Must-see attractions in Khartoum

  • Sudan National Museum in Khartoum.

    National Museum

    Khartoum

    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…

  • Hamed el-Nil Tomb

    Khartoum

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

  • White Nile Bridge

    Khartoum

    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…

  • Ethnographical Museum

    Khartoum

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

  • Commonwealth War Cemetery

    Khartoum

    This WWII cemetery contains numerous headstones (but no actual bodies). The Allies used Khartoum as a base to invade present-day Ethiopia to expel the…

  • Nuba Wrestlers

    Khartoum

    In this Khartoum wrestling area, you’ll find traditional wrestlers going through their paces at roughly 4pm on Fridays. The tournament attracts hundreds…

  • Camel Market

    Khartoum

    On the far western edge of Khartoum, this market is spectacular, especially on Saturday, but there is no public transport (a taxi will cost at least S£150…

  • Omdurman Souq

    Khartoum

    This famous souq – the largest in Sudan – is abuzz with noise, activity and colour, and a couple of hours' exploration is bound to turn up all manner of…

  • St Matthew's Cathedral

    Khartoum

    With its various turrets, slender spires and a large rose window, this building resembles a fairy-tale castle. There are services on Sunday.

  • Coptic Church

    Khartoum

    Khartoum's Coptic minority uses this church off the main drag along the Nile. It's an elegant building, with two imposing bell towers.

  • Khalifa's House Museum

    Khartoum

    The Mahdi's successor lived across the street, and this 1887 museum showcases the history of the Mahdi era.

  • Al-Kabir Mosque

    Khartoum

    This architecturally impressive mosque is a major landmark in the centre.

  • Mahdi's Tomb

    Khartoum

    This rocket-topped tomb is worth making the effort to see. Respectfully dressed foreigners are generally allowed inside. The original was destroyed on…

  • Republican Palace Museum

    Khartoum

    Housed in a converted Anglican church, this is a hall of heroes, of sorts, with mementos such as presidential limos and General Gordon's piano. It's worth…