If there's one place that I must visit every time I go to Cape Town , it's the Bo-Kaap. I'm ever so fascinated by this historic, colourful district, which is always a sight for sore eyes. On my most recent trip to the Mother City, I did a walking tour in the Bo-Kaap with Walk Cape Town and learnt so much more about the area.
Bo-Kaap
Guided walking tours to the Bo-Kaap leave from the City Sightseeing Bus offices in Long Street daily. That’s where we met our local guide, Sheldon, and began the tour. Our group of about a dozen people were from Nigeria, Germany and Switzerland. There were also other South Africans like us.
Tourists in Bo-Kaap
En route, Sheldon pointed out the Jan De Waal house on Bree Street. Originally from Amsterdam, Jan who was a church sexton, built the first houses in the Bo-Kaap which he subsequently rented out to the slaves. They were known as huurhuisies (rental houses).
Cape Heritage Hotel
We then stepped into the Cape Heritage Hotel located in Heritage Square. Historic features such as original walls and windows can still be seen in the hotel, alongside murals depicting the history of the square and Cape Town. The hotel houses the Sisonke Gallery which was created to promote upcoming young artists, as well as some eateries and shops. The central courtyard is shaded by South Africa’s oldest grapevine which was planted in 1771 and still bears fruit!
Spot South Africa’s oldest grapevine
From there, we proceeded to the Bo-Kaap, walking up the cobbled slopes while Sheldon told us about the history, culture and traditions of the area, as he pointed out the best photo spots.
View from the arch
Lying on the lower slopes of Signal Hill, the name Bo-Kaap means “above the Cape”. It was previously known as the Malay Quarter. Unlike the multi-coloured houses that line its narrow streets, attracting tourists and photographers from far and wide, the Bo-Kaap has a somewhat dark history.
Bo-Kaap Houses
It was first established in 1760 as a slave quarter, and many of the current residents are descendants of these slaves, who were brought to the Cape by the Dutch in the 16th and 17th centuries from Malaysia, Indonesia, as well as other Asian and African countries. There were traders, religious scholars, skilled craftsmen, artisans and convicts too. They brought their religion, cuisine, culture and language with them. I realised this to a great extent when I visited Malaysia and heard words being used that I normally associate with the Cape Malay community.
Bo-Kaap House
Most of the Bo-Kaap houses were built before 1860 and reflect a mixture of Cape Dutch and Cape Georgian architectural styles. The oldest house there still in its original form, is now home to the Bo Kaap Museum where you can learn more about the history of the area. It was built by Jan de Waal in 1768.
The houses of the Bo-Kaap are painted in vivid shades of vibrant colours, making the Bo-Kaap one of the main attractions in Cape Town, mainly due to its Instagrammability. There are several theories about the origins of the rainbow colours but the most popular one seems to be that residents were previously restricted in the colours they were allowed to use and when this rule was finally lifted they painted their houses in bright, cheerful colours to express their joy and newly-found freedom. They often re-paint their houses in celebration of Eid or other special occasions, and usually after consulting with their neighbours, to avoid clashes.
Bo-Kaap Houses
There are currently no restrictions on colours. Sheldon said that he asked one of the residents why he painted his house dark green, and he responded that it was because it was the colour of the Springboks (South Africa’s national rugby team). Another resident painted her house purple because it was the colour of royalty.
In between the streets of colourful houses, you will see walls with brightly painted murals.
Street art in Bo-Kaap
Cape Malay cuisine is unique and includes delicacies like koeksisters, boboties and bredies. Many of the residents offer cooking experiences in their homes. Faeeza’s Home Kitchen is one of them. Faeeza also has a tea garden which has hosted celebrities like Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, and Roger Federer. Other popular local eateries are Biesmiellah Restaurant, Bo-Kaap Kombuis, and Against The Grain.
Faeeza's Kitchen
The Bo-Kaap is predominantly Muslim and there are 10 mosques there, the oldest being the Auwal (First) Mosque which was built in 1794. Inside the mosque, there is a Quran handwritten from memory by Tuan Guru, an Indonesian prince who was incarcerated on Robben Island long before Nelson Mandela. He was the first imam of the mosque. Built in 1820, the Palm Tree Mosque is the second oldest Mosque in the Bo Kaap. The 5 palm trees outside the mosque represent the 5 pillars of Islam.
Palm Tree Mosque
Recently, Bo-Kaap residents have been fighting against gentrification, price hikes and evictions, which is threatening the heritage of the area.
We walked back to the City Sightseeing offices, after a thought-provoking walk. The tours are free but tipping is recommended. We’ve done them in several countries and they’re well worth the tip, as the tours are normally given by local guides with in-depth knowledge and inside information about the area. I would highly recommend doing the City Sightseeing Bus tour to see the rest of the city.
Where to stay in the Bo Kaap
If you want a luxury stay in the Bo-Kaap, the Hyatt Regency Cape Town is ideally located at the beginning of the Bo-Kaap district, close enough for one to immerse oneself in the culture and colour of the neighbourhood but not enough to encroach on its ambience.
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world. Although she has been to 50 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
Love these images! We visited years ago but on a gray, rainy day so didn't get any of these beautiful pictures.
It's so colorful! I really wish I got to visit this part of Cape Town when we were there - so beautiful! A walking tour is definitely the way to go.
Such a pretty and colourful part of Cape Town! I'll add a Bo-Kaap walking tour to my itinerary next time I'm in South Africa. Saving this for later!
Can I stay in one of these houses for a day? They look so vibrant and lovely.
Really fine post. I adore this site. Keep it up.
Wow!! Loving all the colours!! Although think that pink would give me a headache!!
You want to spend a few days right in the middle if it? book one of the fabulous rooms at Rouge on Rose , boutique hotel, a fabulous place with great hosts at a very reasonable price.
Thanks for the suggestion Nadine. Will have a look at it the next time I'm in the area.
omg are these places for real?? gorgeous pictures... really enjoyed reading this :)I can only imagine what a wonderful community to put up that sign! how were the locals?
Thank you Sahar. It does look like a make-believe world but the locals are authentic, friendly and welcoming.
MashaAllah, what attractive pictures and beautiful, colorful little houses! I would love to visit this place, seems like out of a story book... full of fascination 🙂
It's a fascinating place. Do come visit soon!
MashaAllah what a beautiful sight! The Masjid looks so fresh and pretty. Fascinating bit of background info for this beautiful place, thank you for sharing it with us. Definitely adding SA to my holiday list, I hope I get to visit one day inshaAllah.
Thank you! South Africa has many beautiful places. Do come visit soon!
Love the place! Its so vibrant and colourful. I wish i could take a walk down the streets one day InshAllah.
Thank you thequintessentialhousewife. Hopefully you will be able to walk down that street soon!
These houses are beautiful mashaAllah, really vibrant. Defo adding this to my holiday list inshaAllah
That would be awesome ChristalBlogs. Do come visit soon.
Wow beautiful places... everything looks so out of the world..
I agree - it looks like a make-believe world.
I want to take a walk down this street every day! MashAllah so colourful 😀
I think it would lift ones spirits to walk in such a colourful street everyday!
I want the pink house! Lol I love all the colours!
You can have the pink house - I'll take the purple one 😉