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The Cape Town Cycle Tour 2027 takes place on Sunday 14 March 2027, over a 109 km route around the Cape Peninsula. Chapman’s Peak Drive and the entire « Deep South » are closed to traffic from Saturday 6pm to Sunday 6pm. March falls in the southern autumn, with a dry, mild climate around 26°C. I recommend scheduling excursions and adventure activities on the days around the race rather than on the race weekend itself.
Whether you’re running the Cape Town Cycle Tour 2027 yourself or coming along to support someone who is, this 14 March weekend closes off a good part of Cape Town to traffic — and opens up, in exchange, one of the best weather windows of the year to explore the city. I built this selection for both profiles: the participant who arrives a few days early to collect their bike and acclimatise, and the companion or spectator looking for things to do while the race loops around the peninsula.
The programme is built around the 12–16 March window: the days before the race, when roads and transport run as normal; Sunday 14 March itself, when Chapman’s Peak Drive and the entire « Deep South » are cut off from traffic; and the days that follow, perfect for a recovery excursion in the Winelands. My first recommendation, the sunrise or sunset hike up Lion’s Head, fits into any slot of your stay and gives the best overview of the city before you dive into the rest of the programme.
The ten experiences below are all verified available across the entire 12–16 March 2027 window, rated 4.8 stars or higher, and chosen to combine without clashing: outdoor adventure, local food, classic day trips and a bit of altitude by helicopter to see the whole route from above.
Why the Cape Town Cycle Tour changes everything in Cape Town
The Cape Town Cycle Tour, formerly the Cape Argus Cycle Tour founded in 1978, is the world’s largest individually timed cycle race, with more than 35,000 participants according to Wikipedia. The main 109 km route loops the entire Cape Peninsula: starting in the city centre, climbing Kloof Nek, descending towards Hout Bay, passing through the most spectacular stretch, Chapman’s Peak Drive, then Noordhoek, Kommetjie and Scarborough, before heading back via Simon’s Town and Muizenberg on the False Bay side. A shorter 42 km format exists for less experienced cyclists or families.
This scale has a logistical downside: Chapman’s Peak Drive is completely closed to traffic from Saturday 6pm to Sunday 6pm (Chapman’s Peak Drive), and hard closures affect the whole weekend across the city centre, Green Point, Sea Point, the Southern Suburbs and the « Deep South » (Eyewitness News, False Bay Echo). March, however, falls in the southern autumn: daytime temperatures around 26°C, rain is rare, and there are fewer crowds than the December–February peak season (Rough Guides) — one of the best windows of the year to properly explore the city, race or no race.
The 10 best experiences to book during the Cape Town Cycle Tour 2027
1. Sunrise or sunset hike up Lion’s Head
This is my favourite way to open a stay: climbing Lion’s Head before the city wakes up (or just before sunset) to take the measure of Table Mountain and the Atlantic before diving into the week’s programme. The early-morning start never crosses paths with the race weekend’s road closures, so you can slot it into any day of your trip.
- Panoramic view over Table Mountain and the Atlantic from the summit
- Headlamps provided for the pre-dawn start
- Meeting point 500 m from the Signal Hill Road car park
2. Zipline at the foot of Table Mountain
This is the activity I recommend for race day itself: the starting point, on the Hout Bay side, sits well away from the route and the road closures, and the 2-hour experience slots easily between spells spent following the race elsewhere.
- 6 zipline runs through the heart of the Table Mountain nature reserve
- 2-hour activity, easy to fit between two moments of race weekend
- Bottled water included for every participant
3. Shark cage diving in False Bay
A direct nod to the race route: False Bay is precisely the stretch where riders hug the coastline before climbing back up towards Muizenberg. The very early departure, before the roads open to the public, makes it an ideal activity for the day before or after the race rather than for Sunday itself.
- Shark cage diving in False Bay, right on the Cycle Tour route
- Diving gear and guide included, no experience required
- Very early departure, ahead of the weekend’s road closures
4. Food and storytelling tour in the historic centre
My pick for a recovery evening: walking through Cape Town’s historic centre from one tasting to the next, with no vehicle involved and no need to worry about road closures. Silver award winner at WTM Africa for the way it connects Cape Town’s food and history.
- Tasting of South African dishes through the historic centre of Cape Town
- Silver award at WTM Africa for cultural diversity
- Snacks and drinks included throughout the food walk
5. Private full day in the Stellenbosch winelands
This is the excursion I book for the day after the race: a full day in the Winelands, no saddle involved, with a private driver taking care of everything. Stellenbosch sits to the east of the Cycle Tour route, so it’s completely untouched by the weekend’s road closures.
- Full day in the Stellenbosch winelands, private transport included
- Pickup available directly in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek or Paarl
- All cellar-door tasting fees included
6. Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach penguins
Cape Town’s classic day out, but one to place carefully: this excursion follows a good part of the race route down to the tip of the peninsula, so book it for the day before or after, never for Saturday evening or race Sunday. With more than 3,700 reviews, it’s one of the destination’s bestsellers.
- Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach penguins in a single day
- More than 3,700 reviews, one of Cape Town’s bestsellers
- Multiple pickup points (V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, Sea Point)
7. Guided township tour in Cape Town
The counterpoint I always add to a sport-focused stay: half a day to understand Cape Town beyond the V&A Waterfront and the race, with a guide who actually lives there. Departure from the Waterfront stays accessible even on road-closure days.
- Local guide, more than 43,000 township tours run since 2011
- Direct meeting with local communities, well away from the race atmosphere
- Private transport included from the V&A Waterfront
8. Two Oceans helicopter flight
The best way to grasp, in one glance, what the riders take on at ground level: 25 to 30 minutes above the entire peninsula, two oceans and the full Cycle Tour route seen from the sky. Takeoff from the V&A Waterfront, well outside any zone affected by the closures.
- Aerial view of the entire peninsula and the Cycle Tour route in 25-30 min
- Departure from the V&A Waterfront, live commentary on board
- Optional glass of champagne to mark the occasion
9. Private all-inclusive day: Table Mountain, Cape Point and penguins
The option I recommend if the budget allows: a dedicated guide and driver, all park fees settled in advance, and — a direct nod to the closed race artery — the Chapman’s Peak toll already included in the package, crossed here in complete calm on a different day of the week.
- All-inclusive package: park fees and Chapman’s Peak toll included
- Private 5-star guide and driver, air-conditioned small-group vehicle
- Covers Table Mountain, Cape Point and the Boulders Beach penguins in a single day
10. Franschhoek wine tram and Stellenbosch vineyards
My other post-race option, in a more playful format: the Franschhoek wine tram combined with a Stellenbosch visit, in a small group. Nothing to organise — you climb into the air-conditioned vehicle and step out at the first estate.
- Combines the Franschhoek wine tram with a Stellenbosch visit
- Small-group format, ideal for unwinding after the effort
- Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle
Planning your trip for the Cape Town Cycle Tour
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See available flightsPractical tips on the ground
Runners collect their race number at the Cycle Tour expo, usually set up at Cape Town Stadium, before a final lap around the V&A Waterfront for last-minute shopping (IOL). If you’re supporting a participant rather than riding yourself, regulars follow eight spectator spots according to CapeTownEtc: Wynberg Hill and the climb up Edinburgh Drive (the steepest stretch, with an electric atmosphere), Muizenberg and Kalk Bay on the False Bay side, Noordhoek Farm Village, Hout Bay, Suikerbossie, and the finish in Camps Bay. Paradise Road, at the foot of Wynberg Hill, remains the best spot to spot a loved one: riders slow down noticeably there.
On the transport side, avoid booking an Uber or a hire car for Saturday and Sunday: the road closures make journeys unpredictable across the whole southern peninsula. Favour walking in unaffected areas or a shuttle with hotel pickup — several activities in this selection already include one. And since the Cycle Tour falls during the best tourist season of the year, book your accommodation and activities several months ahead: hotels in the city centre and around the V&A Waterfront fill up fast for this weekend.
To build a fully personalised itinerary around your Cape Town trip, feel free to check out Pixidia’s itinerary planner or the discover page for suggestions tailored to your travel profile.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Cape Town Cycle Tour 2027?
The race takes place on Sunday 14 March 2027, over the usual 109 km route around the Cape Peninsula. A shorter 42 km format is also offered for less experienced cyclists.
Are the roads closed on race day?
Yes. Chapman’s Peak Drive is completely closed from Saturday 6pm to Sunday 6pm, and closures extend across the whole weekend in the city centre, Green Point, Sea Point, the Southern Suburbs and the Deep South (False Bay, Kommetjie, Noordhoek). I recommend booking excursions that cross these areas, like the private day in the Stellenbosch winelands, for the day before or after.
What should I do if I’m not racing but supporting a participant?
The best free viewing spots are Wynberg Hill, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and the finish in Camps Bay. To fill the rest of the day without crossing closed zones, the zipline at the foot of Table Mountain or the helicopter flight from the V&A Waterfront both stay accessible.
When should I book accommodation and activities?
As early as possible. March is one of the best tourist seasons of the year in Cape Town and coincides with the race: hotels in the city centre and around the V&A Waterfront fill up months in advance.
What do you recommend for recovering the day after the race?
A gentle outing in the Winelands. The combined Franschhoek wine tram and Stellenbosch tour or the private day in the Stellenbosch winelands are perfect for unwinding without any physical effort.
Sources
- Cape Town Cycle Tour – official site — accessed 2026-09-22
- Cape Town Cycle Tour – Wikipedia — accessed 2026-09-22
- Chapman’s Peak Drive and the Cape Town Cycle Tour: What You Need to Know — accessed 2026-09-22
- 2026 Cape Town cycle tour road closures – Eyewitness News — accessed 2026-09-22
- Cycle Tour road closures to affect far south this weekend – False Bay Echo — accessed 2026-09-22
- Cape Town Cycle Tour: 8 epic spectator spots to catch all the action – CapeTownEtc — accessed 2026-09-22
- Cape Town Cycle Tour 2026: Best things to do, eat and see during race weekend – IOL — accessed 2026-09-22
- Weather in Cape Town in March – Rough Guides — accessed 2026-09-22
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