Durban
South Africa · Country profile
Durban is the beach capital of South Africa, a lively, multi-ethnic port city of the warm Indian Ocean coast whose subtropical climate, golden beaches and serious surf culture give it the easy holiday energy of the country. It is the great port of the region, with the largest busiest harbour of the continent, and a city of the curry, the bunny chow and the seaside promenade that mixes the Zulu, the Indian, the colonial and the modern African life into a single generous bowl. The stadium of the world cup with its famous arch, the shopping streets of the centre, the aquarium of the waterfront and the beach clubs of the Golden Mile set the landmarks of the city, while the nature reserves and the craft markets of the surrounding hills take the visitors beyond the shore. Warm, friendly and unmistakably alive, it is the subtropical sun-and-surf heart of the country.
About Durban
Durban is a city in South Africa. The city's documented population is around 3,700,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +27. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: King Shaka International Airport.
The Subtropical Beach Capital of the Warm Ocean Coast
Durban is a warm, sunny and genuinely lively beach city where the promenade of the Golden Mile, the surf, the Indian food and the strong Zulu culture of the region set a distinctly subtropical rhythm. The days move between the beach, the aquarium, the stadium promenade, the markets and the great parks of the city, with the excellent craft and jewellery shopping of the artisan quarters. It is a friendly, family-sized city with all the big-city conveniences and a calmer tempo than the inland metropolis. The climbs of the hills behind the coast and the wildlife reserves of the region make the easy adventures of the stay.
The Mild Sunny Winter, the Rand and the Cricket of the Saturdays
The weather is subtropical and pleasant, with the warm summers and the mild sunny winters, and the surf and the beaches work almost all year. The rand is the currency and the English the dominant language, and the cards and the payment apps cover the whole city. The essentials are the beachfront, the aquarium, the stadium and the markets, with the safari day trips and the hills of the nearby reserves filling the extra days. The city is generally safe in the daytime and the resort districts, with the standard care of the big city at night. The sunblock, the cricket and the curry should all be taken seriously.
The Golden Mile, the Curry Quarters and the Safari Hills of the Interior
The Golden Mile of the beachfront, with the pier, the year-round lifesavers and the beach clubs, runs the resort life of the coastal city, and the stadium with its enormous arch and the promenade of the waterfront hold the modern landmarks. The Indian quarters of the centre and the famous market of the Victoria Street give the bunny chow and the curry of the city, while the apartheid museum of the town and the memorial of the historic village add the deeper history. The craft and the rickshaw parades of the beach, the drive along the coast of the sugar cane, and the wildlife reserves of the valley of the thousand hills complete the sun-soaked capital.
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- Country
- South Africa
- Population
- 3,700,000
- Coordinates
- -29.6144, 31.1197
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Region
- Africa
- Currency
- South African Rand (ZAR)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +27
- Country code
- ZA
Entry requirements for South Africa
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting South Africa for tourism.
Getting to Durban
Airports we list for Durban:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in South Africa
Other cities we cover in South Africa:
Frequently asked questions
Is Durban the capital of South Africa?
No — the capital of South Africa is Pretoria.
What currency do I need in Durban?
The local currency is the South African Rand (ZAR). Languages spoken in South Africa include English.
What is the dialling code for South Africa?
The international dialling code for South Africa is +27.
Which airport should I fly into for Durban?
King Shaka International Airport (DUR) is the airport we list for Durban.
How far is Durban from the nearest airport?
Durban is about 479 km from O.R. Tambo International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit South Africa?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Australia, Canada, France, Germany and Italy currently enter South Africa visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Durban? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.