WESTERN CAPE
CULTUREBo-Kaap
Cape Town's most colourful neighbourhood
Perched on Signal Hill above Cape Town's CBD, Bo-Kaap is one of the oldest residential areas in the city and the historic heart of the Cape Malay community — descendants of slaves and political exiles brought from South and Southeast Asia by the Dutch VOC from the 17th century onward. The candy-coloured houses (cobalt, lime, rose, yellow) are painted in celebration of freedom after the end of apartheid. The Bo-Kaap Museum tells the story of the community and its contribution to Cape Town's food, music, and identity.
Practical Info
- Entry fee:
- Free to walk. Museum: R20.
- Hours:
- Always accessible as a neighbourhood
- Getting there:
- 10-minute walk from Cape Town City Hall. Easily reached on foot from the CBD.
- Tip:
- Visit on a Friday for Jummah prayers at the Nurul Islam mosque. The cooking school run by local residents is one of the best food experiences in Cape Town.
📷On the Ground
Cape MalayculturearchitecturefoodCape Town
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