Holiday in Durban
City in South Africa — tips, highlights & best time to visit 🇿🇦
Country
South Africa
Type
City
Best time to travel
April to September (South African autumn/winter, 17-25 °C, dry). October-March warm and humid with afternoon thunderstorms.
Budget/day
55-130 €
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Durban King Shaka (DUR, approx. 12-15 hours with a stopover in Johannesburg or Doha). No visa required for Germans for up to 90 days.
Deals for Durban:
What makes Durban special as a destination?
Durban is the third largest city in South Africa with over 3.7 million inhabitants and is located on the subtropical east coast by the Indian Ocean. The port city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal is a fascinating mix of Zulu culture, Indian heritage, and British colonial history — Durban is home to the largest Indian population outside of India. The Golden Mile is Durban's famous beachfront promenade: 6 kilometers of golden sand, subtropical warm water, surfers, and a lively boardwalk with restaurants and entertainment. Sharks are kept at bay by shark nets, allowing for safe swimming year-round. uShaka Marine World at the southern end is one of the largest aquarium parks in Africa. The Victoria Street Market (now Warwick Junction Market) is the vibrant heart of the Indian community: spices, fabrics, traditional medicine (Muti), and freshly prepared Bunny Chow — a hollowed-out bread filled with curry, invented in Durban and now the unofficial national dish of the city. The Valley of a Thousand Hills offers spectacular scenery and insight into traditional Zulu culture: village visits, dance and drum performances, and handcrafted beadwork. The Drakensberg Mountains, South Africa's highest mountain range and a UNESCO World Heritage site, are accessible for day trips or multi-day hikes from Durban. Durban's climate is mild to warm year-round: even in the South African winter (June-August), temperatures rarely drop below 15 °C.
What are the top highlights in Durban?
The top highlights in Durban include Golden Mile Beachfront, uShaka Marine World, Victoria Street Market, Valley of a Thousand Hills, Drakensberg Mountains (Day Trip).
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Golden Mile Beachfront
6 km of golden sand by the Indian Ocean: surfing, swimming, and subtropical beach life year-round.
uShaka Marine World
One of the largest aquarium parks in Africa: sharks, tropical fish, water slides, and a beach club on the shore.
Victoria Street Market
Vibrant market of the Indian community: spices, Muti medicine, and the original Bunny Chow since the 1940s.
Valley of a Thousand Hills
Spectacular hilly landscape with traditional Zulu villages: dance, drumming, and handcrafted bead art.
Drakensberg Mountains (Day Trip)
UNESCO World Heritage site and South Africa's highest mountain range: hiking, San rock paintings, and dramatic gorges.
Hotels in Durban
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Reise-SIM für Durban
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Durban?
The best time to visit Durban is April to September (South African autumn/winter, 17-25 °C, dry). October-March warm and humid with afternoon thunderstorms.. 23-30 °C, humid and warm with afternoon thunderstorms In winter: 12-23 °C, dry and sunny, mild subtropical winters
Recommended travel time
April to September (South African autumn/winter, 17-25 °C, dry). October-March warm and humid with afternoon thunderstorms.
Summer
23-30 °C, humid and warm with afternoon thunderstorms
Winter
12-23 °C, dry and sunny, mild subtropical winters
How much does a holiday in Durban cost?
Budget travellers: 25-50 €/day, mid-range: 55-130 €/day, luxury: 150-400 €/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
25-50 €
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
55-130 €
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
150-400 €
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Durban?
Flight to Durban King Shaka (DUR, approx. 12-15 hours with a stopover in Johannesburg or Doha). No visa required for Germans for up to 90 days.
Book a package holiday to Durban
Compare thousands of package holidays to Durban and find the best deals with flight & hotel.
Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Durban?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
No visa required — Germans are visa-free for up to 90 days. Passport must be valid for 30 days beyond stay with 2 blank pages upon entry.
South African Rand (ZAR) — 1 € ≈ 20 ZAR. Credit cards widely accepted, cash needed for markets and minibus taxis.
Be mindful of safety — do not carry valuables openly, avoid walking alone at night. Tourist areas are safe, but caution is advised in remote neighborhoods.
Try Bunny Chow — Durban's signature dish must be tested at Hollywood Bets Bunny Bar or on Florida Road.
Car rental recommended — Durban is sprawling and public transport is limited. A car is necessary for the Drakensberg and Valley of a Thousand Hills.
What should you eat in Durban?
Typical specialities in Durban: Bunny Chow — hollowed-out white bread filled with curry: invented in Durban in the 1940s, the unofficial national dish of the city., Durban Curry — spicy Indian curry with lamb or chicken: influenced by the Indian population, spicier than in India., Vetkök — fried dough balls filled with minced meat or jam: a classic South African street food., Biltong — air-dried meat (beef or game) seasoned with spices: South Africa's favorite snack, available everywhere., Umqombothi — traditional Zulu beer made from sorghum and maize: thick and sour, consumed at traditional ceremonies..
These specialties you must try!
