The river Geeuw runs through the centre of IJlst and defines the town's character as much as any building. A short walk along the quay takes you past moored sailing boats, the mill, and a row of old houses that have looked over the water for centuries. It is an easy, pleasant twenty minutes.
IJlst sits at the junction of several Frisian waterways, and the marina is busy with leisure boats in summer. If you are exploring the Frisian lakes by water, IJlst makes a natural overnight stop — the facilities are basic but functional, and the town is quiet enough that you will feel genuinely off the tourist track.