Jungfraujoch

Sitting at 3,454 metres above sea level, Jungfraujoch is the highest railway station in Europe, and the journey up alone is worth the price of admission. You board the cogwheel train from either Grindelwald or Lauterbrunnen, climbing through meadows and forest before the landscape turns austere and white.

The train pauses briefly inside the Eiger's north face, where tunnel windows frame a dizzying view down sheer rock — one of those moments that genuinely catches you off guard.

At the top, the Sphinx Observatory platform delivers a panorama of the Aletsch Glacier stretching away to the south — the longest glacier in the Alps — alongside peaks like the Mönch and Jungfrau crowding the sky. The air is noticeably thin, and some visitors feel lightheaded within minutes of arriving, so move slowly and give yourself time to acclimatise before attempting any outdoor walking.

There's a warren of indoor spaces too, including an ice palace carved directly into the glacier, which children tend to find enchanting and adults secretly do as well.

The whole experience is expensive — a return ticket from Interlaken Ost runs well over 200 CHF — and the queues in peak summer and over winter school holidays can be brutal. Book your train ticket in advance through the Jungfrau Railway website and check the Good Morning Ticket, which offers a reduced rate if you travel on the first train up.

Weather is everything here; a cloudy summit means you've paid a fortune for white fog. Check the mountain webcam the morning you plan to go.

Aim for a clear weekday in late September or early October for the best light, thinner crowds, and snow-dusted peaks without full winter conditions — and bring far warmer layers than you think you'll need.