scenic viewpoint
Mount Pilatus
A jagged mountain above Lucerne reachable by the world's steepest cogwheel railway, steeped in dragon legends and offering 73-peak panoramas.
9 km · about 15 min drive
Obwalden, Switzerland · Europe
Sarnen works well as a base: 10 minutes from Alpnach, 20km from Lake Lucerne (Vierwaldstättersee).
Sarnen is a town located in Obwalden, Switzerland. With a population of 10,368, it is an important destination in Europe.
On a road trip, Sarnen sits in Switzerland, where you drive on the right. It's in the Europe/Zurich time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Sarnen to your route.
Sarnen (Swiss Standard German pronunciation: [ˈzarnən] ) is a small historic town, a municipality, and the capital of the canton of Obwalden situated on the northern shores of Lake Sarnen (German: Sarnersee) in Switzerland. It has a population of just over 10,000 and is surrounded by countryside and mountains. SarnenRead more
is located 20 km south of Lucerne.
The official language of Sarnen is (the Swiss variety of Standard) German, but the main spoken language is the local variant of the Alemannic Swiss German dialect.
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Sarnen offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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Sarnen is located in Obwalden, Switzerland, Europe. The coordinates are 46.8961 latitude, 8.2453 longitude.
Sarnen has a population of approximately 10,368 people, making it a town in Switzerland.
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Essential numbers in Switzerland
Motorway vignette (toll sticker) required: buy at the border or online. Roadside assistance (TCS): 140.
Full driving guide for Switzerland8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
A jagged mountain above Lucerne reachable by the world's steepest cogwheel railway, steeped in dragon legends and offering 73-peak panoramas.
9 km · about 15 min drive
landmark
Europe's oldest covered wooden bridge, built in 1333 across the Reuss River in Lucerne with 17th-century painted panels inside.
18 km · about 20 min drive
landmark
Mark Twain called it the most mournful piece of stone in the world: a dying lion carved into a cliff face commemorating Swiss Guards killed in the French Revolution.
19 km · about 20 min drive
museum
Switzerland's most-visited museum featuring an extensive automobile collection alongside trains, planes, and spacecraft.
19 km · about 20 min drive
natural wonder
A stunningly shaped lake surrounded by mountains where Switzerland was founded, with paddle steamers and the Rütli meadow.
20 km · about 25 min drive
waterfall
The dramatic cascade where Sherlock Holmes fell, climbed by a vintage funicular above Meiringen.
20 km · about 25 min drive
cafe
A mountain inn beside the Susten Pass in Switzerland offering views of the Stein Glacier, a perfect rest stop on the classic Three Passes driving route.
22 km · about 25 min drive
cafe
The first overseas outpost of London's legendary biker hangout, complete with diner, shop and event halls in Rothenburg near Lucerne: a magnet for petrolhead meets.
22 km · about 25 min drive
April to October
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