Paarl

Things to do in Paarl

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Paarl

View all Attractions
Bo-Kaap
No. 7 of Best Things to Do in South Africa

Bo-Kaap

7.2
4.8/5
44 reviews
Bo-Kaap is located at the foot of Signal Hill, right next to the Cape Town city center. It is one of the city's oldest residential neighborhoods and the heart of Cape Malay culture. In the 1760s, Dutch colonists built a series of rental houses here for slaves and laborers brought from Malaysia, Indonesia, and various parts of Africa. These residents later became known as "Cape Malays." They put down roots and thrived, gradually forming a unique community. The neighborhood's most striking feature is the rows of brightly colored houses lining the cobblestone streets. During the rental period, all houses were required to be painted white. A popular legend about the origin of the colors is that after the slaves were emancipated and allowed to purchase property, the residents painted their facades in vibrant colors like pink, sky blue, bright yellow, and emerald green to celebrate their freedom. The neighborhood's architecture blends Cape Dutch and Georgian styles, preserving a large number of buildings from before the mid-19th century, which hold an important place in South Africa's early architectural heritage. The tiered stone steps built into the hillside connect the various streets and alleys, which have now become paths for visitors to explore on foot. The area is home to several historic mosques, including the Auwal Mosque, which was built in the late 18th century and is a representative example of early mosques in South Africa. Cape Malay cuisine blends Malay and local South African flavors, and traces of this unique culinary tradition can also be found throughout the neighborhood.Cape Town · 54.5 km from Paarl

Experiences you can't miss in Paarl

Featured Culture & history in Paarl

View all Culture & history
South African Jewish Museum: Entry Ticket
󱌍
Free cancellation
Book now for today
FromCAD 15.58
1-day tour in Cape Town with round-trip winery tasting
󱌍
FromCAD 160.46
Cape Town: Robben Island Boat Trip & Museum Tour Ticket
󱌍
4.4/5
· 10 reviews
Duration: 4 hrs
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 106.70CAD 112.32
Cape Town: Robben Island Prison Tour from The V&A Waterfront
󱌍
4.4/5
· 34 reviews
Duration: 4.5–5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 102.11CAD 107.49
Bo-Kaap and City Tour
󱌍
5.0/5
· 56 reviews
Duration: 2 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
56 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 60.07CAD 63.24
Robben Island Museum Tour with Transfer and Ferry Tickets.
󱌍
Duration: 5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 101.65CAD 107.01

Featured Day tours in Paarl

View all Day tours
QUAD BIKE FUN RIDE IN PAARL, BATTLE BUNKER WITH WILDX
󱌍
Duration: 45 mins
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 47.34CAD 49.84
South Africa Cape Town small group Table Mountain + Cape of Good Hope + Boulders Beach + Bo-Kaap 1-day tour (hotel pickup)
󱌍
5.0/5
· 23 reviews· 276 booked
Duration: 5.2 hrs
English
Book now for tomorrow
23 consecutive positive reviews
FromCAD 77.34
1-day tour from Cape Town to Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope and Boulders penguin beach
󱌍
FromCAD 93.15
Cape Town premium small group 1-day tour, Table Mountain + Cape of Good Hope + Boulders Beach, with city hotel transfers
󱌍
FromCAD 131.58
2-Hour Whale and Dolphin Watching Cruise in Hermanus, South Africa
󱌍
FromCAD 193.29
Cape town day tour to table mountain, boulders beach and cape point including cape of good hope/simon's town
󱌍
4.3/5
· 6 reviews· 42 booked
Duration: 9.2 hrs
English
75 travellers saved
FromCAD 137.91
Cape Town Day Tour to Cape Point + Boulders Beach
󱌍
FromCAD 123.43

Featured Food & drink in Paarl

View all Food & drink
1-day tour to Aquila wildlife reserve from Cape Town, South Africa + afternoon tea (from 1 person)
󱌍
FromCAD 353.37
Cape Town round-trip: Franschhoek wine tram 1-day tour
󱌍
FromCAD 133.44
Sightseeing tour to Franschhoek from Cape Town, South Africa
󱌍
Duration: 5 hrs
English
Book now for tomorrow
FromCAD 135.82
Cape Town: Sunset Sparkling Wine Cruise
󱌍
4.8/5
· 75 reviews· 40 booked
Duration: 1.5 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
32 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 59.28CAD 62.4
Cape Town: Hop-On Bus & Wine Tasting at Groot Constantia
󱌍
4.7/5
· 10 reviews
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 51.16CAD 53.86
Explore Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch, & Constantia wineries.
󱌍
5.0/5
· 3 reviews
Duration: 8 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for today
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromCAD 197.59CAD 207.99

Featured Outdoor & sports in Paarl

View all Outdoor & sports
1-day tour to Cape of Good Hope and Penguin Island from Cape Town, South Africa
󱌍
FromCAD 341.40
Paragliding experience in Cape Town, South Africa
󱌍
Duration: 1 hr
English
Book now for tomorrow
FromCAD 294.82
1-day tour to Table Mountain, Boulders Beach and Cape Point from Cape Town, South Africa
󱌍
FromCAD 178.85
Paarl Today's weatherIntermittent clouds 12-28℃
Paarl weather for the next 2 days11/3: 14-31℃, 11/4: 12-36℃

Free things to do in Paarl

What travellers say about Paarl

user-avatar
泰宁根吴承恩March 29, 2020
5.0
The Malay area is mainly inhabited by Malaysians. There are many Malaysian-style restaurants here. Walking here, it feels like being in Kuala Lumpur. The customs and habits of the Malays are still preserved.

Bo-Kaap

Popular cities near Paarl

Frequently asked questions

What are the must-do things in Paarl?

Don't miss these attractions in Paarl: Boland Park, Bo-Kaap, and Graceland Venues. If you like Culture & history, try South African Jewish Museum: Entry Ticket. If you enjoy Day tours, try QUAD BIKE FUN RIDE IN PAARL, BATTLE BUNKER WITH WILDX.

You can give 1-day tour to Aquila wildlife reserve from Cape Town, South Africa + afternoon tea (from 1 person) and Cape Town departure - Franschhoek town sightseeing tour with vintage tram ride and wine tasting a try. Before you go, please check their opening hours and menus online. Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours.

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include QUAD BIKE FUN RIDE IN PAARL, BATTLE BUNKER WITH WILDX, South Africa Cape Town small group Table Mountain + Cape of Good Hope + Boulders Beach + Bo-Kaap 1-day tour (hotel pickup), and 1-day tour from Cape Town to Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope and Boulders penguin beach. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of November 2, 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Paarl is around CAD 47.34 – CAD 437.81. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.