Yet another South African city has appeared on a global list for being a top travel destination!
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (19 February 2026) – Durban has officially been named one of the world’s best travel destinations for 2026 by Time Out, ranking 14th on its newly released list of The Best Places to Travel in 2026.
Yes. Our Durban.
The global media and hospitality brand’s annual list highlights 19 destinations across the world that editors believe should be on travellers’ radar this year – from the Canadian Rockies to Hong Kong. Flying the South African flag is Durban.
Time Out South Africa’s Andrew Hallett described Durbs as the place to be for warm water, warm weather, and warm people. Nods for golden beaches, Indian Ocean swims, world-class surf breaks and the city’s famously flavour-packed food scene shaped by its rich Indian heritage.
While many international visitors default to Cape Town or the Kruger National Park, the spotlight is now shifting east. The listing also highlighted Durban’s upcoming Club Med ‘Beach and Safari’ resort (set to open in July 2026), along with easy access to the Drakensberg Mountains, Midlands Meander art routes, wetlands, bushveld adventures and, of course, kilometres of sun-soaked coastline.
The recognition has been warmly welcomed by eThekwini Municipality. Mayor Cyril Xaba described the ranking as well deserved. He says the city has been working hard to strengthen tourism and infrastructure.
“As a city, we are pleased to receive this global recognition. This is a clear indication that Durban’s tourism sector is firmly on an upward trajectory as we work towards fully surpassing pre-COVID-19 growth levels,” he said.
During the 2025 festive season alone, Durban welcomed close to 1.2 million visitors – a 19% increase from the previous year. Accommodation occupancy rose to 77%, tourism spend jumped from R2.2 billion to R2.7 billion, and the sector’s GDP contribution grew to R9.6 billion, creating over 14,000 job opportunities.
That’s not just good news for holidaymakers but meaningful for families, small businesses, hospitality workers and entrepreneurs who call Durbs home.
Time Out’s list puts Durban alongside 18 other top destinations including Rabat, Oaxaca, Favignana, Mendoza, Nepal and Hong Kong. We love seeing a local city get its international flowers!
Sources: Linked above.
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This phrase highlights that Durban has been ranked among the top 19 travel destinations worldwide for 2026. It emphasizes the city’s appeal to tourists, showcasing its attractions, culture, and experiences as a must-visit location.