Durban ranked 14th on Time Out’s 2026 best places to travel list

Durban has been ranked 14th in Time Out’s Best Places to Travel in 2026 list, according to the eThekwini Municipality. The ranking places the coastal city among the publication’s top international destinations for the year.

Mayor Cyril Xaba welcomed the announcement, saying it reflects growth in Durban’s tourism sector.

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The city recorded close to 1.2 million visitors during the 2025 festive season, up from 998 000 in 2024, representing a 19% increase. Accommodation occupancy rose to 77%, compared with 72% the previous year.

Direct tourism spends increased from R2.2 billion to R2.7 billion, while the sector’s contribution to the local economy rose from R5.5 billion to R9.6 billion, according to the municipality.

Business confidence in eThekwini also improved, rising from 52.12 points in the third quarter of 2025 to 63.38 points in the fourth quarter.

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The increase in visitor numbers and spending suggests that Durban’s tourism sector is continuing to recover, with a stronger festive season performance compared with the previous year.

Durban was ranked alongside destinations including the Canadian Rockies, Rabat in Morocco, and Hamburg in Germany.

* Likho Mbuka is a Moneyweb intern. 

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