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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

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

Rose Garden by rrbill (Flickr)

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

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

Durban city hall by flowcomm (Flickr)

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

Victoria Street Market by Lauren Morling

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

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

7Sugar Terminal Tour

SASA Sugar Terminal

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 by AlDuncan06 (Wikipedia)

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

Durban 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

Rickshaw by Lauren Morling

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

Mini town by Maia Jordaan

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

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

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

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

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

Zulumoon Gondolas

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

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

Sky Car at Moses Mabhida Stadium

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 Gardens

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

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

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 by Cindy Naidoo

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

Barnyard Gateway

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?