Where is the best area to stay in Durban?
Durban, fondly known by locals as 'Durbs by the Sea', is a laid-back port town on the coast of South Africa. From here, one can journey onwards to the wildlife reserves of Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park, the towering mountains of the Drakensberg and to the rugged, wild Transkei coastline which plays host to the annual Sardine Run, one of the greatest migrations in the world. Yet with Durban's warm Indian Ocean waters, golden beaches, and colourful mix of cultures and people, there are plenty of reasons to stay awhile in this friendly city.
While there is much to see and do in Durban central, many residents and visitors choose to stay in the suburbs surrounding central town. Public transport is limited, so it's best to rent a car or use a ride share app such as Uber. If you're wanting a base that is close to the ocean, has good restaurant, shopping and accommodation options, and is a short 20-minute drive from the airport, look no further than the popular seaside town of Umhlanga.
Just a 20-minute drive away from Durban central is the thriving town of Umhlanga Rocks. The small town has exploded in recent years, with skyscraper hotels and business sectors all enjoying views of the ocean (and occasional pods of dolphin swimming past). Umhlanga's main attraction is the beach. A wide promenade runs adjacent to the shore, past the Whalebone Pier, the Lighthouse and the stylish, world-renowned Oyster Box Hotel, which has an unmissable 'all you can eat' breakfast buffet (complete with champagne and oysters) which will be a highlight of your Durban visit.
Stretching for 5.95 km, the 'Mile' starts from uShaka Beach and runs up to Suncoast Casino. This wide, paved promenade is a good spot to find breakfast cafes and is popular with joggers, walkers, cyclists and soccer teams doing early-morning fitness training. Look out for the Rickshaw drivers, with their hand-painted, ornate carriages. These drivers offer passengers hand-pulled lifts along the Mile, in keeping with a 130-year-old profession.
Just a 10-minute drive inland, this is a quieter area, and there's a sense of grandeur shown in the older houses, wide streets and tall trees. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes in the area, along with Durban's classic nighttime stretch: Florida Road. Friday and Saturday night brings this road alive with restaurant-goers and party revellers. Order beers and burgers at Dropkick Murphys, Italian down at Mamma Luciana's and Mozambican chicken and prawns at +258. For a relaxed afternoon picnic, head to Durban Botanical Gardens.
A somewhat underrated place to stay, the upmarket Kloof suburb sits 550-meters above sea level and generally has a cooler climate, with bouts of thick mist which makes for lush vegetation. 20-minutes by car ride from Durban, it's close enough to visit the city easily but far enough that you can enjoy a whole host of new experiences, such as attending the Shongweni Farmer's Market on the weekends for local crafts and food. Kloof runs along the edge of the impressive Krantzkloof Nature Reserve, which is a huge gorge cut through by the Molweni river, which forms waterfalls and swimming pools.
Adjacent to Umhlanga Rocks is the residential area of Durban North. Unpretentious and casual, many people live here because it's close to Durban, yet more affordable than Umhlanga Rocks. It may be quiet, but it has everything that you need - bigger houses, schools, restaurants, a beach, and shops. For the latter, visit La Lucia Mall which has grocers, fashion outlets and electronics. It also has a spice shop called Gorima's, where you can buy ingredients to make your own curry at home. Durban North borders the Umgeni River, which is connected to the ocean by an intricate ecosystem - the mangrove swamps. In 1980, this area was declared a national monument.
Visitors to this tiny coastal town will immediately feel like a local. With one road access, and steep hills leaving limited room for new developments, it's stuck in its small size - and that's the way everyone likes it. Umdloti is a 15-minute drive from King Shaka International Airport, and 15-minutes from Umhlanga Rocks. The beach at Umdloti isn't as crowded as the Durban and Umhlanga beaches, and most of the houses have sea views and are a short stroll - if not across the road - from the shores. For a small town, there's a surprising amount of good restaurants.
Ballito is the quintessential beach holiday town with many stretches of beach to choose from. Thompson's Bay has a small tidal pool and interesting rock formations leading to secluded beaches, and Willard Beach being the main beach is most popular. The coastline here is clean and well-maintained. Ballito is rapidly becoming popular with new homeowners and has many accommodation options, ranging from guest houses to high-end hotels.
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