Visiting Cape Town's most colorful neighborhood will definitely brighten anyone's day. Resting on the slopes of Signal Hill, this historic neighborhood is rich in culture and personality (and lets be honest, an Instagrammers dream).

A historically muslim community, Bo-Kaap's residence descend from slaves imported by the Dutch in the 1700s. A blend of cultures from Africa, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the Indonesian Archipelago, the inhabitants of this colorful neighborhood were incorrectly branded as ‘Cape Malays’ and remains so today, as the Malay Quarter.

Fun Fact: The houses weren’t always colorful. After the emancipation, freed slaves were legally allowed to purchase homes historically only available to the white community. The homes, originally showcased in white, were then painted bright colors in celebration of Eid, the end of Ramadan. 

There are several available options to make your visit to Bo-Kaap even more enjoyable. You can take a cooking class in an authentic Malay kitchen with The Bo-Kaap Cooking Tour or if you don't feel like getting your hands dirty, check out Cape Town Free Walking Tours, a donation based tour that leaves from Green Market Square twice daily.