Summer Breeze: Beating the Cairo Heat with a Dinner Cruise on the River

Summer Breeze: Beating the Cairo Heat with a Dinner Cruise on the River

Anyone who has spent an absolutely blistering afternoon during the summer in Cairo can attest to how powerful, oppressive and relentless the heat can be. Come July and August, the hot desert sun scorches the concrete canyons and dusty streets of Cairo, the surrounding barren landscape retains heat inside the city streets and by early evening, the urban atmosphere becomes heavy, suffocating and completely exhausting.

Tourists moving around in the historical outdoor sites, the busy streets of downtown or caught up in the traffic congestion during the peak summer season often find themselves exhausted, desperately searching for ways to cool off during the evening hours.

Whereas trying to escape the unbearable heat on the land does not mean closing yourself up in the darkness of your hotel air-conditioned room for the night, there is a timeless and proven method for the job that exists: the refreshing breeze of the River Nile. Booking yourself a dinner cruise at the night can prove to be one of the best ways of doing just that.

1. The Physics of the River: Nature’s Ultimate Air Conditioner

What is it about the experience of venturing out on the open water that is so refreshingly dramatic at night in the midst of an Egyptian summer? Simple geography and physics.

The River Nile is one of the largest, most powerful natural cooling systems running straight through one of the driest areas of the North African continent. As the sun sets beyond the western horizon and the desert area rapidly cools more quickly than large masses of water do, the natural, cooling breeze starts to flow over the surface of the river.

As soon as the cruise ship you're on sails smoothly into the current of the river, the natural cooling breeze of the river hits you like a natural air conditioning system. It instantly blows away all the heat and humidity that has stuck to you and gives you the relief that cannot be compared to the one given by roof-top restaurants and cafes in the city.

2. Air-Conditioned Comfort Meets Open-Air Freedom

The real charm of an indoor Nile dinner cruise in summertime is that you will get the best of both worlds:

Indoor Air-Conditioned Paradise: As soon as you arrive at the boat, you will be able to enter the air-conditioned dining room. There you will have the chance to eat your cold drinks, fresh salads and buffet dinner in cool surroundings, while the boat will prepare for departure and the city lights will begin to turn on.

Open-Air Deck Paradise: After the dinner, when the sun will have completely gone down, you will be able to go upstairs to the open-air deck. Being free from the direct heat and being cooled by the movement of the boat, the upper deck will become the place of the live music and cultural show with views of the bright lights of Cairo around you.

3. Refreshing Summer Dining on the Water

In the Egyptian summer season, food becomes lighter, more refreshing, and full of liquids. That is why an effective menu for the Nile cruise should be adjusted according to these changing preferences of people.

There will not be any hot hearty stews in the summer buffet; instead, there will be refreshing dishes including:

Crisp Vegetable Salads: Crisp salads prepared with herbs and served with fresh lemon juice, garlic, and cold-pressed olive oil.

Chilled Traditional Dips: Chilled dips such as baba ghanoush (chilled roasted eggplant dip) and tahini served with unlimited amount of heated flatbread.

Grilled Dishes: Freshly grilled meats and fish to satisfy your hunger without making you feel bloated in the hot summer.

Cold Drinks and Desserts: Bottled water kept in ice and traditional drinks such as hibiscus karkadeh and mango juice served at the end of the day together with traditional cold dessert.

Practical Tips for Winning the Cairo Summer Night

Here are some tips to ensure your enjoyment and comfort while sailing down the river on a hot day:

Go for Light Textiles: Forget about all those heavy materials, tight synthetic clothes, and dark shades. Go for airy cotton dresses and shirts or trousers that allow your skin to breathe in the cool river breeze.

Later Seating: Although an evening cruise is always beautiful, going a little later than the regular time (say 8:30 pm or 9:00 pm) will ensure that the desert sun has left all its heat outside the city, and you get the coolest breezes on the river.

Final Thoughts: The Coolest Ticket in Town

There is no doubt that the summer weather in Cairo presents its fair share of difficulties; however, there are moments of incredible reward in summer if you know how to spot them. The simple trick of escaping from the intense heat on the streets and moving down to the gentle flow of the Nile will make your summer evenings the best part of your entire trip.