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.

Of the rest of the land, 2.2% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (8.7%) is non-productive (rivers, glaciers , or mountains).

Over the past 40 years the population has increased by 38%, mainly because economic conditions in the region and public transport to Luzern have improved so that the migration balance definitely changed its sense towards immigration.

The main sights of Giswil are two ruins (Rosenberg and Rudenz), as well as traditional farmhouses in the scattered settlement Grossteil.

The wettest month is August during which time Giswil receives an average of 168 mm (6.6 in) of precipitation.