More Than a Photo Spot
Bo-Kaap is one of Cape Town's oldest residential areas and is home to the Cape Malay community, descendants of slaves brought to the Cape from Southeast Asia and East Africa in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The colourful houses you see today were originally painted white by the city. Residents began painting them in bright colours after the end of apartheid as a symbol of freedom and identity.
What We Cover on Tour
Our Cape Town Cultural Tour passes through Bo-Kaap with a local guide who grew up in the area. You'll learn about the Cape Malay culture, cuisine, and the fight to preserve the neighbourhood from gentrification.
"People come for the colours. They stay for the story." — Mulalo, ODA Guide
Getting There
Bo-Kaap is a short walk from the Cape Town city centre, up the slopes of Signal Hill. It's best visited in the morning when the light is perfect and the streets are quieter.
