Villas in Sarnen
Sarnen is a small lakeside town about 20 km south of Lucerne, with bathing areas on Lake Sarnen and Pilatus within quick reach. Homes are mostly small with gardens, and August is the wettest month.
- Villas
- 17
- From, per week
- £551
About Sarnen
Sarnen is the capital of the canton of Obwalden, a town of about 10,500 people on the northern shore of Lake Sarnen at 471 metres. The lake is about 5.7 km long and up to 1.6 km wide. The shore has a promenade, bathing areas and picnic meadows, and a lido with swimming lanes and paddleboard hire. A walking tour covers the historic buildings of the old town and the Landenberg hill, and the Hexenturm and the cantonal Rathaus are both listed heritage sites. Our homes are spread around the town, mostly small, sleeping two to four, with gardens. Few have a pool or sauna. Pilatus, Stanserhorn and Melchsee-Frutt are all within quick reach.
Is Sarnen right for you?
- Best for
- Lake swimming and mountain day trips in central Switzerland
- Not for you if
- You want a lively resort with nightlife, as this is a small town on a lake.
Near Sarnen
Lucerne
About 20 km north, reached by hourly InterRegio trains and half-hourly S5 services.
Pilatus
At 2,132 metres, the best-known mountain near Sarnen and one of several peaks within quick reach of the town.
Melchsee-Frutt
A mountain area reached by cable car from the valley station at Stöckalp, and another easy day out from Sarnen.
Sachseln
The other municipality on the shore of Lake Sarnen.
Getting to Sarnen
Zurich Airport is about an hour from Sarnen by road, or around 1 hour 45 minutes by train with a change at Lucerne. Sarnen is on the Brünig line, with hourly InterRegio trains and half-hourly S5 services to Lucerne, so a car is optional.
When to go to Sarnen
Rain can come in any month: Sarnen has about 139 rainy days a year, with August the wettest and January the driest. Summer suits the lake shore and the mountain paths. In winter the mountains above offer slopes, winter hiking trails and toboggan runs, and there are snowshoe and walking routes at Glaubenberg and Langis.
Villas in Sarnen
5-star property
Alphütte Chilchschwand
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
10
2
0
BBQParkingFireplace+5 more
5-star property
1-Bedroom Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
2
1
0
ParkingGardenInternet+5 more
from£98
per night
Heimetli
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
5
2
0
ParkingDishwasherMicrowave+8 more
from£79
per night
2-Bedroom Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
ParkingDishwasherGarden+8 more
4-star property
3-Bedroom Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
6
3
0
ParkingGardenTerrace+7 more
5-star property
Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
2
0
0
ParkingDishwasherGarden+6 more
from£95
per night
5-star property
2-Bedroom Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
6
2
0
BBQParkingDishwasher+9 more
from£162
per night
5-star property
Sunny retreat
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
ParkingDishwasherMicrowave+10 more
from£132
per night
5-star property
4-Bedroom Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
6
4
0
ParkingDishwasherSauna+8 more
from£597
per night
5-star property
2-Bedroom Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
ParkingDishwasherFireplace+10 more
from£95
per night
5-star property
2-Bedroom Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
BBQParkingDishwasher+9 more
from£222
per night
Sonnentraum
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
4
2
0
BBQDishwasherGarden+9 more
from£167
per night
5-star property
Marcello's Gartenhüsli
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
2
0
0
BBQParkingFireplace+7 more
5-star property
2-Bedroom Home, Sarnen
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
6
2
0
BBQParkingDishwasher+8 more
from£169
per night
5-star property
Kathriner-Durrer
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
2
1
0
ParkingDishwasherTerrace+8 more
Giselas Mountain Retreat
Sarnen, Central Switzerland, Switzerland
5
2
0
BBQParkingDishwasher+6 more
from£118
per nightSarnen villa holidays: questions answered
Can you swim in Lake Sarnen at Sarnen?
Yes. The shore has bathing areas and picnic meadows, and there is a lido with swimming lanes and stand-up paddleboard hire. The lake is about 5.7 km long and up to 1.6 km wide.
How far is Sarnen from Lucerne?
About 20 km. The Brünig line has hourly InterRegio trains and half-hourly S5 services between Giswil and Lucerne, so you can reach the city without a car.
Which airport do you fly into for Sarnen?
Zurich. It is about an hour away by road, or around 1 hour 45 minutes by train with a change at Lucerne.
Does it rain a lot in Sarnen?
Fairly often. Sarnen averages about 139 rainy days and 1,200 mm of rain a year, with August the wettest month and January the driest. Bring a waterproof whatever the season.
Can you visit Pilatus from Sarnen?
Yes. Pilatus, at 2,132 metres, is the best-known mountain near Sarnen and is within quick reach, as are Stanserhorn and Melchsee-Frutt, which has a cable car up from Stöckalp.
Nearby towns to Sarnen
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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