IJlst (Drylts in Frisian) is a small canal town four kilometres south of Sneek, one of the eleven historic Frisian cities that make up the Elfstedentocht skating route. The centre — barely a couple of streets either side of a tree-lined canal — feels like Sneek in miniature, with handsome 17th-century merchant houses and an unmistakably Dutch tranquility.
The town's main sight is De Rat, a 17th-century smock mill brought here from the Zaanstreek and now restored as a working sawmill. Volunteers run it on summer afternoons and you can climb inside to see the gears in action. IJlst is an easy bike ride or a short bus journey from Sneek.