Wad Ban Naqa
A Meroitic town on the Nile with the palace of a ruling queen.
Updated 3 September 2026
Wad Ban Naqa lies on the Nile between Khartoum and Shendi and was a substantial Meroitic town, and its main structure is a palace attributed to Amanishakheto, one of the ruling queens the Meroitic state produced, a large mud-brick building with dozens of rooms on two storeys. A circular building on the site has been read as a granary. Temples stood there too, and small pyramids stand nearby. The site sits on the route between Meroe and the temples at Naqa and Musawwarat, which is part of why a palace of this size was built here.
The main sights
- The palace - the large mud-brick building attributed to Amanishakheto.
- The circular building - the structure read as a granary.
- The Meroitic queens - the ruling women the state was known for.
- The pyramids - the small monuments standing near the town.
When to go
November to February is the cool season. March to May is extremely hot with no shade. The site is open ground.
Things to know
The palace is eroded mud brick and takes reading. There is no shade or interpretation. Travel in Sudan requires arrangements made well in advance.
Nearby
Naqa and Musawwarat are east, and Meroe is north.
What to pack for Wad Ban Naqa
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A scarf or shawl - To cover the head or shoulders on entry; women especially at mosques. Find on Amazon
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
