ZA · KwaZulu-Natal · 29.88°S 31.05°E
durban
Indian Ocean promenades, bunny chow and spice markets in South Africa's warm east.
- Best time
- May–September has warm days and much less humidity. December–March is hot and sticky, with summer storms.
- How long
- 3 days
- Getting there
- Fly with one stop to Durban, usually via Dubai or Doha, about 17–21 hours all in, or via Singapore and Johannesburg. King Shaka airport is about 30 minutes north of the centre. South Africa is 6 hours behind KL.
durban
Dear group chat,Indian Ocean promenades, bunny chow and spice markets in South Africa's warm east.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingDurbanZA, KwaZulu-Natal
Photo: Dennis Sylvester Hurd · CC BY 2.0 Photo: Mister-E (https://www.flickr.com/photos/mister-e/) · CC BY 2.0 Photo: Ossewa · CC BY-SA 3.0 Photo: Planet Labs, Inc. · CC BY-SA 4.0 Photo: flowcomm · CC BY 2.0
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.
Durban is South Africa's warm Indian Ocean city, home to the country's biggest Indian community and a large Zulu population. Its long beachfront is made for walking, with curry lunches and spice markets in between.
Makan
Things to do
- Golden MileThe beachfront promenade, busy with joggers, cyclists and surfers from sunrise.Map ↗
- Victoria Street MarketStalls of masala blends, spices and Indian sweets, near the big Grey Street mosque.Map ↗
- Durban Botanic GardensHuge old trees, palms and an orchid house in one of Africa's oldest botanical gardens.Map ↗
- UmhlangaA seaside promenade and red-and-white lighthouse on the coast north of the city.Map ↗
Good to know
- Halal is easy: Durban's large Muslim community means many curry houses and takeaways are halal-certified.
- Swim only at lifeguarded beaches, between the flags. Beaches sometimes close because of water quality, and the lifeguards will say.
- Order a quarter bunny unless you're very hungry; the name has nothing to do with rabbit.
Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.