Durban, South Africa: travel guide
South Africa's coastal playground on the warm Indian Ocean, Durban captivates with golden beaches, the vibrant Victoria Street Market, world-class surf, and a rich Indian cultural heritage that flavours its famous curry scene.
- Country
- South Africa
- Currency
- ZAR
- Time zone
- Africa/Johannesburg
- Nearest airport
- DUR
Top places to visit in Durban
Durban Golden Mile Beachfront
Beach · 4.5 rating · about 3 h
Durban's 6 km strip of golden sand backed by the warm Indian Ocean. Blue Flag beaches, refurbished promenade, surf schools and paddling pools — the continent's most popular urban beach.
uShaka Marine World Durban
Activity · 4.4 rating · about 4.5 h · entry ZAR 355
Africa's largest aquarium complex — an extraordinary underwater aquarium in a faux 1940s shipwreck, a world-class water park, dolphin shows and penguin exhibits on Durban's Point precinct.
Victoria Street Market Durban
Market · 4.3 rating · about 2 h
The largest traditional market in South Africa, pulsating with the colour and aromas of the Indian subcontinent. Over 160 stalls sell spices, textiles, saris, jewellery, muti, and fresh produce.
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Activity · about 1.5 h
Iconic 2010 FIFA World Cup stadium. SkyCar gondola to the arch apex; Big Swing zip-line (80 m drop). Daily stadium tours.
Umhlanga Rocks Promenade
Beach · about 2 h
Upmarket coastal suburb 15 km north of Durban. Pristine Blue Flag beach, iconic red-and-white striped lighthouse, and a seafood restaurant-lined promenade.
Durban Botanic Gardens
Nature · about 1.5 h
Africa's oldest surviving botanical garden (est. 1849). World-class cycad collection, orchid house, and magnificent fig tree avenue. Free entry.
Things to do
- KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board Museum & Aquarium Cultural · 1.5 h · from ZAR 14 per person
- uShaka Marine World Full-Day Visit Leisure · 6 h · from ZAR 100 per person
- Durban Indian Quarter Food Walk Food · 3 h · from ZAR 120 per person
- Valley of 1000 Hills Zulu Cultural Experience Cultural · 4 h · from ZAR 130 per person
- Ricksha Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Durban Sightseeing Tour · 2 h · from ZAR 43 per person
Day trips and tours
- Durban City & Valley of 1000 Hills Day Tour 9 h · from ZAR 230
- iSimangaliso Wetland Park Boat Safari Day Trip 11 h · from ZAR 360
- Umhlanga Promenade & Botanic Gardens Half-Day 4.5 h · from ZAR 110
Where to stay in Durban
- Golden Mile Beachfront about ZAR 2,400 per night
Durban's famous 6 km beachfront strip with surfing beaches, uShaka Marine World, and beachfront hotels.
- Umhlanga Rocks about ZAR 4,200 per night
Upscale coastal suburb 15 km north of Durban. The best shopping (Gateway Theatre), safest beaches, and premium hotels.
- Berea & Morningside about ZAR 1,400 per night
Residential hilltop suburb with good B&Bs and access to the vibrant Florida Road restaurant strip.
Hotels
- The Oyster Box 5-star · ZAR 4,500 to ZAR 10,000 per night
- Coastlands on the Ridge Umhlanga 4-star · ZAR 1,800 to ZAR 3,200 per night
- Protea Hotel Durban Edward 4-star · ZAR 1,400 to ZAR 3,500 per night
Where to eat
- The Oyster Box Grill Room Durban indian, seafood, south african · about ZAR 650 per person
- Spice Route Indian Restaurant Durban indian, south african · about ZAR 120 per person
- 9th Avenue Bistro Durban seafood, south african, afro-indian · about ZAR 600 per person
- Bean Green Umhlanga Café · about ZAR 130 per person
- Havana Grill Durban Grill, Steakhouse · about ZAR 280 per person
Getting around
- Car Rental Self main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Ride Hail main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Shared Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking
Every city has walking. 2.5 km ceiling is a placeholder default, not a researched per-city figure -- Singapore is sheltered and air-conditioned, Bangkok often has no pavement.
Safety and scams to avoid
Beach Vendor Pressure Selling
Golden Mile beachfront
Informal vendors on the beach offer to braid hair, sell crafts, or do henna — then demand R500+ and refuse to leave if declined.
How to avoid it: Politely decline at first approach. Agree on a price in writing before any service begins. If feeling harassed, move to a lifeguard station area.
Spaza Shop "Change" Scam
Victoria Street Market area
A vendor gives incorrect change and relies on the confusion of foreign currency to shortchange tourists. Notes are swapped for lower denominations.
How to avoid it: Count change carefully before leaving. Familiarise yourself with ZAR note colours and denominations before shopping. Use card payments where possible.