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Sudan

Wake at the break of day under the golden pyramids of godlike kings of old, traverse a searing desert to the place where two Niles become one, and watch a million ruby-red fish swarm through gardens of coral. For the few travelers who venture here, the sights found amongst Sudan's sweeping hills of sand come as a fantastic surprise.

Various conflicts long put part of this vast nation off limits, but recent relative calm could lead to visitors rediscovering Sudan's 1st-century temples, thundering granite mountains and undeveloped diving in the Red Sea. Whether you rush through on a Cairo-to–Cape Town trip, or spend a slow month soaking up the history, visiting Sudan is a memorable experience.

Explore Sudan

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Sudan.

  • Archaeological Site

    Meroe Pyramids

    Seemingly lost under the folds of giant apricot-coloured dunes, this ancient royal cemetery, with its clusters of narrow pyramids blanketing the sand…

  • Islamic Site

    Hamed el-Nil Tomb

    Every Friday afternoon you can see an incredible Sufi ritual, where a colourful local troupe of whirling dervishes belonging to the Sufi community stirs…

  • Historic Site

    Soleb

    A little south of Abri, for many travellers the wonderfully evocative Egyptian temple of Soleb is the highlight of the journey between Dongola and Wadi…

  • Museum

    National Museum

    This museum, the best in Sudan, has some breathtaking exhibits. The ground floor covers the rise and fall of the kingdoms of Kerma, Kush and Meroe. There…

  • Mosque

    Khatmiyah Mosque

    At the base of the Taka Mountains is this spectacular mosque, centre of the Khatmiyah Sufi sect. It's a lovely mudbrick building with a pointed octagonal…

  • Historic Site

    Sai Island

    With a temple from Egypt's Middle Kingdom, an Ottoman fort and a medieval church among the many ruins, Sai Island is something of a synopsis of ancient…

  • Museum

    Kerma Museum

    Next to Kerma's western deffufa is this well organised museum that contains interesting relics from the site, including seven imposing granite statues and…

  • Archaeological Site

    Western Deffufa

    A 15-minute walk away from town, this massive mudbrick temple stood about 19m high and stretched 50m long. Nobody is really certain what it was used for…

  • Archaeological Site

    Jebel Barkal

    Jebel Barkal, the tabletopped mountain hanging on the town's south side, was sacred ground for the Egyptians at the time of the 18th-dynasty pharaohs. At…

  • Archaeological Site

    Naqa

    Naqa consists of a large and well-preserved temple of Amun dating from the 1st century CE. Notable features include a hypostyle hall with splendid columns…

  • Ruins

    El Kurru

    The royal cemetery of El Kurru, 20km south of Karima, contains the remains of dozens of tombs. Most have either faded away to virtually nothing, or the…

  • Historic Site

    Musawarat es-Suffra

    Musawarat is the largest Meroitic temple complex in Sudan. Its purpose remains a little unclear, though it's believed to have served as a pilgrimage site…

  • Ruins

    Old Dongola

    The city of Old Dongola was capital of the Christian kingdom of Makuria between the 7th and 14th centuries and at its peak it was home to dozens of…

  • Market

    Kassala Souq

    Kassala has one of Sudan's best markets, and a visit is a must. It's a maze of alleys and side streets lined with shops and stalls where myriad items are…

  • Archaeological Site

    Eastern Deffufa

    This site is thought to have been a royal cemetery. Around the kings' tombs archaeologists have discovered some 30,000 other graves, many of whose…

  • Monument

    Nuri

    At Nuri, across the river from Jebel Barkal, there are some delightfully dilapidated pyramids – among the largest in Sudan – lost among a stormy sea of…

  • Ruins

    Suakin Island

    Suakin Island was Sudan's only port before the construction of Port Sudan. Abandoned in the 1930s, it's now a melancholy ghost town, full of crumbling…

  • Viewpoint

    White Nile Bridge

    The confluence of the Blue and White Niles, best seen from this bridge, is a languid high point of the world's longest river. You can actually see the…

  • Museum

    Ethnographical Museum

    This museum contains a small but fascinating collection of tribal artefacts from across Sudan. Displays are ordered by geographic region and illustrate…

  • Museum

    Karima Museum

    This small museum near the Temple of Amun contains finds from around Jebel Barkal, including statues. There are panels in English. It also sells tickets…

Top experiences

Whether it’s a guided tour of a historic landmark, private tasting of local delicacies, or an off-road adventure — explore the best experiences in Sudan.

  • Activities