Cape Town Marathon 2027: spectator guide and weekend itinerary

21 to 23 May 2027 · ConfirmedCape Town, South AfricaJoins the World Marathon Majors from 2027.

Cape Town Marathon takes runners a few hours and spectators all day. This guide gives supporters cheer points they can reach by public transport, plans the expo day and race eve around tired legs, and fills the recovery day in Cape Town.

Tours in Cape Town Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

Late May is autumn: mild days, cool mornings, some rain.
Combine the race weekend with a Cape Peninsula day on Monday.

Airport to Start and finish: Green Point, near the Cape Town Stadium

Cape Town International (CPT) is 20 minutes from the city by Uber or MyCiTi bus.

The race starts and finishes near the stadium; Green Point and the Waterfront are walkable.

Public transport directions to Start and finish: Green Point, near the Cape Town Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	City Bowl and Gardens	Guesthouses.
Mid-range	V&A Waterfront and Green Point	Near the stadium and finish line.
Splurge	Camps Bay	Beach and mountain views.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Once in Cape Town
Mid-range: Protea Hotel Cape Town Waterfront Breakwater Lodge
Splurge: The Silo Hotel

Links search the nights from 20 May to 24 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual marathon weekend schedule for 21 to 23 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival and expo

Wednesday 19 May

Runners collect bibs at the expo. Companions can split off for a half-day.

Half-dayRobben Island tour Half day · Indoor
Mandela's prison; book ahead.
EatV&A Food Market Food hall

Day before the race

Thursday 20 May

Runners rest their legs: pick seated or slow outings, then an early pasta dinner.

Easy outingSunset cruise Evening · Low walking · Nightlife
From the Waterfront.
EatKloof Street House Garden restaurant

Race day

Friday 21 May

Spectators: pick two cheer points you can reach by public transport, then meet at the finish.

Cheer pointSea Point promenade: wide, flat and easy to reach on foot.
Cheer pointFinish at Green Point urban park, close to the V&A Waterfront.
EatBo-Kaap Kombuis Cape Malay food

Recovery day

Monday 24 May

Sore legs: boats, buses and long lunches beat walking tours today.

Easy outingTable Mountain cableway Half day · Family
Go when it is clear.
Rain or heat backupDistrict Six Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Cape Peninsula and penguins

Boulders Beach and Cape Point.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Table Mountain cableway

Go when it is clear.

See times and prices

Two Oceans Aquarium.
Boulders penguins.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Low walking · Nightlife

Sunset cruise

From the Waterfront.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Cape Peninsula and penguins

Boulders Beach and Cape Point.

See times and prices

Full day · Food

Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine tour

Wine tram option.

See times and prices

Full day

Shark cage diving

Gansbaai.

See times and prices

After dark

Bree Street bars.

6 tours worth booking for Cape Town Marathon

Tour	Length	Good for
Cape Peninsula and penguins	Full day	Families
Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine tour	Full day	Food lovers
Robben Island tour	Half day	Bad weather
Shark cage diving	Full day	Everyone
Table Mountain cableway	Half day	Families
Sunset cruise	Evening	Tired legs, Night owls

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Kloof Street House Garden restaurant
Bo-Kaap Kombuis Cape Malay food
V&A Food Market Food hall

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor

Robben Island tour

Mandela's prison; book ahead.

See times and prices

Zeitz MOCAA.
District Six Museum.

Getting around on event days

Uber is the safest easy option; MyCiTi buses on main routes. Avoid walking alone at night outside busy areas.

Day trips from Cape Town

Stellenbosch: 45 minutes
Hermanus: 1.5 hours

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Cape Town Marathon.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Cape Town Marathon 2027?

The next edition is 21 to 23 May 2027.

How do I get from the airport to Start and finish: Green Point, near the Cape Town Stadium?

Cape Town International (CPT) is 20 minutes from the city by Uber or MyCiTi bus. The race starts and finishes near the stadium; Green Point and the Waterfront are walkable.

Where should I stay for Cape Town Marathon?

For most visitors the best base is V&A Waterfront and Green Point: Near the stadium and finish line.

What else can we do around Cape Town Marathon?

Good short outings in Cape Town include Table Mountain cableway, Robben Island tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Cape Town Marathon?

Family-friendly picks: Table Mountain cableway, Cape Peninsula and penguins. Two Oceans Aquarium.

How far is Start and finish: Green Point, near the Cape Town Stadium from Cape Town centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. The race starts and finishes near the stadium; Green Point and the Waterfront are walkable.

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