Who hasn’t had this ever-bothering question: where to go on the first date? Which place can harmoniously combine the natural urge for intimacy and the spontaneous desire to experience something new with this special person? Could a romantic movie or a tear-jerker accompanied by a good portion of salty popcorn work? Well, it could, if you are too anxious talking to the person. Roaming the streets of Cairo? Well, this is if you are too adventurous or lack any imagination. Started panicking? Don’t, as we have compiled for you a list of places that work best on the first date. Check them out and turn your outing into a fiesta of colourful memories…
 
Treat them to an old-school picnic at Al Azhar park
Covering an area of about 30 hectares, al-Azhar Park is the largest expanse of green in the city and is a peaceful oasis on the edge of the chaotic Islamic Cairo. There is something unbelievably old-fashioned and charming about going out there for a picnic. Pack (or buy) a nice lunch (don’t forget to exclude onions, garlic or spicy food – they are disastrous for your breath), bring a blanket, and have a blast. If you’d rather be waited upon, there are four restaurant/cafés located in the grounds. Because al-Azhar Park is on a hill, you get amazing views all over Cairo. The Citadel View restaurant serves authentic Egyptian and French cuisines. The interiors are done in limestone and the floors are clad with Egyptian rugs. This restaurant is an excellent choice for an intimate dinner.
 
Has anyone ordered a knight-on-a-white-horse delivery?
This is definitely a romantic way to spend some time together. There are many stables near the Sphinx, and FB Stables is one of the best. The horses are well trained, and very well looked after. No matter what your level of experience is, FB Stables will have a horse to suit your requirements.
 
I am sailing… I am sailing…. This time the Nile!
Sailing the Nile on a felucca is one of the few ways to escape the chaos of Cairo, and actually get some peace and quiet! All you can hear is the gentle lapping of the water against the hull, and the flapping of the sails.
There are a number of places to take a felucca ride in Cairo from, opposite the Grand Hyatt Hotel or Maadi are just few of them. In fact, Maadi is particularly recommended, as it has no bridges to interrupt your sailing, and it is a lot more peaceful. You can pick up a felucca from the local ferry port on the Corniche, next to the Grand Café.
You can do a felucca ride at any time of day or night, but by far the best (and most romantic) time to do it is during the sunset.
 
Dine and enjoy on board of M/S Scarabee
One of Cairo's oldest and most famous dinner cruises, this is a splendid way to see the Nile and city skyline at its best. Few restaurants can compete with the romantic setting of dinner on a Nile cruise ship. The M/S Scarabee, managed by Sofitel, is smaller than other river cruise ships but certainly no less elegant. Nightly entertainment includes live music and a belly-dancer. Enjoy a drink on the top deck before indulging in the international buffet. There is a choice selection of grilled meats, chicken and fish, plus many delicious vegetarian dishes. Cruises last two hours.
 
Round and round goes the restaurant…
Located atop of the Grand Hyatt Hotel with a separate entrance and a spaceship-like structure, the restaurant has got plenty of qualities and privileges to offer its guests. To start with, venue’s ambiance is unforgettable, masterfully transferring you into a world of chic and glamour: huge windows instead of walls make the sky and the glimmering stars more accessible, the shining ceiling is held in blue tones (stars are included as well!), making the atmosphere even more romantic; whereas the tiny candles and the splendid view will fill you with awe and admiration. As you could get it from the name, the Revolving Restaurant rotates 360 degrees in one hour, showing its guests a great collection of capital’s greatest views, ranging from the eastern and western banks of the Nile to the great Pyramids.
 
Show your date the windows on the world
Enjoy the best in international cuisine and cocktails at this unique restaurant & bar, which offers exquisite culinary delights from around the world and most definitely, a breathtaking panoramic view of Cairo reaching as far as the Pyramids. Live entertainment at night adds to the charming atmosphere in the romantic low lighting and contemporary décor.
 
Cairo Tower or beyond the horizon, Egyptian style.
The famous Cairo Tower is yet another option for all those longing to experience something breathtaking on their first date. It gives an unbeatable panoramic view of the capital (that’s the highest building in Cairo) and also boasts a rotating restaurant, in which you can enjoy an array of palatable dishes, the mesmerizing view of the city and the company of each other.
 
Regardless of where you go or what you do, make sure your first date includes lots of fun and time alone with each other. Don't waste your whole night in a movie or a club where you can't really talk and interact. Getting to know your date should be the biggest goal of the night. A lot of what makes a date fun is when you both are a little out of your comfort-zone. Experiencing things together brings you closer and gives you your first memories. Make sure they are something that you'll always want to remember and that they’ll bring a smile onto both of your faces whenever you think of them.