Attraction
uShaka Marine World
uShaka Marine World on Durban's Point combines the large Sea World aquarium, a water park, reptile house, rope park and beach access across a 16-hectare site.
There are plenty of things to do in Durban, South Africa's main city on the Indian Ocean and the largest in KwaZulu-Natal. Its warm subtropical climate keeps the beaches busy all year, and the paved Golden Mile promenade links uShaka Marine World at the Point with the beaches of the central beachfront and Moses Mabhida Stadium. Away from the sea, the city centre holds Edwardian City Hall, free local history museums and the Grey Street district around the Juma Masjid and Victoria Street Market, while the Berea suburbs of Morningside and Glenwood have the Botanic Gardens, Florida Road and many of the best cafes.
Food is a big reason to come. Durban's Indian heritage shows in its curries and in the bunny chow, curry served in a hollowed-out loaf, and there are good fine-dining options in Umhlanga and the inland suburbs. Plan on three to four days to cover the beachfront, city centre, Umhlanga and a day trip to the Valley of a Thousand Hills, and add more if you want to go on safari further north.
Attraction
uShaka Marine World on Durban's Point combines the large Sea World aquarium, a water park, reptile house, rope park and beach access across a 16-hectare site.
Attraction
Built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Moses Mabhida Stadium is Durban's best-known modern landmark, with a 105-metre arch spanning its roof and adventure activities on…
Attraction
Founded in 1849 and on its present Berea site since 1851, the Durban Botanic Gardens is a free 15-hectare garden known for rare cycads, palms and…
Attraction
Durban's Edwardian City Hall, completed in 1910 and modelled closely on Belfast City Hall, houses the free Natural Science Museum on its first floor.
Attraction
Umhlanga's red-and-white lighthouse, built in 1954, anchors a paved seafront promenade with the Whalebone Pier, rock pools and beaches north of central Durban.
Attraction
The Juma Masjid on Dr Yusuf Dadoo Street, founded in 1881 and rebuilt from 1927, is Durban's landmark mosque, with gilt-domed minarets above the Grey Street…
Café
The Glenwood Bakery bakes hand-formed, slow-fermented sourdough and pastries in a hearth oven, with a cafe and deli serving breakfast, sandwiches and lunch dishes.
Café
Humble is a Durban specialty coffee roastery, cafe and bakery founded by former barista Amy Gardiner, roasting beans on site and serving vegetarian brunch and lunch.
Café
Freedom Cafe is a fully halaal brunch and lunch spot in a converted shipping container at the heart of The Concierge boutique hotel in Greyville.
Café
Boston Brew is a relaxed coffee shop and bakery in an old Morningside house on Montpelier Road, serving espresso, home baking, breakfasts and light lunches.
Café
Millflour is a family-friendly farm cafe and bakery at Fig Tree Farm in Hillcrest, known for its sourdough, cakes, wood-fired pizzas and a make-your-own kids' pizza…
Café
Crane Flower Coffee is a small New York-inspired specialty coffee shop in a converted garage in Kloof, known for lavender and rose-water cappuccinos and rotating local…
Hotel
The Oyster Box is a five-star Red Carnation hotel on the Umhlanga beachfront beside the lighthouse, with 86 rooms, suites and villas, a spa and celebrated…
Hotel
Beverly Hills is a luxury Southern Sun hotel with 89 rooms and suites on the Umhlanga Rocks beachfront, between the pier and the lighthouse, with direct…
Hotel
Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani is a two-tower, 734-room hotel on Snell Parade beside North Beach, with three pools, a spa and five restaurants and bars.
Hotel
Teremok is a small five-star boutique lodge on Marine Drive in Umhlanga, with eight individually designed suites, a spa and a pool set among palms and…
Hotel
Garden Court South Beach is a 414-room mid-range hotel on OR Tambo Parade, a two-minute walk from the beach, with a pool, two restaurants and secure…
Hotel
The Concierge is a quirky boutique hotel of bungalow rooms in Greyville, built behind a 1920s facade on the site of eight heritage-listed buildings, with Freedom…
Bar
Bean Bag Jazz Lounge in Morningside pairs live jazz from Thursday to Sunday with a restaurant menu and a late-night bar, open daily until 02:00.
Bar
Robsons Real Beer runs a brewery taproom at Durban's Point Waterfront, pouring its own craft beers on draught alongside burgers, ribs and pizza, with brewery tours…
Bar
Taco Zulu on Florida Road is a Mexican grill house and cocktail bar known for taco pizzas, handmade tortillas and a long list of tequila and…
Bar
Barnyard Theatre at Suncoast stages feel-good live music shows and tribute concerts at long communal tables, with a full bar and food you can pre-order before…
Bar
The Chairman on Mahatma Gandhi Road in the Point is a design-led jazz bar and live music venue that hosts concerts, album launches and DJ sessions…
Bar
Unity in Musgrave is a neighbourhood brasserie and bar pouring its own THAT Brewing Company beers alongside Durban curries, bunnies and locally sourced meat dishes.
Restaurant
Chef Johannes Richter's LivingRoom at Summerhill Guest Estate in Cowies Hill serves a seasonal, garden-led tasting menu and was named Eat Out Restaurant of the Year…
Restaurant
The Chefs' Table in Umhlanga serves seasonal, contemporary dishes built on KwaZulu-Natal produce from an open kitchen, with a serious wine cellar and regular pairing dinners.
Restaurant
The Ocean Terrace at the Oyster Box serves breakfast, lunch and dinner facing the Umhlanga lighthouse, and is best known for its curry buffet, served nightly…
Restaurant
CaneCutters is a casual Durban curry house best known for its bunny chows, from the classic mutton bunny to bean and vegetable versions, with a second…
Restaurant
The Moodley family's Britannia Hotel on Umgeni Road is a classic Durban bunny chow stop, with 14 varieties made with family masala recipes and a sundowner…
Restaurant
Roma Revolving Restaurant has turned slowly above Durban's bay since 1973, serving Italian food on the 32nd floor of John Ross House on the Victoria Embankment.
Thing to do
Durban's Golden Mile is a paved beachfront promenade running from the Point and uShaka to Blue Lagoon, lined with beaches, piers, pools and rickshaw pullers.
Thing to do
The Victoria Street Market, known locally as the Vic, packs more than 170 stalls of spices, fish, crafts and fabrics into a minaret-topped building near Grey…
Thing to do
PheZulu Safari Park at Botha's Hill combines Zulu dancing shows, short game drives, a reptile park and a cafe with views over the Valley of a…
Thing to do
At its Umhlanga headquarters the KwaZulu-Natal Sharks Board runs a 26-minute shark film and a live dissection, plus early-morning boat trips to watch staff service the…
Thing to do
Florida Road in Morningside is Durban's best-known eating and drinking street, lined with Edwardian houses converted into restaurants, cafes, bars, galleries and boutiques.
Tour operator
Isle of Capri Cruises runs harbour cruises, sea cruises, whale watching trips and private charters from Durban's harbour, with daily sailings and seasonal whale trips.
Tour operator
Owner-run Tim Brown Tours collects guests from Durban hotels for day and overnight safaris to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi, the Drakensberg, the battlefields and iSimangaliso Wetland Park.
Tour operator
Durban Walking Tours leads guided walks through the Point, Grey Street, the markets, temples and Florida Road, run by guides who won Durban Tourism's tour guide…
Tour operator
Green Corridors is a social-purpose organisation running guided canoeing, mountain biking, hiking and cultural experiences at community-based sites around Durban, from Inanda Dam to the Valley…
Tour operator
Durban Tourism's guided city walks leave KwaMuhle Museum on weekdays, exploring the Indian quarter and markets or the colonial and art deco city centre in about…
Three to four days covers the beachfront, the city centre, Umhlanga and a day trip inland. Add two or three more days for a safari in northern KwaZulu-Natal.
Umhlanga Rocks for upmarket hotels and a safer seaside village feel, the central beachfront for direct access to the Golden Mile, and Morningside for guesthouses close to Florida Road.
King Shaka International Airport is north of the city. Most visitors use a ride-hailing app, a taxi, a hotel transfer or a hire car; the drive to Umhlanga is shorter than to the central beachfront.
For visitors paying in pounds, euros or dollars, Durban is generally good value, with hotels, restaurants and activities cheaper than in many European cities. Luxury hotels in Umhlanga are the main exception.
Most visits are trouble-free, but crime is a concern. Use ride-hailing apps after dark, keep valuables out of sight, stay on busy parts of the beachfront and visit the city centre in daylight, ideally with a guide.