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Durban

Cosmopolitan Durban, South Africa’s third-largest city (known as eThekweni in Zulu), is sometimes passed over for her ‘cooler’ cousin, Cape Town. But there’s a lot more to fun-loving Durbs (as it’s affectionately known) than meets the eye.

A revamped waterfront, including the renewal of the promenade, has given municipal authorities new confidence and ambition, which you can see in the development projects all over the city. Home to the largest concentration of people of Indian descent outside of India, Durban also boasts an unmistakeably Asian feel, with the marketplaces and streets of the Indian area replete with the sights, sounds and scents of the subcontinent.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Durban.

  • Beach

    Bay of Plenty Beach

    At the heart of the beachfront along Durban's Golden Mile. Popular with sunbathers and beach-sports enthusiasts.

  • Stadium

    Moses Mabhida Stadium

    Durbanites are proud of their state-of-the-art stadium, constructed for the 2010 World Cup. Resembling a giant basket, it seats 56,000 people, and its arch was inspired by the ‘Y’ in the country’s flag. Visitors can head up to the arch in a SkyCar, puff up on foot (550 steps) on an Adventure Walk or plunge off the 106m arch on the giant Big Swing. All options offer great views of Durban.

  • Amusement Park

    uShaka Marine World

    Divided into areas including Sea World and Wet’n’Wild, uShaka Marine World boasts one of the largest aquariums in the world, the biggest collection of sharks in the southern hemisphere, marine animals and exhibits, a mock-up 1940s steamer wreck featuring two classy restaurants, a shopping centre, and enough freshwater rides to make you seasick. There are various options to 'meet' dolphins, seals and rays, but animal welfare groups suggest such interactions create stress for these creatures.

  • Gallery

    Campbell Collections

    These collections are well worth seeing. Muckleneuk, a superb house designed by Sir Herbert Baker, holds the documents and artefacts collected by Dr Killie Campbell and her father Sir Marshall Campbell (KwaMashu township is named after him), and these are extremely important records of early Natal and Zulu culture.

  • Temple

    Temple of Understanding

    Situated in Durban’s west, this is the biggest Hare Krishna temple in the southern hemisphere. The unusual building is designed in the shape of a lotus flower and is a treat for those interested in architecture or world religion. There is also a well-respected vegetarian restaurant (open 10.30am to 7pm, to 5pm Sundays) on the temple grounds. Follow the N3 towards Pietermaritzburg and then branch off to the N2 south. Take the Chatsworth turn-off and turn right towards the centre of Chatsworth.

  • Museum

    Gandhi Settlement

    An often forgotten gem of Durban's historic past lies just outside the city in the Phoenix township. Here you can visit the house where Mahatma Gandhi lived and resisted the oppressive apartheid regime. There are several exhibits dedicated to him, his wife Kasturba, and other leaders of the anti-apartheid movement.

  • Monument

    Vasco da Gama Clock

    This florid Victorian monument on the embankment, just east of Stalwart Simelane St, was presented by the Portuguese government in 1897 to mark the 400th anniversary of Vasco da Gama’s sighting of Natal.

  • Gardens

    Durban Botanic Gardens

    A 2000-sq-metre garden featuring one of the rarest cycads (Encephalartos woodii), as well as many species of bromeliad, this is a lovely place to wander. On weekends bridal parties galore pose with their petals for photographers. The gardens play host to an annual concert series featuring the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and other performances.

  • Museum

    Phansi Museum

    Found southwest of the city centre, this museum features a private collection of Southern African tribal artefacts, displayed in Roberts House, a Victorian monument. Owner-collector Paul Mikula has amassed outstanding examples of contemporary sculptures, beadwork of KwaZulu-Natal, carved statues, and artefacts from pipes to fertility dolls. Bookings required.