Bo Kaap at a glance
Situated at the foot of Signal Hill, on the fringe of the city centre, Bo Kaap is one of Cape Town's most historic and distinct neighbourhoods. Iconic pastel houses, cobbled steep streets and generations of Cape Malay culture; it's understandable why it's one of the most sought after suburbs to live in in Cape Town.
A brief history of the area
Bo-Kaap's origins date back to the 1760s when slaves were brought from Indonesia, Malaysia and other African countries to work in the Cape. Numerous small rental houses were built and leased out to the slaves. The buildings were characterised by Cape Dutch architecture - flat-roofed houses with cobblestone streets. While still under slavery the houses were only allowed to be painted white. After the end of slavery in 1834, the rule was lifted, and the slaves were allowed to purchase their houses. Today, you will find brightly painted houses in greens, yellows, blues and pinks as residents express and celebrate their freedom, not only from slavery but also from apartheid.
Climate
The weather in the Bo Kaap, like most of Cape Town is hot and a bit windy in summer, and cooler in winter. The higher altitude of the Bo Kaap means that residents are treated to spectacular sunrises and sunsets, sweeping views of Table Mountain and the City Bowl - perfect for soaking up over
Schools in the area
There are plenty of schools in and around the Bo Kaap area. Herliza High Scool, Jan Van Riebeeck, St Pauls, and Reddam are very close and offer excellent standards of schooling.
Healthcare in the area
The Foreshore Netcare hospital is the biggest and best hospital for the Bo Kaap area, and is a short drive away. Locally, Ingress Healthcare and Dr F&Y Jakoet serve the community, while there are plenty of other doctors, dentists, dieticians and everything in between in and around the area.
Shopping centres
The Bo Kaap has its own array of boutique stores, corner cafes, and groceries, the most famous of which is Atlas Trading for incredible spices. However, its proximity to town and the V&A Waterfront also means that should you wish to go to the mall, you have easy access to the ones in town and beyond.
Distance from key points (Airports/CBD)
The Bo Kaap is adjascent to the CBD so you're only a minute from the heart of Cape Town. It's also just 17km from Cape Town Airport, around a 30min drive.
Restaurants. For the most authentic Cape Malay meals and hospitality, we recommend visiting Bo Kaap Kombuis with sweeping views of Table Mountain and the most authentic and delicious Cape Malay curries and samosas you'll find anywhere in the city. Biesmellah is another great authentic restaurant in Bo Kaap, particularly popular for its bobotie, the tasty Cape Malay dish consisting of spiced minced meat baked with an egg-based topping (and one of South Africa's unofficial national dishes!). Rose Corner Cafe are famous for their Koeksisters, braided spiced donuts fried in syrup and sprinkled with coconut, which are every bit as sweet and sticky as you can imagine. Get there early though - they're so popular they sell out by midday!
Special attractions
The oldest building in the Bo-Kaap is in Wale Street and 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. The first established Muslim mosque in South Africa, the Auwal Mosque, can also be found in the Bo-Kaap.
A five-minute walk from the city centre and De Waterkant and a 20-minute walk to the V&A Waterfront, the Bo-Kaap is best accessed by foot along Wale Street. Explore the Islamic "kramats" (shrines), mosques and food and craft markets, and discover the delicious Cape Malay cooking style.
Make Bo Kaap your home. Let it be your story.
Whether it's an iconic and bright heritage cottage, a family home with a story, or slick apartment with views and access to the city, our Seeff Atlantic Seaboard and CBD agents are ready to find you your perfect home.
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