Port Sudan How to Get There
German designer Sebastian Herkner, whose studio is known for an eclectic range of furniture, lighting and lifestyle products, loves Copenhagen for its food and design inspiration 160
Flights are available daily from Cairo and Dubai. Another alternate route is a rail link from Khartoum. Trains leave every Monday at 8pm and arrive some 20 hours later. There is also an international ferry route from Jeddah.
Travellers can go on sightseeing tours throughout the cities by rickshaws, taxis or
buses going directly to Sanganeb and Shaab Rumi, two hours’ and an hour’s travel from the coast, respectively. These coastal areas are perfect for divine diving and stunning snorkelling experiences.
The reefs provide visitors with shallow and protected areas for swimming and snorkelling alongside magnificent dive sites to explore. In addition, the mangroves scattered about around the area and along the red coast to the south of Port Sudan harbour diverse marine fauna.
Travellers should not miss out on a trip to see hammerhead sharks in Sanganeb during the shark season. However, visitors should take note that it gets very windy from November to December, which can make swimming and diving difficult if not potentially hazardous. On hot days, travellers can go to the large boardwalk area overlooking the port to get ice-cream and milkshakes in the nearby shops and cafés. Or, if in need of something warmer after a chilly swim in the Red Sea, grab a hot drink from one of the tea ladies in the vicinity. Delectable hand-ground coffee can also be bought in the area.
After an exhausting day exploring Port Sudan, travellers may opt to dine at The Coral Hotel. The cafeteria here evokes the feeling of being in a classic American diner, and it offers a fantastic range of international cuisine with a great range of coffees to choose from. The hotel also provides an excellent restaurant boasting sensational set menus.
provides flights by various European, Middle Eastern and African Airlines.
Once at Khartoum, taxis are the most convenient way of transportation and are also a fun way to go sightseeing while trying to direct your driver through complex and foreign streets. Do be conscious of “foreigner” prices as taxi drivers are inclined to inflate their fares. Also note that some of the taxi drivers cannot speak English nor read maps. Occasionally, and somewhat mysteriously, they may also not be able read Arabic nor understand the geography of the city, too, so it’s wise to meticulously plan your itinerary in advance and expect an somewhat interesting journey.
There are many places to see and things to do in Khartoum. The Sudan Presidential Palace Museum, which is rooted in the grounds of the Presidential Palace and which houses the remarkable century-old Palace Cathedral, is one of the must-see attractions. The museum displays comprehensive relics relating to Sudan’s geopolitical history.
Another must-see is the Souq Arabi, which is hectic and lively as it’s the commercial heart of the town. The market is huge and spread out over several squares in the centre of Khartoum just south of the Great Mosque.
The Sudan Ethnographic Museum is also perfect for travellers who are fascinated with the rich culture, history and numerous ethnic groups of Sudan. The museum showcases displays that range from handicrafts to models of traditional homes.
Another must-see attraction is Sufi Dancing. This colourful and effervescent festival is celebrated every Friday from 4pm (except during Ramadan) at the Ghobba alHamed al-nill.
Last but not least, the Jebeb Barkal—a small mountain located some 400km north of Khartoum in the Nubia Region—is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In around 1450BC, the Egyptian Pharaoh Thutmose III extended his empire to the region and considered this site as its southern limit. Ruins found in Jebel Barkal include some 13 temples and three palaces that were first mentioned in a discovery by European explorers in the 1820s; excavations first began there in the 1916. To get there, grab a bus—they leave daily from Khartoum.
enmark’s capital is one of the cities I love most in Europe. From my hometown, Offenbach, it’s a two-hour flight, just right for a nice weekend trip. I want to discover real life when I travel. I prefer to explore a city on my own and to avoid the touristy attractions. I rent a bike to get around. There are a lot of interesting areas near the harbour, the city centre and the up-and-coming meatpacking district. I often buy something to eat and a bottle of wine, and ride my bike to the wharf to watch the ships roll in.
I love to visit Kunsthal Charlottenborg, the official exhibition gallery of the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, and the Danish Museum of Art and Design. These places are always good for inspiration, especially since I like to interact with fine art. On a sunny day it’s fantastic to go to the beach—there are many beach clubs in the city—to watch the waves. I like how the wind surrounds me as I look towards Sweden, watching the birds and smelling the salt of the sea. I also love to visit the different city parks to relax and read.
On Saturdays, I would go to explore the the street food market at Trangravsvej. In the Christianshavn neighbourhood you’ll find the excellent restaurant Kadeau, whose food is inspired by the specialties of Bornholm, an island in the Baltic Sea. The cuisine is amazing. I would have an aperitivo at Lou Lou on Ny Østergade in the city, a new place with a nice menu. I like spending my afternoons there enjoying a French 75.
You can find a lot of wonderful shops in Copenhagen touting Scandinavian design, like Tortus or the huge design department store Illums Bolighus. Hay, &Tradition, Storm and Acne Archive are also worth a visit. Etage Projects is a fantastic gallery with limited editions by unique designers.
Outside Copenhagen, maybe 30 minutes by local train, you can find one of the best museums. The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is set on a cliff on the coast. The art is showcased in several pavilions that fit harmoniously into the natural environment. On sunny days, you’ll appreciate the lovely view of Sweden from the terrace of the cafe. It’s worth staying the whole day.