Lex and the City offers customized tours that are mostly offbeat — suitable even if you don’t know yet what you’re looking for.
A custom and personal private tour experience in Amsterdam.
Including high end popular breakout during meetings, events, fairs, conferences and exhibitions. Exclusive, from-the heart tours in Amsterdam. A unique and valuable “Lexperience”. All year long.
Ask Lex for a proposal tailored to you and your group.
Privé rondleidingen in Amsterdam (Nederlands)
Visites guidées privées à Amsterdam (Français)
Private Führungen in Amsterdam (Deutsch)
How Lex and the City became the tour creator of surprising Amsterdam.
Surprising touring isn’t just what we do — it’s who we are.
Back in 1998, we started with skate tours and skate lessons — including in Amsterdam.
When we realized that skate tours were a bit of a stretch for companies and public organisations to offer to their teams, we launched another unusual idea: foot-bike (or “kick scooter for adults”) tours in Amsterdam.
Within a year, we had our own footbike base: 45 steps we bought at the Albert Cuyp market.
The base was in a small street off the Weesperzijde, nicely tucked between the Amstel, Amstelstation and two cafés where groups could relax, eat and chat afterwards.
A good spot for groups — and it worked.
Footbiking in heels and suits? Yes, even that Amsterdam business event we have created!
In 2012 we had to leave the base due to a new zoning plan.
So we sold the footbikes (all but one…) during an offline, slightly playful Facebook event.
But stopping with footbike tours? No.
We did, however, choose to focus on the district where our footbike storage — and our group welcome point — was located: Amsterdam-East.
And not just on the footbike — also by bike, on inline skates and on foot.
That’s when the Amsterdam-Oost specialist was born.
But “Oost” alone wasn’t enough to keep growing. We also noticed rising interest in Amsterdam-North. So the scope broadened: from Amsterdam-East to the unusual and surprising Amsterdam as a whole. Including Hidden Gem Tours. (In the town center as well.)
Unexpected Amsterdam. From the heart. On your terms.
High quality private tours in Amsterdam according to Lex and the City
For Lex and the City “high-end” is making a private tour in flow with customers, without having to think about time tables. As touring in the midst of town already provokes loads of moments of taking care of urgent moments anyway.
You see what we mean? I sincerely hope so, as this is not only making the difference with Lex and the City tours, it is also a sound you hardly will hear anywhere else on the web or in your Chat-bot. (However we think it is true.)
People ask more and more, however less is more and that is what we promote. Just being together in this compelling town called Amsterdam and being able to react upon anything we encounter on the way; that for us is real luxury! :)
(Which does not mean we are not into a curated “Lexperience”. ;) ) Ask us.
A review for this type of tour: according to your needs. From the United States (June 2024)
Typical private tours by Lex and the city: “Lexperiences“
Examples of a tailor made tour experience in Amsterdam (or above town). By bike, on foot, by footbike, on skates or by boat.
- new sights, like het Sluishuis (talking about “unexpected”)
- unique moments, like an amazing concert in the Concertgebouw or Ziggo Dome
- special or famous museums with the old masters (or a tiny and personal one?) Your client might not want to go inside the famous Rijksmuseum, however moving under it ⇓ by bike might be a way of “having been there” the sporty and more distinctive way. ;)
- hidden treasures, as part of a special incentive tour.
- discovering emerging and trendy areas
- distinctive restaurants, like an amazing Indonesian (not so hot)spot. Or look at this picture-with-a-story: ..can you imagine yourself and your best customer eating-with-a-view? (continue beneath the image. ⇓)
- historical highlights, like the most beautiful canal house of Mokum, the nickname of Amsterdam.
- somewhat naughty streets.
- a themed biking tour (of course…), like the Garden houses tour in “Noord“.
- a new Rembrandt Experience (and an existing one).
- private guided boat tour ⇓, passing by the last remaining windmill in Amsterdam’s town center, including the first city brewery!, could be cool as well. (Picture by Lex in February 2024) (continue beneath the photo of that amazing mill. ⇓)
- A three (or 2) hour Amsterdam custom bike tour of the city and sounds.
Around the Mill of the East a Customized Experience Amsterdam is possible. - custom wishes (yes, yours!) * high end approach and delivery
- the birthplace of famous Johan Cruijff, hidden in the East of Amsterdam
- a walk in that famous park, including anecdotes.
- Discover maritime, trade and industrial heritage on the eastern islands with that Lex and the City guide
- the unusual Amsterdam by footbike. (Passing by that hidden gem beneath? proud example of Amsterdam school architecture of the mid 1920-ties:
Press on the picture of “t Schip” for Amsterdam footbiking tours. - modern architecture in the Eastern Docklands (tour)
- That place you have read about. (maybe this Rooftop swing at Sunset?)
- a tulip experience (in april), above town. A tour according to your needs.
- and an off the beaten path excursion outside town; to Zaanse Schans on a bike!
Will you be hosting your biggest client soon, and are you looking for that outstanding unexpected (maybe incentive) tour in Amsterdam?
Lex and the City: Lexceeding Lexpections.
Amsterdam East: 1st area specialty ever as organizer of city tours.
Great starting point for getting to know the unexplored as well.
My 2nd specialty, if you like my 2nd USP, in addition to the French language, are private guided tours of East Amsterdam. Lex van Buuren is a local; he lives in Amsterdam East. Search engines also know that, because Lex and the City is easy to find concerning search terms with “Amsterdam East” included.
Go for the 1 hour offbeat private walk (or bike tour) in Amsterdam East, intended for the busy business traveler who has limited time. The tailor made “Oost”experience starts from your hotel or restaurant. East Amsterdam is a typical part of Amsterdam for an offbeat tour for private groups or individuals. Lex and the City, organizer of private city tours in Amsterdam, has been located here for a long time already.
Starting in East Amsterdam is great for a unusual Amsterdam private boat tour as well. We have nice route of 2 hours passing by a lot of highlights with your group. (Or we make one tailor made) I think the new terrace at Kop van Oost is cool for the start of private boat trip. (Next to our only city windmill; Molen de Gooyer.)
We have been sitting there lately with a group of Internations expats for which I have organized a tour as well. (Chk the picture; me on the right.)
The storyteller of Amsterdam-East is telling stories on the web as well; as a content creator for local companies like hotels en restaurants, being their storyteller by bringing the good news around their place.
Corporate foot-biking tours in Amsterdam
The big child with the international tourism management diploma and great love for moving in the city is fond about foot-biking. And this private tour guide has now shared that passion with many people on the streets in Amsterdam. (Even with known ones.). It fits very well within the Lex and the City company mission. The page about foot-biking | scooting in Amsterdam being a private corporate activity Amsterdam. This incentive tour page even contains a Youtube clip of the “business seduction footbike tour”.
During a company event on a private boat in and around Amsterdam I have discovered the need for a combination of a DJ with lounge music before and during dinner and dance music music after. While telling small entertaining stories about Amsterdam in-between. Read more about this unusual “in the mix role” (guide + DJ on the water) on the Lex and the City guided private boat Amsterdam page with customized tours. (To be found by pressing the picture with the group on the boat.)⇓
Guided private tours in Amsterdam North.
If you’re looking for a private tour in Amsterdam-North with an English-speaking local guide, Lex and the City offers guided tours on foot, by footbike, bike, or even inline skates. These tailor-made tours take place in the area’s hidden gems, classic dike houses, the NDSM wharf, self-build houses, picturesque garden villages, cosy ferries, a local brewery on the river IJ, sustainable hotspots and initiatives, and the famous A’DAM Tower with those swings.
We even serve locally based companies, aiming to show their people the area around their office or factory.
Typical themes associated with Amsterdam-North are sustainability, growth, diversity, reuse, unusual, raw, a bit crazy, space, of the beaten track, and remarkable new construction.
Landing page of private tours in “Noord”.
We design a tour according to your needs. * f-Lexy and we know it.
Custom made tours from four and five star hotels in Amsterdam
Today has been a sunny day in Amsterdam. (30th of January) This picture I took this afternoon and showing fine Amsterdam School Architecture from the 20’s. (+100 years ago)
I was preparing a customized tour for a family staying in the Okura Hotel. The group contains children as well. As Amsterdam School Architecture is playful, even a bit childish (positively meant!) this is something to focus on the upcoming weekend with them.
Tailor made tours in Amsterdam for business man and women fit within the same category, as for as time and the custom approach is concerned. The tours should remain pretty short (90 minutes?) as in the case of business people, they have a busy schedule.
Ask that five star hotel local guide in Amsterdam for more.
Our tailored experiences around international events like SAIL.
SAIL Amsterdam is has been an outstanding sailing event in Amsterdam. The most famous tall ships have been there and so much more. Lex and the City is specialist for the area where SAIL is being held in 20230 again: the Eastern Docklands in Amsterdam East. Check out our tailored services during SAIL Amsterdam. Do so by pressing the picture, made by private local guide Lex during the version of the sailing experience in 2015.
Private boat tour | Example of a guided company event
Starting from the windmill on the edge of East Amsterdam. (Cool spot for groups by the way.)
Press on the picture for an impression and group review of this tailor-made sailing experience in Amsterdam on the canals and the rivers IJ and Amstel for Ernst & Young. (It was for 65 persons, with 3 boats.)
Amsterdam private walking tours with small, tiny groups.
Example: Historical private walk in old Amsterdam for small business groups
Or:
Active Amsterdam Bachelorette | Hen Party with that out of the box local private tour guide.
Tours and venue news for Amsterdam tours.
Enjoy 2025! This year marks a significant anniversary for Amsterdam. It has just turned 750 years old and it is also the year of that major event in the Eastern Docklands: SAIL Amsterdam! It took place in August.
- Having been on the streets of Amsterdam with groups for 23,5 years, we know a lot of venues. For active team outings we’d be happy finding a surprising venue in this seducing town.
- November 2025: the private Maritime tours in Amsterdam have been shaped and made way more clear.
- New uncomon private tour on the historical (and cool) Eastern Islands, an improved sustainable bike tour and tailor-made experiences during SAIL. So happy even “I Amsterdam” (the tourist office) is recommending us now for the neighborhood where this cool nautical event takes place. (The proof in the pudding is in Dutch.)
- More French speaking local guides.
- Even more group touring choice in “Noord”.
- The Watergraafsmeer Lexperience (“East”)
- We
will behave been local Marshall, DJ and guide on inline skates during the Skatefresh Amsterdam weekend. (August 8-10, 2025.) - The Vondelpark Lexperience has been put on another level. (Including 2 hidden gem lunch venues)
- New in autumn 2025: the hidden gems of Amsterdam tour. Sooo Lex and the City.
“Rhythmic walking tour”. Simply walking, however slightly moving your hips on the beats of DJ Lextase. (Being your tour guide as well.) Ask Lex for more; this is hot off the press private tour material and part of the living in the here and now 2025 approach.- Lex has been a fan from Samuel Sarphati for a long time. And now, January 2025, this man has been chosen “greatest Amsterdammer ever”. Lex can show his passion, starting from one of Samuel Sarphati’s hotspots in the 19th Century: the Amstel Hotel.
Tailor made private tours in Amsterdam are not an unusual activity for us.
For example: companies would like to be shown their staff the surroundings around their office. (A lot of them arrive there every morning without having the time to look around and see what’s up.)
A second example of a custom tour in Amsterdamis a unique track from for example the congress center where the business people meet, heading for the restaurant where they will eat & chat together. An active and custome tour, for example by bike, in between to relax, be active AND socialize is a great corporate tool. This tailor made tour could be enjoyed by boat as well. (starting from that mill next to Amsterdam East)
A third Lexample of a customised experience in Amsterdam for groups or individuals is a special theme. Like the places which have a link with their family’s history. Or football. Or the end of the 19th century. Or a theme wrapped around hidden gems.
A custom made bike route could be the result of the demand of the group.
Online: Local guide in Amsterdam writes about sustainable custom-made tours in Amsterdam. Eco friendly group experiences by bike, footbike and inline skate. Customized eco tours in Amsterdam | Articles by that local guide.
Plse carry on on this page for some tailored Lexperiences. Including pictures by those unusual Amsterdam local guides.
Memorable experiences built within custom corporate tours
Meet Lex and the City in Amsterdam, nickname: “the unusual”.
Experiences that aren’t just the normal tourist stuff. Let your fantasy flow and go. Free flow flyin’ 5th dimensional pop-up exclusive (incentive) tours. (Thank you local guide Tom for this sentence.) Not meaning it should be expensive all the time. We’d rather say “special” or high end?)
Amsterdam is tempting. And Lex and the City is not just a regular tour organizer; we live this great town, and it shows. (Please continue beneath this tempting picture above Amsterdam, near Zaanse Schans) Although organizing is key, we aim at unexpected experiences while touring.
Delivering customized experiences is in our core. (Why do you think we do not even have a booking form or whatever form on our site?) That tends to go in the direction of standard procedure. No, we chat over WhatsApp (or Signal) instead. Without so-called efficient boundaries. From the first contact until saying bye bye you’d have a high end custom experience.
Pricing of Lex and the City private tours
Press the picture of these 2 tempting venues, beneath for the page of the local tour guide for these Amsterdam custom tours. It contains a pricing section.
An example of a private tour request by WhatsApp from the other side of the world: Hi there. I would like to inquire about a private bike tour for my family . We will probably need a few electric bikes. I’d just like to organise something special for them as we are only coming together once a year. And I am reading your tours are a bit “different”
Thank you very much in advance.
Kind regards, xxxxxxxx
An opinion from an American business man about their tailor-made Amsterdam tour
Jayson from the United States had written us after the custom bike tour in 2024:
Hey lex, just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed local tour guide Tomas. Just an absolute treat and a perfect crafted experience.
Ten qualities of Lex and the City private tours in Amsterdam and North Holland
- Unusual private city tours with small groups throughout Amsterdam (including the North)
- 4-language local private guide Amsterdam with extra attention to receptive tours in French; (Lex has guided in Paris; he even started there. He also has a French university tourism management degree; earned in Chambéry.)
- It’s in his name: he’s f-Lex. He lives in the neighborhood, he is a local, and can be there if he has the time.
- First specialist in the field of guided offbeat walks in Amsterdam East.
- Local guide with a lot of experience in the field of guiding on wheels.
- scooter/footbike. (Walking tours as well.) Working from a sustainable, green angle.
- Extensive knowledge about other parts of the Netherlands as well. Especially the area above Amsterdam: North Holland. tulips bulb fields, Texel island, Zaanse Schans. The outcome: off the beaten track tours in the countryside.
- DJ and private guide during customized private boat tours in and around Amsterdam. (Yes, both; “in the mix”.)
- Event tour-company: with custom private tours during international events. Sign up for the Lex and the City Facebook page for updates.
- Consciously looking for the hidden gems with your group and/or friends / family. (Even the surprising restaurants in the capital)
We are (F)lexy and we know it.
All Lex and the City Amsterdam services and experiences in English on one page.