We begin our journey with sites that literally suspend us between heaven and earth, offering views that will take your breath away and provide an unforgettable experience for adrenaline seekers.

The First Cliff Walk in Grindelwald is one of the most exciting attractions in the Jungfrau region. This metal structure attached to the slope of Mount First at 2168 meters above sea level allows you to experience a real walk in the clouds. The most spectacular feature is the viewing platform that extends 45 meters above the precipice, offering panoramic views of the Grindelwald Valley and the majestic peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The structure was opened in 2015 and since then has attracted thousands of tourists hungry for thrills. Interestingly, despite its extreme nature, the path is available free of charge to all visitors who have reached the summit of First by cable car. The best time to visit is in the early morning hours, when visibility is best and the crowds of tourists have not yet arrived.

Similar excitement, albeit in a slightly different setting, is offered by the Titlis Cliff Walk - the highest suspension bridge in Europe. It is located at an altitude of 3041 meters above sea level at the top of Mount Titlis in the Obwalden Canton. The 100-meter-long bridge, which is only one meter wide, was opened in 2012, on the 100th anniversary of the start of the cable car on Titlis. Local legend has it that anyone who crosses the bridge holding hands with a loved one will secure eternal love. As you cross the bridge, you can admire the Titlis glacier and the panorama of the Swiss Alps stretching all the way to the horizon. Unlike the First Cliff Walk, here the weather conditions are more challenging - the temperature even in summer can drop below zero, and strong winds add extra excitement to the crossing.

Moving to the Zermatt region, we discover the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise - the highest cable car station in Europe (3883 meters above sea level). This place offers not only a spectacular view of the famous pyramid-like Matterhorn peak, but also access to the highest glacier in Europe accessible to tourists. A 360° viewing platform allows visitors to enjoy a panorama encompassing 38 four-thousand-foot peaks and 14 glaciers stretching between Switzerland and Italy. Few people know that the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise is also home to the highest winery in Europe, where you can taste local wines in an extraordinary setting. History buffs will find it interesting that the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn was not made until 1865, and four of the seven members of the expedition died during the descent, making the mountain one of the most mythical in mountaineering.

Rounding out this part of our trip is the Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn area, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. At the heart of this region is the largest glacier in the Alps, the Aletsch, which is 23 km long and covers an area of 81.7 km². The thickness of the ice reaches up to 900 meters in places! The best vantage point for this natural wonder is the Jungfraujoch, nicknamed the 'Top of Europe', where the highest railroad station in Europe is located (3454 meters above sea level). The construction of this railroad line was a true feat of engineering - the work took 16 years (1896-1912), and workers had to bore a 7-kilometer tunnel through solid rock. According to local legends, the Aletsch glacier is home to the souls of those who died in the mountains, and on moonless nights you can hear their whispers carried by the wind.

Continuing our journey through Switzerland's most beautiful sights, we move to places where the power of water meets the majesty of the mountains, creating unforgettable landscapes.

Rheinfall, located in the northern part of Switzerland near the town of Schaffhausen, is Europe's largest waterfall in terms of water flow. This impressive cascade is 150 meters wide and 23 meters high, with up to 700 cubic meters of water per second flowing through it during the summer! The history of the site is as fascinating as its view - the first written references to the waterfall date back to the 9th century, and in the Middle Ages it was an important point on the commercial map of Europe. According to local legend, on a full moon you can see water nymphs dancing on the water mist floating above the waterfall. The most spectacular way to admire the Rheinfall is to take a boat cruise that goes almost under the waterfall itself, allowing you to feel its power and hear the deafening roar of the falling water. For the brave, there are also viewing platforms on the Mittlerer Felsen rock, located in the middle of the cascade, which can be reached by boat. Unlike high-mountain attractions, the Rheinfall is accessible year-round, and looks especially magical in the evenings when it is illuminated by colorful spotlights.

Moving back to the Alps, we discover the Stanserhorn, an 1,898-meter-high mountain located in the canton of Nidwalden. What sets it apart is the unique CabriO cable car - the world's only two-story cable car with an open top deck, allowing you to admire the panorama as you ascend to the top. The history of the Stanserhorn as a tourist attraction dates back to 1893, when the first steam train to the summit was launched. Unfortunately, the top station burned down in 1970 and was not rebuilt until 1975. From the viewing platform at the summit, one can enjoy a panorama covering 10 lakes and more than 100 kilometers of the Swiss Alps. Another interesting feature is the revolving restaurant at the summit, which makes a full rotation in 43 minutes, allowing guests to admire the changing landscape as they dine. Stanserhorn is also home to a colony of marmots, which can be observed in their natural habitat. Local guides tell us that these animals can predict the weather better than state-of-the-art weather stations.

Jungfrau mit Eiger und Mönch-Aletschgletscher-Bietschhorn is a viewpoint offering one of Switzerland's most iconic panoramas. From here you can admire the famous trio of peaks: Eiger (3970 m), Mönch (4107 m) and Jungfrau (4158 m), which dominate the landscape of the Bernese Alps. The north face of the Eiger, known as the Nordwand, has a grim reputation as one of the most difficult climbing walls in the world - it has claimed the lives of more than 60 climbers since the 1930s, earning it the nickname 'wall of death'. The first successful ascent was not made until 1938. According to local beliefs, the three peaks symbolize a monk (Mönch) protecting a virgin (Jungfrau) from an ogre (Eiger). The best place to admire the panorama is the viewpoint at Lauterbrunnen, which also offers a view of the valley with its 72 waterfalls, including the famous Staubbachfall, which inspired Goethe to write his poem 'The Song of the Spirits over the Waters'.

The Swiss National Park, established in 1914, is the oldest national park in the Alps and the only one in Switzerland. Located in the canton of Grisons, it covers an area of 170 square kilometers of wilderness, where nature has remained untouched for more than a century. Unlike many other national parks, strict rules apply here - visitors must stay on designated trails, no plant or stone collecting is allowed, and camping is prohibited. This strict protection has helped keep the unique alpine ecosystems intact. The park is famous for its rich fauna - you can find chamois, marmots, deer and even bears, which have begun to return to the area after an absence of 100 years. According to local legends, in the wildest corners of the park you can meet 'green men' - mythical beings who take care of nature. The best vantage point in the park is the summit of Munt la Schera (2,586 meters above sea level), which offers panoramic views of the Engadine valley and the Bernina massif. The park offers more than 80 km of hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty, making it an ideal destination for experienced hikers and families with children alike.

When faced with choosing which of the described viewpoints to visit during your stay in Switzerland, there are several key aspects to consider that will help tailor your choice to your individual preferences and abilities.

If you're looking for extreme thrills and aren't afraid of heights, the First Cliff Walk and the Titlis Cliff Walk would be ideal destinations. Both offer precipice walks and breathtaking views, but the conditions differ significantly. First Cliff Walk is located lower (2168 meters above sea level) and offers milder weather conditions, making it accessible to a wider range of visitors, including families with children. The Titlis Cliff Walk is much higher (3041 meters above sea level), which comes with lower temperatures and possible strong winds, but compensates for this with its status as the highest suspension bridge in Europe. In terms of cost, admission to both attractions is free, but the price of cable car entry must be taken into account, which is higher for Titlis (about CHF 100) than First (about CHF 60).

For lovers of glaciers and high-altitude landscapes, the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise and the Jungfrau-Aletsch region are the best choices. Matterhorn Glacier Paradise offers views of one of the world's most recognizable peaks and year-round glacier access, making it ideal for skiers and snowboarders as well. The Jungfrau-Aletsch region allows you to enjoy the largest glacier in the Alps and an impressive panorama of three famous peaks. Both places are among the most expensive attractions in Switzerland - a ticket to the Jungfraujoch costs about CHF 190, and to the Matterhorn Glacier Paradise about CHF 150. However, it is worth remembering that Swiss Travel Pass holders can count on significant discounts.

If you prefer less extreme but equally scenic views, consider the Stanserhorn and the vantage point of the trio of peaks of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau from Lauterbrunnen. The Stanserhorn offers a unique cable car with an open top deck and a panorama that includes numerous lakes and mountain ranges, and the cost of the ascent (about CHF 74) is lower than the high-altitude attractions. The Lauterbrunnen viewpoint allows visitors to enjoy the iconic peaks without having to ascend to high altitudes, making it accessible year-round and virtually free.

For nature lovers and a quieter pace of sightseeing, the Rheinfall and the Swiss National Park will be ideal. Rheinfall, as Europe's largest waterfall, offers a spectacular view of the power of nature, and the cost of visiting is relatively low (about CHF 5 for admission to viewing platforms, plus an optional CHF 20 for a boat cruise). The Swiss National Park allows you to immerse yourself in the wildlife of the Alps and enjoy a variety of landscapes while hiking. Admission to the park costs about CHF 10, making it one of the most affordable attractions on our list.

In terms of seasonal availability, the longest season is offered by Rheinfall (year-round) and viewpoints at lower elevations, such as Lauterbrunnen. High altitude attractions have more limited availability - some cable cars don't run in winter or during high winds. The Swiss National Park has the shortest season, being fully accessible only from June to October.

All things considered, the best choice for first-time visitors to Switzerland is likely to be the Jungfrau region, with its viewpoint at Lauterbrunnen and optional ascent of the Jungfraujoch. It offers quintessential Swiss scenery - majestic peaks, glaciers, alpine meadows and scenic valleys - in a relatively compact area. For those seeking less crowded but equally spectacular views, consider the Stanserhorn or Swiss National Park, which offer an authentic experience of alpine nature away from the main hiking trails.

Regardless of your choice, each of the described viewpoints offers unique experiences and breathtaking panoramas that will linger in your memory. Switzerland, despite its small size, hides an extraordinary wealth of landscapes that will satisfy the tastes of even the most demanding mountain view lovers.