Step off the elektrichka at Khimki station and walk a few minutes to ulitsa Moskovskaya, where a row of 1930s buildings still lines the street in the Stalinist style of the town's early years. This is the historic core of Stariye Khimki, and it is the easiest place to begin understanding the city.
Khimki suits travellers who are already in Moscow and want a half-day or full-day excursion beyond the Moscow Ring Road, or who are passing through on the way to Sheremetyevo Airport. It is a working city rather than a resort, and its sights are spread between the old centre, the Leningradskoye Highway side and the green edges near the Klyazma.
This guide covers the architecture, museums, parks, sport and leisure options listed for Khimki, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Khimki
1. Stariye Khimki
Stariye Khimki is the old quarter and a good example of Stalinist architecture of the 1930s. Several of its buildings stand on ulitsa Moskovskaya, so the area is best explored on foot as a single walk rather than as separate stops.
Start here in the morning, when the light is on the facades, and treat the street as the main sight. It pairs naturally with the Khimki Art Gallery and the town hall, which are on the same street.
2. Khimki Townhall
The town hall building at Moskovskaya st, 15 is one of the addresses that make up the Stariye Khimki ensemble. It is worth a look as part of the architecture walk along ulitsa Moskovskaya.
Combine it with the neighbouring buildings at Moskovskaya 13/1 and Moskovskaya 28/2, and note that the Khimki Art Gallery is on the third floor of the same building, so you can see both in one stop.
3. Khimki Art Gallery
The Khimki Art Gallery occupies the third floor of the town hall at Moskovskaya str. 15. It is the city's dedicated exhibition space and the obvious indoor stop on a Moskovskaya walk.
Visit it in the same outing as the Stariye Khimki buildings, since it sits inside one of them. Check locally before you go, as gallery programming changes.
4. Moskovskaya 13/1
Moskovskaya 13/1 is one of the individual addresses singled out within the Stariye Khimki quarter. It is a short stop rather than a destination in itself.
See it as part of the same street-level walk as the town hall and Moskovskaya 28/2, which are all within the same area.
5. Moskovskaya 28/2
Moskovskaya 28/2 is another of the listed buildings of the Stariye Khimki ensemble on ulitsa Moskovskaya. It completes the set of named addresses in the old centre.
Walk the full length of the street to take in all three addresses in sequence, then continue to the Park named after 50th Anniversary of October.
6. Park named after 50th Anniversary of October
This park lies between Chapayevskaya st and Kalinina st, making it the main green space in the old part of the city. It is a straightforward place to slow down after walking the Moskovskaya buildings.
Use it as the link between the architecture walk and the Nash Dom Theatre, which is on Kalinina str., 2, right by the park.
7. Nash Dom Theatre
Nash Dom Theatre is on Kalinina str., 2, close to the Park named after 50th Anniversary of October. It is the city's listed theatre venue and a reason to plan an evening in the centre rather than heading straight back to Moscow.
Pair a performance with a walk through the park beforehand, since the two are neighbours.
8. Arena Khimki
Arena Khimki is the city's stadium, at Kirova str, bld. 24. If your visit coincides with a match or event, it is the largest-scale venue in Khimki.
Check the fixture list before travelling, as the stadium is only worth the trip on a day when something is on.
9. Castle Klyazma
Castle Klyazma, in Gorod Naberezhnikh, was built as a castle and is described as the first middle-class project development with modern urban infrastructure in Russia. It also serves as a gateway to Khimki forest and the Klyazma river.
It is a practical rest stop during transit to Sheremetyevo Airport, and a good base for a walk towards the forest and river.
10. Khimki Business Park
Khimki Business Park, at Leningradskaya str. 39 bld. 5, is owned by IKEA and is one of the few examples of modern architecture in Russia. Note that it is accessible only from Leningradskaya Highway.
Combine it with the shopping in the same northern part of the city, and plan your approach by road rather than on foot from the old centre.
11. Yakovlevo Park
Yakovlevo Park is another of Khimki's green spaces and a quieter alternative to the central park. It suits a slow hour outdoors rather than a scheduled sight.
Build it into a day when you are already heading towards that side of the city, rather than making a special trip.
12. Fishing Vashutino
Fishing Vashutino is a fishing outing in the Khimki area, listed with the contact dr.saiapin@yandex.ru. It is the most activity-based option in the city's listings.
Contact ahead by email to arrange your visit, since this is not a drop-in sight.
If you only have one day
Morning: Begin on ulitsa Moskovskaya with the Stariye Khimki architecture walk, taking in Khimki Townhall, Moskovskaya 13/1 and Moskovskaya 28/2. Finish the walk inside the town hall at the Khimki Art Gallery on the third floor.
Afternoon: Continue to the Park named after 50th Anniversary of October between Chapayevskaya st and Kalinina st, then walk to Nash Dom Theatre on Kalinina str., 2. If a match or event is on, move on to Arena Khimki at Kirova str, bld. 24.
Evening: Take a performance at Nash Dom Theatre, or head north by road to Castle Klyazma in Gorod Naberezhnikh for a walk towards Khimki forest and the Klyazma river.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Khimki Art Gallery?
It is on the third floor of Khimki Townhall at Moskovskaya str. 15, in the Stariye Khimki part of the city.
How do I reach Khimki Business Park?
It is at Leningradskaya str. 39 bld. 5 and is accessible only from Leningradskaya Highway, so plan to arrive by road.
Can I visit Castle Klyazma on the way to the airport?
Yes. It is described as a perfect spot to rest during transit to Sheremetyevo Airport, and it is also a gateway to Khimki forest and the Klyazma river.
What is there to do in the evening in Khimki?
Nash Dom Theatre on Kalinina str., 2 is the listed evening venue, and it sits next to the Park named after 50th Anniversary of October.
Pick your dates, check what is on at Nash Dom Theatre and Arena Khimki, and start planning your day in Khimki around the Moskovskaya walk.