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As the country’s third most populous city after Johannesburg and Cape Town, Durban is one of South Africa’s best-loved tourist destinations. The city has a metropolitan business district at its center, but its coastal location means it also offers beachfront views and plenty of opportunities for lounging under the sun.
Durban’s location in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, which is scattered with incredible mountain ranges and savannahs, means it also offers easy access to beautiful South African landscapes and wildlife.
If you’re planning a trip to Durban for the first time, you might wonder which tourist attractions to prioritize, considering that the city has many things to see and do. Here are 19 of Durban’s best sights you can’t afford to miss during your vacation.
1. Durban Botanic Gardens
- Website: durbanbotanicgardens.org.za
- Address: 9A John Zikhali Road, Berea, Durban, 4001
- Opening hours: Winter: 7.30 am – 5.15 pm daily / Summer: 7.30 am – 5.45 pm daily
Situated on Berea Hill in the northwest of the city, Durban Botanic Gardens are a brilliant way to escape the hustle and bustle. They were originally established in 1849 to trial agricultural crops, and they remain the oldest surviving botanic gardens in Africa. There’s a rich and diverse array of native and exotic plants here, including some of the rarest plants in Africa.
2. Umgeni River Bird Park
- Website: umgeniriverbirdpark.co.za
- Address: Riverside Rd, Durban North, Durban, 4051
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily
Umgeni River Bird Park is situated among a beautiful landscape dotted with rugged rock faces and pretty waterfalls. It’s home to more than 200 bird species, including 24 endangered species, which the park is working hard to conserve. Be sure to check out the bird hatching exhibit and the Free Flight Bird Show to learn about the likes of Cape Vultures, Wattled Cranes, hornbills, and owls.
3. Victoria Street Market
- Website: victoriastreetmarket.co.za
- Address: 151/155 Bertha Mkhize St, Durban Central, Durban, 4037
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8 am – 5 pm / Saturday: 8 am – 4 pm / Sunday: 9 am – 3 pm
The vibrant atmosphere of Victoria Street Market is not to be missed. It’s known for its huge collection of bags, brassware, antiques, ornaments, and artworks available from local vendors. You can also pick up fresh produce here, with a section dedicated to the sale of seafood and meat.
There are more than 200 stalls to explore, and with music and the incredible scent of spices and incense in the air, visiting is an experience like no other.
4. Suncoast Casino
- Website: www.suncoastcasino.co.za
- Address: Suncoast Boulevard, O R Tambo Parade, Durban, 4056
- Opening hours: 24/7
Suncoast is one of the most popular casinos in South Africa. It houses over 1000 slot machines and 50 gaming tables, and its Lounge Bar serves various drinks and cocktails. The casino is housed in an impressive art deco building, an important landmark on the Golden Mile. The building is also home to several luxury retail stores and restaurants, and there’s even a movie theater and a private beach.
5. Wilson’s Wharf
- Website: wilsonswharfonline.co.za
- Address: 14 Boatman’s Road, Albert Park, Durban, 4000
- Opening hours: 8 am – 11 pm daily
Wilson’s Wharf, also known as Durban Harbor, is the largest shipping port in sub-Saharan Africa. You can get fantastic views of the Indian Ocean and Durban’s coastline from Wilson’s Wharf, and there are lots of eateries, cafes, and boutique stores to explore in the area. You can also take a boat ride from here to see more of the coastline from the ocean and observe the huge ships passing in and out of the harbor.
6. Indian Quarter
- Address: Indian Quarter, Dr. Yusuf Dadoo Street, Durban, 4001
The Indian Quarter encompasses Victoria Street Market and Jumah Mosque, and it’s the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The area has become increasingly multicultural over the years, with Chinese, Pakistani, and Somali street vendors joining Indian vendors in selling goods such as food, clothing, incense, jewelry, and artwork.
The atmosphere in the Indian Quarter is lively and vibrant, and it’s here where you can find the city’s best Bunny Chow — an Indian-Durban dish comprised of bread, curry, and pickles.
7. Mini Town
- Website: minitowndbn.co.za
- Address: 114 Snell Parade, North Beach, Durban, 4001
- Opening hours: 9.30 am – 4 pm daily
A fun way to get to know Durban’s key sights is to visit Mini Town on the city’s beachfront. It features all of Durban’s best-known landmarks in miniature, including the harbor and airport with moving ships and planes. Kids love the novelty of Mini Town, which has a charming retro feel and is beloved by locals.
8. uShaka Marine World and Wet ‘n Wild
- Website: ushakamarine.com
- Address: 1 King Shaka Ave, Point, Durban, 4001
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
uShaka Marine World is set on the Golden Mile — Durban’s key stretch of scenic golden beach. The theme park contains a Sea World where you can see 10,000 different species of marine wildlife, including sharks, rays, seals, turtles, and penguins. It also has a Wet ‘n Wild water park with swimming pools, slides, and supertubes. There’s an opportunity to try snorkeling and scuba diving, too.
9. iSimangaliso Wetland Park
- Website: isimangaliso.com
- Address: Various
- Opening hours: April to October: 6 am – 6 pm / November to March: 5 am – 7 pm
iSimangaliso Wetland Park comprises more than 820,000 acres of swamps, lakes, estuaries, coastal dunes, beaches, and coral reefs. It stretches along 125 miles of coastline and is home to over 6,500 species of plants and animals.
Lake St. Lucia sits at the park’s heart, where crocodiles, hippos, pelicans, and flamingos reside. The best way to explore the park, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, is via boat ride. You can also kayak, snorkel, scuba dive, and ride horses in the area.
10. Durban City Hall
- Address: Anton Lembede Street, Durban Central, Durban, 4000
- Opening hours: Natural Science Museum opens 8.30 am—3.45 pm Monday to Saturday / Library opens 10 am – 5 pm Monday to Friday and 9.30 am – 12 pm Saturday.
Constructed in 1910, Durban City Hall is an iconic neo-Baroque building adorned with beautiful sculptures. It was modeled after Belfast’s City Hall and remains one of Durban’s most iconic landmarks. It’s home to the Durban Natural Science Museum and Durban Art Gallery, both of which are fascinating attractions popular with locals and tourists.
11. Umhlanga Rocks Gateway Shopping Centre
- Website: gatewayworld.co.za
- Address: 1 Palm Blvd, Umhlanga Ridge, uMhlanga, 4021
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 9 am – 7 pm / Friday & Saturday: 9 am – 9 pm / Sunday: 9 am – 6 pm
Umhlanga Rocks is an affluent and beautiful resort situated 10 miles north of Durban. There are lots of outdoor pursuits to enjoy in the area, with iSimangaliso Wetland Park being nearby, but the Gateway Shopping Center is also a popular attraction here. It’s one of the biggest malls in the southern hemisphere, and it’s home to a variety of stores, restaurants, coffee shops, a cinema complex, and a hotel.
12. Mitchell Park Zoo
- Address: 10 Ferndale Rd, Morningside, Durban, 4001
- Opening hours: 24/7
Mitchell Park, one of the city’s oldest parks and a popular area to walk and enjoy a picnic resides in the upmarket area of Morningside. It has extensive lawns, a playground for kids, and a small zoo. The zoo was once home to an Indian Elephant, but these days it holds a variety of much smaller animals, including raccoons, South American monkeys, blue duikers, and Aldabra giant tortoises.
13. Jameson Park and Rose Garden
- Address: Morningside, Durban, 4001
- Opening hours: 24/7
Jameson Park is adjacent to Mitchell Park, so it’s easy to explore both in one day. Jameson boasts more than 200 different species of roses, the heady scent filling the park. There are 600 rose bushes on display here. The park was originally a plantation for pineapples, but today it serves as a popular green space to take a peaceful stroll or lounge on the lawn.
14. Moses Mabhida Stadium
- Website: mmstadium.com
- Address: 44 Isaiah Ntshangase Rd, Stamford Hill, Durban, 4023
- Opening hours: Variable in line with events
Moses Mabhida Stadium is situated on the Golden Mile and was created to host some of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Games. Its huge arch can be scaled by climbing 500 steps to its 344-foot peak or by taking the Sky Car.
At the top, consider trying the Big Rush Swing, where you’ll be suspended above the stadium’s pitch. If the swing isn’t for you, simply take in the incredible 360-degree view of Durban.
15. Valley of a Thousand Hills
- Address: Various
- Opening hours: 24/7
The Valley of a Thousand Hills is an incredible driving route that lets you take in the mesmerizing, rugged landscape of the Kwazulu-Natal province. The Umgeni River cuts right through the valley from the distant Drakensberg mountains.
A series of villages and suburbs are dotted throughout the area, including Westville, Hillcrest, and Bothas Hill, and just beyond these lies PheZulu cultural village. This is a traditional Zulu village where you can watch locals perform traditional songs and dances and learn more about Zulu history and culture.
16. PheZulu Safari Park
- Website: phezulusafaripark.co.za
- Address: 190 Old Main Rd, Bothas Hill, Outer West Durban, 3610
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8 am – 4.30 pm / Monday: closed
PheZulu Safari Park is one of the best places in the Durban region to see native reptiles, including rattlesnakes, vipers, pythons, mambas, cobras, water monitors, and iguanas. There are also more than 100 crocodiles in the park. The best way to explore is via a 4×4 guided tour in which local guides share insights into the feeding and mating habits of the wildlife.
17. Kwamuhle Museum
- Website: durban.org.za/artculture/museums/kwamuhle
- Address: 130 Bram Fischer Rd, Durban Central, Durban, 4001
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30 am – 4 pm / Saturday: 8.30 am – 12.30 pm / Sunday: closed
Kwamuhle Museum documents the injustices faced by the Zulu and non-white people during the apartheid. It is situated in the former building of the Native Affairs Department, and it’s designed to be a place of hope and a celebration of those who fought against the unjust regime. For those who want to learn about South Africa’s complex history, this museum is an essential place to visit.
18. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
- Website: hluhluwegamereserve.com
- Address: Hluhluwe, 3960
- Opening hours: 6 am – 6 pm daily
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park is the oldest game reserve in South Africa. It takes around two hours to reach it from central Durban, and you can either drive yourself or take an organized day trip.
A safari here is the best chance you’ll get of seeing the Big Five — buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino — during your visit to Durban. The 237,000-acre nature reserve is also home to wildebeest, giraffe, zebra, hyena, cheetah, and wild dogs.
19. Midlands Meander
- Website: midlandsmeander.co.za
- Address: R103, Exit 132 off, N3, Nottingham Road, 3280
- Opening hours: 24/7 but hours of venues and events vary
The Midlands Meander is a scenic driving route across the rolling green and golden landscapes, with the Drakensberg mountains serving as a backdrop. There are many stops in small towns and villages along the way, with handicrafts to see and buy and plenty of cafes and restaurants to grab a bite.
There are also lots of fun activities available to try in the Midlands region, including horseback riding, white water rafting, and skydiving.
Plan Your Visit to Durban’s Best Sights
Now you know about Durban’s best attractions, you can plan your sightseeing itinerary and look forward to a jampacked trip to this thriving South African metropolis.
