Welcome to the city of Durban, capital of the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. A truly fascinating travel destination with an unbelievable array of tourist attractions. There are so many interesting things to see, that the only concern is how to fit it all in.

Durban has a number of important sights that are linked to a rich historical legacy, including a number of tours that will take you on an historical adventure while exploring the famous battle sites.

The Drakensberg is home to an abundance of Bushman rock art that dates back thousands of years. This world heritage site is one attraction that should definitely be visited. Another place to get acquainted with the history of KwaZulu-Natal is Durban's Natural Science Museum.

There are a number fantastic fossils and ancient artifacts on display here. Another attraction of undeniable cultural value is Durban's City Hall, probably the most prominent colonial landmark in the city. This magnificent building which was constructed at the turn of the 20th century is an example of the amazing architecture that this city boasts. There are also a number of iconic mosques in the Indian Quarter of Grey Street that are worthwhile visiting.

The monumental City Hall of Durban

Durban is a scenic treasure of unspoiled parks and gardens. Durban's Botanical gardens is one of the most beautiful public gardens anywhere in the country and is filled with an exquisite collection of rare and beautiful plants and flowers.

Pack a picnic basket, go sit by the duck pond and revel in the natural beauty that surrounds you. Mitchell Park is a slightly busier venue that has a mini zoo which has recently been upgraded. It is a clean, child-friendly destination that promises to be a fun day out.

The San people have left us an invaluable legacy of paintings on rocks and cave walls
copyright © South African tourism

If wildlife is your thing, but you do not want to travel to one of the outlying game reserves, then the Umgeni River Bird Park is the place to visit. This spectacular bird sanctuary is home to a vast array of colourful feathered creatures. Waterfalls, walk through aviaries, birds out on perches and the free flight bird show make this one of the greatest tourist attractions in the city.

The golden sands of Durban's of famous Golden Mile
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Durban's long history as a port city means that the Yacht mole and Wilsons wharf are two important visitor attractions. The view here at night is absolutely incredible so be sure to book a dinner here at one of the many restaurants.

During the day, you can relax in a tranquil setting, watching the boats in the harbour, while enjoying a meal or a drink. For those who want to experience life on the water, there are a number of harbour cruise options available.

Champagne Castle in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountains Park, a world heritage site
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The Gateway Theatre of Shopping situated in Umhlanga is nothing short of a shopper's paradise. Gateway not only boasts an innumerable selection of shops and boutiques but has a food court and entertainment section, making it one of the greatest entertainment and shopping complexes in Southern Africa, without question!

View looking south across Durban from a beach front hotel
Photograph by Vince Smith

The newly constructed Moses Mabhida Stadium is one of the standout architectural highlights on the Durban Skyline. View the magnificent city of Durban from the platform of the stadiums arch or for those daredevil visitors take the plunge and experience the adrenaline rush of the Big Swing, the world's only stadium swing!

The Moses Mabhida Stadium is one of the newly constructed stadiums that hosted the
2010 soccer world championship
Photograph by Brett Blignaut

Ushaka Marine World is probably the key attraction in Durban. Ushaka is home to the world's 5th largest aquarium, an incredible water theme park, children's play arena, shops and restaurants. With daily activities like dolphin and penguin shows, shark diving, scuba diving, snorkeling, touch pools, and guided educational tours, Ushaka Marine World is a complete destination for the whole family.

Daily dolphin show at the Ushaka Marine World, the world's 5th largest aquarium

To not miss out on any of the major attractions that Durban city has to offer, you can book a ticket on the Rickshaw Bus. This open topped double-decker bus offers a guided city tour that encompasses all the major attractions while filling tourists in on our treasured history. Here you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy all that this beautiful city has to offer!

In this video clip you are taken on a guided tour of the city of Durban, visiting some great attractions such as uShaka, the Moses Mabhida Stadium, the Victoria Street Market and others.

Glorious sunshine, warm water, great waves and lots of fun, an impression of Durban's awesome beaches in the video clip below.

From a brief history tour along the Woza eNanda Heritage Route, lazing around in luxurious spa's, or just sitting in the sun, to exploring the Valley of a Thousand Hills, diving with the sharks at Ushaka Marine World or feasting on world-class cuisine, the number of attractions and activities options in Durban endless.

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