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Summary

  • Durban is a vibrant city in South Africa with sunny beaches, stunning attractions, and a wide range of outdoor activities for adventurers.
  • The city is rich in history, with historical gems and museums that showcase Durban's past, making it a must-visit for history buffs.
  • Durban's beaches are beautiful and offer a variety of activities like snorkeling, diving, and water sports, making it a great destination for a romantic vacation or honeymoon.

Durban is a South African city known for being one of the most populous urban areas in the country. While most people choose to visit Cape Town thanks to its beautiful beaches, visiting Durban means finding spectacular sunny beaches, jaw-dropping attractions, warm weather, and a plethora of things to do in this charming city are the first enticements that come to mind.

South Africa has many unique attractions, and Durban is home to some of them. Nestled in KwaZulu-Natal province, Durban is everything visitors would expect. It is colorful, thrilling, and simply magical. Whether exploring the great outdoors or getting pampered at the best day spas and resorts, visitors heading to Durban should allocate more time for their vacation if they want to do justice to this city. Durban is also widely recognized for its African, Colonial, and Indian influences. There is an assumption of rent inclusivity. Here are things to do and see in Durban.

UPDATE: 2023/08/06 15:42 EST BY LUANA FERREIRA

Is Durban Safe? Where Are The Best (And Safest) Areas To Stay?

One of the most common questions about Durban is if it is safe to visit. This article not only answers this but it was updated to include the best areas to stay and what travelers can expect from its cuisine. Have fun and happy fall!

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Outdoor Activities To Try At Durban

Durban's beautiful coastline
Photo by Jason Briscoe on Unsplash
Durban's beautiful coastline

Durban is the ultimate destination for adventurers. Unlike Cape Town, which experiences a Mediterranean climate, Durban’s climate is sun-tropical. It incorporates the commercial vibe of Johannesburg with the seaside lifestyle of Cape Town.

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Full of intrinsic beauty and beautiful weather, Durban boasts a range of picturesque attractions that are just begging to be explored. There’s a lot to enjoy, from beautiful mountain hikes to adventure biking, aquarium diving, clay pigeon shooting, canopy tours, hot-air ballooning, microlight flying, and others. With such a wide array of things to do and places to see, tourists will be spoiled for choice.

For instance, just about two hours from Durban is the remarkable Oribi George, an incredible place of cliffs, waterfalls, forests, and hiking trails. This is the perfect place for abseiling. Visitors can also try out the Aerial Cable Trail, where they are led up into the tree canopy.

North Beach Pier, Durban, South Africa
Marlin Clark on Unsplash
North Beach Pier, Durban, South Africa

Adrenaline junkies can as well go diving at Durban’s state-of-the-art uShaka Marine World. Those who want to keep the good vibe going can try out an escorted cycle tour through the city. Cycle tours are an incredible way of appreciating the beauty of this bustling city first-hand.

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Durban Is Rich In History

Durban may be recognized as a relaxed seaside town that has a big city personality. The city boasts plenty of historical gems detailing the city’s history secluded in some quaint old buildings.

For history buffs interested in exploring the history of this charming city, Durban has a novel way of exhibiting it. Visitors can start their tour at Francis Farewell Square by Durban’s Neo-Baroque City Hall. The historic square in the heart of Durban is the place where the city began as a small settlement of itinerant traders and hunters in the early 19th century.

Durban beach
Nico Smit on Unsplash
Durban beach

There’s also the Natural Science Museum which has a thrilling insect section on the first floor. Also, the famous Durban art gallery is on the first floor of City Hall. Cultural fanatics can visit the City Hall on Wednesday at 1 pm to experience different musical and dance performances.

The Durban’s Local History Museum is within earshot of the City Hall, nestled in the Old Court House. It is famed as the first public building to be built in Durban in 1866. The nearby Kwa Muhle Museum describes the indignities of the apartheid experience in the city. Other top-rated museums in the city include the Mahatma Gandhi House, Sugar Terminal, Killie Campbell African Museum, and the Port Natal Maritime Museum.

Spectacular Beaches At Durban

Durban is a must-visit city in South Africa that's of unbeatable beauty and among the few destinations that don’t require much convincing for people to consider. It boasts beautiful beaches and spots to snorkel and dive. With many picture-perfect beaches in Durban, it can be challenging to settle on a destination for a romantic vacation or honeymoon.

There is plenty of space on the beaches for anyone who simply wants to soak in the sun. One of the most popular beaches in Durban is North Beach. This beach is a perfect spot for a dream vacation. It welcomes beginners and expert divers, offering a glimpse of rare marine creatures.

The water in North Beach is quite calm and shallow, making it suitable for swimmers of most levels, including beginners.

Shark swimming at UShaka Marine World in South Africa
Zander Janzen van Rensburg on Unsplash
Shark swimming at UShaka Marine World in South Africa

It is also ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing. Other popular beaches in Durban include Umhlanga Rocks, Umdloti Beach, Ansteys Beach, uShaka Beach, and Tiger Rocks Beach. Unsurprisingly, most of these Durban beaches are home to luxurious resorts. They will forever change how visitors view stays at affordable hotels and resorts. Some resorts to spend the night include the La Lucia Sands Beach Resort in Umhlanga Rocks, Hyde Park Resort in Durban, and the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, among others.

Durban is the ultimate destination for budget travelers and visitors looking for a luxurious getaway. Besides the incredible things to do in Durban, the city also boasts a lower cost of living compared to Cape Town. So if you are on a tight budget and wondering which of the two cities to visit, Durban is the better choice.

Is Durban A Safe City?

South Africa is a country that is one of the most beautiful and rewarding to visit. The country is home to some of the most famous national parks in Africa for safaris - including Kruger National Park. South Africa is one of the most developed and easy-to-travel countries in Africa. But unfortunately, the country also has a reputation for high crime. Safety is one of the key most pressing questions for people visiting South Africa.

Elephants at the Kruger National Park in South Africa
Shutterstock
Elephants at the Kruger National Park in South Africa
  • Danger Level: High

The U.S. Department of State cautions travelers about violent crimes, including armed robbery, mugging, and other types of crime. In particular, the risk of such crime is often higher in the central business districts of major cities - and especially after dark. That being said, the risk of violent crime to visitors traveling to the main tourist destinations is normally low (like in the national parks). But that doesn't necessarily hold true if one is visiting Durban.

According to Statista.com, Durban is the third most dangerous city in South Africa (after Pretoria and Johannesburg). So if one is planning to visit Durban, take care to exercise normal safety precautions when visiting dangerous countries. If one is uneasy about visiting, then it may be a good idea to take a guided tour with a professional travel agency that knows the city well.

Where To Stay In Durban

Choosing the right neighborhood defines what kind of experience travelers will have when visiting Durban or any other place. The city offers a variety of areas and districts, each with its unique charm and attractions.

Travelers visiting Durban for its stunning beaches should stay at Golden Mile, a beachfront stretch lined with high-rise hotels. Travelers can enjoy breathtaking ocean views, walk along the promenade, and access various water activities.

Golden Mile Durban
Image by Rohan Reddy from Pixabay
Golden Mile Durban

Fancy travelers can check the Umhlanga, famous for its upscale ambiance and beautiful beaches. The area features high-end resorts, shopping centers, and a thriving dining scene. Gateway Theatre of Shopping, a massive mall, is a highlight.

Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban
Clay LeConey on Unsplash
Hotel in Umhlanga, Durban

Morningside is renewed for its guesthouses and boutique hotels. Florida Road's entertainment is within reach, and the Moses Mabhida Stadium offers a unique adventure with its SkyCar and stadium tours.

Durban North is a tranquil suburb favored for its charm and proximity to Durban's city center and Umhlanga. Travelers can explore Japanese Gardens, Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, and local markets.

Staying in Durban City Center can be a convenient and exciting option for travelers who want to be at the heart of the action. The city center offers a blend of business, culture, entertainment, and historical attractions.

Hotel: City Lodge Hotel Durban

Durban's Food and Dining Scene: What to Try?

Durban lighthouse
Hassan Amra on Unsplash
Durban lighthouse

Durban's food and dining scene reflects the city's multicultural heritage and coastal location. From traditional dishes to modern fusion cuisine, there's something to satisfy every palate. Most restaurants have dishes prepared with the famous Durban curry. The unique blend of spices is used to prepare seafood, meat, chicken, mutton, and vegetarian options.

Travelers can stop at the restaurant Jeera to eat the city's best Bunny Chow. The traditional dish is a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. It's a hearty and flavorful dish in various meat and vegetarian options.

The Street Food scene in Durban also deserves attention. Try boerewors rolls (sausage rolls), shisa nyama (barbecued meat), and amagwinya (deep-fried bread).