Cape Cod is home to an impressive 400 miles’ worth of beaches, many of which are untouched. Even those which show signs of life are often only with dotted postcard-worthy lighthouses and sleepy seaside cottages – so you’ll find plenty of pristine spots to unroll your towel.

If you’re eager to enjoy some watersports during your Cape Cod holiday, you’ll be spoiled for choice. Craigville Beach is popular for kitesurfing, while Monument Beach serves up windsurfing and sailing. Travelling with little ones? Grays Beach and Marconi Beach offer safe waters for swimming and picnic areas.

For something a little different, you could try your hand at deep-sea fishing in Stellwagen Bay or Cape Cod Bay. Or, if you’re after a scenic coastal walk, make tracks for Cape Cod National Seashore. Meandering for 40 miles, this photogenic stretch features quiet beaches, craggy cliffs and freshwater ponds. And, if you’re visiting Cape Cod between April and October, make sure you go on a whale-watching cruises in search of humpback, finback and minke whales, as well as Atlantic white-sided dolphins.

Keen golfers will be in their element on a holiday to Cape Cod. The peninsula boasts 27 public golf courses, including Championship courses and some of the USA’s best par-54 courses.

Away from the fairways, you’ll find some fantastic hiking and biking trails. Barnstaple and Hyannis are particularly good spots, with the latter home to the Cape Cod Pathways Trail. Hyannis is also where you’ll find the John F. Kennedy Museum. You can browse the fascinating exhibitions about the USA’s 35th President, whose family have close connections with the Cape Cod area.

Provincetown should also be on your list. On the northern tip of Cape Cod, this quaint town is hugely popular, thanks to its pretty harbour, lovely beaches and famously friendly community. Why not sit by the waterfront and tuck into a bowl of New England clam chowder, or feast on tasty lobster bake?

Just off-shore from the Cape Cod peninsula, you’ll find the two peaceful islands of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. A daytrip to one of these islands – or both – will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, thanks to their laidback charm.

A popular haunt for the rich and famous, Martha’s Vineyard is easily accessible from the mainland. You can catch a ferry from Falmouth or Hyannis, and the journey takes no more than an hour. Go for an invigorating walk along Aquinnah Cliffs, surf in the waves of Katama Beach, admire Edgartown Lighthouse, and see rare plants in the protected area of Menemsha Hills.

Petite Nantucket, meanwhile, is home to dune-backed beaches and cobblestone lanes, flanked by sleek boutiques and top-quality restaurants. Hire bikes to explore the island, or enjoy a picnic on one of its many beaches. Learn about the island’s history at the Whaling Museum, then enjoy a refreshing craft beer at Cisco Brewers.

Cape Cod has a lovely seasonal climate. July and August tend to be the most popular months, when temperatures average 26°C. This is the perfect time to make the most of Cape Cod’s beaches, nature preserves, golf courses and outdoor activities. Plus, the peninsula is cooler than the mainland – so, if you’re thinking of also visiting Boston, Cape Cod offers a nice break from the city heat. 

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to avoid the crowds, consider planning your Cape Code holiday for May, June or September. During these shoulder months, you can look forward to pleasant temperatures between the high teens and low twenties. And you’ll still be able to see migrating whales, which frequent these waters between mid-April and October. Winter is best avoided, though. October to January is the wettest time of year, and the shores are often very foggy.