South Africa

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Durban

Warm Indian Ocean beaches and Zulu-Indian culture

Visa & entry checker Plan a trip to Durban Plan a trip around South Africa

Best time to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Currency: ZAR
Time zone: UTC+2
Country: South Africa

Photo: Chris Bloom from Durban, South Africa, CC BY-SA 2.0

Durban is South Africa's third-largest city and busiest port, sitting on the Indian Ocean coast of KwaZulu-Natal. People come for the Golden Mile beaches, the warm subtropical climate, and a mix of Zulu, Indian and colonial heritage.

Largest cities

Johannesburg
Cape Town
Durban
Pretoria
Port Elizabeth

Quick facts

Figures are rounded recent official estimates.

Country: South Africa
Capital: Bloemfontein
City population: 595,061
Population of South Africa: 62M
Country area: 1,221,037 km²
Official language: South Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Tsonga, and Tswana
Currency: South African Rand (ZAR) · 1 USD ≈ 16.54 ZAR
Time zone: UTC+2
Calling code: +27
Drives on the: Left
Elevation: 17 m
Plugs: C / M / N · 230V
Emergency numbers: 10111 (police) · 10177 (ambulance) · 112 (mobile emergency)
Best time to visit: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Temperatures through the year

Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.

Temperatures through the year

Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High	28°	28°	27°	25°	24°	23°	22°	23°	23°	23°	25°	26°
Low	22°	22°	22°	19°	16°	14°	13°	15°	17°	18°	19°	21°

Best time to visitOther months

Approximate daily cost

Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.

ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$31
HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$88
LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$225

Plan a trip to Durban

Top things to do

Free
Golden Mile beachfront
Walk or cycle the promenade past the beaches and piers, with plenty of places to eat; swim only between the lifeguard flags.
- Half day
- Golden Mile beachfront
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $18
uShaka Marine World
A marine theme park with an aquarium, dolphin shows and a water park on the Point; buy tickets online to skip the queue.
- Half day
- Golden Mile beachfront
- Good for kids
≈ $5
Moses Mabhida Stadium
Ride the SkyCar to the arch viewing deck for city and ocean views, or watch the lift take bungee jumpers over the pitch.
- Half day
- City centre and Farewell Square
- Good for kids
Free
City Hall, Art Gallery and Natural Science Museum
See the Victorian City Hall and its small art gallery and natural science museum; check opening hours as some galleries close on weekends.
- Half day
- City centre and Farewell Square
- Good for kids
- Indoors
Free
Victoria Street Market
Browse spices, fabrics and curios in the Indian market, and try a bunny chow nearby; go in the morning when it is busiest and safest.
- Half day
- City centre and Farewell Square
- Good for kids
- Indoors
≈ $3
Durban Botanic Gardens
Africa's oldest surviving botanic garden, with cycads, orchids and a tea garden; a shaded, quiet break from the beach.
- Half day
- Berea and Musgrave
- Good for kids
≈ $5
Phansi Museum
A collection of Zulu beadwork, ceramics and Africana in a 19th-century house; visits are usually by guided tour, so book ahead.
- Half day
- Berea and Musgrave
- Indoors
Free
Umhlanga Rocks and Gateway
Walk the Umhlanga pier and lighthouse promenade, then shop or eat at Gateway mall; good for a relaxed evening north of the city.
- Half day
- Umhlanga and Gateway
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
≈ $60
Valley of a Thousand Hills day trip
A guided drive inland through Zulu villages and rolling hills with a cultural show and lunch; most tours leave early and return by late afternoon.
- Full day
- Berea and Musgrave
- Good for kids
≈ $40
South Coast beach day trip
Head south past the Bluff to Amanzimtoti and the resort beaches for swimming and tidal pools; a car or organised tour is needed.
- Full day
- The Bluff and south coast
- Good for kids

Before you go

Entry and visas

Many visitors, including British citizens, can enter South Africa without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism or business, while other nationalities may need a visa or must apply in advance; rules depend on nationality, so check before booking. Your passport must be valid for at least 30 days beyond your departure date and have at least two blank pages, and travellers with children aged 17 and under face extra documentation requirements. From 1 July 2026 all travellers entering or leaving South Africa must submit an online traveller declaration before travelling, and yellow fever vaccination

Official website

From the airport

King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is about 35 km north of the city, between Umhlanga and Ballito. A metered taxi to the beachfront or city centre takes roughly 30–40 minutes and can cost well over R400, while a shared airport shuttle runs hourly for about R80 per person.

Getting around

The People Mover bus covers the CBD, beachfront and uShaka Marine World every 15 minutes from 6AM to 11PM, but a car or a called metered taxi is the easiest way to reach the suburbs.

Local tips

Summers (December–March) are hot, humid and rainy; pack light clothing and an umbrella, and use the drier winter months for long beach days.
Swim between the lifeguard flags on the Golden Mile — the Indian Ocean has strong currents and shark nets are in place only at certain beaches.
Carry some cash for minibus taxis, markets and small vendors, but keep valuables out of sight in busy areas and use registered taxis after dark.
Dress modestly when visiting temples, mosques and traditional Zulu sites, and always ask before photographing people.