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    Bo-Kaap

    South Africa

    Bo-Kaap

    CityCulture

    Bo-Kaap, nestled on the slopes of Signal Hill, is Cape Town's most famous district, with colorful houses and steep cobbled streets. Here, Cape Malay culture thrives, with mosques, spice shops, and its own cuisine.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. South Africa
    7. Cape Town
    9. Bo-Kaap
    Bo-Kaap, nestled on the slopes of Signal Hill, is Cape Town's most famous district, with colorful houses and steep cobbled streets. Here, Cape Malay culture thrives, with mosques, spice shops, and its own cuisine.

    Sights in Bo-Kaap

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Auwal-Moschee

    1Auwal-Moschee

    The Auwal Mosque on Dorp Street, built in 1794, is considered South Africa's oldest mosque. It is closely linked to Tuan Guru, a scholar exiled from Indonesia who taught here. It remains an active house of worship today: Dress modestly and visit outside prayer times.
    Open in Google Maps
    Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum

    2Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum

    The small museum in an 18th-century house shows how a Muslim family lived in the 19th century, and tells the story of the neighborhood. A good starting point before a walk through the streets.
    Open in Google Maps

    City walks in Bo-Kaap

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    A Riot of Colour and Cape Malay History: A Walk Through Bo-Kaap

    Immerse yourself in the vibrant history of Bo-Kaap, Cape Town's most colourful district. This walk leads you through picturesque lanes, past iconic houses and reveals the rich Cape Malay culture and its fascinating stories. Discover the unique atmosphere that makes Bo-Kaap an unforgettable experience.

    ~2 Std. 15 Min.
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    Stops (7)

    Essen & Trinken

    Culture & History

    From the 18th century, many former slaves and exiles from Southeast Asia, India, and Africa lived here; their descendants are known as Cape Malays. Islam continues to shape the district, with the Auwal Mosque (1794) being the oldest in the country. Under Apartheid, Bo-Kaap was designated as a residential area for Cape Malays. Today, many residents are battling rising prices and displacement.

    On the Go

    The best way to explore the district is on foot; plan comfortable shoes for the steep alleys. Walk from the city center, and for longer distances or evenings, take Uber or Bolt.

    Accommodations in Bo-Kaap

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    Nearby

    Cape Town

    Cape Town

    Cape Town is situated between Table Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean and, with approximately 4.8 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area, is South Africa's second-largest city. The city combines colonial history, the memory of Apartheid on Robben Island, and a vibrant restaurant and art scene with beaches, hiking trails, and wine regions right on its doorstep.
    V&A Waterfront

    V&A Waterfront

    The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is Cape Town's redeveloped old harbour, with Table Mountain as its backdrop. Amidst fishing trawlers, seals, and historic harbour buildings, you'll find shopping centres, restaurants, hotels, the Zeitz MOCAA, and the Two Oceans Aquarium. Ferries to Robben Island also depart from here.
    Robben Island

    Robben Island

    Robben Island is located approximately twelve kilometers off Cape Town in Table Bay. For over three centuries, the island served as a place of banishment, a leper colony, and a prison; during apartheid, Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners were incarcerated here. Since 1999, Robben Island has been a UNESCO World Heritage site and a museum.
    Kalk Bay

    Kalk Bay

    Kalk Bay is a fishing harbour on False Bay with antique shops, bookstores, and cafés along Main Road. At the harbour, fishermen sell their catch directly from the boat, often observed by seals. Cape Town's suburban train stops right by the sea.
    Cape Peninsula

    Cape Peninsula

    The Cape Peninsula stretches from Cape Town about 50 kilometers south to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. On the Atlantic side, Chapman's Peak Drive leads along steep cliffs; on False Bay lie Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Simon's Town with the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. The south is part of the Table Mountain National Park.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI