Cape Town stop of the month: free Bo-Kaap walking tour

16 August 2016

Situated on the slopes of Signal Hill, the Bo-Kaap is a popular location for film and photography – with its stone cobbled roads, bright coloured houses and the friendly faces of the community.

And although not technically a stop, you can hop off at 81 Long Street (stop 5) to join the FREE City Sightseeing Bo-Kaap Walking Tour. In just 90 minutes, and under the watchful eye of your guide, you make the trek from Greenmarket Square to this picturesque suburb.

While walking, learn about the origins of the Bo-Kaap, said to date back to the 1700s. Stop outside the first and oldest mosque in South Africa. Listen to the theories behind the colourful houses. Hear the love story of a couple from the area. Pick up tips on where the best spots to eat are.

And of course, don’t forget to capture it all!

Stop outside the first and oldest mosque in South Africa

Peak inside the Auwal Masjid

"The Buitengracht Wolf" by artist Sonny

Biesmiellah Restaurant is a favourite among locals and visitors for their delicious Cape Malay cuisine

The wall art tells the story of the people of the Bo-Kaap

Homes are painted brightly – from orange to green

From films to photo shoots, the streets of the Bo-Kaap are a popular choice for the media industry

The view of Table Mountain from Biesmiellah Restaurant

If you can, pop in at Atlas Trading for a wide variety of spices essential to Cape Malay cooking

Rose Corner Café is one of the oldest in the neighbourhood. Locals and visitors can find anything from a loaf of bread to cold meats and fresh koeksisters on a Sunday morning

The FREE City Sightseeing Bo-Kaap Walking Tour departs from and returns to Greenmarket Square (at Shortmarket and Lower Burg streets). It runs daily at 2pm and 4.15 pm.