mike’s Place Eilat - Live rock, blues, and international sports. |
| 🎨 Street Art |
Murals along the old 'Amidar' neighborhood social housing blocks. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes |
Lasha Bakery desert bread workshops (located in nearby Mitzpe Ramon). |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries |
Artists' Residence Eilat - Studio spaces and rotating exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings |
The old Eilat Airport terminal (recently decommissioned and repurposed). |
| 🏴 Local Heritage |
The 'Eilat Stone' (Chrysocolla) - specific blue-green gemstone mined nearby. |
NATURE AND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes |
Red Canyon (20 min drive) - Stunning desert hiking through narrow red stone walls. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby |
Coral Beach Nature Reserve - World-class snorkeling right off the shore. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths |
The Eilat Promenade - 5km walk from the Jordanian border toward the Egyptian border. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints |
Mount Yoash - Offers views of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia simultaneously. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations |
International Birding & Research Center Eilat - A major stop for migratory birds. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots |
North Beach designated areas (check local municipal signs for seasonal bans). |
OTHER SERVICES AND AMENITIES
| Topic |
Details |
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service |
Israel Post (Doar Israel) - Main branch at HaTmarim Blvd. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services |
iDigital (Ice Mall) - Official Apple premium reseller and repair. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots |
Abraham Hostel Eilat common area. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes |
Ulpan Eilat - Government-sponsored Hebrew immersion for residents. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots |
Eilat Municipal Library (near City Hall) - Quiet study environment. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers |
Matnas Eilat - Offers workshops and community sports. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges |
Checkmate Gaming Eilat - PC and console gaming lounge. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls |
Note: Casino gambling is illegal in Israel; local 'gaming halls' are for arcade games only. |
BUSINESS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 28,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 35 m² = 980,000 ILS / $268,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 20,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 35 m² = 700,000 ILS / $191,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 25,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 1,250,000 ILS / $342,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 18,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 50 m² = 900,000 ILS / $246,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) |
Approx. 22,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,760,000 ILS / $482,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) |
Approx. 16,000 ILS per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,280,000 ILS / $350,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax |
23% (Standard Israeli rate; some Eilat tech startups get benefits). |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax |
25% - 30% depending on shareholder status. |
| 🏦 Tax System |
Personal tax resident based on 183-day rule; worldwide income taxed. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket |
50% (on income over 55,271 ILS per month). |
| 🧾 VAT |
0% in Eilat (Standard 17% elsewhere in Israel). Huge benefit for digital nomads. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules |
Yes, Israel has comprehensive CFC rules to prevent tax deferral. |
| 🏠 Property Tax |
Arnona - Municipal tax based on square footage and zone; approx. 40-70 ILS per m² annually. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax |
Purchase tax starts at 8% for investment properties, lower for primary residences. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads |
Eilat residents (183+ days) receive a 10% tax credit on income up to a certain ceiling. |
ESSENTIALS
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏙️ City |
Eilat, Southern District, Israel |
| 👥 Population |
53,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed |
95 Mbps avg (Fiber available in most central areas via Bezeq or Unlimited) |
| 💸 Currency & Banking |
Israeli New Shekel (ILS). 1 USD ≈ 3.65 ILS. Note: Eilat is a VAT-free zone (17% cheaper than the rest of Israel). |
| 🚰 Tap Water |
Drinkable, but very hard minerals; most locals use filtered water or 'Me Eden' delivery. |
| 🔌 Power |
230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/H/M sockets. Type H is the unique 3-pin Israeli standard. |
| 📶 SIM Card |
Partner, Cellcom, or Hot Mobile. Typical 100GB plan costs approx. 50 ILS ($14) per month. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats |
Bank Hapoalim or Leumi. Revolut is usable but local cards (Max, Isracard) are better for local apps. |
| 🛌 Accommodation |
Airbnb, Booking.com, and local Facebook groups like 'Apartments for rent in Eilat'. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly |
Yes, cards and Apple/Google Pay are accepted everywhere from malls to small kiosks. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals |
Airbnb options range from $80-$150/night for central studios. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation |
Abraham Hostel Eilat (Shfifon St 3) - approx. 120 ILS ($33) for a dorm bed. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists |
North Beach/Hotel Zone for proximity to malls and the promenade. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads |
The 'Ye'elim' or 'Amidar' neighborhoods for local vibes and lower rent (approx. 3,500 ILS/month for 1BR). |
WORKING AND NETWORKING
| Topic |
Details |
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space |
Hub Eilat (HaTmarim Blvd 2) - Modern space with hot desks from 60 ILS ($16) per day. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work |
Avenue Cafe (HaTmarim Blvd 13) - Reliable Wi-Fi, plenty of outlets, and great coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events |
Eilat Tech Hub meetups and 'Digital Nomads Israel' Facebook group events. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats |
Friday night dinners at Abraham Hostel or English-speaking nights at Mike's Place. |
🧭 CONTINUE EXPLORING EILAT