Knysna Travel Guide: Some of Our Favourite Family Finds Along the Garden Route
- Hilary - The Winemom
- 2 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Living just down the road in Plettenberg Bay means we’re lucky enough to travel to Knysna as a family throughout the year, and it never loses its charm.
Whether we’re meeting friends for lunch, enjoying a family day out, exploring the forests or celebrating a special occasion, these are some of our favourite places that we find ourselves returning to time and time again.
Knysna Gin Distillery
One stop you’re sure to enjoy is the Knysna Gin Distillery - even if not everyone in the family is a gin enthusiast, it’s a lovely, relaxed place to visit. Their handcrafted gins are distilled in a traditional Alembic copper pot still using nine natural botanicals, including the famous Num Num berry, loved by the iconic Knysna Loerie.
It’s a wonderful spot to learn a little about the distilling process while sampling some uniquely local flavours. Be sure to grab your pizza order from just next door!
Piza e Vino
When it comes to relaxed family dining, Piza e Vino is always a winner with its fantastic location at the Knysna Heads. Their authentic wood-fired pizzas, hearty pastas and welcoming atmosphere make it an easy choice for families and groups of friends.
Their signature Sorrentina pizza dough recipe has been passed down through generations, and it’s easy to see why it’s become such a favourite. Our kids were even lucky enough to get to meet one of the local octopuses in the rock pools just in front.
Pezula Nature Retreat
One of our favourite ways to unwind is with a mom and daughter visit to the Wellness Spa at Pezula Nature Retreat. Nestled amongst the beautiful indigenous forests, it’s the perfect place to slow down, enjoy a treatment, their steam room & sauna and a dip in the warm pool; recharging while the surrounding scenery does the rest.
Got more time? Stay for lunch overlooking the Lagoon and take their game drive to remote Noetzie Beach.
Butterfly Blu Restaurant
For dining with a spectacular view, Butterfly Blu at Brenton-on-Sea remains one of our Garden Route favourites. Delicious food (be sure to ask about their daily and seasonal specials!), relaxed service and breath-taking ocean views make every visit memorable.
End your day with a short walk down to the beach - it’s one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline for an afternoon stroll or sunset towards Buffalo Bay.
Knysna’s forests are for sure one of the reasons we keep coming back - one of our favourite walks is the enchanting Circles in the Forest trail inspired by the beloved novel Kringe in ’n Bos by celebrated South African author Dalene Matthee, whose stories so beautifully capture the magic and mystery of these ancient indigenous forests.
Thesen Island
We also love wandering around Thesen Island, browsing the lovely boutiques and local stores. It’s the perfect place to pick up beautiful linen clothing, gifts and homeware while enjoying the relaxed island atmosphere. Afterwards, we like to stop for a coffee and a freshly made sandwich at one of the cafés overlooking the waterways.
Of course, these are only a few of the places we love. Knysna offers so many more scenic lagoon viewpoints, peaceful forest walks, boutique shops, wonderful restaurants and endless opportunities to simply slow down and enjoy the beauty of the Garden Route. And with the much-loved Knysna Oyster Festival in full swing, now is the perfect time to road-trip down to this coastal gem.
Please note: all information is correct at the date of publication, July 2026. See websites below for up-to-date info!
Contact Me – Hilary - at hello@winetots.com for more details on your favourite spots to visit & to book a personalised tour or bespoke event of your own – behind the scenic routes of the Plett & Cape Winelands & beyond!
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Important info:
Knysna Gin Distillery: https://knysna-gin.com/ ; info@knysna-gin.com; 081 722 2715
Opening Times: Mon - Thurs 10am-9pm; Fri 10am-12am; Sat 1pm-10pm
Piza e Vino: https://pizaevino.co.za/ ; knysna@pizaevino.co.za ; 083 227 6211
Opening Times: Sun & Mon 11am-8:30pm; Tues - Thurs 11am-8:30pm; Fri & Sat 11am-10pm
Pezula Nature Retreat: https://pezulanatureretreat.com/ ; https://pezulanatureretreat.com/ ; 044 302 3333 / 064 759 8938 (All Hours)
Butterfly Blu: https://www.butterflyblu.co.za/ ; reservations@butterflyblu.co.za ; 044 630 0601 / 068 932 4613 (Whatsapp)
Opening Times: Mon - Sun 8am-11am (breakfast); 11am-9pm (lunch & dinner)
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