Cape Cod's 15 Towns: Complete List

Cape Cod, Massachusetts' iconic hooked peninsula, comprises 15 towns across Barnstable County — each with distinct character, from bustling commercial centers to quiet seaside villages.

The 15 Towns (West to East)

1. Bourne — Gateway to the Cape; Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts Maritime Academy
2. Sandwich — Oldest town (1637); glass museum, heritage museums, Shawme Pond
3. Falmouth — Second-largest; Woods Hole (ferry to Martha's Vineyard), research institutions
4. Mashpee — Wampanoag homeland; Mashpee Commons, Popponesset Bay
5. Barnstable — County seat; 7 villages (Hyannis, Cotuit, Osterville), JFK Museum, harbor
6. Yarmouth — 3 villages (South, West, Port); bass fishing, beaches, Captain Bangs Hallet House
7. Dennis — 5 villages; Mayflower Beach, Cape Cod Rail Trail hub, theaters
8. Brewster — "Sea Captains' Town"; Nickerson State Park, Cape Cod Museum of Natural History
9. Harwich — 3 harbors; cranberry culture, Brooks Academy Museum, Monomoy Refuge
10. Chatham — Elbow of the Cape; Chatham Light, Coast Guard station, upscale shopping
11. Orleans — Gateway to Outer Cape; Nauset Beach, French Cable Station Museum
12. Eastham — First Pilgrim landing (1620); Nauset Light, Salt Pond Visitor Center (National Seashore)
13. Wellfleet — Oyster capital; Marconi Beach, Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater
14. Truro — Narrowest point; Highland Light, dunes, artist community
15. Provincetown — Tip of the Cape; Pilgrim Monument, vibrant LGBTQ+ scene, whale watching, National Seashore

Together, they form a 65-mile arc of maritime history, natural beauty, and New England charm.