Durban

City ·🇿🇦 South Africa

Population 595,061

Time zone Africa/Johannesburg

Official website www.durban.gov.za

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Explore Durban

Durban Essentials

Durban’s coastal landscape features the Golden Mile promenade and the architectural arch of Moses Mabhida Stadium. Historical landmarks include the neo-Baroque City Hall and the Juma Mosque, the Southern Hemisphere's largest mosque. Cultural sites like the Phansi Museum showcase Zulu art, while the Victoria Street Market reflects the city's Indian heritage. To the north, the Umhlanga coastline is defined by its iconic lighthouse and the sculptural Whalebone Pier, situated near the expansive Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

13 places

Museums & Art Galleries

Durban’s cultural landscape is showcased through its diverse museums and galleries. Explore Zulu heritage at the Phansi and Pinetown Museums, or delve into colonial history at the Old House and Bergtheil Museums. The Natal Maritime Museum highlights the city's port legacy with steam engines and vintage vessels. Contemporary art thrives in industrial spaces like ArtSpace Durban and the community-focused BAT Centre. From the specialized building industry exhibits at Wardkiss Museum to the 19th-century medical history at Addington Hospital, these sites offer a comprehensive look at the region's ethnic and industrial evolution.

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Sacred Spaces

Durban’s spiritual landscape reflects a diverse cultural heritage, blending Eastern and Western traditions. This collection features the Sri Sarada Devi Ashram, dedicated to the teachings of the Ramakrishna Mission, and prominent Islamic landmarks like the Taleemudeen Masjid in Isipingo Beach. Christian architecture is represented through the Dutch Reformed NG Kerk and Westville Baptist Church, alongside Hindu sites such as the Newlands Sivan Temple, showcasing the religious practices of the region’s Hindu, Muslim, and Christian communities.

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Sports & Recreation

Durban’s sporting landscape is defined by iconic venues like the Moses Mabhida Stadium, famous for its grand arch, and the historic Greyville Racecourse, a premier thoroughbred racing track. The city is a hub for golf, featuring the world-ranked Durban Country Club and the unique Royal Durban Golf Club, situated entirely within a racecourse. From the professional soccer grounds of Chatsworth and Princess Magogo Stadiums to the rugby fields of Harlequins Sports Centre, these sites represent the city's deep-rooted athletic tradition.

11 places

Parks and Gardens

Explore Durban's diverse horticultural heritage through its specialized green spaces. This collection includes the historic Durban Botanic Gardens' uMphafa Tree Trail and the expansive Jameson Park, which features thousands of rose bushes across hundreds of varieties. Visitors can find tranquil Japanese-inspired landscapes featuring bamboo and traditional water features, or visit Mitchell Park for its long-standing zoo and gardens. From the modern urban lawns of CJ Saunders Park in Umhlanga to the historical significance of the Gandhi Memorial Park, these sites offer distinct botanical and cultural insights.

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Theatres and Cinemas

Durban’s performing arts landscape includes the historic Natal Playhouse, a colonial-era venue for professional drama and opera, alongside specialized art-house cinemas like Cinema Nouveau. The city’s entertainment options extend to casual dinner-theatre at The Barnyard and various outdoor venues, including the beachfront sunken amphitheatre and school-based performance spaces like the Roy Couzens Theatre, which host a mix of community events, live music, and local productions.

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Map of Durban

Practical information

Currency: South African Rand ZAR R · Card payments · Widely accepted
Electricity: Type C / Type D / Type M / Type N
230 V · 50 Hz

Languages: Afrikaans, English, South Ndebele, Swati, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Left
Calling code: +27