Maadi lies on the river Nile about 12 km upstream from downtown Cairo, on the east bank. The river is paralleled by the Corniche, a waterfront promenade of the kind found in many Egyptian towns. The main road into Cairo follows the Corniche. There is no bridge across the Nile at Maadi; the nearest one is Mounib towards central Cairo.

Maadi is the least densely populated neighborhood in Greater Cairo, and much of the town is inhabited by well-to-do Egyptians, as well as expatriates, many of whom are connected with embassies, ambassadorial residences and international corporations located in Maadi. In particular, the Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese, Mongolian and Venezuelan embassies, among others, are located in Maadi. The Cairo office for the USAID is also located in this suburb.