New year, Cape Town-style: make your 2026 goals happen in the Mother City
Every January, we find ourselves making the same promises: I’ll walk more. I’ll eat better. I’ll be more social. I’ll stop spending money like I’m fighting for my life. But what if the city you live in was secretly rooting for you – and had the cheat codes for sticking to those resolutions?
Good news: in Cape Town, the tools you need to make your resolutions stick are all around you. The ocean, the mountains, the parks, the markets – they’re not just scenic, they’re pro-resolution and fiercely supportive. So before you buy an expensive planner you’ll abandon by March, take a look around. Cape Town might already have the lifehacks you need (and most of them are free).
Grab your iced latte and your best intentions, and let’s get into it.
Resolution #1: Move your body more (without signing up for a gym membership)
Cape Town doesn’t do boring workouts. It refuses. Trying to start the year active? The city basically taps you on the shoulder and says, “Sweetie, let’s go outside”.
Sea Point Promenade: This iconic stretch from Mouille Point to Bantry Bay is a favourite for joggers, walkers, skaters, strollers, and people who count “walking to get ice cream” as exercise. Mix it up by bringing your roller skates or renting a bike. Bonus: free-to-use exercise equipment along the way. Now you really don’t have an excuse to skip leg day.
Lion’s Head hike: Sunrise, sunset, full moon – pick your vibe. The cardio will humble you, but the 360° views will heal you. If you skip the coffee truck on your way down, it’s totally free.
Sea Point swimming pool: The Sea Point pool offers a traditional lap swimming experience in the open air with the sound of waves crashing nearby, accessible for the price of a coffee. Prefer saltwater? Try Camps Bay tidal pool, where Capetonians go to “embrace the cold” (scream internally).
Beach yoga: Need we say more? Follow the lovely folks at Show Up & Flow to see when and where their next beach yoga class is taking place. At only R80 per class, you’ll struggle to find a better-priced workout!
Resolution #2: Be more social (without breaking the bank)
Your goal to “see more friends” doesn’t need to mean expensive dinners or big nights out. Cape Town is full of spots practically designed for low-cost catch-ups and soft-life socialising.
Signal Hill: Pack snacks, pack your friends, pack tissues for when the sunset gets emotional.
Company’s Garden: Walk, talk, feed squirrels, dodge pigeons. The café inside does a shockingly good toastie.
Nice Café & Roastery at Neighbourgood East City: “Quick coffee” turns into a 40-minute life debrief before you even finish your croissant.
Stellski Café: The courtyard here is basically designed for accidental friendships. You go in for a flat white, you come out with lunch plans. It’s a hazard of the trade.
First Thursdays: That stalwart of the creative calendar is still a really cool way to sip wine and show off your arty side.
Resolution #3: Achieve work-life balance (for real this time)
Cape Town is allergic to the corporate hamster wheel. Between the beaches, the cafés, and the sunsets that look illegally edited, the city insists you log off.
Neighbourgood’s Work Club: Remote workers, rejoice. Switch between leafy courtyards, focused desks, and pastry-adjacent cafés. Yes, you’re productive – but you’re also living. Revolutionary concept.
The Fan Walk: Not just for game days. Perfect for 20–30 minute loops that trick your brain into thinking you’re exercising while actually brainstorming.
Mouille Point Lighthouse lawns: Why eat at your desk when you can bring your lunchbox here? Between the views, the smell of the sea and the little boost of Vitamin D, your afternoon slump never stood a chance.
Saunders Rock tidal pool: Reset your brain with an icy plunge. Whether you do it first thing in the morning or at midday, you’re guaranteed to come out feeling fresher and more alive (and a little shivery).
Resolution #4: Save money (without feeling like you’re punishing yourself)
Cape Town can be expensive if you fall into the tourist traps, but this can also be one of the best places to live well on a budget. Free beaches? Everywhere. Free sunsets? Daily. Free entertainment? Just walk down Long Street on a Friday night, and you'll get a full documentary.
MyCiTi bus: The MyCiTi network is way more extensive than people realise and ridiculously cost-effective. Use it to commute, beach-hop, or get from Bree Street to the Waterfront without paying for parking (or fighting for it). Bonus: the A01 and T01 routes double as sightseeing tours.
Swap restaurant dinners for city markets & food stalls. Less than R100 gets you a full plate at Eastern Food Bazaar, while Mojo Market in Sea Point often has live music and affordable casual eats. The Oranjezicht City Farm Market is a bit more expensive, but it’s great for buying produce that lasts longer and tastes better (saving money over time).
Get your culture fix for free. Iziko Museums and Zeitz MOCAA both offer free or discounted entry on certain days.
Cape Town’s got you (and your resolutions) this year
Achieving resolutions isn’t always about discipline. Sometimes you just need the right environment – one that inspires, rewards, and gently nudges you forward.
At Neighbourgood, we believe in that environment. Whether you’re living, staying, or working with us, you’re plugged into a city that gets you and supports your ambitions.
So this year, don’t just resolve – evolve. Let Cape Town carry the weight of your goals. All you have to do is show up.