Travel: Skip Cape Town And Visit Durban, South Africa, Instead
Durban city beachfront, South AfricaShutterstock
Travel
By DOMINIC HORNER
When most people think of Durban, images of spectacular sunny beaches, jaw-dropping attractions, and warm weather come to mind.
Durban Is Rich In History
Durban is a South African city known for being one of the most populous urban areas in the country. When most people think of Durban, images of spectacular sunny beaches, jaw-dropping attractions, warm weather, and a plethora of things to do in this charming city are the first enticements that come to mind.
Nestled in KwaZulu-Natal province, Durban is everything visitors would expect. It is colorful, thrilling, and simply magical. Whether exploring the great outdoors or getting pampered at the best day spas and resorts, visitors heading to Durban should allocate more time for their vacation if they want to do justice to this city. Durban is also widely recognized for its African, Colonial, and Indian influences. There is an assumption of rent inclusivity. Here are things to do and see in Durban:
Outdoor Activities To Try At Durban
Durban is the ultimate destination for adventurers. Unlike Cape Town, which experiences a Mediterranean climate, Durban’s climate is sun-tropical. It incorporates the commercial vibe of Johannesburg with the seaside lifestyle of Cape Town.
Full of intrinsic beauty and beautiful weather, Durban boasts a range of picturesque attractions that are just begging to be explored. There’s a lot to enjoy, from beautiful mountain hikes to adventure biking, aquarium diving, clay pigeon shooting, canopy tours, hot-air ballooning, microlight flying, and others. With such a wide array of things to do and places to see, tourists will be spoiled for choice.
For instance, just about two hours from Durban is the remarkable Oribi George, an incredible place of cliffs, waterfalls, forests, and hiking trails. This is the perfect place for abseiling. Visitors can also try out the Aerial Cable Trail, where they are led up into the tree canopy.
Adrenaline junkies can as well go diving at Durban’s state-of-the-art uShaka Marine World. Those who want to keep the good vibe going can try out an escorted cycle tour through the city. Cycle tours are an incredible way of appreciating the beauty of this bustling city first-hand.
Durban may be recognized as a relaxed seaside town that has a big city personality. The city boasts plenty of historical gems detailing the city’s history secluded in some quaint old buildings.
For history buffs interested in exploring the history of this charming city, Durban has a novel way of exhibiting it. Visitors can start their tour at Francis Farewell Square by Durban’s Neo-Baroque City Hall. The historic square in the heart of Durban is the place where the city began as a small settlement of itinerant traders and hunters in the early 19th century.
There’s also the Natural Science Museum which has a thrilling insect section on the first floor. Also, the famous Durban art gallery is on the first floor of City Hall. Culture vultures can visit the City Hall on Wednesday at 1 pm to experience different musical and dance performances.
The Durban’s Local History Museum is within earshot of the City Hall, nestled in the Old Court House. It is famed as the first public building to be built in Durban in 1866. The nearby Kwa Muhle Museum describes the indignities of the apartheid experience in the city. Other top-rated museums in the city include the Mahatma Gandhi House, Sugar Terminal, Killie Campbell African Museum, and the Port Natal Maritime Museum.
Spectacular Beaches At Durban
Durban is a must-visit city in South Arica that's of unbeatable beauty and among the few destinations that don’t require much convincing for people to consider. It boasts beautiful beaches and spots to snorkel and dive. With many picture-perfect beaches in Durban, it can be challenging to settle on a destination for a romantic vacation or honeymoon.
There is plenty of space on the beaches for anyone who simply wants to soak in the sun. One of the most popular beaches in Durban is North Beach. This beach is a perfect spot for a dream vacation. It welcomes beginners and expert divers, offering a glimpse of rare marine creatures.
The water in North Beach is quite calm and shallow, making it suitable for swimmers of most levels, including beginners.
It is also ideal for snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing. Other popular beaches in Durban include Umhlanga Rocks, Umdloti Beach, Ansteys Beach, uShaka Beach, and Tiger Rocks Beach. Unsurprisingly, most of these Durban beaches are home to luxurious resorts. They will forever change how visitors view stays at affordable hotels and resorts. Some resorts to spend the night include the La Lucia Sands Beach Resort in Umhlanga Rocks, Hyde Park Resort in Durban, and the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani, among others.
Durban is the ultimate destination for budget travelers and visitors looking for a luxurious getaway. Besides the incredible things to do in Durban, the city also boasts a lower cost of living compared to Cape Town. So if on a tight budget and wondering which of the two cities to visit, Durban is the better choice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dominic Horner
(292 Articles Published)
Dominic is a traveler who suffers from incurable curiosity. He has found the only effective treatment to his problem is traveling, so he has been to 18 countries, and still counting. He loves sharing his experience through writing.
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