Sudan · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Sudan
Sudan's best places, from the pyramids of Meroe and Jebel Barkal to the reefs off Port Sudan and the Sufi gatherings of Omdurman. Many are closed or out of reach during the war, so check current travel advice before planning any visit.
Places to Visit in Khartoum
Nature and Outdoors
- Al Mogran, the confluence of the Niles (Al Mogran)
The point where the Blue and White Nile meet, with two colours of water running side by side. - Tuti Island (Tuti)
A farming island in the middle of the confluence, with fields, palms and village lanes. - Sunt Forest (Al Mogran)
Acacia woodland on the White Nile where migrating birds gather in winter. - Jebel Aulia Dam (Jebel Aulia)
A dam on the White Nile south of the city, known for fishing and Friday picnics. - Tuti Bridge at sunset (Tuti)
The suspension bridge to Tuti Island glows over the confluence at dusk.
Events
- Hamed al-Nil Tomb Friday dhikr (Omdurman)
Sufi dervishes in patched green and red robes whirl and chant at sunset every Friday. - Mawlid al-Nabi celebrations (Omdurman)
Tents, drums and sweets fill the squares for the Prophet's birthday.
Arts and Culture
- Tomb of the Mahdi (Omdurman)
The silver domed tomb of the nineteenth century leader who drove out the Turco Egyptian rulers. - Khartoum Great Mosque (Souq Arabi)
The landmark mosque at the heart of the old commercial centre. - St Matthew's Catholic Cathedral (Nile Street)
A graceful early twentieth century cathedral on the Blue Nile waterfront.
Shopping and Markets
- Souq Omdurman (Omdurman)
One of the largest markets in Sudan, with silver, spices, leather, perfume and wedding goods. - Souq Arabi (Khartoum Centre)
The sprawling central market where Khartoum shops for everything from fabric to phones.
Things to Do
- Nile Street (Khartoum Centre)
The riverside boulevard where families stroll and tea sellers set out stools in the evening. - Kerreri battlefield (Omdurman)
The desert plain where the 1898 Battle of Omdurman was fought, with memorial stones.
Cafés
- Sitt al-shai tea sellers on Nile Street (Nile Street)
Spiced tea and coffee brewed by tea ladies on low stools, the true Khartoum café.
Restaurants
- Mawrada fish market (Omdurman)
Fresh Nile perch fried to order beside the river in Omdurman.
Places to Visit in Port Sudan
Things to Do
- Port Sudan Corniche (Port Sudan Centre)
The seafront promenade where families gather each evening to catch the breeze. - Port Sudan harbour (Port Sudan Centre)
Watch container ships and dhows come and go from the country's main port. - Port Sudan old town (Port Sudan Centre)
Coral stone colonial buildings from the city's founding years.
Restaurants
- Port Sudan fish market (Port Sudan Centre)
Pick your fish and have it grilled on the spot, Red Sea style. - Corniche seafood grills (Corniche)
Evening grills along the seafront serving fish with bread and salad.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sanganeb Marine National Park (Sanganeb Reef)
A coral atoll with a lighthouse and some of the clearest water in the Red Sea. - Umbria wreck (Wingate Reef)
An Italian cargo ship scuttled in 1940, one of the world's finest wreck dives. - Sha'ab Rumi (Sha'ab Rumi Reef)
Site of Jacques Cousteau's undersea village, famous for hammerhead sharks. - Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island (Dungonab)
A remote bay with manta rays, dugongs and nesting seabirds. - Arous beach (Arous)
A sandy cove north of the city with reef just off the shore. - Sha'ab Suedi (Sha'ab Suedi Reef)
A reef with the wreck of a cargo of Toyota trucks lying on the sand. - Towartit Reef (Towartit)
A fringing reef close to town, good for snorkelling and shore dives. - Corniche sunset (Corniche)
The Red Sea turns gold as the call to prayer drifts across the bay. - Angarosh reef (Angarosh)
A remote reef known for sharks and big pelagic fish.
Shopping and Markets
- Port Sudan main souq (Port Sudan Centre)
The busy central market for spices, cloth and coffee pots. - Port Sudan gold souq (Port Sudan Centre)
Rows of goldsmiths selling Sudanese wedding jewellery.
Stays
- Coral Port Sudan Hotel (Port Sudan Centre)
The established seafront hotel used by many official and business visitors.
Cafés
- Beja jebena coffee sellers (Port Sudan Centre)
Strong ginger spiced coffee poured from clay jebena pots, a Beja tradition.
Events
- Red Sea liveaboard season (Port Sudan)
From autumn to spring, dive boats set out to the northern and southern reefs.
Arts and Culture
- Beja sword and dance performances (Port Sudan)
Beja men perform sword dances at weddings and national celebrations.
Places to Visit in Suakin
Arts and Culture
- Suakin Island old town (Suakin Island)
Ruins of a coral stone trading city that was the Red Sea's great port for centuries. - Hanafi and Shafi'i mosques (Suakin Island)
Restored historic mosques on the island, among its few standing buildings. - Kitchener's gate (Suakin)
Fortifications from the British campaigns of the 1880s on the mainland.
Things to Do
- Suakin causeway (Suakin)
The causeway linking the island to the mainland town of El Geyf. - Suakin ferry port (Suakin)
The port for ferries to Jeddah, busy with pilgrims before Hajj.
Shopping and Markets
- Suakin market (El Geyf)
A dusty mainland market where Beja herders trade camels and goats.
Nature and Outdoors
- Suakin lagoon (Suakin)
The calm inlet around the island where egrets and herons feed.
Cafés
- Beja coffee in El Geyf (El Geyf)
Sit with herders for jebena coffee by the market.
Events
- Hajj pilgrim season (Suakin)
The ferry terminal fills with pilgrims bound for Jeddah.
Places to Visit in Meroe
Arts and Culture
- Pyramids of Meroe (Bagrawiya)
Dozens of steep royal pyramids of the Kushite kings rising from the desert. - Royal City of Meroe (Bagrawiya)
Remains of the Kushite capital, with palaces, temples and iron slag heaps. - Naqa temples (Naqa)
The Lion Temple and Amun Temple, with carvings mixing Egyptian and Kushite styles. - Musawwarat es-Sufra (Musawwarat)
The Great Enclosure, a mysterious temple complex with elephant carvings. - Wad Ban Naqa (Wad Ban Naqa)
A lesser known Kushite site by the Nile with a palace and temple.
Shopping and Markets
- Shendi souq (Shendi)
The nearest big market town, good for supplies and fresh fruit.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sabaloka Gorge, the Sixth Cataract (Sabaloka)
The Nile squeezes through a rocky gorge in a rare stretch of rapids. - Sunrise over the northern cemetery (Bagrawiya)
First light turns the pyramids and dunes deep orange. - Bayuda dunes at Bagrawiya (Bagrawiya)
Golden dunes roll right up to the pyramid field.
Things to Do
- Camel ride among the pyramids (Bagrawiya)
Local camel owners offer short rides across the dunes.
Places to Visit in Karima
Arts and Culture
- Jebel Barkal (Karima)
The sacred flat topped mountain of Kush, with pyramids at its foot. - Temple of Amun at Jebel Barkal (Karima)
Ruins of the great temple to Amun beneath the mountain's cliff. - El Kurru royal tombs (El Kurru)
Painted underground tombs of the kings who ruled Egypt as the 25th Dynasty. - Nuri pyramids (Nuri)
The pyramid field of Taharqa, the largest pyramid of Kush. - Old Dongola (Old Dongola)
Ruins of a medieval Christian Nubian kingdom with a throne hall and churches. - Ghazali monastery (Bayuda)
Ruins of a medieval Christian monastery in a desert valley. - Sanam temple ruins (Merowe)
The remains of a temple and storehouses across the river from Karima.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sunset from the top of Jebel Barkal (Karima)
Climb the mountain for views over the Nile, the palms and the desert. - Petrified forest near El Kurru (El Kurru)
Fossilised tree trunks scattered across the desert floor. - Bayuda Desert (Bayuda)
Black volcanic hills and craters crossed by camel caravans. - Date palm gardens of Karima (Karima)
Shady Nubian farms where families grow dates beside the Nile.
Shopping and Markets
- Karima souq (Karima)
A relaxed market town souq selling dates, cloth and tea.
Things to Do
- Merowe Dam viewpoint (Merowe)
Sudan's huge hydroelectric dam on the Fourth Cataract.
Places to Visit in Kassala
Nature and Outdoors
- Taka Mountains (Kassala)
Granite domes rising straight from the plain above the city. - Toteel spring (Khatmiyya)
A spring at the mountain's foot; local saying holds that a drink means you will return. - Gash river orchards (Gash)
Fruit gardens of mango, banana and guava beside the seasonal Gash river. - Kassala sunset from the Gash bridge (Gash)
The Taka Mountains glow pink in the evening.
Arts and Culture
- Khatmiyya Mosque (Khatmiyya)
A historic Sufi mosque at the foot of the Taka Mountains.
Shopping and Markets
- Kassala souq (Kassala Centre)
A colourful market where Beja, Rashaida and Hadendowa traders meet.
Cafés
- Jebena coffee at Toteel (Khatmiyya)
Sit under the mountain for spiced coffee from clay pots.
Things to Do
- Climb Jebel Taka (Kassala)
Scramble up the granite for views to the Eritrean border hills.
Restaurants
- Kassala fruit stalls (Kassala Centre)
Fresh mango and guava juice from the city's famous orchards.
Events
- Khatmiyya religious gatherings (Khatmiyya)
Sufi celebrations at the shrine on religious holidays.
Places to Visit in Atbara
Arts and Culture
- Sudan Railways workshops (Atbara)
The historic railway town where Sudan's trains were built and serviced.
Places to Visit in Dongola
Arts and Culture
- Kawa temple ruins (Dongola)
A Kushite temple of Taharqa on the Nile near Dongola.
Places to Visit in Sai Island
Arts and Culture
- Sai Island (Sai Island)
A Nile island with pharaonic, Christian and Ottoman ruins layered together.
Places to Visit in Soleb
Arts and Culture
- Temple of Soleb (Soleb)
A beautiful Egyptian temple built by Amenhotep III on the Nile.
Places to Visit in Jebel Marra
Nature and Outdoors
- Jebel Marra (Darfur)
A volcanic massif with crater lakes and waterfalls, off limits in the war.
Places to Visit in Dinder
Nature and Outdoors
- Dinder National Park (Sennar)
A wetland park for antelope, birds and, rarely, lions.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- National Museum of Sudan (Al Mogran, Khartoum)
Home to rescued Nubian temples and Kushite treasures, damaged and looted in the war. - Khalifa House Museum (Omdurman, Khartoum)
The mud brick home of the Mahdi's successor, filled with relics of the Mahdist state. - Ethnographic Museum (Khartoum Centre, Khartoum)
A small collection on the crafts and daily life of Sudan's many peoples. - Republican Palace Museum (Khartoum Centre, Khartoum)
Presidential cars, gifts and history beside the old palace on the Blue Nile. - Omdurman camel market (Omdurman, Khartoum)
A huge livestock market on the city's western edge where traders haggle over camels. - Corinthia Hotel Khartoum (Al Mogran, Khartoum)
The egg shaped tower on the Nile that defined the skyline before the war. - Al Salam Rotana Khartoum (Khartoum Centre, Khartoum)
A big international hotel that was a business favourite before the conflict. - Acropole Hotel (Khartoum Centre, Khartoum)
A historic family run hotel long loved by archaeologists and writers. - Grand Holiday Villa (Nile Street, Khartoum)
A colonial era hotel on the Blue Nile with a long history of famous guests. - Afra Mall (Al Amarat, Khartoum)
Khartoum's first modern mall, with shops, a supermarket and a bowling alley. - Ozone Café (Al Amarat, Khartoum)
A garden café that was a favourite meeting spot for young Khartoum. - Papa Costa (Khartoum Centre, Khartoum)
A long standing café and bakery known for pastries and ice cream. - Blue Nile Sailing Club (Nile Street, Khartoum)
Home of the gunboat Melik from Kitchener's campaign, moored on the Blue Nile. - Omdurman Ahfad University gardens (Omdurman, Khartoum)
The campus of a pioneering women's university, founded by the Badri family. - Al Riyadh ferry crossing (Tuti, Khartoum)
Small boats still ferry villagers across to Tuti Island. - Souq al-Shaabi (Khartoum, Khartoum)
The bus station market where traders from every region sell their goods. - Sheikh Qariballah mosque (Omdurman, Khartoum)
A Sufi centre in Omdurman with lively gatherings on religious holidays. - Bohein Hotel (Port Sudan Centre, Port Sudan)
A mid range city hotel close to the souq. - Salah al Din market (Port Sudan, Port Sudan)
A neighbourhood market where locals buy fruit, fish and household goods. - Red Sea liveaboard dive boats (Port Sudan harbour, Port Sudan)
Sleeping on board is the classic way to reach the outer reefs. - Suakin grilled fish stalls (El Geyf, Suakin)
Simple grills serving the morning catch. - Meroe Tented Camp (Bagrawiya, Meroe)
A tented camp facing the pyramids, run by the Italian Tourism Company. - Tea stop at Bagrawiya village (Bagrawiya, Meroe)
Roadside tea and ful in the village by the pyramids. - Nile bank picnic at Kabushiya (Kabushiya, Meroe)
A green stretch of river near the ruins for shade and birdwatching. - El Hassa temple (El Hassa, Meroe)
A Kushite temple site where ram statues have been excavated. - Desert camping near Naqa (Naqa, Meroe)
Sleeping under the stars beside the temples with a specialist operator. - Nubian Rest House (Karima, Karima)
A Nubian style guesthouse facing Jebel Barkal, run by the Italian Tourism Company. - Nile ferry to Merowe (Karima, Karima)
Cross the river with farmers and goats on the local ferry. - Karima ful and tamiya stalls (Karima, Karima)
Simple breakfast stalls serving beans and falafel with fresh bread. - Nubian village homestays (Karima, Karima)
Painted Nubian houses where hospitality is offered to travellers. - Rashaida market day (Kassala, Kassala)
Rashaida women in embroidered veils trade crafts and goods. - Toteel Hotel (Kassala, Kassala)
A simple city hotel close to the mountains. - Lake Nubia ferry (Wadi Halfa, Wadi Halfa)
The ferry between Sudan and Egypt across the lake formed by the Aswan dam. - Wad Madani souq (Wad Madani, Wad Madani)
The market of the Gezira farming region. - Shendi riverside tea (Shendi, Shendi)
Tea under the trees by the Nile in the old market town.