Formerly known as Bombay, the capital city of Maharastra, Mumbai is known as the city of dreams. It is the financial, commercial and entertainment centre of India. The city is home to Bollywood, the Indian film industry. It is said that Mumbai never sleeps. A city full of people from different cultures and backgrounds living together.
If you are visiting Mumbai for a few days, there is something for everyone to explore. There are many places to visit in Mumbai where you can explore the city’s culture and heritage. From lakes and beaches, caves to temples and churches to historical buildings, art galleries, shopping hubs to entertainment parks, you can explore many places during your Mumbai tour.
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Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower & Nearby
One of the most iconic landmarks of Mumbai, Gateway of India, was built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. Overlooking the Arabian Sea, it is a symbol of the city’s colonial past. Adjacent to the Gateway of India you will find the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel which is a more than 100 years old luxury hotel and has hosted many famous guests, including celebrities and dignitaries. The hotel was one of the targets of the 2008 terrorist attacks but was restored and reopened within a year.
You can take an hour-long ferry to Elephanta Caves. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses ancient rock-cut temples dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known for beautiful cave temples and amazing views from the Elephanta-Mumbai ferry, you should add this to your itinerary for the Mumbai Tour.
Marine Drive Queen’s Necklace and Nearby
Marine Drive is a 3.6-km-long street that curves along the coast of the Arabian Sea. It is also known as the Queen’s Necklace, At night, the street lights along the road create a beautiful sparkling effect that resembles a string of pearls. Marine Drive is a popular spot for locals and tourists, who come here to enjoy the breeze, the sunset, the sea and the skyline of Mumbai. It also has many hotels, restaurants, cafes and shops catering to different tastes and budgets.
There are many tourist attractions near Marine Drive showcasing the cultural and artistic side of Mumbai. You can explore the Fort area, which is the city’s historic heart and has many heritage buildings.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CSMT), a UNESCO World Heritage Site is a stunning example of Gothic and Indian architecture. You can also visit the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters, which looks stunning from the outside.
There are some famous art galleries, like the Jehangir Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art and the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), which host exhibitions, performances and art events.
If you have time, you can also indulge in some shopping at the boutiques, or savour some of the historic restaurants and bakeries, such as the Britannia & Co., the Bombay Canteen, Leopold Cafe, Cafe Mondegar and Yazdani Bakery.
Colaba and Colaba Causeway
The southernmost part of Mumbai, Colaba attracts many visitors with its charm and vibrancy. It is home to many landmarks, such as the Colaba Clock Tower, the Afghan Church, the Sassoon Dock and the Regal Cinema. It is also a hub for nightlife, as it has many pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants that offer a variety of cuisines.
One of the main attractions in Colaba is the Colaba Causeway, a bustling and colourful market where you can buy everything from clothes, jewellery, accessories, books, antiques, handicrafts, souvenirs and more. It is a shopper’s paradise, where you can bargain for the best deals. The Colaba Causeway is also a great place to experience the street food of Mumbai, as it has many stalls and vendors that serve delicious snacks, such as vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, pani puri and more.
Beaches in Mumbai
Mumbai has some beautiful beaches, where you can relax, unwind and enjoy the sun, sand and sea. Some of the popular beaches in Mumbai are Juhu Beach, Chowpatty Beach, Aksa Beach, Versova Beach and Madh Island Beach.
If you like street food, do not forget to visit Juhu Chowpatty in the evening.
Spiritual Places in Mumbai
You can find many temples, mosques, churches and other places of worship in Mumbai. Two of the most famous religious sites in Mumbai are the Shree Siddhivinayak Mandir and the Haji Ali Dargah. Shree Siddhivinayak Mandir is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success. It is one of the most visited temples in India, attracting millions of devotees every year. The temple is known for its beautiful architecture and gold-plated dome.
The Haji Ali Dargah is a Muslim shrine and mosque located on an island off the coast of Worli. It is the tomb of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a wealthy merchant and saint who gave up his worldly possessions and went on a pilgrimage to Mecca. The dargah is a striking example of Indo-Islamic architecture, with a white marble dome, minarets and arches. It is also a popular pilgrimage site, especially on Fridays and during festivals, when thousands of people flock to the dargah to seek blessings and offer prayers.
Mumbai for Bollywood or TV Industry Fans
If you are a fan of Bollywood or the Indian television industry, Mumbai is the place to be. Mumbai is the centre of the entertainment industry in India, producing hundreds of movies and shows every year. You can get a glimpse of the Bollywood and TV Industry sets and shooting by visiting the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, also known as Film City. It is spread across a large area comprising studios, sets, sound stages and outdoor shoot locations, where many films and shows are shot. You can take a guided tour of Film City and see the behind-the-scenes of how movies are shot, the props, costumes and more.
You can also try your luck at spotting some of your favourite stars by visiting some places where they live, work or hang out. For instance, you can go to Bandra, where many celebrities have their bungalows, such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan and many more. You can also visit Juhu, where many film and TV studios are located, like Yash Raj Films, Balaji Telefilms, Dharma Productions and more.
Mumbai Darshan
If you want to explore Mumbai at your own pace and convenience, you can opt for the Mumbai Darshan Hop on Hop off Bus service. It is a sightseeing bus service that covers the major attractions of Mumbai, such as the Gateway of India, the Marine Drive, the Colaba Causeway, the CSMT, the BMC headquarters, the Hanging Gardens, the Nehru Planetarium, the Haji Ali Dargah, the Mahalaxmi Temple, the Siddhivinayak Temple, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and more. You can board and deboard the bus at any of the designated stops and visit the attractions at your own pace. The bus also has an audio guide that provides information and trivia about the places you visit.
Hop on Hop off busses have designated seating space at the lower deck and have an open upper deck seating arrangement too.
Famous Food Joints in Mumbai
A visit to Mumbai is incomplete without tasting some of the delicious and diverse cuisines that the city has to offer. Here you can find dishes from different regions, communities and cultures of India and beyond.
Some of the famous food joints in Mumbai that you should not miss are:
Britannia & Co. Restaurant: It is a Parsi restaurant serving authentic and mouth-watering dishes. A few of the must-try dishes here are berry pulao, chicken dhansak, mutton boti, caramel custard and more. It is known for its friendly and nostalgic ambience, as it has been run by the same family since 1923.
The Bombay Canteen: Known for its innovative cocktails, such as the Bombay Colada, the Masala Chai Punch and more The Bombay Canteen is a must-visit in Mumbai.
Leopard Cafe: This legendary cafe has been a favourite of locals, tourists, writers, artists and more since 1871. It serves a variety of cuisines, such as Indian, Chinese, Continental and more. Some of the dishes you can try are the chicken tikka masala, the prawn biryani, the cheese fondue, the brownie with ice cream and more. Leopard Cafe is also known for its history, as it was one of the sites of the 2008 terrorist attacks, but has since recovered and reopened. You can still see bullet marks on some of the windows of the cafe.
Cafe Mondegar: It’s a lively and colourful cafe that has a retro and quirky vibe, with murals by the famous cartoonist Mario Miranda on the walls. It serves a range of cuisines, such as Indian, Chinese, Italian and more. Some dishes you can try are the chicken lollipop, the cheese garlic naan, the spaghetti bolognese, the apple pie and more.
Canon Pav Bhaji CSMT: A street food stall that serves one of the most iconic and popular dishes of Mumbai, the pav bhaji. It’s located near the CSMT railway station and is always crowded with customers.
Pizza By The Bay Marine Drive: This pizza restaurant offers a stunning view of the sea and the skyline of Mumbai. It is quite famous among the locals as well as tourists. It serves a variety of pizzas, such as thin crust, deep dish, wood-fired and more. You can try their Bombay masala, the chicken tikka, the cheese burst, the chocolate pizza and more. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the scenery, especially in the evening.
Yazdan Bakery: A bakery that has been serving fresh and delicious breads, cakes, pastries and more since 1953. It is a family-owned business that has a rustic and charming atmosphere, with old-fashioned ovens, wooden furniture and vintage posters. Some of the items that you can try are the brun maska, mawa cake, the apple pie, the ginger biscuit and more. It is also known for its chai, which is brewed in a huge copper vessel and served in small glasses.
