De Beemster is the country’s first and most famous polder: in 1612 a lake was drained and the low-lying land was reclaimed. Today it is widely recognised as an exceptional example of town planning, with its well-ordered waterways, geometric structure and ordered settlements. The Beemster is a Unesco World Heritage site that’s an oasis of scenic polders, waterways, dikes, restored mills and charming, traditional farmhouses. Some visitors explore the area on foot or by boat, but bicycles are the preferred method of transportation around these parts.
