Discover Cape Town’s hidden gems with these walking tours

Posted on 31 March 2023

Cape Town is a place of incredible beauty, history and culture – it’s no wonder the City is a popular destination for travellers worldwide.

One of the best ways to experience the City is on foot, with a walking tour that will take you through the most iconic neighbourhoods, historical sites and natural wonders.

Here are some of the best walking tours in Cape Town:

1. Bo-Kaap Walking Tour

The Bo-Kaap Walking Tour is a popular tour that takes visitors through the colourful and historic neighbourhood also known as the Cape Malay Quarter.

The Bo-Kaap is famous for its brightly painted houses, cobbled streets and rich cultural heritage. During the tour, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the narrow streets of Bo-Kaap and learn about the area’s history, people and traditions.

The neighbourhood was once home to the Cape Malay community, who were brought to Cape Town as slaves from Indonesia, Malaysia and other parts of Southeast Asia. Today, the area is a vibrant mix of cultures and religions, with a strong Muslim community and a rich culinary heritage.

Picture: Bo-Kaap Walking Tour

2. Historic City Tour

The Historic City Tour is a great way to explore the historic heart of the City and learn about its fascinating past.

Our City’s rich history spans over 350 years, and its centre is home to many important landmarks and monuments, which reflect our colonial and apartheid-era past.

The walking tour includes seeing the Company’s Garden, Parliament, Green Market Square, the Castle of Good Hope and the Iziko Slave Lodge.

Picture: Historic City Tour

Also read: Extinct & Endangered: world’s rarest insects captured in microscopic detail

3. District Six Walking Tour

District Six is a residential area, once vibrant and diverse, that was forcibly evacuated and demolished during apartheid in the 1960s and 1970s after being declared a “whites-only” area by the government.

Today, the District Six Museum and walking tour serve as a tribute to the former residents of the neighbourhood and their struggle for justice and restitution.

The tour takes visitors through the streets of the area, which is now largely empty, and provides a glimpse into the lives of the former residents and the history of the area.

Picture: District Six Coffee & History Walking Tour

4. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens Walking Tour

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is one of Cape Town’s most popular attractions, and a walking tour is a great way to explore this beautiful natural wonder.

Kirstenbosch sits on the slopes of Table Mountain, and home to a stunning array of plant species. The free walking tour starts at the visitor centre (Gate 1), where visitors can purchase entry tickets and grab a map.

Some of the highlights of the tour include a visit to the Boomslang Walkway, the Fragrance Garden, the Protea Garden, the Succulent Garden, and the Garden of Extinction, which features plants that are critically endangered or extinct in the wild.

Picture: Unsplash

5. Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour

Woodstock has become known as one of the City’s vibrant artistic hubs, and the Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour is a great way to explore the area’s many murals and graffiti works.

The tour is usually led by a local guide, who is familiar with the area’s street art scene and can provide insights into the artists and their work. The tour typically starts in the heart of Woodstock and winds through the neighbourhood’s many streets and alleyways, where visitors can discover a wide variety of different styles and techniques.

The tour includes art that showcases the country’s political history and highlights contemporary social issues, giving visitors a chance to learn about the cultural and historical context of Cape Town street art.

Picture: Cape Town Tourism

Written by Jules Keohane 

 

DEAL: A Promo Pass: Free Entry to Any 3 Cape Town Attractions

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