Arbat Street

Арбат

Moscow's oldest pedestrian street, a 1.2 km stretch of painters' stalls, street performers, souvenir shops and Pushkin's former home, moving from a medieval artisans’ quarter to the spiritual home of Soviet intellectuals.

Arbat Street is Moscow's most famous pedestrian street. In the 15th century it was a neighborhood of craftsmen, and in the 19th century it became a residential area for nobles and intellectuals. Pushkin lived here after his marriage in 1831, at No. 53, which is now a house museum. During the Soviet era, “Old Arbat” symbolized freedom and romance, and a statue of the singer-songwriter Okudzhava stands on the street. Today, Arbat is a 1.2 km pedestrian street. Along both sides are 19th-century apartment buildings, souvenir shops selling nesting dolls, amber and Soviet military caps (prices are high, so bargaining is recommended), painters offering portraits to tourists, street musicians and performers. Also along the way are the Viktor Tsoi memorial wall (a graffiti wall dedicated to the rock singer), the Vakhtangov Theatre and the golden Princess Turandot fountain. The east end of the street connects to the Garden Ring and Arbatskaya metro station, and the west end reaches the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, one of the Stalinist “Seven Sisters” skyscrapers (Smolenskaya metro station). The full walk takes about 30 minutes. The parallel New Arbat Avenue is a Soviet modernist boulevard from the 1960s, and the “House of Books” bookstore and its evening lights are worth a look. Dining here is mostly geared toward tourists, but you can try the Mu-Mu self-service chain (affordable Russian food) or Varenichnaya No. 1 (a Soviet-style dumpling restaurant). Admission to the street is free. The best time to visit is in the evening, and it pairs well with the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour (a 10-minute walk) and the Kremlin's Borovitskaya Gate. Be alert for pickpockets. Street photo sessions and street performances often ask for payment afterward.

Arbat Street

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