Zurich True Crime Uncovered: A Tour of its Heists and Robberies
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About the Tour
About the Tour
Beneath Zurich’s polished exterior there’s a shadowy world of audacious crimes.
On this true crime walking tour, you’ll discover the spectacular heists, daring robberies, and brazen escapades that have shocked Switzerland’s financial capital. From multimillion-franc art thefts to daylight raids by international gangs, this tour reveals how Zurich’s concentrated wealth has attracted some of Europe’s most ambitious criminals.
Starting at the Kunsthaus Zurich, you’ll learn about one of Europe’s most spectacular art heists, where masterpieces worth over 200 million Swiss francs were sliced from their frames. You’ll walk the exact escape routes used by notorious gangs like the Pink Panthers during their jewelry store robberies along the prestigious Bahnhofstrasse. While you explore Zurich’s beautiful old town and riverfront, you’ll find out how these glamorous settings became the stage for high-stakes crimes.
Along the way, you’ll hear about the gangsters who brought American-style violence to peaceful Switzerland, and the Red Army Faction terrorists whose bank robbery turned deadly. The tour ends at a peaceful park along the Sihl River, where you’ll hear the story of a faked robbery.
On this two-hour, you’ll have a chance to:
- Stand at Paradeplatz, where the notorious Pink Panthers executed a perfectly timed three-minute raid, escaping with 7.2 million in luxury watches
- Visit former Volksbank, where German left-wing extremists executed a lightning-fast 50-second bank robbery
- Discover the scene of Zurich’s “Chicago-style” shootout where gangsters fired 108 bullets in a wild exchange with police
- Walk through the underground Shopville plaza where fleeing terrorists exchanged deadly gunfire with pursuing officers
- Explore the former Sihlpost complex where an employee built a secret hideout to pull off a 34-million-franc theft
This walk through Zurich’s criminal history provides a fascinating counterpoint to the city’s reputation for order and discretion, revealing how its wealth has attracted some of the world’s most ambitious criminals over the decades.
Tour Producer
Tour Producer
YOUplore
YOUplore is a creative duo from Zurich, Switzerland, passionate about exploring true crime, history, architecture, art and entertainment. We love blending these worlds in our tours to create unique, immersive experiences that do not just inform, they captivate, engage, and inspire.
At the heart of YOUplore are two dedicated people with diverse backgrounds that make our tours authentic and rich:
She is a dynamic woman with a colorful life journey. She used to DJ and organize parties for years, led a sports association, and took a winding path, from training as an architect, to IT and HR roles. She also lived abroad for two years. Her passions include music, sports, and psychology, which help her weave gripping stories and lead groups with energy and flow.
He is an experienced entrepreneur who built and successfully ran a small to medium business. He has served as vice president and treasurer in various organizations. His interests range from music and sports to chess, travelling and cooking, skills that fuel creative ideas and flawless organization.
We met abroad at a festival, bonded over our shared love of music, and the rest is history.
We are passionate travelers who have already seen half the world, from exotic metropolises to hidden gems, and we bring those adventures into our tours. Yet our roots are firmly in Switzerland, especially our beloved Zurich, whose history and unique vibe we bring to life with true insider knowledge.
At YOUplore, it is about much more than sightseeing. We mix solid facts with storytelling, interactive elements, and personal anecdotes to create unforgettable moments. We believe a local guide brings out the very best in any trip, whether in person on site or through headphones on a self guided audio tour.
In an age where information is everywhere, the real details and truths often get lost. Whether you want to dive into Zurichs darker true crime side, uncover hidden historical secrets, or discover stunning architectural masterpieces, our tours are tailored for curious minds seeking something extraordinary.
Join us to explore Zurich and beyond together!
Preview Location
Preview Location
Location 41
Freischützengasse
Claudia: On June 18, 1990, W.’s trial began at Zurich’s High Court. Shy, unlike a criminal, he faced a two-year prison demand. The court, soft, called it a “one-time lapse” and gave 18 months, conditionally, with four years’ probatio... Read More
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Major Landmarks
Major Landmarks
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Kunsthaus Zürich
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Höllentor von Auguste Rodin
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Manessebrunnen
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Grossmünster
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Helmhaus
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Wasserkirche
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Münsterbrücke
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Fraumünster
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Schweizerische Nationalbank SNB, Banque nationale Suisse BNS
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Paradeplatz
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Bahnhofstrasse
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Pestalozzi-Denkmal von Karl Siegwart, 1898 (#KiöR)
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Swiss National Museum
Getting There
Getting There
Route Overview
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Start locationHeimpl. 1/5, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
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Total distance4km
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Final locationGessnerallee 26-32, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland
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Distance back to start location1km
Directions to Starting Point
The tour starts at the Kunsthaus Zürich. You can take tram lines 3, 5, 8, or 9, or bus line 31, and get off at the stop “Kunsthaus.” Once you arrive, look out for the striking 15-meter-high futuristic installation — that’s your starting point.
Show Directions
Tips
Tips
Places to stop along the way
We’ll pass by a couple of museums during our tour.
We start at the Kunsthaus, home to some of the most valuable paintings — including a few that were once stolen (our first case).
Later, we’ll also pass the Swiss National Museum. It was conceived as a unified work of art, bringing together its collection, exhibitions, and architecture into one harmonious design.
We’ll wander past the iconic Grossmünster, whose twin towers have watched over Zurich’s secrets for centuries — and hide a few of their own. You can visit the Grossmünster for free if it's open.
At Restaurant Metropol, you can enjoy a relaxed coffee, just as the robbers from our art heist story once did.
Then we’ll stroll down Bahnhofstrasse — Zurich’s luxury shopping paradise.
Best time of day
The tour is available 24/7, but we recommend experiencing it during daylight, when you can fully appreciate the beauty and energy of this amazing city.
Precautions
If you’re doing the tour during rush hour (Monday to Friday, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.) or on a sunny weekend, it might take up to two and a half hours — so plan a bit of extra time.
Bring your own water bottle — you’ll find plenty of fountains around Zurich where you can refill it. The sun can be quite strong, especially in July and August, so don’t forget sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and take a few breaks along the way.
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Questions and Reviews
Questions and Reviews
