Situated about seven kilometres east of Downtown and just south of Heliopolis, Nasr City (Madinat Nasr) is Cairo’s largest residential district.

This concrete, high-rise 1960s suburb is – despite its complete lack of physical charms – the favoured residential location for young, professional Egyptians and one of the most thriving areas of the city. The mega-shopping malls house Cairo’s best cinemas and clothing stores (the only place in the city you’ll find European chains like Benetton).

Other leisure activities are limited though: restaurants are mainly fast-food chains and most of Cairo’s music and arts venues are closer to the city centre. The lack of a metro station means a rather brutal commute (especially in summer) if you work outside the area. Micro-bus services are fast and efficient, if a little hair-raising, and taxis are easy to come by. Average rent for a two-bedroom furnished apartment: 1,000 LE.