10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Durban

Durban on the east coast of South Africa has often been overshadowed by its popular sisters, Johannesburg and Cape Town, but this laid back seaside town is slowly making waves. Here are 10 reasons to head east to this rapidly emerging city when visiting South Africa.

Beautiful beaches

Durban has some of the best beaches in South Africa and unlike some of the more advertised beaches on the west coast that border the frigid Atlantic Ocean, Durban has the warm Indian Ocean and the warm Mozambique Current that make sure the water stays toasty throughout the year. The Golden Mile is a prized stretch of land along Durban’s North Beach that is popular with surfers, fishers, joggers, and offers some of the best beaches in Kwazulu-Natal.

Warm throughout the year

Save a buck or two

Durban is not (yet) as popular as South African destinations like economically stimulated Cape Town and Johannesburg, making it a significantly cheaper city to live and holiday in. Food, rent, and entertainment can be much cheaper in this seaside city, making it a great holiday destination where tourists can save a few bucks.

It has everything

Durban has the sea, the valleys, and the mountains. Everyone knows about Durban’s amazing ocean but what people forget is that people can go a few kilometres inland and drive through the scenic midlands or even further into KwaZulu-Natal to see a number of game reserves. Further in on the South Africa/Lesotho border, see the majestic Drakensberg Mountains that even promise snow during a cold front.

It’s the best city in South Africa

Durban has won the city with the best quality of living in South Africa for three years running. The annual international survey by Mercer ranks cities in the world based on quality of living. Durban came ahead of Johannesburg and Cape Town and was placed second after Port Louis, Mauritius as the best city in Africa.

Ushaka Marine World in Durban has the fifth largest aquarium in the world

1. World-class aquarium

Aquarium, Park

One of the refurbishment projects for the Durban point area was to open a large water world toward South Beach. Ushaka Marine World boasts an aquarium, water park, and a village walk for shopping. After a fun day at the Wet’n Wild Waterpark, head to the Ushaka Sea World. The fifth-largest aquarium in the world, it is underground and designed around five shipwrecks.

2. Shopping galore

Park, Shopping Mall

North of Durban, the Gateway Shopping Mall is one of the 50 largest malls in the world and claims to be the biggest mall in the Southern Hemisphere. With 18 movie theatres, over 400 stores, an arcade, a theme park, and a water park, the mall has food options and entertainment for everyone.

It’s a quirky place

Durban is a funny place: at the Victoria Street Market, people can buy spices called ‘Mother-in-law hell fire’, a loaf of bread filled with curry is a local delicacy, and if, God forbid, the temperature ever drops below 20° C (68° F), Durbanites will lug out blankets, hot water bottles, and insist they must vaai posie (go home).

Secret sunrise

Cape Town may be famous for its epic sunsets over the ocean, but Durban’s hidden secret is its breathtaking sunrises. Wake up early enough and get to a promenade to watch the sun majestically rise out of the ocean along with a handful of early joggers and surfers. It’s one of Durban’s best kept and most beautiful secrets.

Durban is being recognised as a top holiday destination

It’s up-and-coming

Since the World Cup in 2010, Durban’s possibilities have gradually become more recognised. In 2014, CNN named Durban one of the 10 most underrated cities in the world. It was on The New York Times‘ 52 places to go in the world in 2015, and in 2016 CNN named Durban one of the 23 cities in the world for the best street food. Besides that, the city has increasingly played host to a number of national and international world-class conferences and concerts that include the United Nations Climate Change Conference, International Aids Conferences, and the World News Media Conference. It’s the new place to watch in South Africa.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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