Africa · Northern Africa

Sudan

Republic of the Sudan

Flag of Sudan
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+03:00
🏛️ Capital
Khartoum
👥 Population
51,662,000
📐 Area
1,886,068 km²
💱 Currency
Sudanese pound (ج.س)
🗣️ Languages
Arabic, English
📞 Calling Code
+249
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+03:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Northern Africa

About Sudan

Sudan is home to more ancient pyramids than Egypt, yet remains almost entirely unknown to international tourists — a fact that makes it one of the most extraordinary undiscovered destinations on Earth. Straddling the Sahara and sub-Saharan Africa, this vast country contains the ruins of some of the ancient world's most powerful civilisations: the Kushite kingdoms of Meroe, Kerma, and Napata, whose pyramids and temples line the banks of the Nile with an eerie, magnificent solitude that no tourist crowd will interrupt. For the historically minded traveller willing to navigate the challenges, Sudan offers an encounter with antiquity that Egypt can no longer provide.

Khartoum, the capital, sits at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile — one of the world's great geographical phenomena — and has a gritty, fascinating energy shaped by its position as a crossroads between Arab North Africa and black sub-Saharan Africa. The National Museum holds some of the finest Nubian artefacts in the world, including entire temple facades rescued before the Aswan Dam flooded Nubia. North of Khartoum, the Nile Valley contains ancient sites of the Meroitic civilisation whose art and architecture blend Egyptian, African, and Hellenistic influences in ways that archaeologists are still working to fully understand.

It must be noted that Sudan has faced significant political instability, particularly since the military coup of 2021 and subsequent escalating conflict in 2023. Travel to Sudan is currently not recommended by most governments. This profile is provided for informational purposes and future reference, and travellers should monitor the situation closely before considering any visit.

History & Background

Sudan's history is among the oldest and richest in the world, rooted in the Nubian civilisations that flourished along the Nile long before Egypt rose to prominence. The Kingdom of Kerma, established around 2500 BCE, was the first major Nubian state and a rival to Pharaonic Egypt. The Kushite empire subsequently ruled Egypt itself for nearly a century as the 25th Dynasty — the so-called "Black Pharaohs" — from around 760 to 656 BCE. The later Meroitic kingdom, centred on the city of Meroe near present-day Shendi, developed its own alphabet and erected over 200 pyramids between roughly 300 BCE and 350 CE.

Sudan was incorporated into the Ottoman and Egyptian empires in the nineteenth century, and came under Anglo-Egyptian rule in 1899. The country gained independence on January 1, 1956. Successive military coups, protracted civil wars — including the conflict that ultimately led to South Sudan's secession in 2011 — and persistent political instability have defined much of Sudan's post-independence history. The ousting of long-time president Omar al-Bashir in 2019, after mass protests, raised hopes for democratic transition, but a military coup in October 2021 and a devastating armed conflict that erupted in April 2023 have severely disrupted the country's trajectory.

Culture & People

Sudanese culture is a meeting point of Arab, Nubian, African, and Islamic traditions, creating a society of considerable richness and depth. Islam arrived in Sudan in the seventh century and today defines social customs, the daily rhythm of life, and much of the country's art and architecture. The call to prayer echoes five times daily across Khartoum and every town and village, and Ramadan transforms public life into a nocturnal festival of community, food, and prayer. Despite the dominant Islamic character, Sudan's ethnic diversity is profound, with over 500 different groups speaking dozens of languages.

Nubian culture deserves special mention. The Nubian people of northern Sudan are the heirs to one of Africa's oldest and most sophisticated civilisations, and their music, architecture, pottery, and jewellery traditions are strikingly distinct from Arabic Sudanese culture. Traditional Sudanese hospitality is legendary — an invitation to tea or a full family meal is extended to strangers with a generosity that overwhelms first-time visitors. The tradition of dukhan — smoking rituals and perfume culture for women — and elaborate wedding celebrations reflect a social culture of great warmth and ceremony.

Food & Cuisine

Sudanese cuisine is hearty, flavour-rich, and largely unknown to international food lovers — a significant oversight, as it offers some genuinely outstanding dishes. Ful medames — slow-cooked fava beans seasoned with cumin, lemon, and oil — is the national breakfast and a deeply satisfying dish eaten throughout the day. Kisra, a thin, slightly sour flatbread made from fermented sorghum, accompanies most meals and is used as a scoop for stews and sauces. Weika, a stew made from okra and dried meat with a thick, glutinous consistency, is a traditional favourite.

Marara, a dish of offal cooked with vegetables and spices, is enjoyed by those willing to venture beyond familiar territory. Fresh Nile fish, particularly Nile perch and tilapia grilled over charcoal, is excellent along the river towns. Tea culture is central to social life: Sudanese tea is heavily spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, served very sweet in small glasses, and consumed in communal gatherings at street-side tea stalls. Abri coffee, a traditional spiced brew served with ginger, is equally cherished and forms an essential part of any significant social occasion.

Top Attractions

  • Meroe Pyramids — Over 200 ancient Nubian pyramids rising from the desert sands, belonging to the Meroitic civilisation — more numerous than Egypt's pyramids and almost entirely free of tourists.
  • National Museum, Khartoum — One of Africa's finest archaeological museums, with extraordinary collections of Nubian art, ancient temples rescued from flooded regions, and artefacts spanning 5,000 years.
  • Confluence of the Niles, Khartoum — The dramatic meeting point of the Blue and White Nile, where the two great rivers visibly merge in contrasting colours, best seen from the Tuti Island shore.
  • Kerma — The site of the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Kerma, with massive mudbrick burial mounds (deffufas) and a world-class museum of excavated artefacts.
  • Naqa and Musawwarat — Remote desert archaeological sites featuring temples combining Egyptian, Hellenistic, and uniquely Meroitic design elements in extraordinary states of preservation.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Check your government's current travel advisory before making any plans; as of 2025, Sudan is experiencing armed conflict and most governments advise against all travel.
  • Photography regulations have historically been very strict; always obtain written permission before photographing government buildings, military installations, bridges, airports, or uniformed personnel.
  • Alcohol is prohibited in Sudan; do not attempt to bring it into the country or seek it out — penalties are severe.
  • Dress conservatively at all times, particularly for women — loose-fitting clothing that covers arms and legs is essential, and a headscarf is appropriate in many situations.
  • Carry US dollars; ATM availability is limited and international cards are not widely accepted, making cash the only reliable payment method.
  • Register with your embassy on arrival and maintain communication; in the event of deteriorating security, embassy networks are your primary source of evacuation assistance.

Visa Overview

Sudan requires visas for almost all foreign nationals, obtained in advance from Sudanese embassies. The application process typically requires a letter of invitation or hotel confirmation, a completed application form, passport photos, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Entry may also require registration with local police within 72 hours of arrival at each new location, a regulation historically enforced strictly. Given the current conflict situation, visa and entry procedures may be suspended or significantly altered; any traveller seriously considering Sudan should contact the nearest Sudanese diplomatic mission directly for the most current requirements.

Getting Around

Sudan's transport infrastructure is limited outside Khartoum. The capital has a basic bus network and numerous shared taxis. Travel to sites like Meroe requires either hiring a private 4WD vehicle with a driver or joining an organised tour, as public transport does not serve archaeological sites directly. The train between Khartoum and Wadi Halfa near the Egyptian border is a famous but extremely slow journey — days rather than hours. River travel on the Nile is possible on scheduled ferries and private boats. Road conditions outside the Khartoum-Omdurman-Khartoum North urban cluster are generally poor.

Safety Notes

Sudan is currently experiencing armed conflict following the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. Most governments advise against all travel to the country. Large parts of Khartoum and Darfur have seen intense fighting, widespread civilian casualties, and mass displacement. Travellers with pre-conflict knowledge of Sudan should not assume that previous conditions still apply. Emergency services are severely disrupted. Any individual considering travel to Sudan should only do so with substantial security support, detailed contingency plans, and in consultation with experienced regional security operators.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Sudan.

Sudanese pound (SDG) ج.س
Updated: 2026-08-20
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.019254
AAVE 0.000017
ADA 0.008950
AED 0.006119
AFN 0.109055
AGIX 0.029283
AKT 0.003241
ALGO 0.020240
ALL 0.132205
AMD 0.604827
AMP 4.343494
ANG 0.002985
AOA 1.530226
APE 0.012956
APT 0.002979
AR 0.000896
ARB 0.019050
ARS 2.494458
ATOM 0.001117
ATS 0.019627
AUD 0.002344
AVAX 0.000246
AWG 0.002983
AXS 0.001849
AZM 14.162494
AZN 0.002832
BAKE 2.395357
BAM 0.002790
BAT 0.026648
BBD 0.003332
BCH 0.000008
BDT 0.202740
BEF 0.057540
BGN 0.002790
BHD 0.000626
BIF 4.955869
BMD 0.001666
BNB 0.000003
BND 0.002119
BOB 0.019138
BRL 0.008628
BSD 0.001666
BSV 0.000104
BSW 4.597609
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.028150
BTG 0.003797
BTN 0.159326
BTT 6,124.376189
BUSD 0.001665
BWP 0.022412
BYN 0.005038
BYR 32.652983
BZD 0.003347
CAD 0.002300
CAKE 0.001034
CDF 3.819647
CELO 0.026625
CFX 0.038042
CHF 0.001331
CHZ 0.130343
CLP 1.535551
CNH 0.011206
CNY 0.011207
COMP 0.000090
COP 5.086600
CRC 0.750148
CRO 0.033439
CRV 0.006386
CSPR 0.623867
CUC 0.001666
CUP 0.044148
CVE 0.157288
CVX 0.001030
CYP 0.000835
CZK 0.034475
DAI 0.001666
DASH 0.000052
DCR 0.000141
DEM 0.002790
DFI 1.674504
DJF 0.295939
DKK 0.010663
DOGE 0.022194
DOP 0.097311
DOT 0.002105
DYDX 0.015147
DZD 0.221130
EEK 0.022318
EGLD 0.000587
EGP 0.084396
ENJ 0.065848
EOS 0.025246
ERN 0.024993
ESP 0.237331
ETB 0.270786
ETC 0.000253
ETH 0.000001
EUR 0.001426
EURC 0.001436
FEI 0.001664
FIL 0.002475
FIM 0.008481
FJD 0.003666
FKP 0.001225
FLOW 0.057629
FLR 0.259145
FRAX 0.001680
FRF 0.009356
FTT 0.008028
GALA 1.156342
GBP 0.001225
GEL 0.004341
GGP 0.001225
GHC 184.371825
GHS 0.018437
GIP 0.001225
GMD 0.123473
GMX 0.000245
GNF 14.622190
GNO 0.000014
GRD 0.486041
GRT 0.119084
GT 0.000239
GTQ 0.012682
GUSD 0.001669
GYD 0.346582
HBAR 0.023510
HKD 0.013067
HNL 0.044545
HNT 0.009613
HOT 4.934058
HRK 0.010747
HT 0.014672
HTG 0.216712
HUF 0.519079
ICP 0.000718
IDR 29.661867
IEP 0.001123
ILS 0.004963
IMP 0.001225
IMX 0.015927
INJ 0.000359
INR 0.159326
IQD 2.170150
IRR 2,290.040319
ISK 0.202847
ITL 2.761867
JEP 0.001225
JMD 0.261751
JOD 0.001181
JPY 0.263855
KAS 0.062487
KAVA 0.040481
KCS 0.000228
KDA 0.354850
KES 0.215678
KGS 0.145868
KHR 6.710495
KLAY 0.067788
KMF 0.701736
KNC 0.015745
KPW 1.499372
KRW 2.322046
KSM 0.000541
KWD 0.000514
KYD 0.001384
KZT 0.768579
LAK 37.355212
LBP 148.932041
LDO 0.004917
LEO 0.000179
LINK 0.000159
LKR 0.548256
LRC 0.209441
LRD 0.301687
LSL 0.026827
LTC 0.000035
LTL 0.004925
LUF 0.057540
LUNA 0.037684
LUNC 32.980142
LVL 0.001002
LYD 0.010543
MAD 0.015420
MANA 0.024854
MBX 0.080573
MDL 0.028562
MGA 7.136695
MGF 35.683475
MINA 0.038990
MKD 0.087972
MKR 0.000001
MMK 3.498143
MNT 5.994072
MOP 0.013459
MRO 0.663623
MRU 0.066362
MTL 0.000612
MUR 0.078262
MVR 0.025758
MWK 2.875975
MXN 0.028238
MXV 0.003223
MYR 0.006736
MZM 106.328415
MZN 0.106328
NAD 0.026827
NEAR 0.000956
NEO 0.000915
NEXO 0.002231
NFT 5,916.231547
NGN 2.243893
NIO 0.061137
NLG 0.003143
NOK 0.015542
NPR 0.255041
NZD 0.002803
OKB 0.000016
OMR 0.000641
ONE 2.309469
OP 0.018760
ORDI 0.000453
PAB 0.001666
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.005583
PEPE 575.195098
PGK 0.007480
PHP 0.102670
PI 0.018541
PKR 0.460621
PLN 0.006160
POL 0.020412
PTE 0.285965
PYG 9.969985
QAR 0.006065
QNT 0.000028
QTUM 0.002308
ROL 74.833603
RON 0.007483
RPL 0.001071
RSD 0.167383
RUB 0.139946
RUNE 0.003907
RVN 0.639164
RWF 2.443284
SAND 0.040340
SAR 0.006248
SBD 0.013330
SCR 0.024170
SDD 100.0000
SEK 0.015725
SGD 0.002119
SHIB 351.655734
SHP 0.001225
SIT 0.341819
SKK 0.042971
SLE 0.038177
SLL 38.177047
SNX 0.008129
SOL 0.000020
SOS 0.944961
SPL 0.000278
SRD 0.062992
SRG 62.992100
SSP 9.445714
STD 35.174419
STN 0.035174
STX 0.012773
SUI 0.002361
SVC 0.014579
SYP 21.660922
SZL 0.026827
THB 0.054708
THETA 0.011086
TJS 0.015283
TMM 29.152680
TMT 0.005831
TND 0.004829
TOP 0.003969
TRL 79,902.548537
TRX 0.004988
TRY 0.079903
TTD 0.011263
TUSD 0.001669
TVD 0.002344
TWD 0.053047
TWT 0.004166
TZS 4.410050
UAH 0.074418
UGX 6.190872
UNI 0.000455
USD 0.001666
USDC 0.001666
USDD 0.001667
USDP 0.001668
USDT 0.001667
UYU 0.066666
UZS 19.570247
VAL 2.761867
VEB 129,343,279.510441
VED 1.290536
VEF 129,053.582375
VES 1.290536
VET 0.343274
VND 43.525788
VUV 0.197079
WAVES 0.008449
WEMIX 0.008610
WOO 0.151055
WST 0.004487
XAF 0.935647
XAG 0.000025
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.004510
XCG 0.002985
XCH 0.001176
XDC 0.059899
XDR 0.001217
XEC 237.635739
XEM 3.558875
XLM 0.009701
XMR 0.000004
XOF 0.935647
XPD 0.000001
XPF 0.170213
XPT 0.000001
XRP 0.001502
XTZ 0.007649
YER 0.395011
ZAR 0.026827
ZEC 0.000003
ZIL 0.685468
ZMK 31.213132
ZMW 0.031213
ZWD 0.603003
ZWG 0.044438
ZWL 111.039521

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Cities in Sudan 537
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`Amarah 'Atbarah ‘Iyāl Bakhīt Ab Rakham Aboure Abu 'Usar Abu Ajala Abu Ajura Abu Gudul Abu Hijar Abū Kabisa Abū Karinka Abu Sellala Abu Sufyan Abu Surug Abū Zabad Abun Kourti Ad Dibeba ‘Abd Allah ad-Dabbah ad-Damazin ad-Damir ad-Dindar ad-Duwaym Adar Adeila Adikong Adila Al Ahmar Al Akhdar Al Arak Al Farshaia Al Fifi al Halbah Al Hasahisa Al Khuwairat Al Mafāzah Al Malwi Al Marwahah Al Mazrūb Al Toumat al-Bawga al-Faw al-Hawatah al-Hawsh al-Hilaliyah al-Huda al-Husayhisah al-Jazirah al-Kamilin al-Karaymat al-Kawah al-Khartum al-Khartum Bahri al-Kurumuk al-Manaqil al-Masnah al-Matammah al-Mu'sadiyah al-Musallamiyah al-Qadarif Al-Qantour al-Qutaynah al-Quwaysi Almazroub ar-Rank ar-Rusayris Arara Arba'atun wa 'Ishrun-al-Qurash Arbokonei Ardamata Argu Armankul Aruma As Salamat As Sumayh as-Suki Asalaya Assalaya Atach Azerne Bābikri Balos Bān Bandaghau Banjedeed east Bara Barbar Basunda Bazora Bede Bentiu Bersiliba Bindisi Bir Dagig Birkat Ţayr Birsal Bufi Buk Bulbul Bulbul Timbesco Bur Bur Sudan Buretta Dalil Babikir Dalil Dokhry Dalqu Dardog Deleig Demelenga Deringil Derjeil Doka Duma Dunqulah Durti Camp El Aburu El Barun El Firdous El Fuwela/Bueda El Leri el-Multaga Er Roseires Fagangta Famaka Foga Forbranga Fosa Gabait Gabir Galbei Galgani Garsila Gendernei Gereida Girgira Gobe Gokor Golo Guldo Gulli Habila Habila Kanari Hajj 'Abdallah Halfa al-Jadidah Hamouda Heiban Hudur Hugeir Intakeina Ishlag Mudaraat Jabel Aamir Jabel Qana Jabrona Jabun Jidad Juba Juguma Kabushiyah Kafran Kualah Kalogi Kanisah Kapoeta Karanga Karkawj Karmah-an-Nuzul Karnoi Kasarus Kassala Katayla Kattal Keinyo Khashm-al-Qirbah Khayr Wajih Khor Zaraf Kin Taura Kinanah Kireikir Kirendik Kododol Kodok Kondobei Konga Konga Haraza Kordul Kortala Kouma Krinding Kubbum Kudumei Kulbus Kuma Kuraymah Kurti Kusti Ler Liria Madīnat al Masna’a Magan Maharaybah Malakal Malek Mamun Mangarsa Manjura Marabba Marawi Maridi Markundi Mashra ar-Raqq Matamir Mayurnu Mejmerei Mestere Miallayab Mistere buga Modu Monjar Mugurnei Melam Muhājirīyah Mukjar Mulli Murnei Nasir Ngorom kosuk Nkharh Nyurei Nzara Oleb Omblil Omlbasa Qala'-an-Nahl Qaryah Sittah Arab Qoz Nginnu Quli Qurayshah Qurein Rabak Radom Ragag Rahad al-Bardi Rahad-Angatu Ramakaya Ras El Fil Rashid Rokero Romalia Rufa'a Rumaylah Rumbik Rungatas Rūru Salmin Sani Deleiba Sarafāyah Saref Ahmar Sawakin Sawani Sayyāḩ Seleia Selele Serim-Birké Seseiban Shabashah Shandi Shaq El Leyoun Sharafat Shattai Sheiria Sherab Shergeila SHOPERAP Shu‘ayb Shuwak Sildi Sinjah Sinkat Sinnar Sinnar-at-Tagatu Sirba Sisi Camp Songo Şufayyah Sultanate Dar Masalit Tabat Tabbat Tabsa Tajmala Tambul Tambura Tandalti Tangasi-ar-Ru'ays Tawang Tawarit Tawkar Tebeldiya Tendelti Terbebe Terenga Thur Tom Kitir Tongfuka Tonj Torit Tulus Tulus Tundosa Tungaru Tuwal Um Belil Um Danga Um dirabiro Um Garfa Um Keir Um Shalaya Umm Dam Umm Dawm Umm Durman Umm Jarr Umm Shawkah Umm Zaifa Umtajok Wad Belal Wad Kusaybah Wad Madani Wad Rawah Wad-az-Zaki Wadi Bardi Wadi Halfa Wagar wagar Wakara Warab Wireisa Yambio Yassin Yei Yirol You You أبو جبيهة أبو حمد أراك صالح أروما أش شلال أم بادر أم برمبيطه أم دافوق أم درمان أم روابة أم شوكة أم كدادة أم كراع أوسيف ابو زعيمة ابو كرشولا ابوحراز ابوعريف ابومطارق ارقو اقدي الأبيض الباوقة البطانة التبون التراجمة الجبلين الجزيرة إسلانج الجنينة الجوغانة الحاج عبدالله الحواتة الخرصانة الخرطوم الخريساب الخوجلاب الخوى الدالي الدامر الدبب الدبة الدبيبات الدلنج الدم جمد الدمازين الدندر الدندر ,القويسي الدهيسيرة الدهيمة الدويم الرفاعيين البحر الرهد الروتروتايا الزومة الستيب السريف السليم السوكي الشجرة الشوال الضعين الطويشة العباسية العبيدية العكد العيلفون الغابة الفاشر الفاو الفشقة الفولة القاش القدمبلية القرابين القرير القضارف القلابات القولد الكاملين الكرمك الكنانة الكوة الكويك اللعيت جارالنبى المالحة المجلد المزموم المعيلق المناقل المنصورة الميرم النهود ام القري ام سيالة ام صميمة امدرمان فلاتة بابنوسة بارا بحري بربر برش بركة سايرة بورام بورتسودان بوزي بوط تروجي تلودي تمبول تندلتي تنقاسي تومالا تيناTina جبرة الشيخ جبل أولياء جبيت جريوة جزولي حسكنيتة حلايب حلفا الجديدة حمر حمرة الشيخ خزان جديد خشم القربة دربات دروديب دلامي دلقو دندرو دنقلا دوبا دوكة ربك رشاد رفاعة زالنجي سرف عمرة سنار سنجة سنكات سواكن سودري شبشة شرق النيل شكر شندي صليعة طوكر طويلة عبري عد الفرسان عزازة عسلاية عطبرة غبيش فته قرية الشراك قرية كرتوت قلع النحل قلي كادوقلي‎ كاس كاودة كبكابية كبوشية كتم كدباس كرش الفيل كريمة كسلا كورتي كوستي كيل أربع كيلك لقاوة مدينة جياد الصناعية مدينة قلي مرشينج مروي مفرق سنار مليط منواشي نرتتي نهر عطبرة نوري نيالا هبيلا هجليج همشكوريب همشكوريب هيا وادي حلفا ود أبوك ود الحليوة ود النيل ود بندة ود مدني ود مزمل

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Sudan needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Sudan?
The capital of Sudan is Khartoum.
What currency does Sudan use?
Sudan uses the Sudanese pound (ج.س) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Sudan?
The official language(s) of Sudan include Arabic, English.
What is the population of Sudan?
Sudan has a population of approximately 51,662,000 people.
What region is Sudan in?
Sudan is located in Africa, specifically in the Northern Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Sudan?
The international dialing code for Sudan is +249.
What time zones does Sudan observe?
Sudan observes the following time zone(s): UTC+03:00.
What is the current time in Sudan?
The local time in Sudan is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Sudan?
Sudan covers a total area of 1,886,068 km².
How many states or provinces does Sudan have?
Sudan is divided into 44 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Sudan in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Sudan in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Sudan?
Visa requirements for citizens of Sudan vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.