Cool 25 Attractions to See and Things to Do in Durban, South Africa

October 27, 2022 Mustafa Natalwala 6196 Views

Durban is a city in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The city sits on the coast of the Indian Ocean and is blessed with wonderful beaches. The majority of fun things to do in Durban, South Africa are centered around the coastline.

Aside from pristine beaches, the coastal areas of the city also have water parks, nightlife venues, shopping markets, aquariums, marine parks, entertainment venues, recreational facilities, and food joints. Some of the most important historical places to visit in Durban, South Africa are also situated by the coast. The beaches are also popular for fun activities in Durban such as surfing, snorkeling, boat cruises, scuba diving, kite surfing, swimming, water sports, and more.

After the ocean, forest safaris are the biggest Durban tourist attractions. The city is surrounded by national parks, wildlife reserves, and nature reserves. Lions, Elephants, Impalas, Zebras, Giraffes, and other wild animals are among the most popular things to see in Durban. For those looking for even more adventurous things to do in Durban, they can go for animal encounters at wildlife parks and aquariums. Wildlife feeding sessions and swimming with sharks are the most popular such experiences.

The city itself has a nice blend of modern, historical, and cultural attractions. During Durban sightseeing, you will come across colonial buildings, an art museum, a historical museum, a maritime museum, port facilities, and historical defensive structures.

Before colonization, the city was home to the Zulu community. You can explore cultural centers, art museums, handicraft centers, and historical museums among Durban attractions to learn about the Zulu culture. You can also experience the Zulu tradition through costumes, handicrafts, dance performances, food, festivals, and so on. There are several markets you can explore during Durban travel to purchase traditional items of Zulu origin.

Among modern places to go in Durban, you can explore gardens, parks, zoo, amusement parks, entertainment venues, adventure parks, and so on. The metropolitan culture of this city also has great shopping streets, nightlife venues, and fine dining restaurants.

People visit Durban because they can enjoy a variety of attractions and activities in one city. From cruising the ocean to exploring the jungles and from admiring historical architecture to enjoying modern thrill rides; all is possible at Durban points of interest.

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Table of Contents

Top 25 Tourist Places to Visit in Durban in 6 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. Durban Botanic Gardens

This is the oldest botanical garden in South Africa. It is spread over 2,000 sqm and is divided into several themed gardens. It is also included among Durban tourist attractions for housing 100 years old palm trees. You will need about an hour to explore the botanic gardens.

I suggest you should go for a city sightseeing tour of Durban and visit Durban Botanic Gardens.

2. Victoria Street Market

Colloquially known as Vic, this market dates back to the 1800s and is the oldest one in the city. It is one of the most fun things to do in Durban, South Africa. You will get to see a variety of stalls for food, decorative, household items, electronics, jewelers, fashion, textiles, and more. The market exhibits a blend of African and Indian cultures. It is also quite popular for various street food stalls. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to tour this market.

3. Golden Mile

This 6 kilometers long beach-front promenade is one of the best places to visit in Durban, South Africa. The route is surrounded by various facilities such as beaches, swimming areas, bike trails, walking routes, food stalls, a craft market, and more. You can easily spend an hour or so exploring this place.

I suggest you can go for a Guided Tour of the Golden Mile along with the Durban Botanic Garden and Moses Mabhida Stadium.

4. Moses Mabhida Stadium

This stadium was first built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Though designed for football, the stadium is also used for a variety of sports including cricket, rugby, motorsports, and so on. It is also a popular venue for events and concerts. The stadium is one of the most wonderful things to see in Durban, known for its modern architecture. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this stadium.

5. Umgeni River Bird Park

This aviary and conservation area is spread over 3.5 hectares. The is popular for several fun activities in Durban including bird watching, nature trails, bird shows, and animal interactions. This bird park is home to several species of birds including owls, storks, cranes, hornbills, cuckoos, vultures, parrots, kookaburras, and many more. You will need about 2 hours to tour this bird park.

Day 2

1. Port Natal Maritime Museum

This museum is dedicated to the merchant and military maritime history of Durban. The museum has naval equipment, real-life vessels, ship models, tug boats, and more. You will need about an hour from Durban sightseeing for this Museum.

2. Durban Natural Science Museum

The museum focuses on various natural sciences, but the majority of the exhibits are centered around zoology. You will see skeletons of Dodo, T-Rex, and several other extinct animals. The fossilized egg of the Elephant Bird is also one of the major highlights of this museum. It is one of the most popular Durban attractions for family tourists. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

3. Durban Art Gallery

This art gallery is situated inside the City Hall. It has more than 3,500 pieces of art gathered from several places around the world. It is one of the most interesting places to go in Durban. The museum has paintings, sculptures, ceramics, pots, carvings, handicraft items, and more. You will need an hour from Durban travel for this gallery.

4. Old Court House Museum

This museum is housed inside one of the oldest buildings in the city. First built in 1860, this building has served as a recruitment center, military canteen, and library. The building has several museums including the Miniature Car Collection, Court House Museum, History of Natal museum, and more. The building is also popular among places to see in Durban as it is associated with Mahatma Gandhi. You will need about an hour to tour this building and the exhibits within it.

5. Kwa Muhle Museum

This museum focuses on the precursor and aftermath of the apartheid era. It is one of the biggest Durban points of interest as this government policy had brutal implications for the citizens. The museum is held inside the former Native Administration Department building, which itself played a huge role during the apartheid. You will need an hour to tour this museum when you visit Durban, South Africa.

I suggest you should book a Half Day City Sightseeing Tour of Durban to see Kwa Muhle Museum.

6. The Old Fort

This fort was built after the British suffered defeat in the siege of 1842. It was later converted into cottages for military veterans. The museum focuses on the military and warfare history of this fort and the stories of the soldiers who served here. It is also one of the most popular places of interest in Durban for its park and recreational activities. You will need about an hour to tour this fort.

7. North Beach

Facing the Indian Ocean, this beach is popular for surfing, water skiing, swimming, and other adventurous things to do in Durban, South Africa. The waters are barricaded with shark nets to protect the people. It is also one of the most facilitated Durban beaches with restaurants, clubhouses, bars, shacks, recreational activities, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours enjoying at this beach.

Day 3

1. Paradise Valley Nature Reserve

Spread over 100 hectares, this nature reserve is popular for outdoor activities to do in Durban. You can explore waterfalls, forest areas, cliffs, streams, and more. You can come here for nature trails, hiking, bird watching, wildlife spotting, and camping. You will need at least 2 hours to explore Paradise Valley.

2. Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve

This nature reserve is spread over 253 hectares and is particularly known for its abundance of flora and fauna. It is one of the best places to visit in Durban for bird & wildlife spotting. You can see zebra, bushbuck, impala, mongoose, vervet monkeys, rock hyrax, and several species of birds. You will need 3 to 4 hours to explore this area.

Day 4

1. Phezulu Safari Park

Wildlife safari is one of the biggest Durban tourist attractions. This wildlife park is home to Lions, Giraffes, Wild-beasts, Blesboks, Zebra, Impala, crocodiles, and many other African animals. You can also enjoy a variety of cuisine at the park’s restaurant and purchase Zulu handicraft items at the Curio Shop. You will need about 3 hours to tour this park.

I suggest you should combine your Tour to Phezulu Safari Park with Durban City Sightseeing.

2. Valley of a Thousand Hills

This scenic valley covers several villages and natural landscapes. It is one of the most beautiful things to see in Durban. You can see many cultural villages, cottage industries, horseback riding, farmer’s markets, hiking, and train tour. You can easily spend 3 to 4 hours driving through this valley and exploring various attractions along the way.

I suggest you should book a Tour of the Valley of a Thousand Hills in advance.

Day 5

1. uShaka Marine World

This is the largest marine park on the entire African continent. The park has a large aquarium with various animals from around the world including sharks, dolphins, rays, whales, octopuses, jellyfish, seahorses, turtles, and more. It is especially popular for marine animal shows, feeding presentations, and performances. You will need about 2 hours from Durban sightseeing to explore this park.

2. Ushaka Wet ‘n Wild

This water park has thrill rides, water games, entertainment, recreational activities, dining, themed parks, and more. It is one of the most fun places to go in Durban for family tourists. Some of the most popular rides in this water park include 72 meters tall slide, body tornado, mamba tunnel, super tube, kamikaze speed slide, the Cuba, and so on. You can easily spend a couple of hours at this water park.

3. Ushaka Beach

This golden sands beach is part of the Ushaka Marine World and is one of the best beaches in Durban. It is also protected by a shark net and is patrolled by lifeguards. People come here for swimming, kayaking, surfing, kite surfing, and other adventurous things to do in Durban, South Africa. The beach also has some grassed areas for recreational activities and sunbathing. You will need at least an hour to explore this beach and its various attractions.

Day 6

1. Mitchell Park & Jameson Park

These two public parks are great for leisure, recreational, and fun activities in Durban. Both parks have green spaces, picnic spots, sports facilities, and more. Mitchell Park is home to the Blue Zoo which has monkeys, raccoons, cranes, crocodiles, and a few other animals. Jameson Park on the other hand was built on a former pineapple plantation and is popular for its rose garden. The garden has more than 200 species of roses originating from different parts of the world. You can easily spend 20 to 30 minutes at each of the parks when you visit Durban.

2. Phansi Museum

This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the KwaZulu-Natal province. It is one of the best places to see in Durban, South Africa to explore traditional Zulu culture as well as that of the colonial period. You will see traditional artifacts, paintings, carved items, woodwork, jewelry, instruments, sculptures, agricultural objects, and more. You will need about an hour to tour this museum.

I suggest you should book a Full Day Zulu Cultural Tour with Food Tasting and visit the Phansi Museum.

3. Durban North Japanese Gardens

This park is designed like a traditional Japanese garden. The gardens have themed green areas, ponds, picnic areas, Japanese monuments, and statues. It is popular among Durban points of interest for cherry blossoms and bamboo gardens. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this garden.

4. Addington Beach

This beautiful Durban beach is known for beach sports, water sports, recreational activities, leisure, dining, clubbing, and more. The beach is one of the top places of interest in Durban for swimming, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and surfing. You can easily spend a couple of hours relaxing and enjoying at this beach.

5. Boat Cruise Tour

As you can explore the jungles of Africa in a jeep, you can explore the Indian Ocean in a boat. You can book a variety of boat rides to explore the ocean including sailing boats, yachts, cruise boats, speed boats, and so on. You can also take a boat ride for scuba diving, ocean swimming, and spot marine animals like dolphins, whales, and sharks. It is one of the most fun activities in Durban. You will need 2 to 3 hours for this experience.

I suggest you should try a 30-minute Boat Cruise Tour in Durban.

6. Gondola Ride

If you don’t want to go too far from the city for a boat ride, you can enjoy rocking on a Gondola boat ride. This experience is especially popular among couples and honeymoon tourists. The ride takes you along the waterfront areas and also includes a few Durban points of interest. You need about an hour for this experience.

I suggest if you are a couple and want to spend some romantic moments with your partner then either you can go for a Day Time Gondola Ride or you can go for a Night Time Gondola Ride.

If you are looking for more experiences in Durban, check out the sections below. We have built an exhaustive list of attractions and activities that you can enjoy in and around the city.

Things to do in Durban

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Durban

Kwa Muhle Museum
Durban Natural Science Museum
KwaZulu Natal Society of the Arts
Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple
Durban City Hall
Durban Art Gallery
Phansi Museum
Port Natal Maritime Museum
The Bergtheil Museum Westville
Old House Museum
Elizabeth Gordon Gallery
Campbell Collections
African Art Center
The Old Fort
Emmanuel Cathedral
Hare Krishna Temple
Cato Manor Heritage Center
Clairwood Shree Shiva Soobramonior Temple
Umkhumbane Museum
Durban Hindu Temple
Sri Vishnu Temple
Natural Science Museum & Research Center
MOTH Museum of Militaria
Umbilo Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam Temple
Durban Cultural and Documentation Center
Cave Rock Monument
Local History Museum
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
Mahatma Gandhi Settlement
Old Courthouse Museum
Historical Compensation Sugar Mill

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Durban

Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserves
Paradise Valley Nature Reserve
Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve
Bluff Nature Reserve
Palmiet Nature Reserve
New Germany Nature Reserve
Burman Bush Nature Reserve
Pigeon Valley Nature Reserve
Virginia Bush Nature Reserve
Roosfontein Nature Reserve
Msinsi Nature Reserve
Bayhead Natural Heritage Site
Silverglen Nature Reserve
Crocodile Creek
CrocWorld
Lake Eland Game Reserve
Ventures by Sweetdale
Oribi Vulture Viewing Hide

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Durban

uShaka Marine World
uShaka Sea World
Durban Botanic Garden
Suncoast Casino
Umgeni Bird Park
Mitchel Park Zoo
Minitown
uShaka Wet n’ Wild
Durban Funworld
Zulu Moon Gondolas Ride
Japanese Gardens
The Bat Center
Bluff National Park Golf Club
uShaka Chimp & Zee
Beachwood Course
Jameson Park
uShaka Dangerous Creatures Park
People’s Park
Country Club Beach
Durban Ice Arena
Sea Animals Encounters Island
Float Wellness SA
Gugu Dlamini Park
Blue Wilderness
Calypso Dive & Adventure Center
Greyville Race Course
Sibaya Casino
Skydive Durban
Surf Artificial Waves
The Playhouse Company

Shopping in Durban

I Heart Market
Golden Hours Family Market
Markets of Warwick
Gateway Theater of Shopping
Victoria Street Market
The Pavilion Shopping Center
African Arts Center
BAT Center
uShaka Village Walk
The Workshop Shopping Center
Windermere Shopping Center
Chatsworth Center
Oxford Village Shopping Center
La Lucia Mall
Southway Mall
The Indian Quarter

Beaches & Islands in Durban

Golden Mile Beach
Addington Beach
Wedge Beach
Snake Park Beach
Ansteys Beach
Durban Beachfront Promenade
Suncoast Beach
Blue Lagoon Beach
Glenashley Beach
Beachwood Beach
New Pier Beach
Garvies Beach
Bay of Plenty Beach
uShaka Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Durban

Wildlife Safari
Surfing
Hiking
Trekking
Off-Roading
Boat Cruise
Scuba Diving
Kayaking
Swimming
Snorkeling
Camping
Nature Trails
Bird-Watching
Kite-Surfing
Water Sports
Segway Tour
Walking Tours
Bicycle Tours
Swim with Sharks Experience
Skydiving

Sightseeing in Durban

Florida Road
Farewell Square
KwaZulu Cruise Terminal
Rovos Rail
North Beach Pier
New Pier
Berea Ridge
Durban Harbour
Wilson’s Wharf

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Durban

Empire Steak
9th Avenue Waterside
House of Curries
Afro’s Chicken
Vapor Cafe
Big Easy Wine Bar & Grill
CaneCutters Restaurant
Havana Grill
Daily Dosage
Surf Riders Food Shack
Butcher Block
CaneCutters Umhlanga
Butcher Boys Grill
Cafe 1999
Jack Salmon Fish House
Skyline Coffee Roaster
Impulse by the Sea
Delfi
Old Town Italy
My Diners
The Curry Os Point
Beluga
Hollywood Bets
Dukkah
The Grill Room

Where to Stay in Durban?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Durban. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Durban.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Durban

How to Reach Durban?

By Air

Durban is served by King Shaka International Airport, which sits 40 km outside the city. You can get direct flights to visit Durban from Johannesburg, Harare, Cape Town, Dubai, London, Doha, and Istanbul. The airport is connected with places to visit in Durban by cabs and buses.

By Road

You can get direct trains to reach Durban from Johannesburg and Pietermaritzburg. The bus network is quite widespread and it connects the city to various places in South Africa.

If you are planning for Durban travel by road, you should head for routes 2 or 3.

By Water

There are several Indian Ocean cruises that dock at the city’s port and include Durban sightseeing in their itinerary.

Image Reference

Durban Botanic Gardens – Alf Igel / Flickr
Victoria Street Market – flowcomm / Flickr
Golden Mile – George Bayliss / Flickr
Moses Mabhida Stadium – Clive Reid / Flickr
Umgeni River Bird Park – Clive Reid / Flickr
Port Natal Maritime Museum – Bob Adams / Flickr
Durban Natural Science Museum – Chris Eason / Flickr
Durban Art Gallery – Karen / Flickr
Old Court House Museum –
Kwa Muhle Museum – Shubert Ciencia / Flickr
The Old Fort – Clive Reid / Flickr
North Beach – Bernard DUPONT / Flickr
Paradise Valley Nature Reserve – Smurfatefrog / Wikimedia Commons
Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve –
Phezulu Safari Park – David Pirmann / Flickr
Valley of a Thousand Hills – Paul Williams / Flickr
uShaka Marine World – South African Tourism / Flickr
Ushaka Wet ‘n Wild – South African Tourism / Flickr
Ushaka Beach – ethekwinigirl / Flickr
Mitchell Park and Jameson Park – Chris Bloom / Flickr
Phansi Museum – ign11 / Flickr
Japanese Gardens –
Addington Beach – Chris Bloom / Flickr
Boat Cruise Tour –
Gondola Ride –