Stroll through the colourful streets of Bo-Kaap

Bo-Kaap is a feast of colour, history and culture. The brightly painted facades of the houses in Chiappini, Wale and Rose Street shine in pink, blue, yellow and green – a symbol of the freedom and identity of the former slaves who once lived here. With cobblestones under your feet and the scent of exotic spices in the air, you can feel the vibrant heritage of the Cape Malays.

Let yourself drift through the winding streets and discover intricate graffiti, little spice shops and cafés serving traditional dishes such as bobotie. The houses were once painted in bright colours by freed slaves to express their newly won status and their joy at freedom – a tradition that continues to this day.

Bo-Kaap lies at the foot of Signal Hill, just a few minutes’ walk from Cape Town’s city centre. It’s best to visit the neighbourhood in the morning, when the light makes the colours glow particularly intensely. A detour to the Bo-Kaap Museum is well worth it if you want to delve even deeper into the history of this unique neighbourhood.