Sarnen lies on the northern shore of Lake Sarnen. It is a small historic town and the capital of the canton of Obwalden. With its village history, lakeside activities and the Langis raised bog above the town, the surrounding area offers a variety of reasons to stay. You can focus on historic sites in the village, activities on the water or nature. If you are looking for accommodation, you can take these interests into account when deciding whether to make Sarnen your base.
History between the village square and the Witch's Tower
The Witch's Tower was built shortly before 1291. It later served, among other things, as a prison, interrogation room, treasury tower, archive and museum. Today, it houses the Obwalden State Archives. Its changing uses make the tower a distinctive part of Sarnen's local history.
Several historic manor houses stand on the village square. They reflect the wealth of influential families and add the homes of the former upper class to the story of the village.
The Museum Obwalden focuses on the region's history, art, arts and crafts, folklore and customs. Its origins lie in the arsenal built in 1599. The museum displays 750 objects across two floors. A range of topics are represented, from art and crafts to everyday life and traditions.
The “Village Stories” audio tour offers another way to learn about local history. It provides insights into Sarnen's past and leads to various places, including the Witch's Tower, the pillory and Landenberg. The tour is also suitable for families and features playful elements and small tasks along the way.
Lake Sarnen: water and paths
Along the lakeshore, you will find a promenade, swimming areas and picnic lawns. Sarnen's lido offers swimming and stand-up paddleboard rentals. There are also family-friendly swimming areas on Lake Sarnen. If you would rather be on the move, you can walk or cycle along the lakeside path, enjoying views of the lake and mountains.
There are several ways to explore the water. Seefeld Park Sarnen rents modern SUP boards for trips alone, as a pair or in a group. Canoes are also available there for one- or two-person nature experiences on Lake Sarnen. You can explore the lake by either stand-up paddleboard or canoe; the options differ, among other things, in how many people can go together on a board or in a canoe.
Nature and regional excursions
Langis, above Sarnen, offers a different kind of nature experience. The area is a protected raised bog and is visited in both summer and winter. Comparing the seasons can help with planning: Langis is worth considering at either time of year, while activities on Lake Sarnen focus on the water and lakeshore.
Regional destinations can also be part of your plans. From Sarnen, Pilatus, Stanserhorn and Melchsee-Frutt are accessible by train and bus. Alongside the historic village sites, lakeshore and Langis, there are further excursion destinations to choose from in the region. Which options suit your stay depends on whether you want to focus on culture, water, nature or a regional excursion.
Discover more destinations: Stalden, Wilen, Lungern, Melchsee-Frutt, Giswil, Alpnach, Kerns, Engelberg.
For the overview of the region: Obwalden.
