The Arbat is Moscow's oldest pedestrianised street, a 1km stretch in the heart of old Moscow that has been a centre of intellectual and bohemian life since the 18th century. Pushkin honeymooned here; Bulgakov lived nearby; the Moscow intelligentsia of the 19th century made it their neighbourhood. Today it is more tourist-oriented than it once was, but the street retains genuine charm.
The buildings are a mix of 18th and 19th-century townhouses, many painted in pale yellows and greens. Street performers, portrait artists, and souvenir sellers occupy the pedestrian zone. The Vakhtangov Theatre at the western end is one of Moscow's most important stages. Side streets off the Arbat — particularly Krivoarbatsky and Plotnikov lanes — are quieter and more residential, lined with handsome old buildings and small cafes.