💝 The best Valentine’s Day doesn’t require spending a fortune on gifts — all you need is a little planning. Instead of expensive roses that wilt in a week, or chocolates that disappear in a single sitting, consider something that lasts a little longer… creating a memory.

Creating an experience-based gift requires some forethought, so we’re giving you plenty of time to plan. Whether you choose to stay in, stay in Cairo, or take a trip, these memories will definitely last longer than a bouquet.

For the romantics: the classics done right

#1- Cafelluca: A modernized felucca experience that’s a step up from the traditional, Cafelucca offers 2-hour private cruises with onboard food, drinks, and karaoke — if you want to serenade your significant other. They have set menus with a 3-course Oriental Egyptian dinner and all-you-can-drink sodas, though we would recommend you banked more on the view than the food. Boats depart from Dokki and Maadi, and you can find more booking details on their Instagram page.

#2- Villa Belle Époque: The boutique hotel is hosting an intimate Valentine’s dinner that features a thoughtfully crafted five-course meal with live entertainment and the kind of old-world elegance that’s hard to find in Cairo. Villa Belle Époque is known for its Acacia restaurant, left by world-renowned chefs, situated in a restored historic villa that will hit every box on your romantic atmosphere checklist. You can find booking details on their Facebook page.

#3- DIY picnic: Want a more personal touch to your dinner? There are plenty of beautifulgreen spaces in Cairo to head to for a private picnic for two if you want to venture beyond your garden. Don’t have the cooking chops to impress your date? We would recommend grabbing a delicious selection of sandwiches and pastries from Ratios or Cake Café.

For the adventurous: do something, rather than sit

#1- Remal El Rayan: About three hours from Cairo lies one of Egypt’s first luxury glamping experiences in Wadi El Rayan. You and your better half can stay in geodomes or safari suites with private jacuzzis and stargazing from your bed — literally, some tents have skylights you can open. The camp offers sandboarding, beach buggies, ziplining, 4×4 desert adventures, and delicious meals at their restaurant Lummaya. It’s camping without sacrificing hot showers or comfortable beds. Booking information can be found on their Instagram page.

#2- Skydive Pharaohs: For couples with ironclad guts, consider tandem skydiving. Skydive Pharaohs is the first USPA-certified skydiving provider in the country. No experience required — they offer tandem jumps for beginners alongside qualified instructors. They also have paramotor flights, microlight tours, and even tethered helium balloon rides. You can get more information on their Instagram page.

#3- Pyramids Diving Center: Afraid of heights? Ditch the jumpsuit for diving gear. Pyramids Diving Center gives you the chance to explore the beauty of the Red Sea’s vibrant reefs together, whether you’re certified divers or want to try it for the first time. Probably beats dinner and a movie, right? You can find the booking details on their website.

For the foodies: the way to the heart is via the stomach

#1- Mamushka: A Maadi gem that’s part cooking class, part private dining experience. Mamushka hosts private dinners where Chef Mariam cooks a customized meal just for you. You can also opt for cooking classes where you learn to make anything from Italian to Indian dishes together, then eat what you’ve made. The space feels like being hosted at someone’s home — cozy, intimate, and completely different from a regular restaurant meal. Booking information is available on their Instagram page.

#2- The Cooking School: Professional-level culinary classes in a fully equipped commercial kitchen. Book a private class for just the two of you and pick your cuisine — Italian, Egyptian, pastry, etc. — and leave with skills you’ll use again for each other. You can find more information about their courses on Instagram.

#3- Chef On-Demand by Breadfast: Want a cozy night in with marvelous food? Breakfast’s Chef On-Demand service sends a vetted professional chef to chook in your kitchen, handling everything from planning the menu, buying ingredients, cooking, serving, and cleaning up. All you need to do is eat. You can find your chef and book your romantic dinner by visiting the Chef On-Demand website.

For the indulgent: go big or go home

#1- Nev Spa: Pamper yourself and your loved one through one of Nev’s three couples packages. These include a combination of Turkish baths, hair masks, body masks, royal hammams, facials. and 50-minute massages to leave you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and squeaky clean. You can find the available packages on their website.

#2- Marinoz: Rent a private boat or yacht in Gouna or Hurghada for the day, cruise the Red Sea, snorkel at reefs, and have lunch on board. Marinoz can arrange everything from speedboats to luxury yachts depending on how extravagantly you want to spoil yourselves. All information on booking and the available vessels can be found on their website.

#3- Zawya Cinema: Rent out a theater for a private screening of your favorite films or your first date movie in a historic downtown cinema with just the two of you. Films need to be in DCP or BluRay format, and they can help secure rights for specific titles. More interesting than whatever’s at the mall, and the crowd will be decidedly better. Find more information on Zawya’s website.

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