by Umair Hassan

Created on: August 20, 2009

Durban forms a part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality in South Africa and is the second most populous city there. Apart from being the largest city in KwaZulu-Natal, it is also famous as being the biggest port in whole of Africa. It's mild, subtropical climate, warm, wet summers, mild moist to dry winters, and its beaches make it a major centre of tourism.

It is a very exciting city in which you can play, shop, relax and experience the night life. The world-class International Convention centre in Durban has hosted many historic events and conferences on a global scale. Highlights of Durban include its beaches, the Promenade, uShaka Marine World, Casinos, skate parks, cotton candy and its pickpockets! Do not get scared, you just need to keep track of your things and keep your wallet deep inside your pockets. Then you need to have no worries, just enjoy the fantastic things Durban has to offer you!

Things to do

Victoria Indian Street Market

As Durban has a huge Indian population living there, this Victoria Indian street market is a very happening and interesting place to visit, with its mosques, temples, fish market, handicrafts and loads of shops and amazingly delicious Indian, Chinese and Taiwanese food! Over 170 food stalls are located in a building which looks like a Maharaja's Palace, serving Indian, Chinese and Taiwanese food. It has many open markets in the street where the prices get very low right before closing. Famous Indian spices, kurtas, saris, handicrafts and sauces are available here.

uShaka Marine World

A promenade stretches along the Durban waterfront and along with numerous other things is also home to the world-class uShaka Marine World. This is the largest marine theme park in Africa, which is why it is a place you must never forget to visit when in Durban! The theme park has five zones, namely; entertainment, a retail village, dining area, water slides and the uShaka Beach. On the other hand, the Sea World offers a world class aquarium, dolphinarium, seal pool, penguin rookery, and the chance to engage in interactive activities in the dive tank, touch pool and snorkel reef. The Wet 'n Wild section has water based activities for those afraid of adventure, and for adventure lovers, it offers heart stopping, scary rides!

Golden Mile

A popular stretch of beach front in Durban is the Golden Mile. This is one of the main tourist attractions in Durban, and provides sun-worshippers and swimmers excellent opportunities to enjoy the sub-tropical sunshine and the warm waters of Indian Ocean. The wide stretch of golden sands is artificially separated by many piers and it is a well known surfer's haven. The beaches are protected year round by lifeguards and shark nets. This is a popular holiday destination for tourists as well as domestic people, because of the number of attractions it offers, including; the Durban Snake Park, Suncoast Casino and Entertainment world, uShaka Marine World, North Beach, Dairy Beach, Skate Park and the Surfing Museum.

Durban's Botanic gardens, Umgeni River Bird Park, KwaMuhle Museum, Kings Park stadium, and Gateway Theatre of Shopping are a few more attractions you cannot miss out!

In the end I would say that Durban is marketed as South Africa's playground for a reason, because it definitely does not lack of things to do when you are there. It has so many attractions for visit and activities to do that you will want to extend your holiday more and more just so you can experience each and every exciting thing it holds in store for you!

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