Arbat and Novy Arbat: Moscow Walking Route, 11.2 km, 19

Explore Moscow's two most famous streets: the historic Arbat pedestrian zone and parallel Novy Arbat. This 11.2 km route from Arbat Gate Square to Smolenskaya Square passes iconic landmarks including the Vakhtangov Theatre, monuments to Bulat Okudzhava and Alexander Pushkin, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, showcasing centuries of Russian cultural and architectural heritage.

Distance
11.2 km
Mode
route
Start
Arbat Gate Square
End
Smolenskaya Metro Station
Stops
19
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Arbat Gate Square — Starting point of Arbat Street pedestrian thoroughfare
  2. Arbat Street — Most famous pedestrian street in Moscow running from Arbat Gate Square to Smolenskaya Square
  3. Corner of Arbat and Bolshoy Afanasyevsky Lane — Historic intersection marking the meeting of Moscow's renowned pedestrian street with a quieter side lane, blending commerce and character.
  4. Bolshoy Afanasyevsky Lane — Charming side passage connecting historic buildings and galleries to the main Arbat thoroughfare, perfect for discovering local boutiques.
  5. Corner of Arbat and Serebryany Lane — Bustling junction where the pedestrian street intersects with another atmospheric lane offering cafés and cultural venues.
  6. House of Actors and Vakhtangov Theatre — Renowned theatrical institution staging innovative productions and serving as a gathering place for Moscow's performing arts community.
  7. Yevgeny Vakhtangov — Legendary Russian theatre director whose experimental methods revolutionized early 20th-century stagecraft and influenced global theatre practice.
  8. Monument to Bulat Okudzhava — Memorial to the famous singer-songwriter on Arbat Street
  9. Alexander Pushkin and Natalya Goncharova — Russia's greatest poet and his wife, whose storied relationship and artistic legacy remain central to Moscow's cultural heritage.
  10. Corner of Arbat and Smolenskaya Square — Major intersection where the pedestrian street meets a significant plaza, marking a transition from intimate lanes to broader urban spaces.
  11. Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia — Iconic building at Smolenskaya Square near Arbat Street terminus
  12. Novinsky Boulevard (Garden Ring) — Tree-lined promenade forming part of Moscow's famous circular boulevard, offering peaceful walks amid historic neighbourhoods and landmarks.
  13. Novy Arbat Street — New Arbat thoroughfare developed in 1960s, modern extension of historic Arbat
  14. "Oktyabr" Cinema — Historic cinema on Novy Arbat Street
  15. "Mumiy Troll" Music Bar — Live music venue celebrating Russian rock and pop heritage, drawing locals and tourists for energetic evenings of contemporary performances.
  16. "Zhiguli" Restaurant and Bar — Traditional Russian establishment evoking Soviet-era ambiance through authentic cuisine and retro décor, popular with both visitors and Muscovites.
  17. Cosmos Selection Moscow Arbat Hotel — Contemporary hotel providing comfortable accommodation steps from the pedestrian street's shops, galleries, and cultural attractions.
  18. Alexander Pushkin Memorial Apartment — Historic apartment where Pushkin lived on Arbat Street
  19. Smolenskaya Metro Station — Metro station adjacent to Arbat Street terminus

Useful for your trip

Transport
Arbat Street is a pedestrian-only zone. The trolleybus No. 39 that once ran along it was rerouted during the 1974-1986 reconstruction.
Transport
Arbat runs from Arbat Gate Square to Smolenskaya Square and stretches 1.2 kilometers. Smolenskaya Metro Station is at the eastern end.
Tip
Arbat is located just a two-minute walk from Moscow Kremlin in the Central Administrative Okrug, Arbat district.
Tip
Tsoi's Wall is an unofficial people's memorial to Viktor Tsoi, leader of the rock band Kino. Fans continue to leave inscriptions there.
Where to stay
Cosmos Selection Moscow Arbat Hotel is located on Novy Arbat Street.
Food
Mumiy Troll Music Bar and Zhiguli Restaurant and Bar are located on Novy Arbat Street.
Tip
Alexander Pushkin Memorial Apartment is housed in house number 53 on Arbat Street, where the poet lived with his wife after their 1831 wedding.
Tip
Novy Arbat has a seven-lane carriageway and a pedestrian promenade. Parking is available on the northern (even-numbered) side.
Timing
Visit in summer to enjoy the warm weather; video was shot on July 23 at +28°C (82°F). The streets feature flower planters and benches for strolling.
Tip
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs building on Smolenskaya Square is one of Stalin's famous Seven Sisters, completed in 1952.
Tip
Novy Arbat was called Kalinin Prospekt from 1963 to 1990. In 2016, it underwent comprehensive reconstruction including new landscaping and street furniture.
Tip
Oktyabr Cinema is located on Novy Arbat Street in one of the gaps between the residential tower blocks.

Video on this route

ARBAT and NOVY ARBAT — The Most Famous Pedestrian Streets in MOSCOW, Russia [4K]

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