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 Quarter, the Bo-Kaap’s origins date back to the 1760s when numerous “huurhuisjes” (rental houses) were built and leased to slaves and political exiles brought here from other Dutch colonies in the east including Indonesia’s Batavia, Sumatra, Java and also East Africa. Most of these groups spoke some Malay, hence this new community becoming known as the Cape Malays.
The houses in the area are a mix of Cape Dutch and Georgian architecture and the bright colours, it is said, is attributed to the fact that while on lease, all the houses had to be white. When this rule was eventually lifted, and the slaves were allowed to buy the properties, all the houses were painted bright colours by their owners as an expression of their freedom.
When visiting this area be sure to go see the oldest mosque in South Africa – the Auwal Mosque in Dorp Street and the oldest building in the Bo-Kaap in Wale Street which currently houses the Bo-Kaap Museum. This is the best place to discover the real history of the area and to get a glimpse into the life of a typical Malay family.
Be sure to try a local cooking tour specialising in traditional Cape Malay treats and visit one of the eateries owned and run by families who are historically rooted in the area
Explore by interest in Bo-Kaap




Popular Attractions in Bo-Kaap
From Kirstenbosch Gardens, to Table Mountain Forests and home to Western Cape Rugby and Cricket, Newlands has so much to offer.
Places to Stay in Bo-Kaap
Newlands is one of the most affluent and beautiful neighbourhoods in Cape Town resting on the slopes of Table Mountain. There is a wide range of accommodation available.
Places to Eat & Drink in Bo-Kaap
Newlands is home to some of the best restaurants and bars in the city. Whether you’re looking for a casual meal or a night out on the town, there’s something for everyone on offer.
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Make the most of winter in Cape Town with these incredible local deals 😍🔥
From our top attractions to mouth-watering restaurant specials, here’s Part 1 of the best local deals you won’t want to miss this season…
#capetownwinter #capetown
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A Cape Town sunset with a little drama. 🌅💨
📹: @familyearthtrek
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Meet Donovan Goliath, the Eastern Cape-born, Joburg-based creative exploring Cape Town with a fresh perspective.
Next on Donovan’s itinerary: Cape Town’s creative spaces.
One stop on Donovan’s journey is A33, a café, gallery, and listening room that doubles as a cultural hub, bringing together people from all walks of life.
Owner Pule Takoubong created the space with a simple vision: to reconnect people with the analogue world and encourage them to be fully present.
For Donovan, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee and an igwinya, the beloved South African deep-fried dough bread also known as vetkoek, while soaking up the art and music around him.
“There is something about it that makes you feel at home, and something that makes you go, ‘Let me turn off my phone and immerse myself in it.’”
Donovan’s Cape Town story continues. Follow Love Cape Town on socials to keep up with the journey.
You Don’t Need a Holiday. You Need My Cape Town.
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Stellenbosch, South Africa’s second-oldest town, blends historic charm, rolling vineyards, and dramatic mountain landscapes, making it a favourite for wine lovers and outdoor adventurers alike. 🍷⛰️
Here’s everything you can do on your next visit:
📍 Stellenbosch Wine Tractor
📍 Webersburg Wine Estate
📍 Precious Hidden Valley
📍Root44 Market
📍Dylan Lewis Studio & Sculpture Garden
📍Jonkershoek Nature Reserve
📍Spier Wine Farm
What are some of your favourite spots in Stellenbosch? Drop them in the comments 👇
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Inside @kuganhasafari, the ultra-luxury safari retreat just two hours from Cape Town 🐘🦁🐃
Kuganha lies at the heart of Aquila Collection’s 26-year legacy of conservation and is recognised as one of South Africa’s most accessible ultra-luxury safari and wellness retreats. Set within a 10,000-hectare private Big Five reserve, Kuganha blends vast landscapes, wildlife encounters and fully private in-suite spa sanctuaries, a first in Africa. 🧖🏽♀️
Each suite features a fully integrated private wellness sanctuary, including a cold plunge pool, a steam room and shower, a sauna, a salt halotherapy chamber, a flotation therapy pool, twin massage beds, a relaxation lounge, an outdoor shower, double soaking baths, a private plunge pool and a jacuzzi. 🏊🏽
Tag someone you’d escape here with…
#partnercontent
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Anyone else enjoying the cooler weather in Cape Town? 🍂
This weekend was filled with epic showdowns, festivals, and some of the best sunsets.
Here are some of our favourite videos and images you shared with us:
1 and 2: @7assaant
3: @dhlstormers
4: @travelsmilenrepeat
5: @mujaji_dragonboat
6: @brendanharingtonphotography
Tag us in your photographs/reels using #lovecapetown. The best content will feature on our social media accounts.
#capetown #lovecapetown #thingstodoincapetown
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Even icons have their critics.😉
📹: @heleenmills
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10s across the board 🫶🏼🇿🇦
📹: @enocq_
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Meet Donovan Goliath, the Eastern Cape-born, Joburg-based creative seeing Cape Town through a different lens.
Next on Donovan’s Cape Town itinerary is the city’s buzzing art scene.
“I love art. Art is the foundation of everything I have done to this day,” says Donovan.
Showing him around is South African rapper YoungstaCPT, because if anyone knows the city’s creative pulse, it’s him.
On the itinerary:
📍Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa
📍RESERVOIR
📍99 Loop Gallery
As Donovan wanders through the galleries, the exhibitions and artworks remind him of home, family, and the beginning of his creative journey.
Donovan’s Cape Town story continues. Follow Love Cape Town on socials to keep up with the journey.
You Don’t Need a Holiday. You Need My Cape Town.
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It’s going to be a jam-packed June in Cape Town! 🎉🥂 We’ve rounded up some of the must-attend events you won’t want to miss… #capetown #capetownevents #thingstodocapetown ...
US skateboarder Jason Vanporppal has officially arrived in Cape Town! 🛹
Jason set out on a mission in February, skating from Kampala, Uganda, all the way to the Mother City to raise funds to build the “biggest skatepark in Uganda”.
After covering over 6,000 kilometres across seven African countries, including Rwanda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, and more than 100 days on the road, he skated into Cape Town to a roaring welcome from local fans.
Here are some of the highlights…
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Happy Africa Day! 🌍
The @capetownmarathon took over the Mother City this weekend, and with gorgeous weather across the city, it was the perfect excuse to get out and explore. 🏃
Here are some of our favourite videos and images you shared with us
1: @markschumann_
2: @shaqct
3: @metrorailwc
4: @iam_beda_24
5: @louisa_pollard_photography
Tag us in your photographs/reels using #lovecapetown. The best content will feature on our social media accounts.
#capetown #lovecapetown#thingstodoincapetown
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