Durban upsets major cities to score travel accolade

The Indian Ocean city places 7th on the prestigious New York Times list for '52 places to go in 2015'.

Durban, commonly viewed as South Africa's third city after Johannesburg and Cape Town, has managed a surprise feat, coming in at 7th place on the New York Times pick for 52 Places to Go in 2015.

Milan in  Italy, Cuba and Philadelphia in the USA take the top spots, followed by Yellowstone National Park, Chile's Elqui Valley and Singapore.

Next up is South Africa's fast-growing port city, with the newspaper's reviewer commenting: "No one has bad things to say about Durban, per se; they will agree that its beachfront promenade is lovely and the weather is pleasant year round. And yet Durbs, as it is affectionately called, is often scoffed at by Capetonians and Joburgers for being a touch gauche. Well, enough of that".

So what is scoring points with travel aficionados? Here's what Sarah Khan says in the NYT:

"The city’s creative set is staking its claim on a hefty share of the country’s cool quotient. The reinvention of Rivertown kicked things off: The city enclave is now home to a popular market, beer hall and, coming soon, a raft of boutiques showcasing proudly local brands (Dirty Indigo T-shirts; Spine men’s wear).

"The beloved but dated Durban beachfront is also getting a serious upgrade, courtesy of new dining spots like Afro’s Chicken, California Dreaming and Surf Rider’s Cafe."

On her recommended list is ordering a bunny chow, the quintessential Indian-South African fast food, and joining a city walk led by Beset Durban.

See the full list here