Search results
Dec 28, 2023 · A five-minute walk from the city centre and De Waterkant and a 20-minute walk to the V&A Waterfront, the Bo-Kaap is best accessed by foot along Wale Street. Explore the Islamic “kramats” (shrines), mosques and food and craft markets, and discover the delicious Cape Malay cooking style.
- Bo-Kaap’S Early History
- The District During Apartheid
- Things to Do & See
- Cape Malay Cuisine
- How to Visit Bo-Kaap
- Practical Advice & Information
- Top Tips
The Bo-Kaap neighborhood was first developed in the 1760s by Dutch colonialist Jan de Waal, who built a series of small rental houses to provide accommodation for the city’s Cape Malay slaves. The Cape Malay people originated from the Dutch East Indies (including Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia), and were exiled by the Dutch to the Cape as slaves...
During the apartheid era, Bo-Kaap was subject to the Group Areas Act of 1950, which enabled the government to segregate the population by declaring separate neighborhoods for each race or religion. Bo-Kaap was designated as a Muslims-only area, and people of other religions or ethnicities were forcibly removed. In fact, Bo-Kaap was the only area of...
There is plenty to see and do in Bo-Kaap. The streets themselves are famous for their eye-catching color scheme, and for their fine Cape Dutch and Cape Georgian architecture. The oldest existing building in Bo-Kaap was built by Jan de Waal in 1768, and now houses the Bo-Kaap Museum– an obvious starting place for any new visitor to the neighborhood....
After visiting the neighborhood’s historic sights, make sure to sample its famous Cape Malay cuisine – a unique blend of Middle Eastern, South East Asian and Dutch styles. Cape Malay cooking uses plenty of fruit and spices, and includes fragrant curries, rootis and samoosas, all of which can be purchased at several Bo-Kaap street stalls and restaur...
Unlike some of Cape Town’s poorer areas, Bo-Kaap is safe to visit independently. It’s a five-minute walk from the city center, and a 10-minute drive from the V&A Waterfront (the city’s main tourist area). The easiest way to find yourself at the heart of Bo-Kaap is to walk along Wale Street to the Bo-Kaap Museum. After exploring the museum’s fascina...
Bo-Kaap Museum is open from 9:00am to 4:00pm Mondays through Saturdays, with the exception of certain public holidays. Expect to pay a R20 entrance fee for adults, and a R10 entrance fee for children aged six to 17. Kids under five go free. Tana Baru Cemetery is open from 9:00am to 6:00pm. If you would like to stay in the Bo-Kaap area, we recommend...
If you decide to explore Bo-Kaap independently, bear in mind that this neighborhood (like most areas of the city) is safest during daylight hours. If you plan on being there after dark, don't walk the streets by yourself – rather book a taxi or go with a group. Ladiesshould dress conservatively in Bo-Kaap, in line with Muslim custom. In particular,...
People also ask
Where is Bo Kaap?
What is Bo Kaap famous for?
Where is the Bo-Kaap in South Africa?
How far is Bo Kaap from the city centre?
It is a former racially segregated area, situated on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre and is a historical centre of Cape Malay culture in Cape Town. The Nurul Islam Mosque, established in 1844, is located in the area. Bo-Kaap is known for its brightly coloured homes and cobblestoned streets.
- 0.95 km² (0.37 sq mi)
- 1760
- +27 (0)21
- South Africa
Feb 26, 2024 · Bo Kaap holds significant historical importance as one of the oldest residential areas in Cape Town and a symbol of cultural diversity and resilience, particularly in the face of apartheid-era oppression.
- Harbour Lights Hout Bay South Africa
Nov 29, 2019 · Draped along the lower slopes of Signal Hill, right at the very edge of Cape Town’s CBD, Bo Kaap is famous for its vividly-painted Cape Dutch houses; cheerful and welcoming single-story homes that stand in terraced rows along steep cobblestoned streets.
Bo-Kaap - About the Neighbourhood. The Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town’s most distinct neighbourhoods known for its vibrant, predominantly Muslim, Cape Malay community and its equally bold flat-roofed colourful houses and cobbled stone roads. Situated at the foot of Signal Hill, on the fringe of the city centre, and formerly known as the Malay ...
Aug 16, 2017 · The vibrant area of the Bo-Kaap, formerly known as the Malay Quarter, is the oldest residential area in Cape Town. With its brilliantly coloured homes and cobbled streets, it’s also one of the most photographed areas in the Mother City. See why locals love this neighbourhood so much in our Neighbourhood Guide:
