DURBAN

Get up early, Durban is best enjoyed in the mornings. You will see it bustling before work on the promenades with people out running, walking, surfing and going for coffee. 

Go for a walk, run, or bike ride on Durban promenade. You can hire bikes at different points along the way:  

• • Home - Bike and Bean (which has delicious coffee and yummy bacon and egg rolls)

  • Rent - Xpression on the Beach Durban

  • Durban beachfront promenade; Golden Mile; walk; jog; cycle; Addington; Blue Lagoon; water sports; food; drink; entertainment (GL) 

There are some nice coffee shops along the promenade. Surf Riders does a good breakfast and has delicious food for lunch.

• Durban Beachfront Restaurant | Surfriderscafe

If you are looking to swim, we suggest swimming near uShaka Marine World or on Marine beach, where the sea is calmer. Make sure to swim in the designated swimming areas and swim at low tide. For the braver at heart you can hire SUP boards at the expression shop linked above. We suggest only strong swimmers do this. 

At the top of the promenade by the road there are stalls with curios. If going to these stalls make sure to keep your belongings close and you may need to haggle. You will need cash at the stalls. 

A few kilometres drive by car is the harbour. There are some nice restaurants along the way such as 9th Avenue Waterside. This was a strong contender for where we wanted to have the wedding reception. Head here for DELICIOUS  food and a charming view of Durban harbour. You are looking at about £35-40 for a 3 course meal that would cost well over £100 in the UK. For the wine lovers they also have some wonderful South African wine and decent cocktails too! 

• 9th Avenue Waterside Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge.

Maha Café is also a great spot to visit in this area.

• Maha cafe – Durban Beachfront Vacation |The Point Waterfront 

Not far from the beachfront is the Moses Mabida Stadium. For the adventurous you can walk the 500 steps to the top of the arch (or take the skycar) for some beautiful views

•  MOSES MABHIDA STADIUM (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) 

For the history lovers you can get the Ricksha bus in this area. Check Tripadvisor for more details 

• Ricksha Bus City Tour - Durban Tourism

Get up early, grab a coffee and go for a walk on Umhlanga promenade. 

• Welcome to Tiki Tonga Coffee South Africa! (for the non-coffee drinkers, we recommend a Milo crush)

• Forest Café - Bike and Bean 

• All the coffee shops along the way are good too. 

If swimming, stick within the swimming area and swim at low tide.  The sea can be rougher here than Durban Beachfront so take care. 

Treat yourself to a cocktail at the Oyster box lighthouse bar, with views of the sea and Umhlanga's iconic lighthouse. 

• The Oyster Box, Luxury Hotel Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa 

There are lots of restaurants in the Umhlanga village which has a lovely atmosphere. Head here for a bite to eat or just for a  coffee/drink.  

Breakfast:

• Mary & Joe (@mary_and_joe_) • Instagram photos and videos

Lunch/Dinner: 

• Traditional Italian Restaurant | Lupa Osteria | South Africa 

• Grimaldi's Restaurant | Pearls Umhlanga 

• Home - Little Havana 

• The Chefs' Table  (fancy) 

• Home - Marcos Italian Restaurant Umhlanga 

• Jack Salmon | Fish & Grill 

Drinks:  

• Sunsets & Mermaids – Restaurant and Bar 

• Back Yard - Umhlanga Arch

Umdloti is a small beach town about a 10 minute drive from Umhlanga. 

If you are staying around this area, we recommend getting up early for a walk along the beachfront, with a coffee in hand (as with all the beachfront areas). There is a great little spot called Doloras which is perched on a grass curb right on the beachfront.

• • Doloras Coffee on Instagram • Photos and videos

There are a few other good coffee shops on the beachfront:  

• Foam Coffee (@foam_cafe) • Instagram photos and videos

• Home - Seattle Coffee Company 

Get some drinks and have sundowners on the beach.

If swimming, again the sea is quite rough here, ensure to swim at low tide and in the designated swimming areas. 

Restaurants: 

• SandBar KZN – Restaurant and Cocktails (or just for cocktails/drinks) 

• Bel Punto

• Mundo Vida

• SALTA – Tightline Fisheries

• (@tylers_butcher) • Instagram photos and videos

Ballito is another Coastal town along the northcoast of KZN and is near where we will have the wedding reception. 

Again we recommend a walk or run along the promenade in the morning/afternoon (why not stop for a sundowner on the beach?) 

Stop for a breakfast at Kuta Kola for some amazing sea views while you sip on your morning coffee 

• Kuta Kola – Restaurant on the beach in Ballito

Have some lunch/dinner on the beach

• Greek Food in Ballito Bay | KwaZulu-Natal | Durban | Nikos 

If swimming, again please make sure you stick to the swimming areas and low tide. 

Ballito Lifestyle Centre is known as having some of the best restaurants in Durban. Start with a drink at Alchemy bar followed by dinner at Attikos (greek), Yurioki (Sushi / Asian) or 45 on Eat Street. There are no sea views, but a great atmosphere. 

• Alchemy Bar Ballito 

• Home - Attikos

• Home - Yori ōkī

• 45 On Eat Street - We're a Sophisticated yet Casual Restaurant in Ballito 

For the more active folk, we recommend a run through the sugar cane at Holla Trails. They also do a park run there on Saturday mornings  

• Holla Trails | Mountain Biking | Trail Running