Sudan is a travel destination in Northern Africa. Its capital is Khartoum. January and December are its two best months to visit, ranked on 1991–2020 climate averages.
Top places to visit in Sudan
Pyramids of Meroe (landmark, River Nile) — Dozens of steep Nubian pyramids rising from the Eastern Desert — capital of the ancient Kushite kingdom (300 BC–350 AD); more pyramids than Egypt and far fewer crowds.
Jebel Barkal (landmark, Northern) — UNESCO World Heritage site — sacred 75 m sandstone butte with a Pharaonic temple complex at its base; once the religious capital of the Nubian kingdom of Napata.
Old Dongola (landmark, Northern) — Ancient Nubian city on the Nile — ruins of a massive Christian cathedral, the Throne Hall, and Islamic mosques spanning 1,500 years of history on the desert riverbank.
Naga Temple Complex (landmark, River Nile) — Remote desert temples of Naga — the Lion Temple with carved warrior reliefs, a Roman kiosk, and the Amun temple; no tour groups, just pure archaeological wonder.
Musawwarat es-Sufra (landmark, River Nile) — UNESCO-listed Kushite sacred complex — the Great Enclosure with elephant-decorated columns, temple graffiti by ancient travellers, and mystifying multi-chamber passageways.
Khartoum National Museum (landmark, Khartoum) — Sudan's finest museum — relocated Nubian temples rescued from Lake Nasser flooding, royal mummies, and gold jewellery from the Kingdom of Kush and Meroe.
Karima & Nuri Pyramids (landmark, Northern) — Quieter royal necropolis upstream of Meroe — 20 Nubian pyramids of the 25th Dynasty pharaohs (including Taharqa) scattered across desert sand by the Nile bend.
Wadi Halfa & Lake Nasser (city, Northern) — Frontier town at Sudan's Egyptian border — sunset views over the vast reservoir, Nubian communities displaced by the Aswan Dam, and weekly ferry crossing to Aswan.
Omdurman Camel Market (city, Khartoum) — One of the world's largest camel markets held every Friday morning — hundreds of camels gathered from across the Sahara; a living window into trans-desert trade routes.
Kassala & Taka Mountains (city, Kassala) — Eastern frontier city at Eritrean border — dramatic granite domes rising from the plains, sprawling Rashaida nomad camps, and Beja camel-herder culture.