Durban Markets

This modern market in the Indian area of Durban has two floors crammed with goods and is surmounted by eleven domes, each representing a well known Indian edifice.

The lower floor is crammed with shops selling aromatic and pungent spices. Here you can buy Hellfire Curry powder and Mother in Law masala!

Also on the lower floor are the noisy meat and fish vendors whilst the upper floor is occupied by more conventional outlets. There is undergound parking.

Every day, this market is bustling with activity. If you want fresh vegetables and fruit, this is the place to come.

Approach the market by way of Berea Road station at the western end of West Street and proceed over the footbridge. Warning: pickpockets frequent this area so carry no valuables or jewellery. In this area, on an unfinished stretch of freeway, you will see African herb and medicine sellers.

Spend a while and they will be happy to tell you what they are selling and for what ailments it is used. If you are spending some time in Durban, similar markets exist in Chatsworth (Bangladesh) and north of Durban in Verulam (Saturday mornings) at which you are sure to find really fresh produce.

This is one of the first craft marketsto open in Durban. Its easy to find on a Sunday - just amble along the beachfront in the vicinity of Old Fort Road and you cannot miss it.

All manner of goods may be found here but the emphasis is on curios and textiles. You can sample freshly crushed sugar cane and slices of fresh pineapple sprinkled with a curry masala.

Another beachfront market but this time right at the end of Point Road. You will find similar goods to those at the Amphitheatre but this time the setting is very different.

The Point market is located at the base of North Pier where the channel to Durban Bay is at its narrowest and is open daily. Walk along North Pier and you will inevitably encounter two things - fishermen and very large ships very close.

The view from the pier is best of course at night when the whole of Durban's beachfront right up to Umhlanga (10kms) is visible. There are pie carts about.

There are several restaurants at this point so if you want to be a little more upmarket, sit and chow some graze and sip a frosty while you watch the ships.

Halfway up the Berea on any Saturday morning, beneath the trees near Musgrave Centre on Essenwood Road you will find a market that is extremely well patronized.

The market specializes in items that are distinctly of a craft nature - candles, aromatherapy, African arts, antiques and collectibles, cheeses, wind chimes, wickerwork etc etc.

Stables that are used now very infrequently are the delightful backdrops to a plethora of several dozen craft stalls. Unlike other markets, this is an evening market (Wed/Fri: 18.00 to 22.00 & Sun. 12.00 to 18.00) which adds a marvellous atmosphere.

Ambling around with the smells of the food stalls is bound to create an appetite! Not to be missed.

The market is located at the seaward end of West St. and is open daily. Principle items sold are curios.

One of the largest markets in Durban with several hundred stalls - and very centrally situated too, next to the Workshop shopping centre.

You will find it open every Sunday from about 9 am. A real mixture of goods can be found - curios, textiles, records, collectibles, tools, plants etc. etc.

This market is open daily, just behind Tourist Junction between Commercial and Pine Sts.

If you are walking though the Wheel shopping centre, you are bound to come across the Bazaar on the seaward side. It is a permanent structure styled on a Turkish suk and accommodates shops, restaurants and an amusement centre.

An Arts and crafts market on the Milescapes route.

Arts, crafts and collectibles.

A treasure trove of arts and crafts.

This small market is packed with ethnic goodies and not only can you buy your choice but you can see the artists at work. There is also a restaurant and information on the nearby Valley of a Thousand Hills.

Their junk, you treasure!

Berea Artists at Home, the Durban North Meander (last Sun. of the month), the Umhlanga Arts and Crafts Market and the Shongololo Crawl (Amanzimtoti area) are all crafts routes that enable the public to peruse a variety of ceramics, textiles, wood carvings, sculptures and other crafts whilst enabling them to talk to the artists and craftspeople responsible for the work.