A modern Russian city near Moscow with student life, Orthodox churches, and a central square with a Unesco trinity column. Home to Russia's famous smelly cheese.
Khimki, 18 kilometers northwest of Moscow, grew from a railway stop into a modern city of 250,000 people. You'll find the massive MEGA Khimki mall complex, walk through the protected Khimki Forest, and explore the Rodina Stadium, home to FC Khimki. The city serves as the gateway to Sheremetyevo International Airport, making it a key transport hub in the Moscow region.
Transport Connections
You can reach Khimki from Moscow in 25 minutes by train on the Moscow-St Petersburg Railway line. Trains depart every 15-20 minutes during rush hour (6:00-10:00 and 17:00-20:00). The city's transport network includes 15 bus routes and 3 trolleybus lines connecting residential districts to the city center. To get to Sheremetyevo Airport, take bus #851 from Khimki Station - the journey takes about 20 minutes.
Shopping Districts
MEGA Khimki, spanning 175,000 square meters, anchors the city's main commercial area. The complex includes an IKEA store, Auchan hypermarket, and over 200 specialty shops. Local markets like Mayak Market sell fresh produce and regional goods. The pedestrian zone along Leninsky Prospekt contains cafes, boutiques, and electronics stores frequented by local residents.
Manufacturing and Industry
The city's industrial sector includes the NPO Energomash rocket engine plant, which produces engines for space launches, and the Faberlic cosmetics factory. These facilities, along with glass manufacturing plants and engineering workshops in the northern industrial district, employ over 30,000 local residents. New technology parks near Sheremetyevo Airport continue to expand the industrial base.
The Khimki Forest
The 1,000-hectare Khimki Forest creates a natural barrier between the city and Moscow. Walking trails wind through oak and pine groves, popular with cyclists and joggers. Local environmental groups organize weekly forest clean-ups and maintain trail markers. The forest faces development pressure from planned infrastructure projects, including the Moscow-St Petersburg highway construction. Community organizations coordinate protection efforts through social media and regular public meetings at the Khimki Cultural Center.
