Port Sudan
Sudan · Africa
About Port Sudan
Port Sudan (Arabic: بور سودان, romanized: Būr Sūdān, Beja: Bar'uut) is a major port city on the Red Sea in eastern Sudan, and the capital of Red Sea State. Port Sudan is Sudan's main seaport and the source of 90% of the country's international trade. The population of Port Sudan was estimated in the 2008 Census of Sudan to be 394,561 people.
Port Sudan has historically been a centre for commercial activity, particularly in the shipping industry.
From April 2023 to January 2026, the Sudanese government largely operated from Port Sudan as a result of intense fighting in the capital city Khartoum in the ongoing civil war, leading to it being described as a de facto capital of the country. Port Sudan also emerged as a refuge for internally displaced persons in Sudan.
Port Sudan was built between 1905 and 1909 by the administration of Anglo-Egyptian Sudan to replace Suakin—the historic, coral-choked Arab port. An oil pipeline was built between the port and Khartoum in 1977.
In 2009, Israel allegedly used naval commandos to attack Iranian arms ships at Port Sudan as part of Operation Birds of Prey. In 2020, Russian president...
Port Sudan travel guide
Getting there
By plane 1 Port Sudan New International Airport. This airport is the second busiest overall in Sudan and has domestic flights from Khartoum and international flights from Dubai Airport, Jeddah and Cairo.
By road Since a few years back there is now a tarred road linking Port Sudan to Khartoum via Atbara which passes through great scenery and passes the pyramids of Meroë Meroe. Make sure you don't take the old road via Kasala, it's 400 km longer and is reported to be dangerous due to ongoing tribal conflicts and bandits.
By train Port Sudan also has a rail link with Khartoum.
2 Port Sudan railway station. (updated May 2021)
By boat There is also an international ferry from Jeddah.
Getting around
In Port Sudan you can get around the city using rickshaws, taxis and buses. The rickshaws seem to be the best option as they take you exactly to your destination.
See
There is a large boardwalk area overlooking the port and is near to ice cream shops and cafes.You can sit and relax in the open areas and enjoy a shisha or have hot drinks from any one of the tea ladies nearby.
1 Great Mosque of Port Sudan. (updated May 2021) 2 Virgin Mary Church of Port Sudan. Historic colonial church. (updated May 2021)
Do
Snorkeling & diving There are several good dive sites near Port Sudan: Sha'ab Rumi (<1 hour from the coast) and Sanganeb (<2 hours from the coast). Live-aboard boats operate out of the port and can be contacted directly via their websites. As of December 2009 there is only one land based dive operator, Diveversity (an international business) operating at Sudan Red Sea Resort, located 30 km north of Port Sudan. It can get very windy in November/December, so while this is the season for hammerhead sharks, the sea is rough. 1 Sanganeb Marine National Park. (updated May 2021)
Buy
Souvenirs Along the boardwalk area there are many local craftsmen selling jewelry made from sea shells and also many trinkets. Be careful when purchasing these items as they often try to pass their goods as local when in fact they are cheaply made and mass manufactured.You can also purchase some excellent hand ground coffee in the Souk packaged under the El Tayeb brand.
Eat
The Hilton now known as the Coral Hotel has a cafeteria reminiscent of an American diner such as Denny's, offering international cuisine and great coffees. There is also a very nice restaurant in the hotel with set menus. On the cheaper end of the spectrum you can go to the Food Dream and Ice Cream Dream restaurant for milk shakes, slushies and ice cream. The neighboring restaurant has a good selection of chicken and meat donner kebabs and also chicken and chips. On this same strip of restaurants you can get a delicious pizza.
Sleep
1 Coral Hotel (Previously Hilton), ☏ +249 18 377 4100. Prices start from approximately US$250/night. Sudan Red Sea Resort offers basic accommodation directly on the rocky coast in a remote location 30 km north of Port Sudan on the main new road to Egypt, the turning is well signposted. Prices are US$38/night per person for a rustic hut with shared toilet block, bed & breakfast, or $96 full board.
Go next
The most wonderful untouched underwater world is in Port Sudan, you can arrange for a trip inside the Red Sea, diving around amazing views in Shoaab Alromi and see live sharks in a place called sanjaneb.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia, travel guide fromWikivoyage (CC BY-SA)。Photography via Wikimedia Commons.