Giswil is a municipality in the canton of Obwalden in Switzerland .

Giswil is first mentioned in the 11th century, as Kisevilare.

The municipality is located on the southern end of Lake Sarnen . It consists of the village sections of Grossteil, Kleinteil, Rudenz and Diechtersmatt, as well as scattered farm houses and hamlets. To the south-west, the municipality rises up to the summits of the Giswilerstock, Brienzer Rothorn , Arnihaaggen and Höch Gumme. The Glaubenbielen Pass crosses to Sörenberg in the Entlebuch region of the Canton of Lucerne .