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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Cabin stays are fast becoming the ultimate getaway, especially during winter. 😎
Here are some cabins in Cape Town and surrounding areas to add to your travel list:
📍 Camp Canoe, Franschhoek
📍 Solace Eco Cabin, Rawsonville
📍 Gíte, Franschhoek
📍 CouplesPod, Riverstone House
📍 Cape Robin Cabin, Vrolikheid Landgoed
Tag your travel buddy in the comments section…
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Meet Donovan Goliath, the Eastern Cape-born, Joburg-based creative exploring Cape Town with a fresh perspective.
This week, Donovan is swapping city streets for vineyard views as he heads to Stellenbosch to spend time with Vivian Kleynhans, founder and CEO of Seven Sisters Vineyards.
One of the first, and still one of the few, 100% POC-owned wine farms in Stellenbosch, Seven Sisters is a family-run winery built on a love of great wine, female empowerment, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel like part of the family. Expect intimate tastings, paired menus, and stories poured just as generously as the wine.
As Donovan works his way through the range (strictly for research purposes, of course), Vivian shares the journey behind the label: her family roots, the vision that inspired Seven Sisters, and how determination helped turn a dream into one of South Africa’s most inspiring wine success stories.
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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Ready to hit the road? These Western Cape destinations make for the perfect day trip from Cape Town:
📍Simon’s Town & Cape Point
📍 False Bay Drive & Betty’s Bay
📍 Stellenbosch
📍 Franschhoek
📍 Langebaan & Paternoster
What are your favourite day trips from Cape Town? Drop them in the comments section…
📹: @worldwildhearts
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Looking for a winter adventure that won’t break the bank?
Hop aboard the #PeoplesTrain for one of Cape Town’s most scenic journeys! 🚉
Travel along the Southern Line, which winds its way through Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, and Simon’s Town. For less than R10 per trip (depending on where you board), you can enjoy breathtaking ocean views and some of Cape Town’s most iconic beaches. 🌊
Start your adventure at Cape Town railway station, or make use of convenient park-and-ride facilities at stations such as Rondebosch railway station, Kenilworth railway station, or False Bay railway station. 🎟️
🎥: @belindawanyana
#worldoceansday
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World Ocean Day! 🌊
This special day honours the world’s shared oceans, celebrates marine biodiversity, and raises awareness of critical conservation challenges, including plastic pollution and climate change.
Here are some of our favorite videos and images that you shared with us:
1: @adrianserwin
2: @brian_i_am_3
3: @bron_mckeown
4: @lukepurple
5: @patrick_larget
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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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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