New Cairo at a glance
New Cairo was established in 2000 in the Eastern Desert, east of the Ring Road, to ease congestion in Greater Cairo. It was planned as three towns, the First, Third and Fifth Settlements, and by 2024 covered about 40,000 hectares. The Fifth Settlement, known locally as Tagamoa (al-Tagamoa al-Khames), is the best known of the three. The city is home to many gated compounds, private universities, international schools, malls and company headquarters, and the American University in Cairo moved its campus here in 2008.
What you can buy or rent
- Apartments, from compact units to large family flats, many inside compounds.
- Villas, mostly inside gated compounds with pools and clubs.
- Shops, clinics and offices, from units in malls to premises on main roads such as the Mostafa Kamel axis.
Global Property Guide's January 2026 update listed the Fifth Settlement among Egypt's priciest places to buy, so compare total prices and payment terms carefully.
Neighbourhoods and names to know
- Fifth Settlement (Tagamoa): the largest and busiest part of New Cairo, with many of its compounds, schools and malls.
- First and Third Settlements: the other two original towns of New Cairo.
- Katameya: the area around New Cairo's championship golf course, including the Katameya Heights compound.
- Madinaty, Al-Rehab and Mostakbal City: large planned communities within New Cairo, of about 8,000, 3,000 and 11,000 acres respectively.
- Well-known compounds: Mivida, Hyde Park, Mountain View and Taj City are among the many gated communities in New Cairo.
Getting around
Life in New Cairo is largely car-based. Since May 2026 a driverless monorail has run from Cairo Stadium in Nasr City through New Cairo to the New Administrative Capital, which helps if you work in either. The drive into central Cairo can still be slow at busy times.
Before you buy or rent
- Ask for the total price and the full payment schedule, not only the down payment.
- For a unit that is not finished yet, get the handover date in writing and visit the compound to see what is already open.
- Ask about maintenance and club fees, which differ from one compound to another.
- Take independent legal advice before you sign.
Comparing New Cairo with other parts of Cairo? See our Cairo area guide and the New Capital, or read six areas compared.
