Bo-kaap - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Bo-kaap
Top ways to experience Bo-kaap
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  • Angie W
    Nairobi, Kenya27 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Tour Of Boo-Kap With Bonfire Adventures
    We 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 stay
    Visited October 2022
    Written August 28, 2023
  • Patty B
    Nashville, Tennessee1,480 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pretty Color Houses
    I 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 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written March 4, 2024
  • Deborah V
    Montreal, Canada243 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Where colours tell a story
    Besides 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 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written March 31, 2024
  • Miranda Rodrigo
    Milton Keynes, United Kingdom36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Colours and so many photo opportunities
    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.
    Visited April 2024
    Traveled with family
    Written April 14, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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
4.0 of 5 bubbles2,706 reviews
Excellent
1,007
Very good
1,126
Average
490
Poor
63
Terrible
20

Robin360
Los Angeles, CA11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
3.0 of 5 bubbles
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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
4.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.
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.

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Bo-kaap - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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