Durban Information Guide

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The vibrant city of Durban - an eclectic fusion of cultures, architectural styles that blend old side by side with new, traditional rickshaws, bunny chows and curry, Indian markets, beautiful sandy beaches that offer safe swimming in temperate waters, and sub-tropical weather that promises sunshine virtually all year round - it is a holiday destination that easily rivals other top cities in the world.

Durbans beachfront has been carefully revived with wide, clean streets that lead easily into the heart of the city, reliable and regular public transport, its own city metro police force, museums, shopping ‘til you drop, theatre, and sights and sounds to keep you entertained for days. Durban is not only a destination for holiday makers. The International Convention Centre, a world-class example of modern architecture that lies between the beachfront and downtown, and across from the Exhibition Centre, has placed Durban on the International Conference map and draws business travellers from far and wide.

The Edwardian neo-baroque City Hall, built in 1910 and modelled on the city hall in Belfast, houses the Natural Science Museum, the main library and the Durban Art Gallery. Just beyond this much photographed building is Durban’s old railway station, now known as Tourist Junction from which one can plan tours throughout the city.

There’s the Victoria Street Market - the original Indian Market with a facelift, humming Grey Street with its array of silks, saris and street hawkers, the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere in Grey Street, uShaka Marine World and the Point development - a waterfront mixture of retail and apartment complexes close to the harbour mouth.

Durban - Urban Vibes
‘Durbs by the Sea’ (as it is affectionately known) is a veritable playground for those with fun and sun on their minds.
The coastal city offers year-round sunshine, and virtually no winter - this makes it the perfect venue to kick back and celebrate tropical urban life.

Night Moves
This friendly city has lots to offer the night proverbial night owl….

Sundowner Spot:
Durban boasts a number of bars and pubs for those who enjoy a festive sundowner at the end of the day:
Bean Bag Bohemia (BBB) in the suburb of Greyville is a real favourite amongst locals and visitors. An abundant cocktail menu is always up for grabs any day of the week. Of course on the weekends BBB bursts at the seams with those seeking a laid-back good time.

Wharf Living:
Wilson’s Wharf, overlooking the Durban Harbour and the Natal Royal Yack club is host to a few choice pubs and restaurants. Sit on the wooden decks with your daiquiri or feast on a smorgasbord of the freshest seafood while watching the twinkling lights of the harbour by night.

Bar Stop:
The city boasts a number of chic cosmopolitan bars and pubs, try out Havana Grill & Wine Bar for a chilled chardonnay or magical merlot accompanied by a Cuban cigar (the real deal); Saint Verde in Berea is another hot option with the in-crowd and Florida Road’s Zeta Bar is an absolute must. Of course having a gin and tonic on the verandah of the Beverly Hills Hotel in Umhlanga Rocks is simply compulsory for any well-heeled traveler.

Nightclubs:
Durban has a few very decent nightclubs on offer including Tilt and 330 for those who don’t require any beauty sleep at all. Consult the local newspaper regarding up-to-date diaries of events.

Durban Dining
This tropical city is no slouch when it comes to eating out, Durban offers up the finest fare from seafood platters, to hotter than hot curries to unfussy urban offerings.Some favourite restaurants include:
· 9th Avenue Bistro in Morningside for the cosmopolitan palate.
· Café 1999 (Berea) for Meditterranean delicacies and more.
· For island fare visit Umhlanga’s Ille Maurice restaurant (just like visiting your favourite Indian Ocean Island, without having to pay the airfare).
· Or pop into the Jaipur Palace for a glorious vindaloo (what would a visit to Durbs be with an original Indian speciality).

Ushaka A family Affair
Durban’s Ushaka Marine World, celebrates marine life in a fun and fabulous way…great for kids and adults alike. Ushaka offers a wealth of exciting experiences for everyone. The Sea World aquarium (touted as one of the top five in the world) has a 1200-seater dolphin stadium, a touch pool, a snorkel reef and a seal stadium. Ushaka follows a creative shipwreck theme throughout, with the main centerpiece being a life-size 1920’s steamer. Don’t forget UShaka’s Wet ‘n Wild Fun Park (offering a number of terrifying rides including the ‘Stuka’ freefall slide and the notorious ‘Kamikaze’, a five-lane downhill racer for those with a competitive spirit). If you prefer your feet on solid ground, the Ushaka beach is simply superb and the nearby African-themed village is offers up a wealth of shopping and dining experiences.

Boutique Hotels
Durban has a wealth of great mega-hotels, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and of course discreet boutique hotels. Here are few of the best:
· Quarters Hotel in Florida Road, Berea is one of Durban’s best-kept secrets. This intimate spot is the ideal home-away-from home for the traveler with an eye for detail.
· La Bordello, This awesome Greyville haven was once a house of ill repute….but you will be forgiven for tapping into your more hedonistic side – the establishment is a bohemian hideaway for those not shy to enjoy the good things in life.
· 164 Guesthouse & Bar. You will find this quaint establishment in the heart-centre of Berea, understated and largely stylish this guesthouse is known for its superb home-cooked breakfasts.

Major Attractions
So you’re a city slicker with limited time to spend in Durban? Well here is a quick run-down of some of the major attractions that you can do in a day:
· Don’t miss the cultural heartbeat of Durban, to be found at the BAT centre. A haven for artists and creative-types that features anything from live poetry readings to impromptu jam sessions. Great arts and crafts on sale too.
· Tropical and exotic, Durban’s Botanical Gardens has one of the most impressive cycad collections in the world. The area is a very popular picnic spot for Durban families, and there are also an outdoor concert events calendar to look out for.
· Visit the Durban Waterfront and take a stroll on one of the longest promenades around. Take in some of the best beaches on the KZN coastline and if you’re a surfer … what are you waiting for, take to the waves
· Shopping in Durban is nothing short of spectacular, visit The Workshop, the Gateway Centre in Umhlanga, the African Art Centre and the Victoria Street Market just for starters.
· When it comes to museums, you could be busy for days, try out the Durban Natural Science Museum (great for the kids) and get to know Zulu history a little better at the Local History Museum.

Day Trips
Durban is a great base for day-trips. One can go to the North and South coasts, or take a drive to St Lucia Greater Wetlands Park (a World Heritage Site) or make waves inland and head out to the Natal Midlands for high tea and bit of polo perhaps?If you are looking for beach, beach and more beach – the North and South coasts of KZN have much to offer. On the North Coast the beaches of Umdloti, Umhlanga and Ballito are extremely popular. The South Coast has a wide variety of beaches to choose from – from the more popular venues of Margate and Ramsgate to the more relaxed venues of Southbroom and Port St John’s.

Spiritual delights
If you’re in the need of some spiritual upliftment, why not visit the spectacular Hare Krishna Temple just outside Durban. This colourful temple is one of the finest in the country and all visitors are always welcome. Enormous pictures of the Krishna deities will great you at the door and there is always the most delicious (vegetarian) food on offer. The Krishna community are only too happy to share their world with you.

Where to Stay: Durban Accommodation

Just 7.5 kilometres from Durban, along the south coast road, Athlone Park is one of the more upmarket northern suburbs of Amanzimtoti, close to Durban’s International Airport, and just before the start of the Hibiscus ... Athlone Park information
Berea

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Berea

The Berea suburb of Durban lies perched on the crest of a ridge above the city, an exclusive residential suburb, littered with an eclectic mix of architectural styles that include large Victorian, Edwardian, art deco ... Berea information
Bluff

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Bluff

The headland known simply as ‘the Bluff’ - a thick green belt that has a strong attraction for those who steer clear of the built-up beachside areas of Amanzimtoti and even ... Bluff information
Bothas Hill

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Bothas Hill

Not only are the views from up on Botha’s Hill some of the most spectacular in the country - it overlooks the Valley of a Thousand Hills - but Botha’s Hill is one of ‘those’ hills that invariably gets a mention when ... Bothas Hill information
Brighton Beach

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Brighton Beach

Brighton beach, regarded along with Anstey’s as the main beach on the Bluff of Durban, lies roughly halfway between Durban’s city centre and the Durban International Airport south of Durban, give or take a couple of ... Brighton Beach information
Chatsworth

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Durban Central

One of Durban's biggest inner-city suburbs just south of the city centre, Chatsworth is a growing, vibrant and cosmopolitan home to over 450 000 people that extends over some 64 different suburbs in a mish mash of old ... Chatsworth information
Cowies Hill

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Cowies Hill

The quiet, leafy suburb of Cowies Hill, just outside of Durban, is, despite being an upmarket and rather elite suburb, notorious as the last of the five murderous hills in the down-run of the Comrades Marathon. This ... Cowies Hill information
Durban Beachfront

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Durban Beachfront

‘Durbs by the sea’ as South Africans have referred to Durban for years is essentially all about her beaches. Practically every office and hotel block in the vicinity of the Durban Beachfront boasts a sea view and people ... Durban Beachfront information
Durban Central

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Durban Central

The vibrant city of Durban - an eclectic fusion of cultures, architectural styles that blend old side by side with new, traditional rickshaws, bunny chows and curry, Indian markets, beautiful sandy beaches that offer ... Durban Central information
Durban North

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Durban North

Just 15 minutes north of the city of Durban, on the northern side of the Umgeni River Mouth, is the upmarket area of Durban North and Umhlanga. Most of this beautiful part of the world was once a coastal dune forest ... Durban North information
Gillitts

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Gillitts

Lying nestled between Hillcrest and Kloof, Gillitts is a leafy, green village that lies some 35 kilometres west of Durban where some property is still advertised as ‘rural small holdings’ and quiet usually means ... Gillitts information
Glenashley

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Glenashley

Glenashley is one of Durban North’s suburbs, which together with Umhlanga and La Lucia, have collectively come to represent one of the most desirable parts of Durban in which to live. North of the Umgeni River and ... Glenashley information
Glenmore

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Glenmore

The quiet and leafy suburb of Glenmore, not to be confused with the beachside town of Glenmore Beach on the South Coast, lies south-west of the city centre of Durban, alongside the suburb of Glenwood, and down the ridge ... Glenmore information
Glenwood

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Glenwood

Across the great yawning divide of Berea Road, a barrier of snob value particularly in the property market in Durban lies Glenwood - one of Durban’s oldest suburbs that extends from its colonial-style mansions near the ... Glenwood information
Greyville

Where to Stay: Durban Accommodation

Greyville lies just below the ridge of Durban on the flat, so to speak, just outside the city centre. On its southern edge are the Botanical Gardens, whilst its north is flanked by Morningside. Say the suburb name ... Greyville information
Hillcrest

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Hillcrest

Literally on a hill on a crest someway above Durban, Hillcrest was once a little hamlet that bordered on the Valley of a Thousand Hills, surrounded by green pastures and farmland. It was a retreat away from the hub of ... Hillcrest information
Kloof

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Kloof

Kloof, the Afrikaans word for ravine, lies some 25 kilometres from Durban - a leafy and green village perched 550 metres above sea level with a reputation for a tranquil lifestyle that offers a retreat from the ... Kloof information
Morningside

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Morningside

Morningside, a large gentrified suburb of Durban that spreads from the lower end of the ridge overlooking Durban to just above the Greyville Racecourse in lower Morningside, may have suffered somewhat in recent years ... Morningside information
Musgrave

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Musgrave

The recent convenience or nuisance, depending on how you view it, of converting a section of Musgrave Road and its counterpart, the parallel Essenwood Road, to one-way traffic in either direction has eased the flow of ... Musgrave information
Pinetown

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Pinetown

Pinetown lies between Kloof and Westville, just 10 minutes from Durban’s Berea and home to one of the oldest cricket clubs in KwaZulu Natal. Regarded up until now as a predominantly light industrial town, and not ... Pinetown information
Queensburgh

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Queensburgh

Queensburgh is a built up area that has boomed recently to include as many as 10 suburbs in its reach just 15 minutes’ drive south-west of Durban, en route to Amanzimtoti on the M7. With the push for property moving ... Queensburgh information
Sherwood

Where to Stay: Durban Accommodation

To the west of Durban, virtually around the corner from Westville, lies Sherwood, known as the little ‘garden suburb’. Sherwood has always had a green resonance particularly attributable to the number of nurseries and ... Sherwood information
Sydenham

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Sydenham

One of the more colourful neighbourhoods of Durban, Sydenham lies behind the ridge of the Berea, neighbouring on Sherwood, Sparks and Clare Hills. Obviously less fashionable than its counterparts on the ‘right’ side of ... Sydenham information
Umhlanga

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Umhlanga

Hard to believe that Umhlanga, the buzzing residential, commercial and resort suburb just outside of Durban, was once a seaside resort town called Umhlanga Rocks. During the early seventies it merged with La Lucia to ... Umhlanga information
Westville

Where to Stay: Accommodation in Westville

The great thing about Westville is its accessibility to Durban, whilst still managing to remain a quiet and beautiful residential suburb. Lying between Sherwood and Pinetown, Westville is only 15 minutes’ from the ... Westville information
Yellowwood Park

Where to Stay: Durban Accommodation

The first thing that strikes you about the leafy garden suburb of Yellowwood Park, just 14 kilometres from Durban, is that the majority of the roads are named after birds - Lark Lane, Kestrell Road, Wren Way - and that, ... Yellowwood Park information

Durban
Featured and "Must See" Attractions in Durban
Natal Sharks Board

The Sharks Board gives the opportunity to watch a spectacular 30 minute audio-visual presentation which captures the drama of the ocean as they carry out their daily servicing of shark nets, or watch a shark dissection. You can also visit the display hall and view a variety of lifelike replicas of sharks, fish and rays. more information
uShaka Marine World

uShaka Marine World in Durban is a world-class entertainment and tourism destination. At the end of Durban's Golden Mile is the beginning of uShaka Marine World - spanning over 15 hectares of prime beach front, uShaka Marine World is Africa's largest Marine Theme park. uShaka incorporates fresh and sea ... more information
Durban Botanical Gardens

The Durban Botanical Gardens are famous for the original specimen of a Cycad (Encephalartos woodii) that is still widely acknowledged as probably the rarest plant in the world, as well as for its extensive collection of South African Cycad species. A highlight of the Gardens is the Orchid House which ... more information
Durban Natural Science Museum

The Durban Natural Science Museum is dedicated to the earth, it's history, it future, its life and the life forms that live and have lived on it. The worldly home of this historic earth collection is housed in a 2200m² interior of Durban City Hall (pictured) which although historic in its own standing ... more information
Moses Mabhida Stadium

Located in KwaZulu Natal in the beautiful City of Durban, Moses Mabhida Stadium is named after a hero of the working class. The Moses Mabhida Stadium is located adjacent the ABSA Stadium in the Kings Park Sporting Precinct - a site located in Stamford Hill, is a world class multi-purpose stadium set to make possible ... more information
Umgeni River Bird Park

Designed and built in an old quarry site on the banks of the Umgeni River, just 10 minutes outside Durban, the Umgeni River Bird Park is one of the greatest attractions of the city. Walk-through aviaries, birds out on perches, wonderful green vegetation, some amazing waterfalls and rock faces all combine to ... more information
Durban Beaches

Durban's beaches are characterised by soft, golden sand, palm trees and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The main beaches are shark netted and patrolled from sunrise to sunset by trained lifeguards who have an impressive track record in beach safety. The main beaches also have changing ...
Golden Mile

Flanked by luxury hotels and apartment blocks, the Golden Mile skirts the main beaches and the Indian Ocean. Attractions include an amusement centre, paddling pools, paved walkways, gardens and fountains. Funworld, with its bumper cars, roundabouts and hurdy-gurdy machines, is a firm favourite with the ...
Greyville Race Course

Say the suburb name ‘Greyville’ to the average Durbanite, and you will discover it is virtually synonymous with the Durban July and Durban’s first and longest running sports venue - the Greyville Racecourse. The Durban July is comparable to Britain’s Royal Ascot - high fashion, exciting horse racing ... more information
KwaZulu Natal Philharmonic Orchestra

Widely regarded as Africa's premier orchestra, the KZNPO's commitment to musical excellence has been the driving force behind the myriad of live concerts given annually, as well as a comprehensive education and development programme that is an essential resource for aspiring musicians in South Africa.
Gandhi Centenary Park

Right in the centre of Chatsworth stands an open public space known as Gandhi Centenary Park. It lies across a street block; a beautiful breathing space in the midst of a humming and commercial neighbourhood, and across the road from the local police station. Through the Gandhi Park flows a water course ... more information
Temple of Understanding

The Hare Krishna temple, known as the Sri Sri Radhanath Temple of Understanding, is found in the largely Indian area of Chatsworth roughly 20 kilometres south of the city of Durban. It is one of the major tourist attractions when in Durban and for a couple of very obvious reasons. One is the incredible architecture ... more information

Durban
Featured Things To Do in Durban
Browse at Umkhumbane Flea Market

Where: Westville
How much (per person): Free to Browse

Durbanites, visitors and tourists are invited to come and connect at the Umkhumbane Flea Market - Durban's newest grassroots trading spot, w ... more information
Rickshaw Ride along the Beachfront

Where: Durban Beachfront
How much (per person): R1 to R100

There are only about twenty registered rickshaw-pullers in Durban. They are well known for their magnificent head-dresses adorned with beads ... more information
Victoria Street Market

Where: Durban
How much (per person): Free to Browse

The Victoria Street Market is rather like stepping into another world, with its blend of all things Indian and African. Spices and incense rent the air ... more information
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Durban