See the Top of Europe: 6 Reasons to visit Jungfraujoch

When you’re getting ready to embark on a trip to Europe, you’ll find one of the first questions people ask is “What countries are you visiting?” Mention that you’re passing through Switzerland, and they will immediately ask about Jungfraujoch, and with good reason!

The famous saddle in the Bernese Alps connects the two four-thousand meter high peaks of Jungfrau and Mönch and is one of the country’s foremost tourist attractions. It’s incredibly popular – but does that mean that Jungfraujoch is overhyped? 

Definitely not! Jungfraujoch may be famous, but it also happens to be one of those ‘touristy’ destinations that are worth the visit! It will take your breath away the first (or second, or third!) time you see it in person. Believe us, we know – the trip up the Jungfrau glacier has been voted the number one optional excursion on our European tours for the past two years. We offer this outing on our Europe Explorer tour, Western Adventure trip, Europe Escape journey, and several others. As such, we’ve been around people from all walks of life as they encounter the Top of Europe. It’s an experience that will fill even the most seasoned traveller with childlike wonder!

Here are six solid reasons to include a train trip up to Jungfraujoch on your visit to Switzerland in 2020 and beyond: 

1. It’s a historical marvel 

The fact that we are able to get to the top of a glacier in relative comfort at all is a modern-day marvel. Situated at 3.545m, the railway station on top of Jungfraujoch is the highest in all of Europe. Building a railway at this elevation would be a major challenge today, and seemed almost impossible in the late-1800s, yet Swiss entrepreneur Adolf Guyer-Zeller would not be deterred. He had the crazy notion to build a tunnel and a railway to the summit of the glacier, and he pushed it until it became a reality. Construction commenced in 1896 and took 16 long years to complete. In a sad twist of fate, Adolf Guyer-Zeller passed away before his most significant achievement was completed. 

2. The train journey is fun!

Going on a train is always fun, but it’s doubly so when the track you’re on has been constructed against all odds. The Swiss railway system is top-notch which means the journey is super comfortable. There are even stops along the way where you can gaze out at uninterrupted views of the valley below from the panoramic windows of stations that have been set inside the mountain!

3. The views are out of this world

There are certain situations when words are simply not enough to describe an experience, and this is one of them. Trust us when we say that the view from the top of Jungfraujoch will stay with you for the rest of your life. It’s not just scenic, it’s completely and utterly awe-inspiring! It’s in places like this that we come face to face with the almost impossible grandeur of nature in a way that leaves us forever changed. In short, it’s epic beyond description and it has to be experienced to be fully grasped. You’ll understand when you get there. 

4. There is chocolate at the top!

No kidding folks – Lindt has a museum at the top of the mountain. A full-on museum of chocolate on top of a glacier in Switzerland. Naturally, there’s a chocolate shop attached to the museum so you can stuff your face full of expertly crafted goodness once you’ve learned all about the fascinating history of this glorious stuff. 

5. Oh, and there’s an ice palace as well

Just in case you were wondering whether this experience was in fact based on a Disney movie, we should probably mention that there is an ice palace up there as well. You know, carved from the glacier which makes for an amazing setting. There is also a huge exhibit dedicated to the Alpine region and people who developed Jungfraujoch.  

6. You owe it to yourself

We all owe it to ourselves to seek out moments in which we can be mesmerised. Life can sometimes throw difficulties our way so we should actively seek out pockets of pure joy and glorious beauty. This is what you’ll find at Jungfraujoch. 

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There you have it – six fantastic reasons to visit Jungfraujoch when you pass through Switzerland. Believe us, you won’t be sorry. Check back soon for more travel inspiration, insider info and stories from the road. In the meantime, go check out those European tours of ours – you know you want to…