Bo-kaap, Cape Town Central: Address, Phone Number, Bo-kaap Reviews: 4/5
Bo-kaap
4
Tours & experiences
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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
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
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
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.
Tanumita D
Kolkata (Calcutta), India528 contributions
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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, Hungary63 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, Turkey69 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, Malaysia209 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, Canada46 contributions
How do I book lunch with a Malay family?
Veronica Hunter
Medford, NJ5,880 contributions
Kombuis has Malay Cuisine
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
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Bo-kaap:
- Bo-Kaap: Walk with a local (From $16.37)
- Cultural Cape Town Tour Including Langa Township and Bo-Kaap (From $47.21)
- The Bo-Kaap Heritage Walking Tour with a traditional tea break (From $37.31)
- Cape of Good Hope and Penguins Full-Day Tour From Cape Town (From $42.17)
- Cape Town City tour (From $42.17)
- Hotels near Bo-kaap:
- (0.02 mi) Rose Lodge
- (0.03 mi) Manhattan Penthouse triple volume Loft with Private Open Air Hot Tub
- (0.04 mi) Bedfort Blue In Bo-kaap
- (0.09 mi) Hyatt Regency Cape Town
- (0.16 mi) La Rose Bed & Breakfast
- Restaurants near Bo-kaap:
- (0.01 mi) Shandiz
- (0.04 mi) Harvest Cafe & Deli
- (0.04 mi) Detox Cold Pressed
- (0.05 mi) Biesmiellah
- (0.07 mi) Batavia
- 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
- (0.08 mi) Side by Side Experiences & Tours
- (0.09 mi) Hike Lion's Head (Cape Town)