Knysna is located in the middle of the famous Garden Route and is easily accessible by car from surrounding cities such as Cape Town (310 miles) and Port Elizabeth (167 miles). Visitors to the area can either rent a car or get a self-driven car from well-known companies such as Avis, Europcar, and Budget. Knysna is accessible via the N2 National Road and is close to neighboring towns such as George (37 miles) and Plettenberg Bay (21 miles) also accessible on the N2 National Road making them good choices for a day trip from Knysna. 

Yes, Knysna is easily accessible on foot and is the best option to see the sights of the city. There are some wonderful scenic walks along the lagoon and the waterfront with shops and restaurants to visit along the way. There is a popular walk up to The Heads. Walking around Knysna is by far the best option and most enjoyable as there is no public transport in the city. 

There are miles and miles of cycling tracks to explore in the Knysna area. It is a very popular mountain biking destination with around six annual events held here throughout the year. There are many places in the city to rent a bicycle, and there are plenty of cycling options available for adventure as well as leisure. Pedal through the quaint coastal towns and along the beautiful estuaries there are many opportunities to choose from in the area.  

Knysna is considered a very safe destination to visit. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your valuables out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas like markets, and tourist attractions. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. 

There are a large number of shops located down by the waterfront in Knysna and along Gray Street. The Knysna Waterfront is brimming with restaurants and shops that line the promenade. In the shops here you can find the perfect gift, there are Knysna-themed items for sale as well as rare African jewels, clothing stores, boutiques, and curios. 

The Knysna Mall is located just off Main Street and boasts international brand stores, some great restaurants, and plenty of entertainment options. Main Street is also home to some other great stores including Oaks on Main, a unique little shopping center that features a lovely outdoor deck surrounded by towering trees and tiny stores selling local paintings, woodwork, clothing, and handmade goods. 

There is a Knysna Montessori Friday Market held each week which is known for its craft stalls, live music, incredible food, and great mixology. The market is a popular place to enjoy dinner on a Friday night, there is a designated children’s play area, which makes it one of the best things to do in Knysna on Friday evenings. 

Thesen Island is a great place to visit and a good shopping destination in Knysna. The island is home to many wonderful, independent shops selling clothing, jewelry, and unique home decor.

Knysna boasts some spectacular beaches, which are considered to be some of the best found along the famous Garden Route. This is the perfect destination for a beach holiday and to spend a day beach and island hopping through the town’s sparkling coastline. 

Bollard Bay Beach is located on Leisure Island offering beachgoers exceptional views of the Knysna Heads, a great place for families due to the shallow waters that are perfect for swimming. There are plenty of water sports and activities to enjoy here including snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and sailing. 

Brenton-on-Sea is home to Brenton Beach situated west of the Knysna Heads. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Knysna and is awarded blue-flag status. There is some stunning natural scenery surrounding the beach which is a spectacular sight at sunset. There are some lovely eateries dotted around the beach and a quaint seaside village. There are rock pools to explore and sandstone features to be seen. The sandstone Castle Rock is a photographer’s favorite. 

Sparrebosch Beach is a lovely secluded beach with a serene atmosphere. It requires a hike to reach this beach but it is well worth the walk, and there is a cascading waterfall and peaceful streams along the way. 

Noetzie Beach is nestled in a secluded cove off the beaten path boasting a pristine beach and quiet estuary backed by a lush verdant forest. This beach is famous for its castles and rocky shoreline, the first castle was built here in the 1930s by Herbert Stephen Henderson. This beach is wild, natural, and spectacular, there are 116 steep steps of a cliff to reach it, and it is worth every step. The beach at Noetzie is great for sunbathing, swimming, fishing, and paddling. There are six sandstone castles that overlook the beach and jut out of the cliff face. 

Buffalo Bay Beach is set just outside Knysna, it is part of a 9-mile stretch of white sand shoreline and dunes. This is another beautiful blue flag beach located in the Goukamma Nature Reserve between Knysna and Sedgefield. The beach is great for swimming, surfing, sunbathing, snorkeling, and other water-based activities. There are some beachside restaurants and stores for a bite to eat and a nice refreshing ice cream. 

The official language spoken in Knysna is English, which is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in hotels and restaurants. There are officially eleven languages in South Africa with Afrikaans being one of the most popular along with English and nine ethnic languages, of which Zulu and Xhosa are the most widely spoken. We recommend getting a good English/African guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Knysna is a year-round destination to visit with a mild oceanic climate boasting warm summers and mild winters. There is rain on and off throughout the year and the best time to travel to Knysna is from February to April when temperatures hover between 60-73F degrees. The maximum temperatures during the summer months can get as high as 86F, and the average maximum temperature during the summer hovers around 77F. In the winter months, the temperatures sit around 64F. The wettest times of the year are October and November, Knysna has one of teh richest rainfall percentages in all of South Africa. Spring (August to mid-October) and summer (mid-October to mid-February) are the best time to visit weather-wise. Autumn (mid-February to April) also boasts great weather opportunities and festivals such as the PInk Lorie Mardi Gras festival. Winter (May-September) can see some pretty chilly temperatures, this is also the perfect time to go whale watching and go to the Knysna Oyster Festival. 

The currency of Knysna is the South African Rand (ZAR). US dollars are also widely accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in the city, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred. 

Knysna has a great selection of good restaurants and dining opportunities, it has its very own foodie scene and Seafood is the king. Although Knysna is a small coastal town, it offers some of the best food options on the Garden Route. First of all, there are some absolutely spectacular views of the sea from many restaurants in town, others have great views of the famous Knysna Lagoon and Knysna Heads. There are options for cruises on the lagoon which is a fun dining activity in Knysna where passengers can sample oysters and wine and explore the town on a boat. There are many restaurants lining Knysna Waterfront, Knysna Quays harbor, as well as the popular Main Street in town. The coastal town of Knysna is home to a laid-back dining scene offering just about everything including seafood shacks, fine dining, beachside bars, cozy pubs, quaint coffee shops, and specialty eateries. Oysters are a popular item on the menu in Knysna, they are locally grown and are a delicious item to enjoy. The annual Knysna Oyster Festival is held in July where guests can devour mountains of locally grown oysters and take part in a myriad of activities at this lively event. Some of the top restaurants in Knysna are located on Thesen Island, there is a lovely little cluster of restaurants and bars located by the little island marina with great views over the Lagoon. 

Knysna has some good nightlife options and is home to beachside bars and other hangouts, pubs, casinos, theatres, and nightclubs. After enjoying a day exploring the wonders of the famous Garden Route and surrounding region it’s time to let your hair down and spend a night out on the town. There are many dining and drinking establishments located along the bustling Knysna waterfront. Take in the spectacular waterfront views and sip on a sundowner in true South African style while you watch the sunset. The beaches in Knysna are bursting with beachfront bars and restaurants where visitors can enjoy dinner and drinks as well as live music and entertainment. The Knysna Marina is another hot spot in the evenings with some wonderful food and drinks on the menu and a great place to do some people-watching by the water and take in the lovely views. Watching the sunset over the Knysna Lagoon is a spectacular sight that should be enjoyed with a sundowner in hand. The nightlife scene in Knysna can be varied, visitors can celebrate the evening with pool parties, discotheques, DJ Nights, pub crawls, and a wide variety of festivals held throughout the year. There are many places offering happy hour drinks specials and some of the best DJs playing around town. 

In case of an emergency dial 112 or 999 for local police, an ambulance, or fire.

Hospitals:Knysna Provincial Hospital tel. 27-44-302-8400

Life Knysna Private Hospital tel. 27-44-302-5201