A colourful neighbourhood sitting at the top of the Cape Town city centre, the Bo Kaap is traditionally home to a Muslim community but has evolved into a multi-cultural area over the years.  This exciting community includes the descendants of slaves from Indonesia, Java, Celebes and Bali, brought over by the Dutch East Indies Company. 
The homes, which are painted in a variety of eye-catching colours, date back as far as the 17th century. Many houses have 'stoeps' (verandahs) where the locals sit and watch the world go by. They are interspersed with mosques and ‘karamats’ – Muslim shrines - on the steep narrow cobbled streets. The delicious aromas of spicy meals drift through the air. Children walk to school in traditional dress and the sounds of the call to prayer regularly spiral through the area. If you visit the Bo Kaap be sure to take your camera along to capture the unique atmosphere of this fascinating slice of Cape Town.

Other similar areas: City Centre | Tamboerskloof | Green Point | V&A Waterfront