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Durban is a fantastic holiday destination with plenty on the travel to-do list, whether you’re 5, 25, or 85. And, with year-round warm weather, you have even more time to see and do it all. Whether you’re a lucky tourist with an enviable exchange rate or a penny-pinching Saffa, there’s plenty to do in Durbs that won’t break the bank.
FREE
1. Durban Botanic Gardens
Durban Botanic Gardens is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon amongst sub-tropical trees, palms, and orchids. Don’t miss the weekly summer sunset concerts.
Cost:
- Garden: Free
- Concert tickets: From R60
9A John Zikhali Road, Durban | GPS: -29.848251, 31.008698 | Open daily, 07:30 – 17:30 (summer) and 17:15 (winter). Sunday concerts start from 16:30 | +27 (0)31 309 9240
2. Jameson Park
Jameson Park is perfect for lazy picnics with 600 rose bushes of over 200 species of roses. You can even bring your dog!
Cost: Free
350 Montpellier Road, Morningside, Durban | GPS: -29.826924, 31.008947 | Open daily | +27 (0)31 312 2318
3. Amphitheatre Gardens
Take a stroll through intricate pathways, pergolas, plants, and ponds of the Amphitheatre Gardens (also known as the Sunken Gardens).
Cost: Free
63 Snell Parade, Beachfront, Durban | GPS: -29.846011, 31.035604
4. Durban Natural Science Museum
Touch up your knowledge of the earth’s history at the Durban Natural Science Museum. Check out a life-sized reconstruction of the T-Rex and one of the world’s most complete skeletons of the Dodo.
Cost: Free
1st floor, City Hall, Anton Lembede Street, Durban | GPS: -29.858609, 31.025995 | Open Monday to Friday, 08:30 – 16:00, Sunday and public holidays, 11:00 – 16:00 | +27 (0)31 311 22 56
5. Victoria Street Market
Experience the scents and sounds of Victoria Street Market in the Indian Quarter. It’s a real bargaining bazaar, so bring your bartering skills along.
Cost: Free
151/155 Victoria Street, Durban | GPS: -29.856662, 31.015483 | 031 306 4021 | [email protected]
6. I Heart Market
The I Heart Market is a monthly market held on the lawns of Moses Mabhida Stadium. The market is all about homemade food and upcycled goods at affordable prices.
Cost: Free
Isaiah Ntshangase Road, Durban, Imbizo Lawns | GPS: -29.827808, 31.031952 | Open first Saturday of the month, 09:00 – 14:00 | +27 (0)78 989 4432 | [email protected]
UNDER R50
7. Sugar Terminal Tour
Sugar is to Durban what gold is to Joburg. Enjoy a tour of one of the largest sugar terminals in the world. You’ll see 3 gigantic silos holding 500,000 tons of refined sugar!
Cost: R8 per child, R16 per adult
51 Maydon Road, Durban | GPS: -29.866532, 31.009798 | Open Monday to Friday, 08:30, 10:00, 11:30, and 14:00 | +27 (0)31 365 8153 | [email protected]
8. Mitchell Park Zoo
Mitchell Park Zoo is home to crocodile, buck, flamingos, monkeys, and giant tortoises. It has a playground, walk-through aviary, tea garden, and braai areas.
Cost: R10 per adult, R7 per child, R4 per pensioner
10 Ferndale Road, Morningside |GPS: -29.824961, 31.011787 | Open daily, 08:00 – 16:00 | +27 (0)31 303 2275
9. Funworld
Enjoy life as a kid at Funworld with carnival rides, paddling pools, a carousel, and cable car with a view of the beachfront.
Cost:
- R14 per child per ride, R17 per adult per ride
- R20 for cable car and dodgem per ride
76 Marine Parade, Durban | GPS: -29.857541, 31.039524 | Open Tuesday – Thursday, 11:00 – 17:00, Friday to Sunday, 11:00 – 22:00 |+27 (0)31 332 9776 | [email protected]
10. Ride a rickshaw
Hitch a ride on a 3-wheeled rickshaw and enjoy a scenic drive along the Golden Mile. There are only around 20 registered rickshaw drivers in Durban and they’re known for their fascinating outfits.
Cost: R20 for a short beachfront ride
OR Tambo Parade, Durban | GPS: -29.851939, 31.037993 | Open daily, 08:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0)31 332 5671
11. Durban Mini Town
View Durban’s attractions at a scale of 1:24 at Durban Mini Town at the northern end of the beachfront. Interesting features include the airport, sugar mill, city hall, harbour, cricket stadium, and the Golden Mile.
Cost: R25 per adult, R20 per child
114 Snell Parade, near Snake Park Beach, Durban | GPS: -29.845226, 31.035171 | Open daily, 09:30 – 16:30 | +27 (0)31 337 7892
12. Durban Ice Rink
Durban Ice Rink promises a day of fun for the whole family. Please note the rink will reopen in March 2015.
Cost: R40 per skater, R10 per spectator
81 Somtseu Road, Durban | GPS: -29.844749, 31.033179 |Open Monday, 10:00 – 16:30, Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00 – 14:15, Wednesday, 10:00 – 16:30, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 – 22:30, and Sunday, 12:15 – 19:00 | +27 (0)31 332 4597 | [email protected]
13. Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park
Giba Gorge is great fun for the whole family with a BMX track, mountain bike track, and trail running paths.
Cost: R40 per adult, R20 per child under 12, R10 per non-rider
110 Stockville Road, Pinetown | GPS: -29.826325, 30.781524 | Open daily, 07:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0)31 769 1527 | [email protected]
14. Adventure Putt-Putt
The outdoor 18-hole putt-putt course at Gateway has an exciting layout with rocks and waterfalls to add a challenge to the game.
Cost: R40 per adult, R30 per child
Second floor, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Palm Boulevard, Durban | Open daily, 07:00 – late | +27 (0)31 566 2247
15. Umgeni River Bird Park
Umgeni River Bird Park is home to over 800 birds of 200 different species. Free flight bird shows are held at 11:00 and 14:00, Tuesday to Sunday.
Cost: R50 per adult, R30 per pensioner and child (4 – 12)
490 Riverside Road, Durban | GPS: -29.807973, 31.019468 | Open daily, 09:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0)31 579 4601 | [email protected]
16. Gondola Canal Rides
Enjoy a gondola ride on the canals of the Durban waterfront. Bookings are available online at www.gondolas.co.za.
Cost: From R60 per person
Canal Gondola Dock, Durban Point Waterfront | GPS: -29.867975, 31.044983 | Open 7 days and nights per week including public holidays and school holidays (weather permitting). Day rides between 10:50 and 17:45 and night rides between 18:00 and 19:15 by reservation only. | 084 730 8784(Monday to Friday) and 084 730 8784 (Saturday and Sunday) | [email protected]
UNDER R100
17. Try a bunny Chow
For one of the best bunnies in Durban, head to Capsicum Restaurant. Fillings include trotters, tripe, chops chutney, mince curry, and prawn chutney.
Cost: R52 – R70 per bunny
Britannia Hotel, 1299 Umgeni Road, Berea |GPS: -29.811999, 31.018802 | Open daily, 17:00 – 22:00 | +27 (0)31 303 2266
18. Sky Car
Ride the Sky Car to the top of Moses Mabhida Stadium for a 360˚ view of the Durban coastline and cityscape.
Cost: R55 per adult, R50 per pensioner, R30 per child under 12, Free for under 6
Moses Mabhida Stadium, Isaiah Ntshangase Road, Durban | GPS: -29.828859, 31.030183 | Open daily, 09:00 – 17:00 | +27 (0)31 582 8222
19. Makaranga Botanical Garden
Makaranga is an enchanting garden with a 1km labyrinth, 18 ponds, and beautiful statues, bridges, waterfalls, and walkways. Don’t miss the Japanese Garden and gardens of orchid, camellia, and rhododendron.
Cost: R60 per vehicle
No 1A Igwababa Road, Kloof | GPS: -29.792056, 30.818465 | Open daily, 06:00 – 23:00 | +27 (0)31 764 6616 | [email protected]
20. I&J Snorkel lagoon
Explore life underwater in the I&J Snorkel Lagoon at uShaka Marine World to see all sorts of colourful fish and coral. During off-peak season, you can visit the lagoon without paying entrance to uShaka Marine World itself.
Cost: R90 per person
1 King Shake Avenue, Durban | GPS: -29.867235, 31.045854 | Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 – 16:20 | +27 (0)31 328 8000
21. Wave House
Wave House Durban has a skate park, super tube, and the world’s largest manmade stationary wave. It also runs the world’s highest indoor climbing rock (22.5m),
Cost:
- Flow Rider: R90 per hour
- Super tubes: R70 per person
- Viewing: R25 per adult
Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Palm Boulevard, Durban | GPS: -29.723026, 31.066781 | Flowriders open Wednesday to Sunday, 09:00 – 17:00. Super tubes open Wednesday to Sunday, 10:00 – 13:00, 14:00 – 17:00 (out of season) | +27 (0)31 584 9400 | [email protected]
22. Phezulu Safari Park
Phezulu Safari Park has guided Zulu village tours, Zulu dancing shows, and a crocodile and snake park.
Cost:
- Village tour: R100 per adult and R65 per child under 12
- Crocodile and snake park: R45 per adult and R35 per child under 12
Old Main Road, Bothas Hill | GPS: -29.863357, 31.020604 | Open: Shows are held daily at 10:00, 11:30, 14:00, and 15:30| +27 (0)31 777 1000 | [email protected]
23. Barnyard Theatre
Enjoy a night of dinner and live entertainment at the Barnyard Theatre. Prices vary per production but shows are cheaper on Tuesdays and Sundays.
Cost: From R100
Shop F222, First Floor, Expo, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Palm Boulevard | GPS: -29.726229, 31.066004 | +27 (0)31 566 3045 | [email protected]
What cheap activities would you suggest in Durban?
