As much as Instagram’s a great platform for cat pictures and brunches, it’s also rather great for couch travellers. Speaking of which, welcome to our new feature entitled Pretty Cities of Instagram where each week we’ll take a look at some of the best snaps of cities as seen from the lenses of Instagram users across the world.
This week, we’re heading east as most Johannesburgers do in the summer, to Durban. As South Africa’s third largest city, Durban tends to live in the (warmer) shadow of its two (colder) northern and southern cousins, but today, we’re looking at it as just another gorgeous part of the globe.
No ad to show here.
So without any more ado, let’s hit that rickshaw and go for a ride.
Durban’s iconic for its long piers that jut deep into the Indian Ocean, and thanks to its position on the eastern side of South Africa, snaps of rich sunrises like the one below are possible. Image: Sam Ayres.
Splash rising. It’s nearly the end of another long week! What’s your plans for the weekend ?
A photo posted by S A M A Y R E S (@sam.ayres) on
Thanks to its undulating terrain and number of rivers, road bridges are also a common feature in Durban and surrounds. Image: Shan, You Baby and I.
A photo posted by Shan – You, Baby and I Blog (@youbabyandi) on
Durban is also the start (and in alternating years, the end) of the Comrades Marathon — a gruelling 90km ultramarathon that — depending on where the race begins — is run either uphill, or downhill. Image: Itheko SAC.
Coach @faruakp #durban #itheko #comradesmarathon #comrades2016 #comrades
A photo posted by Itheko SAC (@itheko_sac) on
One of the prettiest pictures of any city I’ve seen on Instagram, the image below of Durban’s beach and city front at night is fit for a postcard. That little booth on the pier’s end is a restaurant. Image: Puzzling Productions.
A photo posted by Puzzling Productions (@puzzling_productions) on
And yes, Durban is pretty well known for its expansive beaches and warm water. While Cape Town’s chilly surf barely gets above 15°C, Durban’s waters are regularly above 20°C (even in winter). Image: Sandy.
And speaking of warm water, the surfing conditions aren’t too bad either. Image: Bryan Paynter.
A photo posted by Bryan Paynter (@mr_paynter) on
The Moses Mabhida Stadium, built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, is now a prominent part of Durban’s cityscape. The stadium can seat 54 000 in its current configuration, and has played host to a cricket match, countless football matches, and will be the centrepiece of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Image: Lifeofyuvi.
If you thought that you built a mean sandcastle when you were younger, these Durban artists have a thing or two to show you. Sand art is a common theme along Durban’s beachfront, and often an attraction on its own. Image: Venture Holidays.
A photo posted by Venture Holidays (@ventureholidays) on
The flora is a stark departure to both Cape Town’s dry fynbos and Johannesburg’s harsh bushfeld. Durban, thanks to its sweltering and moist summers, plays host to some of the most interesting plant life in South Africa. Image: Marco Franchini.
Winter in Durban. #Durban #Umhlanga #vscocam #travel #iphone #balance #nature #flora #keepexploring
A photo posted by Marco Franchini (@marcofphoto) on
A trip to Durban isn’t complete without tasting one of its trademark dishes: the bunny chow. Made of a curry-filled hollowed-out loaf of bread, it’s a must. Image: Bluushkai.
Not much else needs to be said about this picture, especially when you’re floating 10000-feet above Durban. Gorgeous. Image: Junaid Khan.
#flysaa #windowseat #durban #home #thatview #southafrica
A photo posted by Junaid Khan (@junaid.jk) on
Sunblock is essential for all folk in Durban, whether its shop-bought or all-natural. Summers temperatures can climb beyond 35°C. Image: Jordan Lee.
A photo posted by Jordan Lee (@jordancslee42) on
Yes, we know, another image of the Comrades Marathon, but this snap is too beautiful and emotive to discard from the list. The author’s caption says it all too. Image: Xiao.
Umhlanga is arguably Durban’s Sandton, housing the rich and famous, and one of KwaZulu-Natal’s financial hubs. It also boasts a few gorgeous vistas, like the one below. Image: Darth Punk.
#sunrise #durban #umhlanga #epic #beach #southafrica #itsallgoodbabybaby #yougotknockedthefuckout
A photo posted by @darth__punk on
Remember what we said about piers earlier? Here’s another beautiful snap of Durbanites going about their daily lives. Image: Callie Sharp.
#durban #beachfront #view #sea #sky #promenade #ocean #sunnyday #outdoors #beach #pier #morning
A photo posted by Callie Sharp (@callie___sharp) on
Where there’s water, there are almost always sails. Pretty sails. Image: Rehana M.
#winterreflections #durban #beachwalks #sun #sea #ocean #sand #southafricathroughmyeyes #ilovedurban
A photo posted by Rehana M (@all_things_creativ) on
Do you want your snaps of your city or town to be featured in this series? Be sure to tag us on Instagram using our @BurnMedia handle.
Feature image: Nkululeko Masondo via Flickr
