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Bo-kaap

Bo-kaap, Cape Town Central: Address, Phone Number, Bo-kaap Reviews: 4/5

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Bo-kaap

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Bo-kaap
4
2,651
#37 of 188 things to do in Cape Town Central
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The area
Neighborhood: Schotsche Kloof
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,040 within 3 miles
Bouchon Wine Bar & Bistro
196
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Wine Bar
Chefs Warehouse
1,415
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Mediterranean • European • Healthy
Osteria Tarantino
448
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Neapolitan • Campania
Addis in Cape Ethiopian Restaurant
858
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • African • Ethiopian • Vegetarian Friendly
madam taitou
372
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • African • Healthy • Ethiopian
Marco's African Place
674
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • African • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
SeaBreeze Fish & Shell
437
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Seafood • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
La Parada Bree Street
646
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Mediterranean • European
Honest Chocolate Cafe
207
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Dessert • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Iron Steak and Bar
203
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Steakhouse • Grill
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Attractions
196 within 6 miles
Art du Cap
1
13 ftArt Galleries
The Cape Malay Art Exhibition- Bo Kaap
9
81 ftArt Galleries • Art Museums
Iziko Bo Kaap Museum
90
290 ftSpeciality Museums • Historic Sites
Church Square
29
367 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Auwal Mosque
6
0.1 miReligious Sites
Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve
527
0.2 miNature & Wildlife Areas • Off-Road & ATV Trails
Signal Hill Winery
13
0.2 miWineries & Vineyards
Noon Day Gun
194
0.3 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Go That Way
48
0.3 miVisitor Centers
Dorrance
4
0.2 miWineries & Vineyards
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
2,651 reviews
Excellent
981
Very good
1,109
Average
482
Poor
60
Terrible
19
Sandy C
Essex, IA155 contributions
Wonderful photo opportunity!
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.
Jules
Germany1 contribution
A place for photography and enjoyment
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.
Tanumita D
Kolkata (Calcutta), India528 contributions
Colourful break from mundane life
Dec 2019
When I first saw the colourful pictures I was thrilled and too excited to visit this place. The vibrant colours of the houses will instantly lift your spirit and enlighten your mood. Ironically, this place has a not so colourful history. Bo-Kaap was the home of slaves who were imported to the Cape by the Dutch during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. They reigned from Africa, Indonesia, Java Malaysia, and elsewhere in Asia. The houses were all so beautifully coloured that it gave the place such a picturesque look. The Bo-Kaap museum also has a nice collection of historical information about the place. There are shops in the area which have a huge collection of traditional African art.
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Peta B
2 contributions
Bo Kaap Cultural Hub
Jan 2020 • Couples
Hi all, if you're going to Bo Kaap unguided I cannot recommend the Bo Kaap Cultural hub highly enough. My partner and I stumbled across the newly opened hub yesterday and were guided around by Masturah before having a Cape Malay meal at their restaurant. Definitely a great way to get an understanding of Bo Kaap culture as it is practised today :)
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
GLaSota
Lancaster, NY321 contributions
Interesting
Jan 2020
We probably would not have gone to this site if it had not been that a stop here was included in our city tour. Our guide gave us a description and history of the site (first Dutch settlers), but we only spent 1/2 hour here walking around. The guide did not point out the archway that includes pictures/paintings of the early Dutch settlement of the area--we only knew about this because our our quest for a virtual geocache. Also, a few of the houses have the hoists tht are a resemblance of the Dutch houses on the canals in Amsterdam. Once again, read up on the area before going there, because the tour buses really don't emphasis the history of the area enough. I was able to pick up a nice basket made with telephone wire from a vendor on the corner. I wouldn't recommend walking around here after dark.
Written January 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Robin360
Los Angeles, CA11 contributions
Gorgeous part of town
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.
Amber D
Baltimore, MD439 contributions
Quirky area with history
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.
raos1234
Nottinghamshire, UK60 contributions
Pretty heritage area
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.
HelensTravels
Pretoria, South Africa50 contributions
Colorful colony
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.
Greennatalie
Barnsley, UK33 contributions
Interesting place
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bo-kaap
We recommend booking Bo-kaap tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 151 Bo-kaap tours on Tripadvisor
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