Top places to visit in Durban

• Durban Golden Mile Beachfront

  urban beach · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  theme park · 4.4 rating · about 4.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  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

  indian market · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 · check the fee at the gate

  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 to Durban

Airport: Durban (DUR)

How visitors arrive in Durban

• Drive the N3 from Johannesburg By road from Johannesburg · common

  The N3 freeway from Johannesburg is described by Visit Durban as the main road route to the city. Source: visitdurban.travel

• Fly to King Shaka International By air from Johannesburg · common

  King Shaka International Airport takes domestic flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town and some direct international services. Source: visitdurban.travel

• Long-distance coach By road from Johannesburg · possible

  Long-distance coach operators link Durban with Johannesburg and Cape Town. Source: visitdurban.travel

• Train from Johannesburg By train from Johannesburg · possible

  An overnight long-distance train links Johannesburg and Durban. Source: visitdurban.travel

• Cruise ship By ferry from Mozambique / Mauritius · possible

  Cruise ships dock at the Nelson Mandela Cruise Terminal. Source: visitdurban.travel

From the airport to the centre

• Airport shuttle bus

  The shuttle leaves from next to the taxi rank. It makes several stops, so reaching your hotel can take longer. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Pre-booked metered taxi unconfirmed

  Metered taxis queue outside the terminal. Named firms include A Hassan Taxis, City Cabs and Rikki Cabs. Use an accredited operator and ignore touts. Source: worldtravelguide.net

• Uber

  Uber is described as popular for airport trips. Source: uber.com

• Drivers at the airport can be pushy and may try to intercept you before the shuttle; keep to your booked option. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Car Rental Self
• Ride Hail

  Ride-hailing apps such as Uber operate in Durban and are used by commuters, alongside metered taxis that are booked in advance.

• Shared Taxi main way to get around

  Minibus taxis are the standard form of transport for most of Durban's residents.

• Walking

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.

Best time to visit Durban

• Jan 28°C
• Feb 29°C
• Mar 28°C
• Apr 26°C
• May 25°C
• Jun 24°C
• Jul 23°C
• Aug 23°C
• Sep 24°C
• Oct 24°C
• Nov 25°C
• Dec 27°C

More in South Africa

• Cape Town
• Johannesburg
• Stellenbosch
• Pretoria
• Knysna
• Hermanus

Frequently asked questions about Durban

What are the top-rated places to visit in Durban?

The highest-rated places in our Durban guide are Durban Golden Mile Beachfront, uShaka Marine World Durban, Victoria Street Market Durban.

Where should I stay in Durban?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Durban: Golden Mile Beachfront, Umhlanga Rocks, Berea & Morningside.

How do I get around Durban?

Ways to get around Durban covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Ride-hailing app, Shared taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Durban?

Scams reported to us for Durban include Beach Vendor Pressure Selling; Spaza Shop "Change" Scam. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Durban?

Average daytime highs in Durban run from 23°C in Jul to 29°C in Feb.

Which airport is nearest to Durban?

The nearest airport to Durban has the code DUR.