Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is one of India’s most populous cities and is the capital of the state of Maharashtra. It is also the home of Bollywood as well as several of the country’s most iconic architectural wonders, scenic promenades, museums, and high-end malls. One of the top things to do in Mumbai for tourists is to join heritage tours to learn more about Indian culture and visit the many emblematic places of the city.
One of the must-sees in Mumbai is the iconic Gateway of India and one of the city’s architectural symbols. It was built in order to commemorate the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary, who were the first British royalties to visit the country. It’s a popular spot to marvel at the sea and to embark on short boat rides to enjoy waterfront views of the city or visit Elephanta Island.
The Elephanta Caves are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mumbai and can easily be reached by taking a boat ride from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. These caves are intricately-carved stone temples with many stone sculptures that are often visited by those who worship Shiva. The details of these constructs are extraordinary and are emblematic of the level of skill that their sculptors were at.
Marine Drive is a scenic and 3.6-kilometer-long promenade and is one of the best places to visit in Mumbai. Palm trees at restaurants are lined up along this long road, making it a great place to simply sit down and unwind. It is also a popular jogging area in the morning and evening because you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the sunrise or sunset. At night, when viewed from above, the Drive is said to resemble a necklace because of its street lights.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is a historical train station and is known for its blend of Gothic revival architectural and traditional Indian styles. It was designated as one of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and has seen meen eras, including the transition of Bombay into Mumbai.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is Mumbai’s premier museum and is close to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus railway station and the Gateway of India. It houses a massive and well-curated collection of exhibits that showcase emblematic cultural objects that tell the tale of India, the city, and the culture of its people. It also has sections dedicated to artifacts from other countries.
Elephanta Island is one of Mumbai’s top destinations because it is the home of the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is more than just its ancient cave temples dedicated to Shiva. There are three villages that you can visit as well as a few remnants from the British occupation that you can marvel at. Monkeys also roam around the island, especially at the docks and trails where vendors sell their wares and food.
Somewhere in the verdant forest of Sanjay Gandhi National Park lies the Kanheri Caves, a collective of ancient rock-cut caves and intricately carved stone monuments. Some of the caves were turned into Buddhist monasteries. Inside, visitors will be able to marvel at scriptures, inscriptions, paintings, sculptures, and reliefs of Buddha and Bodhisattvas.
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park can be found in the western outskirts of Mumbai. It is one of most famous and most visited national parks in the world. It is also known for the numerous animals and plants that call it home, which you can observe by riding the toy train, one of the park’s main attractions. The train will take you into the jungle where you can observe the likes of lions and tigers roaming around.
The Haji Ali Dargah in southern Mumbai is an important emblem of Indo-Islamic architecture and one of the most famous landmarks in the city. It is a holy site built over the tomb of Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a Sufi saint. If you visit this magnificent mosque on a Friday, you might be able to catch Sufi musicians performing a kind of devotional music called the Qawwali.
Girgaum Chowpatty can be found along Marine Drive in Mumbai’s Girgaon area. It is one of Mumbai’s most popular beaches and is a great place to visit to simply relax with your companions. Visitors often watch the sunset by the shore. There are also snacks like bhel puri and street food being sold by hawkers. If you visit in August or September, you might catch the Ganesh Festival that takes place there annually.
Mumbai is known for its historic architecture, its shopping areas, and for being India’s arts and entertainment capital. It exudes a vibe similar to New York that makes people say that “If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere.” For that, it is referred to as the City of Dreams.
The best times to visit Mumbai are the winter months of October to March. During this season, you won’t have to deal with the humidity and you can observe and take part in the many cultural festivals that take place in different parts of the city.
South Mumbai is considered to be the city’s main tourist hub. Staying here is the best choice because you’ll be close to many of the most important attractions and cultural sites in the city, like the Gateway of India and Marine Drive.