Historically, it was a popular tourist destination domestically because of its beaches and warm climate. Durban is one of the main tourist attractions in South Africa, thanks to its extensive white sandy beaches, spectacular scenery and pleasant year-round subtropical climate. Long beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, a mild subtropical climate, and excellent infrastructure lure tourists by the millions.
Durban has a rich, diverse heritage, with large Zulu, Indian, White, and Coloured populations. An important industrial center and port, the city owes its cosmopolitan air to its rich ethnic diversity forged from a turbulent history. Contract laborers who hailed from India in 1860 to work on the sugar plantations remained after their contracts expired, making Durban the largest population of Indians in South Africa.
Located in the province of KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), this vibrant city can be reached by air within an hour from Johannesburg and two hours from Cape Town. In this guide, we've included a few attractions that make for a great Durban day trip if you want to escape the city for a little while. For more ideas on the best places to visit, see our list of the top attractions in Durban.
Here's a guide to some of the top attractions in Durban, ensuring you make the most of your visit to this vibrant city:
Top Attractions in Durban
The Golden Mile
A good starting point for a walking tour of Durban is the "Golden Mile." This bustling beachfront promenade is lined with high-rise hotels, entertainment complexes, shops, and restaurants. The broad, golden beaches are a magnet for water sports enthusiasts who come here to surf, swim, fish, or just bask in the sunshine. Lifeguards and shark nets protect most of the beaches year-round. Along the busy oceanfront path, pedestrians jostle with joggers, cyclists, Segways, and skateboarders, making the area feel a little like California.
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uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World, one of the main attractions on Durban's Golden Mile, is a water-themed wonderland packed with attractions. Sea World, set on replicas of four shipwrecks, features the largest aquarium in the southern hemisphere, where visitors can get up close to marine life through underground viewing galleries. Other attractions here include a Dolphin Stadium, Seal Stadium, and Penguin Rookery. Wet 'n' Wild is an extravaganza of splash pools, slides, and super tubes, while uShaka Kids' World is a paradise for two- to 12-year-olds. Little ones will love the playgrounds, treasure cave, and creative things to do here.
Durban Botanic Gardens
The Durban Botanic Gardens is the oldest surviving botanic garden in Africa. Set on the slopes of Berea Hill, northwest of the city center, the gardens were established in 1849 for the trial of agricultural crops. Today, visitors can stroll among the indigenous and exotic subtropical plantings, including majestic heritage trees, some of which are more than one hundred years old. The main plant collections include cycads, orchids, bromeliads, and palms, and visitors can also experience the Garden of the Senses.
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Indian Quarter
Encompassing the Victoria Street Market and Juma Masjid Mosque, the largest in the southern hemisphere, Durban's Indian Quarter is now a multicultural mix of sights, sounds, and exotic aromas. Chinese, Pakistani, Indian, and Somali street vendors haggle along the narrow pavements, selling everything from spices and saris to beaded sandals, incense, and intricate handmade jewelry.
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Moses Mabhida Stadium is a world-class sporting and event venue on Durban's Golden Mile. The stadium hosted eight of the FIFA World Cup Games in 2010. It provides a spectacular 360-degree view of Durban from the top of the stadium's arch. The Sky Car whisks visitors to the top, or they can climb the 500 steps. Thrill-seekers will love the 220-meter Big Rush Big Swing, the world's highest.
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple (Hare Krishna Temple)
The Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple is the largest Hare Krishna temple in Africa. Surrounded by a beautiful lotus-shaped garden, the temple is an impressive confection of gold-tinged domes, gilded statues, chandeliers, marble tiles, and ceiling frescoes. Besides admiring the lavish architecture, a highlight of a visit here is enjoying a meal at the vegetarian restaurant, Govinda's. Hungry tourists can feast on a vast array of inexpensive Indian vegan dishes and fresh-squeezed fruit juices.
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Valley of a Thousand Hills
Inland from the popular resort area of Umhlanga Rocks lies the Valley of 1,000 Hills, a beautiful region of gently rounded hills sprinkled with scenic viewpoints, Zulu homesteads, and gorges. The hills rise up along the banks of the Umgeni River as it flows into the Indian Ocean from the distant Drakensberg mountains. The old road between Durban and Pietermaritzburg runs along the southern edge of the valley, an area with magnificent views.
After passing Hillcrest and Botha's Hill, it comes to Phe-Zulu, a typical Zulu village where visitors can see traditional dance performances and witness the rituals of witch doctors. PheZulu Safari Park has an abundance of animals that can be spotted, and a Crocodile and Snake park where visitors can go on a tour by knowledgeable guides.
Umhlanga Rocks
Umhlanga Rocks (pronounced Umshlanga), 16 kilometers north of Durban, is a popular, upscale resort town. Long golden beaches, interrupted by rocky coast, stretch for 200 kilometers north of Durban to the beautiful Isimangaliso Wetland Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, containing eight interlinking ecosystems; three major lake systems; and Africa's largest estuarine system, Lake St.
In Umhlanga Rocks, water sports enthusiasts will find plenty of things to do. Surfing, deep-sea fishing, whale watching, dolphin viewing, scuba diving, and kiteboarding are some of the aquatic pursuits on offer. Shopping is also a favorite pastime. The Gateway Theatre of Shopping here is one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.
Kwamuhle Museum
At Kwamuhle Museum, find exhibits on life in and around Durban during and leading up to apartheid. Exhibits include photographs of township life and exhibits on contributions made by people responsible for the development of the city. In the museum's courtyard, The Shadows of the Past sculpture, created by Durban-born artist Ledelle Moe, features three naked migrant workers representing their vulnerability.
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The museum is housed in a former Native Affairs Department building, an infamous place responsible for enforcing the apartheid legislation. Today, it's a place of hope, where people who fought against injustice are honored, and diversity is celebrated.
Florida Road
Known for well-preserved 100-year-old Edwardian structures, Florida Road, stretching from Sandile Thusi Road to Innes Road, is a happening attraction in Durban. Lined with cafes, boutique stores, galleries, and eateries, the street comes alive after the sun sets with locals and tourists who come to eat, shop, and enjoy Durban's endless summer. Art lovers can enjoy the African Art Centre, Elizabeth Gordon Gallery, and the Artisan Contemporary Gallery. This is the best place in the city to taste "Bunny Chow," a staple Indian-Durban dish made with a loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with savory curry.
New Pier Beach
New Pier Beach, also known as Dairy Beach, is on Durban's Golden Mile and is a top surf spot in the city thanks to a consistent beach break. Surf conditions are best when there is a southwesterly wind, as it creates an optimal eastern swell angle. The wave can be ridden right and left. If you want to just chill out, this golden stretch of sand in front of the Durban Beach Restaurants is a good place to plop down a chair or towel and just sunbathe or chat with friends.
Inanda Heritage Route
About 20 minutes northwest of Durban is Inanda township, which has a rich historical legacy. This is where Mahatma Gandhi came up with his passive-resistance philosophy while visiting in 1904. Inanda is also where the president of the African National Congress, Dr. To learn more, follow the Inanda Heritage Route through the Inanda Valley, which includes the township.
The driving route will take you to the Phoenix Settlement, where Gandhi once lived and where his printing press still resides. It will also take you to one of South Africa's oldest girls schools, the Inanda Seminary, which was founded by American missionaries in 1869. You'll also visit Dube's house, which is now a national monument, and his grave at the Ohlange Institute.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
South Africa's oldest game reserve, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (formerly Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve), is about a two-hour drive from Durban. It can be visited on an organized day trip from Durban, or you can drive yourself. Established in 1895, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is one of the only places in KwaZulu-Natal where you have a shot of seeing all the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo). The park is also known for its rhino conservation, and both black and white rhino can be observed here.
Midlands Meander
The Midlands Meander is a driving route that starts just an hour's drive from Durban outside Pietermaritzburg. If you have a car, it is a fun day trip from the city. The route takes you through a scenic valley and covers about 80 kilometers. Besides being a pretty drive, with a green- and gold-hued landscape and a Drakensberg mountain backdrop, the route is known for its stops in small towns with serious handicraft scenes.
Activities are also plentiful in this area, and you'll find everything from horseback riding to skydiving and white water rafting experiences.
Accommodation in Durban
Durban offers a huge range of hostels and hotels, catering for every need and budget. Youth hostels can be simple, almost rugged, but offer decent accommodation at affordable prices (R100 to R300 per night). Some youth hostels include: Ansteys Beach Backpackers, African Sunrise Backpacers Lodge or Banana Backpackers. Midrange accommodation includes hotels like: Nunuburd Lodge, Dolphin Sands, Umdloti Letting, Lazy Lizard Guest House and many others. When it comes to luxurious hotels and top notch accommodation, Durban has plenty to choose from.
Getting to Durban
The municipality of Durban has recently opened the King Shaka International Airport and it is now used as the main gateway for the city and the surrounding areas. There are numerous airlines that offer both domestic flights as well as international flights to and from the city. Examples include British Airways, Interlink, Mango and South African Airlines. There are direct links to Mauritius from Air Mauritius and Emirates offer a non stop service to and from Dubai.
Durban has extensive and quick bus connections with the other cities in South Africa, as well as the nearby foreign capitals, such as Maputo (Mozambique) or Mbabane (Swaziland). Durban is easily accessible by a direct train service from Johannesburg offered by Spoornet. Unfortunately, there is no longer a direct connection to Cape Town, but there are good connections at the Johannesburg rail hub. Long haul passenger train connections are also available to Maputo (Mozambique) or Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Arrivals and departures to and from Durban are also possible by boat or ferry service.
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