Durban: Is the third largest city in South Africa worth it?

Durban, with a population of 3.7 million, is the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa (after Johannesburg and Cape Town). Locals especially love the city, which calls itself 'the warmest place to be', as it offers 320 sunny days a year.

I have already been to Durban twice and used it just as a stopover. The city isn't really beautiful, despite its long golden beaches. Still, there are 5 attractions you should see in Durban:

Here I created a map where you can quickly see the highlights I mentioned, recommended hotels, and favorite spots in Durban. Looking for accommodation? Use the filter function to quickly find out what is available when.

Did you know that the Botanical Garden is the oldest surviving botanical garden in all of Africa? For me, the visit was my absolute highlight in Durban. Although it is much smaller, at 15 acres, than the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden in Cape Town, some plants and trees truly amazed me.

While other botanical gardens in South Africa boast their native plants, over 90% of the trees and plants here in Durban are exotic, as they were gathered from around the world for potential commercial use in the early days of Durban.

My tip: Definitely book the 60-minute tour with the golf cart and guide Vishnu Moodley (100 Rand, as of February 2025). It's totally worth it. Vishnu shows you the treasures of the garden and captivates everyone with his manner. You can book via WhatsApp (+27 74 028 6936) or [email protected]. There's only one golf cart.

As soon as we sit in the golf cart, Vishnu welcomes us with the words, 'We are full of illegal trees.' My curiosity is piqued. In 60 minutes we are shown trees and plants that are so beautiful, I didn't even know they existed. My highlights were the Cannonball Tree with stunning flower blossoms that seem to grow towards the sky (and smell good too).

Or even the Rainbow Eucalyptus. This tree is so wonderful, colorful and actually forbidden. Because it requires 100 liters of water per day! Just imagine that. In a country like South Africa, where water is often scarce.

If you want to visit the third attraction (among many others), look for 'The loneliest man in the world.' A specimen of Wood's Cycad, because it is the only still existing natural specimen of its kind and thus the rarest cycad in the world.

The Golden Mile in Durban is a palm-lined beach promenade about 6 km long, stretching from uShaka Marine World to Suncoast Casino. Here, long, golden sandy beaches like South Beach and North Beach line up - perfect for swimming, surfing, or just sunbathing.

Particularly in the early morning, the promenade is bustling with joggers, cyclists, and walkers, while later street performers, musicians, and food trucks join in to bring the typical Durban atmosphere to life.

My tip: Rent a bike and explore the beachfront promenade in both directions. In the early morning hours it is pleasantly empty, and you can enjoy the sunrise over the Indian Ocean. If you like surfing or want to learn, you will find numerous surf schools along the Golden Mile Durban.

Although Durban is not among the most beautiful cities in South Africa overall, the well-maintained beachfront with its wide paths, public showers, and lifeguards is one of the reasons why many locals and tourists enjoy their time here. The Mini Town Park, a miniature replica of downtown, located right on the promenade, is particularly suitable for families.

I was here early in the morning - however, not for surfing. Right at the surf shop, there is a café that is ideal for breakfast.

Right on the Golden Mile is one of the biggest attractions in Durban: uShaka Marine World. The property stretches along the beach and combines a huge aquarium, a water park, and an outdoor shopping area with souvenirs and food stalls.

The aquarium itself is housed in a reconstructed shipwreck - that alone is worth seeing. If you're interested in marine biology, you can admire sharks, rays, turtles, and many colorful species of fish up close. I particularly liked that the lighting design is very atmospheric, and the aquariums do not appear overcrowded.

The Durban City Hall is a beautiful neo-baroque building from the 20th century located on Pixley Ka Seme Street.

In full, the lavish building is referred to as 'eThekwini City Hall'.

The current Durban City Hall is actually the second built for this purpose. The original city hall (now the post office around the corner) became too small at the end of the 19th century. These two buildings stand out particularly among the modern structures.

The Victoria Street Market is considered one of the most famous attractions in Durban - at least according to many travel guides. In theory, it sounds exciting: a colorful market with African carvings, Indian spices, and traditional clothing. However, the reality was rather disappointing for me.

The stalls seemed very tourist-oriented. Many souvenirs - like plastic Zulu figures or poorly made textiles - you can find cheaper and of higher quality at other markets in the country. The atmosphere was, in my opinion, a bit too loud and chaotic. While you can buy some good spices here, that's about it.

More interesting - but please only with a guide! - is the adjacent Muthi Market, a traditional Zulu medicine market. Here you get insights into the world of traditional healers, called Sangomas. Among dried herbs, roots, and bones, you'll encounter a market deeply embedded in Zulu culture. Photography is strictly prohibited here, as there are likely not only legal animal hides and bones to see and purchase as medicine.

My tip: If you want to dive deeper into the culture, book yourself the guided tour through both markets. I wouldn't have felt comfortable alone in the Muthi Market. With a knowledgeable guide, you gain much more background knowledge and can navigate more safely.

The KwaMuhle Museum in Durban is one of the most important historical sites in the city and is particularly worthwhile for anyone interested in Apartheid history, social justice, and the development of Durban.

The museum is a former municipal office that served as the 'Native Administration Department' during Apartheid. Black South Africans had to apply here for their passes and work permits for Durban. The exhibition addresses discrimination and the consequences of the infamous 'Pass Laws', which restricted the freedom of the non-white population. Very worth seeing, especially if you haven't been to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg yet.

The Moses Mabhida Stadium was one of the prestige projects for the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa - and one of the architectural highlights in Durban. The huge arch that elegantly spans the stadium was once not only a photo opportunity but also part of a viewing experience: with the 'SkyCar', one could ride up to the platform or take the famous 'Big Swing' - the highest stadium swing in the world.

However, during my last visit (February 2025), I was frankly disappointed: the grounds currently seem rundown, the SkyCar no longer works (dismantled), and the Big Swing has been discontinued. There is currently no viewing platform and hardly any worthwhile activities.

A walk around the outside is still possible, but the stadium is largely empty. You can feel the decay - and that's a shame because the facility was truly impressive. So don't be misled by older travel guides or websites that still promote the old attractions.

My conclusion: There is currently nothing to see here, except for a large framework and the hope that everything will be restored and soon put back into shape. If you're nearby, a quick look at the stadium from the outside is worth it - for the architecture. However, I wouldn't make a detour just for that at this time.

Durban has an International Airport and is an ideal starting point for St. Lucia with the iSimangaliso Wetland Park as well as Hluhluwe National Park and the Drakensberg Mountains. You can also ideally explore the Wild Coast between East London and Durban.

I have flown once from Cape Town, once from Port Elizabeth, and the third time from Hoedspruit via Johannesburg to Durban to explore the coast. Flights cost around 100 EUR.

BOOK FLIGHTS ✈️ We always look for cheap flights on Kayak. Here are my tips for booking cheap flights. Make sure to specify checked baggage, as basic flights only include hand luggage. This initially skews the price, making it appear cheaper.

You can reach Durban from Johannesburg via the N3 in 6 to 7 hours (566 km).

In Durban, there are two areas I recommend for overnight stays: directly on the beachfront in the city center (Golden Mile Beach) or in uMhlanga. 'uMhlanga' is Zulu and means 'place of reeds'. It is named for the abundance of reeds along the banks of the Ohlange River, which flows directly north of uMhlanga. The area was part of an ancient dune forest system along the coast, which still provides refuge for small wildlife.

Durban is located on the Indian Ocean and has a subtropical climate - which means: summery temperatures and high humidity year-round. The summers (November to March) are hot (up to 30 °C) and very humid, with frequent, short rain showers. The best time to travel is from May to September: pleasant temperatures, little rainfall, and perfect conditions for beach days or excursions in the surrounding area.

My tip: If you want to avoid the hot and humid months, travel in the South African winter - June to August. The sea is still warm enough for swimming, and there are fewer crowds.

I was here once in December and once in February. Neither are ideal months, but it was each time a stopover on my round trip, so the timing was okay.

Durban is not considered the safest city in South Africa - especially away from tourist zones. At the Golden Mile, in uMhlanga, or around well-known attractions, it is usually not a problem during the day. However, after dark, you should only move around by car or taxi and avoid dark side streets.

My recommendations for safety in Durban:

For getting around, I recommend Uber - fast, cheap, and safe. Alternatively, you can also rent a car if you plan excursions around Durban. I would not recommend buses and minibus taxis - they are often confusing and not secure enough for those unfamiliar with the area.

I hope you enjoyed this article and found it helpful in answering your questions. If you have any ideas or questions, we are very much looking forward to your comment here on the travel blog.

If you don't have any questions: We still look forward to your feedback and hope you share the article with friends or save it on Pinterest. That way you can find the tips later.

Would you like to always receive the best travel and insider tips? Then follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Threads, or subscribe to my newsletter to get regular updates and exclusive tips.

♥ Do you like my tips? Say thanks with a coffee ☕️

My articles are the result of extensive research, personal experiences, and honest recommendations - all without AI. I write them to help you plan your travels stress-free and with genuine, tested tips.

If you appreciate my work and just want to say thank you, I would be grateful for a small tip in my virtual travel fund. Every contribution helps me continue to create independent, high-quality content for you with passion. Thank you!

Trust is important: In some of my articles, you will find referral links (affiliate links). If you book or purchase something through one of these links, it does not cost you anything extra - but I receive a small commission. This way you can support me effortlessly and help keep this blog alive. Thank you for being part of my community and for sharing my passion for authentic travel!