Kassala
Kassala is the capital of the state of Kassala in eastern Sudan.
In 2003 its population was recorded to be 530,950. Built on the banks of the Gash River, it is a market city and is famous for its fruit gardens. Many of its inhabitants are from the Hadendawa sub-tribe of the Beja ethnic group.
Getting to Kassala
Buses leave Kassala for Khartoum (7 hours), Gedaref (3 hours) and Port Sudan (7 hours). The better bus companies tend to get booked up early, so if you want a comfortable journey book tickets a few days in advance. Otherwise, turn up at the bus station and take one of the more ramshackle options. Smaller buses and minibuses head to destinations around Kassala, like Halfa al-Jadida, Khashm al-Ghirba and Aroma.
Worth seeing
The souqs are lively and colourful, with many people dressed in clothes unique to their tribe. Souq an-Niswaan is the "women's souq" where baskets and mats are made, as well as coffee making equipment and incense. Souq ar-Rashaida is where the Rashaida tribe gather, selling their bright red and black robes for women and coloured jellabiyas for men.
- 01Tomb of Seyyid Hassan
Behind the tomb, you can climb the slopes of Jebel Totil.
Things to do
- 01Taka Mountains Nature Preserve
Dramatic mountains just south of Kassala- Climbing is popular but to reach the summit, you need special equipment.
Where to eat
Fuul (mashed fava beans) is the main dish found in Kassala, and there are lots of fuul stalls around. The best ones are between the Souq an-Niswaan and Hotel Hipton, where the fuul is mixed with ta'amiya, cheese, tuna or egg, and topped with sesame oil, garlic and a herb called shumaar. At-Tabaq as-Souri on the main square is a good place for sandwiches and shawarma.
Getting around Kassala the local way
- Get inSmaller buses and minibuses head to destinations around Kassala, like Halfa al-Jadida, Khashm al-Ghirba and Aroma.
- Get inIf you leave the city on a day trip, you may well have trouble getting back in.
- Get aroundKassala does not have many taxis and no rickshaws.
From Wikivoyage: Kassala, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-06.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.