Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap, climbing the lower slopes of Signal Hill above central Cape Town, is one of the city's oldest and most distinctive neighbourhoods, famous for its steep cobbled streets lined with houses painted in vivid blocks of colour, pink, lime, turquoise, ochre, that make it one of the most photographed quarters in South Africa. It is the historic heart of the Cape Malay community, descended from people brought to the Cape from Southeast Asia and elsewhere centuries ago, and it holds one of the oldest mosques in the country and a deep tradition of craft, faith and, above all, cooking, its fragrant curries and sweet treats a cuisine all its own. A small museum in an old house tells the community's story, and food tours and cooking classes let visitors taste it. It remains a living residential neighbourhood, and the colour, the call to prayer and the smell of spice give it a character quite unlike anywhere else in the city.

History

In 1760 Jan de Waal bought land at the foot of Signal Hill and from 1763 built small rental houses there, the first of them now the Bo-Kaap Museum at 71 Wale Street. The Auwal Mosque, the first in the area, was built in Dorp Street in 1794 and the Nurul Islam Mosque in 1844; restoration of the quarter began in 1943, and part of it was made a National Monument in 1966 (Wikipedia, Bo-Kaap).

Highlights

• The painted houses - the vividly coloured facades along the cobbled streets.
• The Bo-Kaap Museum - the community's history in a preserved old house.
• Cape Malay food - the curries, samosas and koeksisters, tasted on a food tour or class.
• The Auwal Mosque area - the historic heart of one of the country's oldest Muslim communities.

When to go

Any time of year; Cape Town's finest weather is the summer, roughly November to March. Mornings have the best light on the colourful facades and the fewest people. Weekdays are quieter than weekends. The neighbourhood is small, so an hour or two, or longer with a food tour, is enough.

Before you go

This is a lived-in residential neighbourhood, not an attraction, so photograph the houses respectfully, do not enter homes or photograph residents without asking, and keep noise down near the mosque. It has become very popular for photos, which sits uneasily with some residents amid concerns about gentrification. Like parts of any city, ordinary urban awareness of your belongings is sensible. Going with a local guide or on a food tour adds real depth beyond the colourful facades.

Nearby

The city centre and Company's Garden are downhill; Signal Hill and its sunset viewpoint rise above; the V&A Waterfront is nearby.

Key facts