The Durban Coast and Cultural Experience

Experience Durban’s stunning beaches, vibrant markets, and rich culture. From safaris to delicious curries, this coastal city offers adventure and flavour. Explore the Golden Mile, Victoria Street Market, and more in this dynamic South African destination.

Lounge on the Golden Mile
Possibly the biggest draw for South Africans to Durban is the beaches. Set on the Indian Ocean (so plenty warm) and covered in golden sand, it’s hard to escape the appeal and even harder to resist taking a dip. We visited the beach on a Sunday during school holidays, though, so the crowds were positively out of hand and we didn’t spend more than a few hours hanging around. Despite all the people, it was still a beautiful spot, framed with little curio shops, restaurants, and cafes, and I’m eager to make another visit to this expansive seaside.

Market Vibes at Victoria Street
Explore the bustling Victoria Street Market For a touch of shopping and just an all around experience, visit the enormous Victoria Street Markets in downtown Durban. Two floors are occupied by beaded jewellery, wood animals, hats, dresses, Indian spices, home goods, artwork, and honestly more than I can even list. The prices are shockingly low, so expect to come home with a dozen pairs of earrings (no regrets) and quite a few stories.

Safari Adventure in Hluhluwe
Go on safari in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park From Durban, it’s possible to book a day-trip or a multi-day safari in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park, Africa’s oldest Nature Reserve located about 300km north-west. The park is perhaps best known for its large population of white rhino, but it’s also possible to get up close with all the Big 5 safari animals (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffalo). Rhino crossing the road

City Centre Chaos
Brave the hectic Durban city centre Although it may not be the big city you think of when someone mentions South Africa, Durban still has a vibrant (and sometimes even overwhelming) city centre filled with people, vehicular mayhem, and plenty of cheap shops selling everything from wigs to electronics. If you’re extremely adventurous, hop in one of the city taxis: little minibuses that drive as if the rules of the road are a mere suggestion (our time in the taxi did not last long). Despite the chaos of actually getting into the city, it is an adventure beyond compare and an absolutely essential part of the Durban experience.

Foodie Heaven
Gorge yourself on curry and bunny chow The quintessential Durban experience, despite all of my other excited remarks, really is just eating— dig into the phenomenal and authentic Indian curries and indulge in the Durban-style curry in a bread bowl, “bunny chow”. This dish, often just referred to as “a bunny”, is the entire reason I wanted to visit in the first place and I am delighted to report not an ounce of disappointment.

Where to Stay
Where to stay in Durban The absolute best place to stay in Durban is right on the Indian Ocean, along the Golden Mile. A number of luxurious hotels and resorts line the beach and offer great views and a long list of ammenities. For those on a budget, though, you’re likely to end up off the coast. We stayed in Berea, a neighbourhood in the hills just a few minutes out of Durban and found it to be really pleasant and safe, but still within easy reach of the city.