Eilat's Ice Mall: Israel’s Cool Retreat in the Desert Heat
Eilat, Israel ✈
I recently visited the Ice Mall in Eilat, Israel. This unique shopping center, built in 2012, is not your average mall. What sets it apart is the Olympic-sized ice-skating rink right in its center, a feature that makes it stand out not just in Israel but globally.
Book a Tour: Top Eilat Tours
“The Ice Mall in Eilat offers a unique blend of shopping, dining, entertainment, and sporting activities, making it a fun destination in Israel.”
History of the Ice Mall
Situated on the edge of the lagoon in Eilat, the mall spans approximately 40,000 square meters. Its construction involved meticulous planning by world-class designers, who aimed to create a luxurious yet inviting atmosphere. A striking feature of its architecture is the geodesic dome, constructed using a technique that involves small straight rods forming an impressive spatial system of triangles.
The Ice-Skating Rink
Central to the Ice Mall is the Olympic ice rink covering about 1,800 square meters. It's a hub for figure skating performances every evening, delighting visitors with elegant displays of skill and artistry. The mall also hosts significant sporting events, such as the Giro d’Italia and international figure skating competitions.
Shopping and Dining
Around the ice rink, there are 150 stores offering a wide variety of shopping options. These include international brands across various domains like clothing, footwear, jewelry, and electronics, all available VAT-free. The mall is also a culinary delight, with numerous restaurants, food stands, and cafés, including kosher options.
Attractions and Activities
The Ice Mall is more than just shopping and skating. It hosts over 27 diverse attractions, making it a magnet for visitors looking for entertainment. This includes a range of activities for children and adults alike, from arcade games to bumper car and a Zipcoaster for those who want to fly high around the mall. The mall also serves as a venue for private parties, birthdays, and corporate events, combining these activities with dining options.
Visitor Information
- Working Hours: The mall operates from 09:30 to 23:00 on most days, with slightly different hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Skating Performances: These take place from Monday to Thursday between 17:00 and 17:15.
- Parking: The mall offers several free parking lots for visitors' convenience.
Ice Mall Facts and Features:
Architectural Design
- Geodesic Dome Structure: The mall's architecture is notable for its use of a geodesic dome. This design not only contributes to the mall's aesthetic appeal but also serves a functional purpose in maintaining a comfortable internal environment, essential for the ice rink's operation.
Variety in Shopping
- International Brands: The mall houses a selection of international brands, offering everything from fashion and accessories to cosmetics and electronics.
- VAT-Free Shopping: A key attraction for shoppers is the benefit of VAT-free prices, making purchases more affordable and attractive, especially for tourists.
Seasonal Appeal
- Year-Round Destination: The Ice Mall is a major destination for overseas tourism during the winter months and a central spot for domestic tourism in the summer, making it an all-year-round attraction.
The Ice Mall in Eilat offers a unique blend of shopping, dining, entertainment, and sporting activities, making it a fun destination in Israel. Whether you're looking to escape the heat with some ice skating, enjoy world-class shopping, or just have a fun day out with the family, the Ice Mall has something for everyone. It's a distinctive blend of icy delight amidst the warm, sun-soaked beaches of Eilat.
Book a Tour: Top Eilat Tours
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