In Mumbai, you can snack on a bhelpuri while admiring the surf and sand of the Chowpatty Beach. Visit the Mani Bhavan where the great Mahatma Gandhi once stayed and was eventually captured. India’s enormous film industry has gained a worldwide reputation. Many films are produced in Mumbai that it has been given the nickname “Bollywood”. Films are a favorite form of entertainment throughout the country, and popular subjects include love stories and dramas. Grab the chance to see the tour of Dharavi which was made all popular by the visually entertaining movie “Slumdog Millionaire” to have an idea of how simple and basic Mumbai life is.
When To Go:
The ideal season to visit the city of Mumbai is the months in the middle of September and April. Around this time the rains and typhoons have stopped unleashing its power and the humidity levels are at their most minimal. Actually guests can visit at whatever time of the year, however summer months has a tendency to be too humid and hot, making a tour not extremely charming, but if you are arranging a business trip and will stay indoors and in a cooled solace, then summer, winter, no matter what, the climate doesn't make a difference.
Here are the top things to do when in the city of Mumbai.
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is a principal place of pilgrimage for tourists. The place is very popular, but if you want a relatively empty picture without the masses there, then come early in the morning. It is a monumental building that was built in early 20th century and the most crowded place in the city. From here you can (and should) go on a boat trip to the nearby Elephant Island or the other parts of the city. On the way to the door, everyone must undergo through strict screening procedures. Selected imported cigarettes, lighters, sharp objects can get all confiscated but can also be taken back from the guards at the exit. The Gateway of India is not just an ordinary archway or a work of art, it is a symbol of India's independence because of what they went through with the last British military rule.
This triumphal arch was constructed to welcome George V and placed on a large esplanade that is always frequented by a cosmopolitan crowd. The monument itself is interesting to observe: Located on the seafront, it is the scene of many amateurs or professionals who can instantly print a souvenir photo in front of the Gate photographers. Right in front you can see the two most prestigious hotels in Mumbai; the Taj Mahal and Oberoi. Behind the Gateway of India, there are many boats waiting for tourists to get to the carved caves and ruins of the Kanheri. The arch is an important symbol and reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in France. What distinctively sets this place apart among all the other tourist attractions in Mumbai, is the people, they all seem to want to have their pictures taken beside the tourists and locals.
Shree Siddhivinayak
The Shree Siddhivinayak is a very famous and much visited temple located in Mumbai. Dedicated to the Lord Ganesh, it is visited every day by a steady crowd. The temple which was built about 200 years ago has a beautiful façade and very different from almost all the temples you will see in India. It is a temple of local importance and when you enter this sacred place, you can see how the faithful pilgrims devote their time to manifest their faith. It is a cool experience for anyone who has not been to the temples.
It is unusual and travelers take the time to do some temple watching to observe the life of reverence and devotion of the locals in Mumbai. They sit next to these devotees and watch their rituals for offerings. To enter you need to pay an entrance fee and leave your cameras and camcorders on the outside. The shoe, you need not leave it on the outside of the ratchet (some vendors will tell you this). The local bus stops outside or you can try the ride with the auto rickshaw for a more fun way to move around and explore the city.
ISKCON Temple - Mumbai
It is very interesting to discover the origins of the Hare Krishna movement here at the ISKCON Temple in Mumbai. To fully understand their mission, visit and be accompanied by one of their followers / monks, they are very nice people who will explain the best intentions of their group and history of this interesting and very popular temple. It is interesting to take a dip in the traditions and understand the Indian philosophy in a nice neighborhood where you will be surrounded by the colors, rites, and sounds of the place.
It is a place where you can recharge your batteries, rest and escape the hustle and bustle of Mumbai and (if you want)you can experience spirituality first hand. Every day from 12:00 to 13:00 you can see the monks and the congregation chanting their incantations .Then you are cordially invited to have lunch together. In a very special atmosphere, together with the monks to eat lunch is a very special and unique experience. All this is available "for free" - of course, donations are welcome but no one actually asks for it! Do not miss this cultural and deeply moving experience when in Mumbai.
Bandra Worli Sea Link
To avoid traffic congestion, anyone traveling in Mumbai is advised to pass through this bridge. The Bandra Worli Sea Link is a paid bridge which helps drivers to circumvent and have a great view of the entire bay. This ocean connection is one of the wonders of modern engineering. It shortens the travel time if you are coming from South Mumbai to Bandra by about 2-3 hours. The drive is exceptional and the perspective from the extension however confined is extraordinary. The backseat passengers can have a glorious perspective of the city while cruising along this long and functional bridge. It was funded and assembled by the HCC - Hindustan Construction Company. It has taken 10 years since 1999 to make it open for public road use in 2009.
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
The Mahatma Gandhi Mani Bhavan Museum in Mumbai is a symbolic place and museum in Shusha that holds lots of reproductions of old books, paintings and other things with history. Almost all visitors from other countries make it obligatory to pass by this house dedicated to the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi. Inside the museum you will be impressed by the whole collection of miniature sculptures that colorfully illustrates the history of the revolutionary path of Gandhi and India during the early times.
If you are interested in the life and activity of Gandhi you come to the right place where you can find a full and exhaustive information. The staff will always tell more if you have questions about the items displayed here. It is excellent and well preserved. It is located in a fairly quiet street compared to the rest of Mumbai, so it's an oasis from the noise and chaotic ambience of the city.
Quay Marine Drive (Mumbai)
The Quay Marine Drive is a favorite playground for residents of Mumbai, people abound around the clock. They walk, talk, sell something, eat, pray, and sleep. It is the perfect place to enjoy the atmosphere of the city. Every afternoon you can see a lot of locals enjoying the promenade area. Even at night it offers a lot of fun.
People are very friendly, traders and beggars are not particularly annoying. In several places throughout the waterfront you can see police stations, making that evening walk quite safe. If you have plans to visit Mumbai, the Marine Drive is a must see on the list of your excursions and things to do. The ride is pleasantly cool to do, especially at sunset. You will meet many young couples, joggers, strollers, and friendly locals that you can chat there and make friends with. Once the sun sets, the place becomes a beautiful ballad to end a lovely afternoon in Mumbai.
Mount Mary Church
This exceptionally old church is an extraordinary vacation destination in Mumbai. It is placed in Bandra along the western part of the city. A great number of devoted individuals come here to pay their admiration for the Church. This is an exceptionally serene spot. The Church building was developed to pay tribute to Saint Mary. This is likewise an absolute mandatory for every traveler. For over a hundred of years it was arranged on a hill close to the Lands End. Bandra West. It overlooks the beauty of the great Arabian Sea.
The sacred Mount Mary's Basilica is a delightful building in stone that basically emerges in its glory, a habitation of serenity, peace, consolation, solemnity, and faith. The nearness to the ocean brings about a significant symbol of one’s devotion. It is great to see individuals of all religions coming all the way here to gather and pray as one particularly in the month of September when the feast of Mother Mary is usually celebrated.
Colaba Causeway
The Colaba Causeway is the correct name of the shopping street near Colaba. Here nothing has changed for decades (and maybe even centuries). Traffic and the busy atmosphere is still the same as 25 years ago. Even the trading goods are the same. But in some places there are branded stores with imported goods and decent quality.
On the contrary, it is an exciting and interesting experience to see this "other India” that is filled with wide avenues and colonial architecture. You can plunge into a bright pot or convergence of Indians and travelers from all over the world because Colaba is also the main shelter for all the foreigners in Mumbai. And this means that it has shops for every taste and color, cafes, souvenir shops and most importantly a sense of anticipation and free flowing adventure right in the heart of the city.
Kanheri Caves
Much less is known about the caves of Elephanta or the Kanheri Caves and they are not to be missed if you want to see the hidden gem of India. The crowds here are much more extensive and you can enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Mumbai. It is located at the northern part of the airport, in the opposite direction from Colaba, so you should go here first and explore the rest of Mumbai. This archaeological site is the first rock art or Buddhist inspired site that was created since the 1st BC and open to the public.
You will be in awe of its simple message and its environment that will definitely leave a mark on your memory. Once you get inside this magical place, you experience an out of this world feeling and you cannot help but fall in love with the grandeur of the place.
From the entrance to the national park it would be a one-hour walk, but after the entrance on the right side there is a bike rental (Deposit 200, hire of 2 hours costs 40). You should start in the morning, around noon because it has more Indian tourists. The statues and reliefs unfortunately crumble with time (the ravages of time). From the top you have a beautiful view of the skyscrapers of Mumbai.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is a beautiful museum that is strategically located in the city of Mumbai. It is just too bad that taking photos inside are strictly prohibited. This is the former Prince of Wales Museum, the garden is charming, and the outdoor galleries contain impressive statues as also the internal parts. There are many ancient Indian culture in painting, miniature sculpture, and objects of daily life, jades and bronzes.
Some porcelain items of Chinese and European origin are given a special room and carefully laid out and presented. Kids can truly appreciate the wonders and imparted knowledge of this comprehensive and educational museum. The exhibition halls which were recently renovated are very well organized and have beautiful Indian art collections. A visit to this special place is essential when staying in Mumbai.
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