This modern planned city east of Cairo has glass-domed universities, interactive fountain shows, and a 35-million-year-old petrified forest within its desert plateau setting.
New Cairo City lies 15 kilometers east of central Cairo. Since its establishment in 2000, this planned city has developed into a major urban center with distinctive landmarks like the glass-domed American University campus, the interactive fountains at Cairo Festival City Mall, and the ancient Petrified Forest Protected Area where you can see 35-million-year-old tree fossils.
Location and Getting Around
New Cairo City occupies a desert plateau 250-307 meters above sea level, east of Cairo's Ring Road. You can reach central Cairo by public bus, with services running every 30 minutes from multiple stations. A new monorail line connecting the area with Nasr City and the New Administrative Capital will open in 2024. The upcoming Capital International Airport will handle 300 passengers per hour on its 3,650-meter runway.
Modern Development
The city covers 70,000 acres with 1.5 million current residents. City planners designed the infrastructure to support 4 million people, with 138 public service buildings spread across different districts. You'll find 28 schools, 12 hospitals, and multiple sports centers throughout the city. The Obour water treatment plant supplies 360,000 cubic meters of drinking water daily to residents.
Education and Business
The American University in Cairo's (AUC) 260-acre campus anchors New Cairo's academic district, alongside the German University in Cairo (GUC). In the industrial zone, 87 active factories operate across 1,090 acres. International companies like GE and El Sewedy Electric have their headquarters in the Fifth Settlement district.
Shopping and Entertainment
At the city's entrance, Cairo Festival City spans 285 hectares, combining retail spaces with landscaped parks. The mall's central plaza includes a choreographed water fountain that performs daily shows. Other shopping destinations include Point 90 mall, Downtown Kattameya's outdoor shopping streets, Porto Cairo's retail complex, and the boutique stores at Emerald Plaza. Current apartment prices in the area average 10,000 Egyptian pounds per square meter.
Parks and Religious Buildings
New Cairo incorporates 1,051 acres of green spaces and tree-lined boulevards. The Virgin Mary and St. Bishoy Coptic Church in the Fifth Settlement welcomes visitors daily, while the Patmos Monastery of St. John the Beloved opens its gardens for quiet walks. You'll find modern mosques in each residential district, many with distinctive contemporary architecture.
