Bo-kaap
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Neighborhood: Schotsche Kloof
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983 within 3 miles
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208 within 6 miles
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- Angie WNairobi, Kenya27 contributionsTour Of Boo-Kap With Bonfire AdventuresWe travelled to the gorgeous Bo-Kaap courtesy of Bonfire Adventures. The guide walked us through the brightly colored houses. He was very professional; educating us on the 17th century as well as the many vibrant cultures in South Africa. We also got to explore different historical sites such as the Company's Garden and the Castle of Good Hope. You will also come across some local souvenirs at Green Market Square and get a first impression of the African culture. In the evening we can enjoy a scenic drive to Hout Bay and enjoy a sundowner right at the beach. After this our guide will drive you back to your resort for dinner and an evening stayVisited October 2022Written August 28, 2023
- Patty BNashville, Tennessee1,480 contributionsPretty Color HousesI mentioned this area to our tour guide and she said it was on our way back from Table Mountain. She was happy to take us. As we drove through this very interesting area she told us about the history of the colors of the houses. It really was pretty and worthwhile.Visited January 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 4, 2024
- Deborah VMontreal, Canada243 contributionsWhere colours tell a storyBesides the vibrant colorful houses, very interesting history - then and now. It's worth a visit, but I heard it's not recommended to go on your own, so join a walking tour. There's a free one leaving every hour from the hop on and hop off office on Long Street.Visited March 2024Traveled soloWritten March 31, 2024
- Miranda RodrigoMilton Keynes, United Kingdom36 contributionsColours and so many photo opportunitiesSuch an incredible place with about a million photo opportunities! The coloured houses were gorgeous and had such lovely features (plant pots, murals, sculptures etc) and we loved just wandering around. We didn't have a guide so it gave us time to explore. The best houses were on Chiappini, Rose and Wale streets.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,706 reviews
Excellent
1,007
Very good
1,126
Average
490
Poor
63
Terrible
20
Robin360
Los Angeles, CA11 contributions
Jan 2020
The bright and colorful houses represent the freedom finally given to the muslim community, after years of hiding their religion. The colorful buildings are celebrations that they can now color their houses and shops any color they want. a lesson in freedom. Very pretty, too!
Written March 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandy C
Essex, IA181 contributions
Sep 2021
Definitely worth a visit! The colored houses are beautiful and historic and offer wonderful photo opportunities. We were not sure if we needed a guide, but preferred to walk there by ourselves. The City Sightseeing bus drops you off downtown and then just walk up the hill and look for the colored houses!
Written October 1, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amber D
Baltimore, MD471 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Just to be clear it’s really just a colorful street and not much else, but it is still worth seeing for the history that must never be forgotten. There is also a cool co-op style store stocked with mostly local artisans. The mosque is a little of a letdown but still worth seeing if you are in the area.
Written January 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelbugVietnam
Vietnam1,697 contributions
Dec 2022
The houses are painted in bright colors and if you are a keen photographer get there early to catch the morning light. This is a very historic part of Cape Town where the houses are usually passed down the generations rather than sold. Some are now used as B & Bs.
Written January 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raos1234
Nottinghamshire, UK64 contributions
Feb 2020
The government are trying to force home owners to sell so they can develop it high rise. Would be a shame as it’s part of the slave heritage. Take a guided walking tour. Hill so not good for disability
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
HelensTravels
Pretoria, South Africa50 contributions
Mar 2020
It's definitely worth a visit to spice up your Instagram profile with some colour. The colourful houses in this historical district will blow you away. I would recommend going with a friend or a walking tour because it doesn't seem to be the safest when you're alone but it's a beautiful and fun part of Cape Town.
Written March 13, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harald Gracholski
Cologne, Germany6,898 contributions
Feb 2022
Bo-kaap is the colorful neighborhood of Cape town popularily depicted on travel books and websites. While a culturally very important part of the city closely linked to the the city's diverse background is it not really a very large area, nor blessed with many interesting architectural gems. There's the mosque, the colorfu houses and quite a few cool cafes and bars, but I personally respect the quarter mainly for its historical importance. Therefore should visitors be aware of the history and maybe not have sky high expectations of the sights to be encountered there.
Written December 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jules
Germany1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Friends
If you are searching for a place to take impressive pictures or enjoy a walk surrounded by colorful houses- then this is the place for you.
Bo-Kaap is an area in Cape Town which is known for its colorful and unique houses, which will definitely put a smile on your face :D
I personally am always fascinated by pretty exterior design and fancy cities, so this area is definitely unforgettable.
There were quite a few poor people though, who came up to us and begged for money, so I will recommend to still take extra care of your belongings, even in this doll town.
Bo-Kaap is an area in Cape Town which is known for its colorful and unique houses, which will definitely put a smile on your face :D
I personally am always fascinated by pretty exterior design and fancy cities, so this area is definitely unforgettable.
There were quite a few poor people though, who came up to us and begged for money, so I will recommend to still take extra care of your belongings, even in this doll town.
Written May 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greennatalie
Barnsley, UK33 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
Such an interesting place with a lot of history....if you can see it all behind the crowds of Insta-famous-wannabes! It was really busy, full of tourists just interested in getting a good photo of themselves in front of the beautifully coloured houses. I’m all for a good photo but this kind of self-indulgent behaviour cheapens what this place represents for the locals, freedom! Head down to the bottom of Rose Street and Chiappini Street to enjoy the surroundings away from the selfie stick gang.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miranda Rodrigo
Milton Keynes, UK36 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
Such an incredible place with about a million photo opportunities! The coloured houses were gorgeous and had such lovely features (plant pots, murals, sculptures etc) and we loved just wandering around.
We didn't have a guide so it gave us time to explore. The best houses were on Chiappini, Rose and Wale streets.
We didn't have a guide so it gave us time to explore. The best houses were on Chiappini, Rose and Wale streets.
Written April 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leandro T
Luanda, Angola
When does the 1-month lease in Bo Kaap cost for one person? And how much is the annual price of only one person?
Safe area to stay?
My girfriend and I are in Capetown for 4 nights next week and its our first time there?
Zsolt K
Budapest, Hungary73 contributions
Yes it is. The Safest areas in Cape Town are Green Point, Sea Pont, Cilfton and Camps Bay and the Malay quarter (Bo-Kaap)
Mohsen S
Istanbul, Türkiye69 contributions
I am planning for an hour or two walking and do some photograph for the colore houses and streets in Bo Kaap
is it safe to walk alone with big DSLR camera in the streets?
Mustafa
South Africa116 contributions
Yes, you can. We spent an hour taking lovely photos in that area with no problem.
Dane C
Ystrad Mynach, UK14 contributions
Can anyone recommend where to park for a quick visit to Bo-Kaap?
Rajasingam B
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia210 contributions
Would suggest that a take a slow drive through the neighbourhood first. Then you park at Wale Street and take some pics nearby of the picturesque homes.
Feras A
Jazan, Saudi Arabia55 contributions
Iam travelling with my wife and. 3 years old kid .
My question ? Is bo -kaap a safe area to visit in a day time with my family unguided ? Or i should go there with a travel group ?
Marjolein W
Cape Town Central, South Africa139 contributions
I agree, the area is pretty safe during daytime, so you can walk around on your own. But it is nice to get the full impact of the neighbourhood by joining a walking tour and get to know the history behind the coloured houses. There are a few. Google free walking tours Bo-kaap and you will find them. Enjoy!
Sherrelle K
United States102 contributions
I am thinking about eating at The Shortmarket Club, which from google maps, looks walking distance to Bo-kaap. Wondering if we should go to the area and walk around a bit before dining at Shortmarket Club?
Ronygr
Tel Aviv, Israel771 contributions
it is a 15 min walk
but do it before dark
it gets uneasy at dark.inthag area
SandieFreckle
Margaret River, Australia15 contributions
Is there accomadation in Bo-Kaap?
Michael B
Queensland, Australia401 contributions
Hi Sandi,
Not sure when you are traveling. We stayed in CT last month on holidays.
Bo Kaap is a beautiful and there are many styles of accommodation options in the area.
Whether you stay in Bo Kaap or another part of central CT depends on how many tours you wish to experience. If you are only completing the walking tour, stay else where.
We found a fantastic two bedroom unit in the Cartwright building in the very centre of CT on booking. Modern, very safe and well priced.
Michelle E
London, Canada48 contributions
How do I book lunch with a Malay family?
Veronica Hunter
Medford, NJ6,132 contributions
Kombuis has Malay Cuisine
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Claim your listingBo-kaap - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Bo-kaap
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Bo-kaap:
- Bo-Kaap: Walk with a local (From $18.81)
- Cape Town Township Tour Including Langa Township and Bo-Kaap (From $46.77)
- Cape of Good Hope and Penguins Full-Day Tour from Cape Town (From $34.40)
- Cape Town City tour (From $38.70)
- Guided 4-Hour Tour of Cape Town Langa Township's Cultural (From $53.22)
- Hotels near Bo-kaap:
- (0.02 mi) Rose Lodge
- (0.04 mi) Bedfort Blue In Bo-kaap
- (0.09 mi) Hyatt Regency Cape Town
- (0.16 mi) La Rose Bed & Breakfast
- (0.19 mi) Rouge on Rose Boutique Hotel
- Restaurants near Bo-kaap:
- (0.01 mi) Shandiz
- (0.03 mi) Faeezas Tea Garden
- (0.04 mi) Harvest Cafe & Deli
- (0.04 mi) Detox Cold Pressed
- (0.08 mi) Urchin Restaurant
- Attractions near Bo-kaap:
- (0.00 mi) Art du Cap
- (0.02 mi) The Cape Malay Art Exhibition- Bo Kaap
- (0.02 mi) Lekka Kombuis
- (0.03 mi) Faeeza’s Home Kitchen
- (0.08 mi) Side by Side Experiences & Tours