Durban

Understand

Durban has a large bay that was protected from the seas by a land spit now known as The Point. This bay formed a natural harbour. Durban was originally called Port Natal by the Portuguese mariner Vasco da Gama who sighted the bay on Christmas Day, 1497. The city was founded as Port Natal by British settlers in the 1820's and became part of the British Empire in 1842. It was renamed Durban in honour of Sir Benjamin D'Urban, Governor of the Cape Colony. In the years immediately preceding the European settlement of the area, Shaka, king of a small African clan known as the Zulu, built up his strength, making the Zulu people the dominant African tribe in the area. The hot and humid climate was ideal for growing sugar and after the first railway was built in 1860, sugar became the principal export from the area. Indian workers were brought in on contract to work the sugar cane plantations. When their contracts finished, they were offered return trips to India or land to the value of the return trip. Many chose to stay making this one of the largest population centres of Indians in the world. After the discovery of coal in North Natal and gold in the Witwatersrand, Durban expanded rapidly and, excluding the Mediterranean, became one of the largest port in Africa. Its warm climate and ample beaches have made it one of South Africa's premier holiday areas. Zulu and English are the most common languages in Durban.

Getting there

By plane 1 King Shaka International Airport (DUR IATA) (35 km (22 mi) north of Durban, between Umhlanga and Ballito). Has flights to most cities. but some smaller cities are not connected from here. However, they have some international flights. Taxi fares from the new airport to the hotels on Marine Parade and centre of Durban can cost well over R400. However, next to the taxi rank, there is an airport shuttle bus service that leaves every hour on the hour (or as soon as the bus has several passengers) for R80 per person, though it may take longer to reach your hotel. The taxi drivers can be quite aggressive and will try to intercept you before you reach the shuttle. The following airlines offer domestic service to Durban: Airlink, British Airways & FlySafair The following airlines offer international service to Durban: Air Mauritius (from Mauritius), Emirates (from Dubai), Proflight Zambia (from Lusaka), Qatar Airways (from Doha via Johannesburg), and Turkish Airlines (from Istanbul) via Johannesburg). British Airways offers a thrice-weekly flight from London Heathrow — the only direct link from Europe. Durban International Airport (formerly Louis Botha Airport) to the south of the city is closed. The King Shaka International Airport, at La Mercy 40 km north of Durban, is fully operational. Virginia Airport is a small, private airport in Durban North a few kilometres north of the Durban CBD and a few kilometres south of Umhlanga Rocks. No large scale commercial flights are scheduled from this airport but you can charter a plane from companies to and from this airport. See also Discount airlines in Africa.

By bus All national carriers and the Baz Bus offer regular services to Durban. The central bus stop is next to the central train station, Durban Station. You can also use Greyhound or Transcape/Intercape bus, depending on whether you want to travel in the morning or the afternoon. The bus station is a 20-minute walk from the beachfront.

By train Intercity trains are limited, Shosholoza Meyl operates a Friday and Sunday night train from Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg. MetroRail operates frequent commuter trains from various suburbs of Durban and towns nearby such as Pinetown and the resort towns of the south coast (e.g. Kelso and Park Ryne) and of the north coast).

2 Durban railway station (Along Umgeni Rd). The sprawling central railway station, about 1 km north of the city centre. (updated Oct 2020)

By boat Some cruise ships dock in Durban, but generally there are few "one-way" entries by boat to Durban. Passage on a freighter migh

Getting around

By car The best way to get around Durban is by car. Check that you have the latest updated street maps and/or GPS device as some street names have changed. It also helps to have a list of old and new names as some of the new names are vandalized.

By bus Durban People Mover buses feature CCTV cameras and wheelchair-friendly ramps. They run from 6AM until 11PM every 15 minutes. These buses stop in the CBD, the Victoria Street Market, the Workshop, Suncoast Casino, Ushaka Marine World and along the beach route. (R4 per trip, valid for 1 hour on a hop-on, hop-off basis; R10 for a full day pass on a hop-on, hop-off basis). To travel between the Berea suburbs and the city its cheaper to travel by Mynah buses, R5 off-peak (8AM-3:30PM), peak R6. The Mynah buses depart from the Workshop Terminus (Pine Street Terminus) every 30 minutes to Musgrave, The Ridge, Kensington, Mitchell Park/Florida road, Tollgate (cnr Aliwal/Smith streets), to South Beach/Ushaka, North Beach/Suncoast (in Pixley ka Seme [West] Street, opposite the City Hall). The Aqualine buses to the suburbs (depart from the Pine Street Terminus) are usually within 5 minutes of the schedule every hour. Peak cash fare can be quite steep. A weekly coupon can save you up to 35% of the cash fare. Fare, bus route & time table enquiries (+27 31 309-5942/3). However, due to the ongoing dispute, some routes have to be suspended.

To Bluff (route 330/338/411/418 ) To Queensburgh catch either one of these four buses, Malvern (route 112), Montgomery road (route 113), Shalcross/Hillview (route 140), Pinetown/Westmead (*route 840/842/843/849). Service suspended. To Glenwood catch either one of these four buses, Berea Beach (route 022/023), Umbilo (route 007), Glenmore (route 086), Manor Gardens (route 084). To Umhlanga Rocks/Gateway Mall catch the Aqualine bus (route 716/705) outside Nando's in Pixley ka Seme (West) street, departs every hour. To UKZN catch the Howard College bus (route 070)/Westville campus (route 075). Service suspended To Pinetown/Westville central/Westwood mall, catch Aqualine Pinetown/Westmead bus (route 855,857,858,870,871,873,877,886).Service suspended To The Pavilion mall catch the Aqualine bus (route 853/860) route 853 departs from the Workshop terminus and route 860 departs from North Beach near Blue Waters hotel/Suncoast casino. Service suspended Most buses depart on the hour every hour, check the bus schedule. Please note that sometimes to get to your destination, you might have to catch a couple to three buses. When not sure about bus route number, ask the locals or the bus driver

See

1 Durban Botanical Gardens, ☏ +27 31 201-1303, fax: +27 31 309-1271, [email protected]. Visit on a Saturday and see a mixture of cultural wedding parties having their photos taken. Berea. This is a long ridge overlooking the harbour, city centre and beaches. Once covered with coastal forest, it is now completely built up. 2 Moses Mabhida Stadium. The new landmark of Durban, built for the football World Cup 2010. Catch the Skycar or walk to the top of the stadium, where you will have a stunning view of downtown Durban and Berea. 3 City Hall. There is an art gallery and outdated science museum inside, and a public library. (updated Sep 2020) 4 Mahatma Gandhi Settlement. Tours available. 5 Durban North Japanese Gardens, ☏ +27 31 563-1333. Free. KwaZulu Natal National Parks. 6 Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve, Coedmore Ave, Yellow Wood Park, ☏ +27 60 355 7088. 06ː00-18ː00 daily. This is a good place to see some zebras and gazelle and get away from it all within the city limits, but you have to book ahead to see the gallery and castle on site. (updated Sep 2020) Crocodile Creek. In the ‘sugar town’ of Tongaat (a few miles past Umhlanga) you will find Crocodile Creek, on the Tongaat river in sub-tropical bush. This creek is home to over 7000 Nile Crocodiles, alligators, caiman, snakes and other reptiles. The farm includes bush and hill trails, a waterfall, river plains and thatched buildings with tree top walkways. An awesome place to spend a day, refreshments are available and you can also browse through the shop which sells curios, crocodile leather goods and even croc dishes. 7 Hare Krishna Temple, 50 Bhaktivedanta Swami Circle Unit 5, Chatsworth, ☏ +27 31 403 3328. 11ː00-13ː00 M-F, 10ː00-13ː00 Sa-Su. It is a nice escape if you are looking for some religious or even aesthetic/meditative grounds tourism, plus there is a vegetarian restaurant there. (updated Sep 2020) 8 Wilson's Wharf, ☏ +27 31 301 7008. 08ː00-23ː00 daily. Your typical maritime scene for chilling and feasting on seafood. It's not quite as extravagant as Fisherman's Wharf or anything but anyway. (updated Sep 2020) 9 MINITOWN, 114 Snell Parade, North Beach. Kitschy attraction where famous places are represented in miniature. (updated Sep 2020) 10 Mitchell Park Zoo, 10 Ferndale Rd. 08ː00-16ː00 daily. For when you don't want to go on a safari. (updated Sep 2020)

Museums 11 Durban Natural Science Museum, 234 Anton Lembede St. (updated Feb 2017) 12 KwaMuhle Museum, 130 Bram Fischer Road, ☏ +27 31 311 2237. The history of Apartheid in Durban. Free. (updated Feb 2017) 13 Durban C

Do

1 The Golden Mile. The Golden Mile, the nickname for the beaches near downtown that stretch along the Indian Ocean, is well known for its excellent surfing, occasional shark attack and wide sandy beaches. Visiting around the Christmas holidays ensures a crowded experience, complete with stations for missing children, but visit at the off season and you'll practically have the place to yourself, save the serious surfers. There are also play pools and playgrounds for children along the waterfront, hotel, bars and restaurants. (updated Sep 2020) Watersports. Swim, surf, canoe, snorkel, scuba dive Rugby Union: Sharks play in the United Rugby Championship (formerly Pro14), the European professional league, with a playing season Oct-March. Their home ground is Kings Park, capacity 52,000, in the Kings Park sports complex. Cricket: 2 Kingsmead, Stamford Hill, ☏ +27 31 335 4200. Holding 25,000, this venue traditionally hosts a Boxing Day Test match. It's home to Dolphins representing KwaZulu-Natal, and Durban Supergiants representing Durban city in the SA20. (updated Aug 2025) Calypso Dive & Adventure Center. Scuba Dive at uShaka Marine World. PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Center. Dive to wrecks, caves, offshore reefs. Offers 6-month "From Zero to Hero" career dive course. Skydive Durban, Pietermaritzburg Airport, ☏ +27 72 214-6040, [email protected]. Take a 25-minute plane ride, then be wind-blasted for 35 seconds of freefall Skydiving before the parachute opens. Tandem jump: R1.350; DVD: R400. 3 Suncoast Casino, Suncoast Boulevard, Marine Parade, ☏ +27 31 328-3000, [email protected]. 4 uShaka Marine World, 1 Bell Street, ☏ +27 31 328-8000. To see the huge aquarium or ride more than eight different rides in the Waterworld. Glenholme trail for disabled & blind persons, Glenholme Nature Reserve, ☏ +27 31 705-5448. Caters for people who use wheelchairs or are blind with elevated walkway and guide rails and braille plaques. Nature parks - There are dozens of nature reserves in the suburbs, just ask around. Please remember to be safe, there are natural hazards like snakes, and criminals like the isolation for different reasons. Greyville Race Course. Horseracing Surf Artificial Waves. At Gateway Shopping Centre Wavehouse. Shark Institute. Take a boat to see the shark nets that protect beachcombers from shark attack. Historical compensation sugar mill. Golf: the premier course is Beachwood Country Club north side of the city. Zimbali Country Club. 18 hole golf course 50 km northeast of the city. Durban Tourism (Tourist Juncti

Buy

Popular items to buy are Zulu beadwork, wirework, wicker work - from baskets and sustainable conference bags to fantastic lights and furniture, Spices - anyone dare 'mother-in-law's revenge'? Fantastic!

Gateway Theater of Shopping, a mall situated to the north of Durban along the M4 or N2 highways. Believed to be the largest in the southern hemisphere. Also offers a great range of kids' entertainment like a skateboard park and an artificial wave in the Wavehouse to test your surfing abilities. Victoria Street Market. Mostly oriental souvenirs. Haggle hard, beware of pickpockets. Essenwood Craft Market - For a true taste of South Africa look out for a guy selling biltong (South African jerky). A good place to buy curios, and don't be afraid to haggle. Only open certain weekends so please check local listings. The Pavilion - A large shopping mall with a good range of shops, in the Westville suburb of Durban. African Arts Center at Tourist Junction on West Street BAT Center on the harbor front

Eat

As Durban has one of the largest Indian populations outside of India, a Durban curry is a popular dish and can range from mild to very hot. There is also the bunny chow which is unique to the city, a quarter loaf of bread hollowed out and filled with a curry of your choice. Check out restaurants at the Workshop shopping center for some of the best bunny chow in the city. Or head over to the Indian neighborhood near Victoria Market for more authentic Durban Indian food. Good Indian dining is at Vintage Restaurant next to Bean Bag Bohemia - Windemere Road Try the Roma Revolving Restaurant at the top of John Ross House on the Esplanade for Italian food and the best view of Durban. Wilson's Wharf is a long pier built into the harbour. It hosts a wide selection of international restaurants and watch the busiest harbor in Africa's activity. Take in a show afterwards at the upstairs Catalina theater. Try Morningside restaurants, along Florida Road, for trendy cafe sidewalk eateries including one Italian style, Spiga d'Oro, frequented so often by South Africa's notorious businessman, Schabir Shaik, that a dish is named in his honor 'Pasta a la Shaik'. Bill Clinton and Bill Gates ate at "Spice" set off the busy street in a quiet upstairs courtyard. And nearby, be nearly guaranteed to rub shoulders with the up-and-coming in-crowd at the Bean Bag Bohemia, Windermere Road, a restaurant that makes great dining an artistic event. Definitely try some 'biltong' when you're in South Africa. It's South African-style jerky available in a whole range of flavors and textures.

1 California Dreaming, 150 O R Tambo Parade, South Beach. Drinks and food on the beach (The Golden Mile). (updated Sep 2020) 2 Circus Circus Beach Cafe, 1, 1 Snell Parade, North Beach, ☏ +27 31 337 7700. Another beachy dining scene, even though it sounds like something else. (updated Sep 2020)

Drink & nightlife

Zacks, at Wilson's Wharf on Victoria's Embankment, is a popular place to get thirst-quenching drinks and relax and enjoy the view of the harbour. Joe Kool's, on the beachfront, is also well known as the best place for a "sundowner" after a long day on the beach. Check out their roof-top deck for the best views. The BAT Centre, at the port, is also a good place for a quick meal or drink. There's free jazz most nights and other concerts, hip-hop and the occasional poetry slam. Cool Runnings is a reggeaton place with cheap beer and a relaxed atmosphere. Durban is known for its pot and you will easily find it around the clubs, but beware that the police do care if tourists break the law and you can be thrown out of the country if you are caught with it.

Florida Road 275, ☏ +27 31 312-3355. Definitely the happening street in Durban. Restaurants, bars, cafes, boutique shopping, in the happy friendly Durban hang-out. Durban's most interesting book shop, Book Base is at the top of Florida Road (275) and is open every day. Lots of interesting material of historical interest to be seen.

Go out The Origin, Glenwood. Club with focus on electronic dance music. The Winston Pub, Glenwood. Regular rock concerts and monthly drum & bass party

Cafés Freedom Café, 34 St Marys Ave, Morningside. This hidden café offers great coffee, breakfast and lunch.

Sleep

Budget African Sunrise Backpackers & Lodge (Valley of 1000 Hills), [email protected]. Artery Rock Cottages outside Durban. Dorm bed:. Ansteys Beach Backpackers International, 477 marine Drive, Bluff. Run by Palmbloom family. Great atmosphere. Surf lessons, pool table, table tennis, dartboard, paintball, swimming pool, DVDs, beach horse rides, dive courses, braai, golf, kite/windsurfing, dolphin/whale watching. Dorm bed: R 140 pp. Gibela Backpackers Lodge, ☏ +27 31 303-6291, [email protected]. A 4-star graded property by the South African Tourism Grading Council and the 2008 winner in the South African Tourism Welcome Awards - Backpacking. It is also offers a totally smoke-free environment, including the garden. From R 150 pps,. Happy Hippo, 222 Point Rd (Mahatma Gandhi Road), Waterfront, ☏ +27 31 718-1196. 500 m from the beach, but not the safest area. Rooftop bar, wi-fi, kitchen, nice rooms. Dorm bed: R155; Doubles: R270; Ensuite doubles R390. Durban Backpackers - On the Beach, 17 The Promenade, Glen Ashley, Durban North, ☏ +27 31 562 1591. Luxurious en suite rooms with sea view. Air-conditioned dorms. Walking distance to La Lucia Mall. Dorm bed: R260. Shelbourne Lodge Bed 'n Breakfast, La Lucia, ☏ +27 31 562-1282. R350 pps. Smiths Cottage, Umgeni Park, Durban North, ☏ +27 31 564 6313. Cozy and tranquil, with pool and tropical garden. Shuttle service. Dorm bed: R170; doubles: R275; cottage: R600. Tekweni Backpackers, 169 9th Avenue, ☏ +27 31 303-1433, [email protected]. The most fun place to stay in Durban. Offers local tours, barbeques, walking distance to Durban Station. Dorm bed: R135. Queensburgh Caravan Parks, 45 Haslam Rd, Escombe, Queensburgh., ☏ +27 31 464-5800. Comfortable and affordable camping and caravanning. Tent sites from R65pp (max 2 persons), caravan sites from R160, cabins from R350 plus R80pp, children R40.

Mid-range Crooked Tree Cottage, Corner of Hiken Dr & Pearl Drive, Umhlanga, ☏ +27 31 561-5759, [email protected]. From R400pps. Dolphin Sands B&B, North Beach Rd, Westbrook, ☏ +27 32 943-1023. From R300pps. Lazy Lizard Guesthouse, Umhlanga Rocks, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Private, up market accommodation. Northway Lodge, 28 Northway Dr, Durban North, ☏ +27 31 563-9687, [email protected]. From R350pps. Nunuburd Lodge, 74 Clair Avenue, Manor Ridge. Doubles/twins: R190pp; triples: R170pp, quads: R160pp. Umdloti Letting & Sales (Umdloti Beach), fax: +27 86 547-0695, [email protected]. 2-bed apartment: R542pn, 3-bed apartment: R642pn. The Grange Guest House, 1 M

Go next

Umhlanga Nature reserve Go south along the Sunshine and Wild Coast through South Coast and to East London, Port Elizabeth and the Garden Route Go south along the Hisbiscus Coast through Port Shepstone, visit the Oribi gorge and blue flag beaches. Go up the North Coast and visit Ballito, the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and the iSimangaliso Wetland Park or drive further on to Eswatini (Swaziland). Valley of 1000 hills , ☏ +27 31 736-2323, [email protected]. With breathtaking views, more than 10 nature reserves, hiking trails and cultural villages. This is an area not to miss when you visit KwaZulu-Natal