Essentials
- Population
- 53,000
- City
- Eilat, Southern District, Israel
- 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).
Culture and Attractions
- 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.
- Must-See Landmarks
- Underwater Observatory Marine Park (99 ILS entry).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- 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
- 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
- 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.
Working and Networking
- 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.
Transportation
- 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.
- 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).
Health and Wellness
- 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
- 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.