Top viewing spots for Cape Town Cycle Tour 2026

Anticipation is building in the Mother City ahead of the iconic Cape Town Cycle Tour which takes place on Sunday.

The 109km route winds around the Cape Peninsula, taking in some of its most breathtaking scenic spots.

Around 30 000 riders, with a significant proportion of them from abroad, are set to tackle the 48th edition of what's known as the world's largest timed cycling event.

It's also a big deal for spectators, as locals line the roads to cheer on the athletes

RELATED: Cape Town Cycle Tour to stream live as 30k riders prepare for Sunday

The riders start off at the Grand Parade in the centre of the city, before heading for the deep south via the M3, with the return leg taking them along Chapman's Peak onto the home stretch through Camps Bay and Sea Point and to the finish next to the Cape Town Stadium in Green Point.

Saskia Falken asks Cape Town traffic chief Kevin Jacobs about the most popular viewing areas.

He highlights the M3 in the Newlands and Bishopscourt zone in the southern suburbs, as well as Kendal Road in Bergvliet and then Steenberg Road all the way through to Simon's Town.

Also popular are the Scarborough area in Misty Cliffs and Noordhoek Main Road, before the Hour Bay stretch and along to Sea Point.

The tour organisers give the following pointers:

EDINBURGH DRIVE and BLUE ROUTE:

Paradise Road is good for watching cyclists speed past and start the climb up Edinburgh Drive (or Whineberg Hill as the riders call it), which is the steepest gradient of the Tour. If you’re keen to spot a family member or friend then this is the best vantage point, as the cyclists slow down on the ascent.

And if they’ve done enough training, they could still give you a smile. The bridges along the Blue Route are also a crowd favourite.

GLENCAIRN BEACH:

Muizenberg and Kalk Bay locals line the roads, and a little further along there’s pedestrian access to the grassed area at Glencairn Beach.

SIMON'S TOWN:

Main Road is the next popular spectator point. Jubilee Square, where Pick n Pay run the refreshment station, is a long-standing favourite and always has a great vibe. Getting in and out will be a challenge, as the roads are closed, obviously, for the race, but it is worth it: pack a picnic or jol with the locals.

NOORDHOEK:

As riders get close to Chapman’s Peak, cyclists ride past the Noordhoek Farm Village. Locals access this area on foot or relax at one of the restaurants on the roadside.

HOUT BAY and SUIKERBOSSIE:

After Chappies the route slices through Hout Bay: Stroll down to Main Road (M65) and give the cyclists a much-needed boost before they tackle the infamous Suikerbossie. Suikerbossie comes late in the day and has a fearsome reputation. It is a great place to watch. You will need to walk a short way as there is no parking on or even near the climb itself.

SEA POINT and the FINISH:

Now the riders speed past Camps Bay beachfront, before the thrills at the sharp left turn from Victoria Road into Queens Road, Sea Point. A pedestrian bridge here gives access to both sides of the road. Lastly, there’s the Promenade and finish line in the shadow of the DHL Stadium.

Minor road closures have been in effect in some areas from Friday, with hard closures in place on Saturday 7 March and Sunday 8 March, particularly in the CBD, Green Point, Sea Point, Southern Suburbs and the Deep South.

See the article below for all the details:

2026 Cape Town cycle tour road closures

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to SJ's Top Picks - skip to 12:09 for the Cycle Tour discussion