Things to do & places to visit in Northern State, Sudan

Northern State #3 destination in Sudan 2023. The average rating score is 4.55 based on 135 traveler reviews, of 10 attractions. Timezone: Africa/Khartoum, current date and time: Monday, May 13, 2024, 16:41.

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Top things to do (9)

• Geologic Formations
• Historic Walking Areas
• Ancient Ruins
• Cemeteries
• Points of Interest & Landmarks
• Monuments & Statues
• Religious Sites
• Lookouts
• Historic Sites

Top destinations in Northern State 9

• Merowe
• Dongola
• Abri
• Karima
• Wawa
• Wadi Halfa
• Kerma
• Al Dabbah
• Korti

Top places to visit

1. 5.0 Gebel Barkal (36 reviews)
   - Sunset
   Ancient Ruins
   
   
   The temples at the site of ancient Napata, an important royal residence. See more..
   
2. 4.5 El Kurru Tombs (28 reviews)
   - Fine wallpaintings
   Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Cemeteries
   
   
   Only one tomb was open (it rotates with the other to avoid excessive visiting). Very fine Kushite tomb. See more..
   
3. 4.5 Soleb Temple (15 reviews)
   - Same pharaoh who built the temple in Luxor who built this one, so cool
   Spent < 1 hour Ancient Ruins • Religious Sites
   
   
   Gorgeous temple, definitely worth the long drive there. Especially interesting if you've been to Luxor in Egypt — it was the same pharaoh who built the temple in Luxor who built this one See more..
   
4. 4.5 Kerma's Archeological Site (13 reviews)
   - Interesting
   Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks
   
   
   Great place to visit to get a sense of what ancient civilization in the area may have resembled. The Duffufa temple is surrounded by reconstructions based on archaeological finds. There is a small museum there explaining the site and showing some of the statues retrieved during excavations. the purpose of the 'high temple' is unclear but there is speculation.... take a guide to have the significance explained- or read a really good guide book. The black pharaoh statues in the museum are interesting. There's also a nice, clean toilet at the site! See more..
   
5. 4.5 Necropolis of Nuri (11 reviews)
   - Amazing
   Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Cemeteries • Monuments & Statues
   
   
   The pyramids of Nuri are a sight to behold. Pyramids in various states of repair/ restoration spread over a vast site, surrounded by small sand dunes. Allow lots of time to sit and enjoy these beautiful structures that are not yet inundated by tourists desperate for the perfect photo. Just sit and ponder, soak in the atmosphere and admire the workmanship and skill involved in building these impressive structures. Much more enjoyable than Giza due to the lack of other tourists. There are no entry chambers or hieroglyphs here- just the impressive pyramids themselves. See more..
   
6. 4.5 Third Cataract of the Nile (8 reviews)
   - Great, Great, Great!!!!!
   Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins • Points of Interest & Landmarks • Lookouts
   
   
   The third cataract of the Nile in Sudan is one of the most dramatic of the remaining cataracts which have not been submerged by the Aswan dam in Egypt and the Merowe dam in Sudan. The most dramatic view is from the ruins of the Ottoman fort which overlooks the third cataract and surrounding desert. See more..
   
7. 4.5 Nuri Pyramids (2 reviews)
   - Stunning
   Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins
   
   
   Amazingly beautiful pyramids in Nuri. A small site with several larger pyramids. Not many tourists so you can walk around and enjoy (we had the site to ourselves). the pyramids are spread out but it's worth taking the time to wander around and soak it in....be in awe! The pyramids of the kings are in reasonabl;e repair but those of the queens are not restored and in poor repair. Apparently they found water under them when trying to excavate. Take a guide and learn the history- it's worth it. The site is covered in sand dunes too making it even more 'natural' and untouristy. Take a while to sit and admire the workmanship and skill in building a pyramid and having it stand the test of time! Really peaceful, serene site worth a visit. See more..
   
8. 4.0 Petrified Forest (12 reviews)
   - Kurru Forest of Petrified Wood
   Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Geologic Formations
   
   
   Found the petrified trees near Kurru after driving on a barely discernible track thru the rock desert about 4km toward the black mountains. Amazing display of broken down trees. Chopped and broken as if done by axe and saw. The kids loved it climbing on them and admiring the details. See more..
   
9. 4.0 Old Dongola (8 reviews)
   - Beehive like structures
   Spent < 1 hour Points of Interest & Landmarks • Historic Walking Areas
   
   
   The beehive like structures can be seen from the road. As you approach you learn that you are in a working cemetery and the 'beehives' are actually Islamic graves. There are many shallow graves nearby as is evident by the raised piles of rocks. Each structure has a coffin or two inside which you can see if you poke your head into the little doorways- be warned it smells like bats inside. There is also a monastery on the hill and some other nearby ruins to explore. You can't enter the monastery but can explore the other ruins. There is a small information area which explains the site and how it was used. We were the only ones at the site so had freedom to explore unimpeded. See more..
   
10. 3.5 Al-Ghazali (2 reviews)
    - Traces of a Christian past
    Ancient Ruins
    Located 15 kilometers east of Merowe, this is just one out of three monasteries found in Sudan, bearing traces of the Christian times of this country. It is also the only monastery which can be visited, since the other two have lie at the very bottom of the reservoir created by the Meroe’s dam. The building is huge and very well preserved if we consider the wear and tear of time and the ferocity of the desert conditions, keeping in mind that there is no maintenance at all! See more..