Listvyanka
Листвянка
The Lake Baikal town closest to Irkutsk, where you can see the source of the Angara River, eat smoked omul, and ride a cable car for lake views.
Listvyanka sits on the southwest shore of Lake Baikal, near where the Angara River flows out of the lake. It is about 70 km from Irkutsk, making it the top choice for visitors with limited time who want to experience Baikal. The town stretches about 5 km along the lakeshore. Highlights include: riding the cable car up to the Cherskiy Stone viewpoint for views of the Angara's source and the lake; the Shaman Stone in the middle of the river mouth, which legend says is a boulder hurled by the Old Man of Baikal to stop his daughter Angara from eloping; the lakeside fish market, where you can buy hot- or cold-smoked omul; the wooden Church of St. Nicholas; and the Baikal Museum and seal pavilion. In summer, you can take a boat cruise along the shore or visit Baikalsk on the opposite shore to ride the Circum-Baikal Railway. Getting there: minibuses leave from near Irkutsk's Central Market about once an hour and take about 1 hour. In summer, you can also take a hydrofoil from Irkutsk along the Angara River. Plan for a day trip or an overnight stay. The town has lakeview wooden cabins and Russian banya (bathhouses), where you can steam in the sauna and then plunge into the cold lake.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Baikal Museum
- Port Baikal
- Bolshie Koty & Great Baikal Trail
- Taltsy Museum
- Bolshoye Goloustnoye
- Icebreaker Angara
- Sukachev Estate Museum
- Church of Our Lady of Kazan