Mumbai, hailed as the ‘City of Dreams’, is the capital of Maharashtra and has many tourist places to visit. From beaches to Bollywood, from museums and nature parks to religious places, there is something for everyone. Here are the best 16 places to visit in Mumbai and the top things to do.
Mumbai is the city that never sleeps. It is a unique mix of iconic old-world architecture, modern high rises, cultural and traditional structures and slums. The vibrant commercial capital of India attracts tourists from all over the world. Mumbai has local trains, street food, high-end restaurants and nightlife. There are amazing places to visit in Mumbai that will make your visit memorable and fun-filled. The ideal time to visit is in winter, from November to March.
See also: Top 10 places to visit in Pune
Best tourist place to visit in Mumbai #1: The Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is one of the best tourist places to visit in Mumbai. The imposing structure on the banks of the Arabian Sea at Apollo Bunder waterfront is a testimony of the city’s colonial past. The 26-metre basalt archway combines the architectural styles of Roman triumphal arches with traditional Hindu and Muslim designs. It was built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary when they visited British India in 1911. Behind its arch, steps have been built that lead visitors to the Arabian Sea. Tourists can enjoy a boat ride, a ferry ride or a private yacht from the Gateway of India. It is the perfect place to capture the beautiful views of the sea, Taj Palace Hotel, docks and harbour.
Beaches of Mumbai #2: Chowpatty and Juhu beach
Mumbai is a coastal city. Mumbai beaches are the best tourist places to visit. The sands, the Arabian Sea, the sight of the horizon and a tranquil sunset are indeed special. The shores are ideal for relaxing and the glittering sea waters are a sight to behold. Top among the must-visit list is the Chowpatty and Juhu beach. ‘Chowpatty’ (Girgaum) beach near Marine Drive is one of the busiest beaches in Mumbai and has many local delicacies. Juhu beach in the suburbs is the most crowded beach in Mumbai. The 6-km-long beach is also the longest in Mumbai. Besides tasty street food, a tourist can pursue water sports such as banana rides, jet skis and bumper rides. Other beaches that a tourist can visit are Gorai beach, Versova beach, Marve Madh and Aksa beach. A tourist can spend some time at the recently opened viewing deck at Dadar and Chowpatty and enjoy the fresh breeze and the unhindered view of the beautiful sea.
See also: Best tourist places to visit in Goa and things to do
Must visit Mumbai tourist places #3: Sanjay Gandhi National Park
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Borivali is said to be the lungs of the city and is the only national park in the world to be present within a city’s premises. It is one of the best places to visit in Mumbai. Spread across a total area of 103 sq kilometres, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the governing body of the national park. The footfalls each year round up to a little over 2 million. To promote ecological tourism, the protected jungle offers a thrilling tiger and lion safari. A green bus travels along the fences. These buses are caged to safeguard the people from any potential attacks because the animals roam freely in the wild. There are an estimated 40 leopards in SGNP and neighbouring Tungareshwar Sanctuary. There are other animals including mongoose, four-horned antelope, sambar, mouse deer, wild boar, languor, monkey and panther. The park has more than 1,000 species of plants, 40 species of mammals and large species of birds, reptiles, fish and insects. Inside the park are the Kanheri Caves, built between the 1st and 9th centuries AD, which are protected archaeological sites. Kanheri is a cluster of 109 cells, a prayer hall, a stupa, water cisterns and resident halls. These have carved ornate statues of Buddha and the Bodhisattvas. Kanheri Caves were an important Buddhist learning centre and pilgrimage site sculpted by the Buddhist monks.
Famous places to visit in Mumbai #4: Siddhivinayak Temple and Mumba Devi Temple
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Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the most famous temples to visit in Mumbai and one of the most visited places in Mumbai. This Ganesha temple, known as Vinayaka, is considered a desire-fulfilling temple that attracts devotees from all around the world.
The Mumba Devi Temple is a renowned shrine in Mumbai that gave the city its name. It is dedicated to the guardian deity of the region, Goddess Mumbadevi. The temple was first built in 1675 at Bori Bunder but was reconstructed at its present site in 1737. Mumba Devi is worshipped by the Koli fishermen of Mumbai who consider her their guardian. The temple has the ancient idol of Goddess Mumba Devi, which is adorned with a gold necklace, a silver crown and a nose stud.
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See also: Top 10 places to visit in India
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #5: Haji Ali
Haji Ali Dargah is a well-known landmark in Mumbai, floating in the middle of the sea and visited by people of all religions. The mosque was built in the 19th century and houses the tomb and mortal remains of a 15th-century Sufi saint, Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Famous for its location, architectural beauty and religious significance, the Haji Ali Dargah is located on a small islet, hardly 500 metre from the coast. The shrine consists of a magnificent marble tomb, a typical illustration of Indo-Islamic architecture, adjoined by a mosque, minarets and an arch-shaped entrance. Situated against the backdrop of the splendid Arabian Sea, the Dargah was built using ‘Makrana’ marble, the marble used in the Taj Mahal. Due to its unique location, the road to the mosque goes underwater during high tide, making it inaccessible. Therefore, this famous Dargah can be visited only during the low tides.
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #6: Nehru Planetarium
One of the best places to visit in Mumbai for kids is the Nehru Planetarium, which is a part of the Nehru Science Centre. The Nehru Planetarium was established in 1977 in Worli and is one of the most advanced planetariums in the country. This interactive science and space centre is geared toward educating and stimulating youngsters to expand their knowledge about the universe. The cylindrical structure and beautiful white dome, designed by architect JM Kadri, is a prominent venue for scientific and astronomical education. All the activities are held to encourage young minds to find out more about the universe and attract tourists with the Solar System show where you can calculate your weight on each planet and check out models of spaceships. The Planetarium has a 3D IMAX Theatre that projects extra-large format films in a three-dimensional format. No supporting columns are blocking your view of the sky due to its unique spherical structure with 360 degrees of clear vision. The Nehru Planetarium has telescopes for those who are interested in the stars. In the Nehru Centre complex, there are various exhibitions, galleries and auditoriums. One of the most interesting sections is the Discovery of India, which explains the changes in India through historic events and architecture.
Best places to visit in Mumbai #7: Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo
A must-visit place in Mumbai for tourists with kids is the zoo in Byculla, officially known as the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, Mumbai Zoo. Established in 1861, it is the only zoo in Mumbai and one of the oldest in India. It is home to a variety of birds and animals such as elephants, hippos, blue bulls, Bengal tigers and leopards, crocodiles and pythons. Humboldt penguins from Seoul are among the recent additions who are kept in cool chambers to recreate their natural habitat in South America. The newly designed aviary has a walkthrough amidst the chirruping birds. Pelicans, flamingos, albino crows, cranes, herons and storks are some of the species in the aquatic section of the Byculla Zoo, also known as the Rani Baug Zoo. It has a lovely botanical garden spread over an area of about 50 acres with a museum in the complex. The botanical garden has more than 3000 trees, herbs and flowering plants. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum (earlier called Victoria and Albert Museum) has many archaeological artefacts, statues and historical photographs of Mumbai, including the Kala Ghoda statue and the original rock-cut elephant statue from the Elephanta Island Caves.
See also: 15 best tourist places in the world, to visit
Must visit Mumbai tourist Places #8: RBI Monetary Museum
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A unique place to visit in Mumbai is the Reserve Bank of India Monetary Museum, the first of its kind in the country. The museum has a representative collection of over 10,000 exhibits of Indian coinage, paper currency, financial instruments and monetary curiosities. The exhibits have coins from various dynasties, medieval India, pre-British, British and modern-day India, paper currencies over the years, gold bars and other instruments of financial transactions. From ancient punch-marked coins to the ones dating back to the 6th century BC, the coinage section is a wonder to behold. The evolution of paper money and financial instruments is explained through currency notes, paper bonds and certificates. Visitors can also see important anecdotes, bank seals and other related objects. There are special kiosks in the RBI Monetary Museum, which provide information about the currencies.
Must visit Mumbai tourist places #9: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, originally named Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, is a museum in Bombay (Mumbai), which is a must-visit for tourists. The museum has more than 50,000 artefacts, artworks and sculptures that display the rich cultural heritage of India. It has been awarded the Grade I Heritage Building status and the first prize in the Urban Heritage Award by the Indian Heritage Society. The museum has pottery from the Indus valley, handcrafted Buddhist sculptures from the Maurya Empire, latticework on Mughal-era jewellery boxes, Indian miniature paintings, European paintings, porcelain and treasures from China, Tibet and Japan. The Bronze Gallery has exhibits from the 9th century to the 17th century. Krishna dancing on Kaliya and Vishnu standing in an ornate frame are notable exhibits. The Natural History section includes a collection of reptiles, mammals, amphibians, birds and fishes. The Indian arms and armour display an array of weapons, swords and shields.
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #10: Colaba Causeway
For people who want to explore both boutique and high-end shopping and at the same time, street shopping, should go to Colaba Causeway. This street has a good collection of the latest fashion trends. The street starts with the good old landmark Regal Cinemas which is one of the most famous single screen theatres in Mumbai.
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #11: Wankhede stadium
Wankhede stadium is located on Marine Lines and is a popular choice for one day international cricket tournament. Several cricket matches of the the ICC World Cup 2023 which India hosted was held here. The Wankhede Stadium is the home ground of the IPL team Mumbai Indians.
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #12: Crawford market
This is one of the biggest wholesale markets in Mumbai and is located adjacent to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Here you have wholesale shops for clothes, cosmetics, home improvement, jewellery, stationery, food etc. A visit to Mumbai is incomplete without visiting the Crawford Market.
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #13: Bhaudaji Lad Museum at Byculla
Located just outside the Byculla Zoo, the Bhaudaji Lad Museum houses the history of Mumbai city. It is the oldest museum in Mumbai and has archaeological finds, maps and historical photographs of Mumbai. Also exhibited are clay models, silver and copper ware and costumes.
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #14: Hanging Gardens
Located at the top of Malabar Hill, the Hanging Gardens are located just opposite the Kamala Nehru Park. One can see the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea from here and also get a grand look of the Mumbai Skyline.
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #15: Global Vipassana Pagoda
The Global Vipassana Pagoda at Gorai is worth visiting. With the Arabian waters in its backdrop, the dome with a golden coating looks divine. It is a must-visit for those seeking peace and serenity. The pagoda can be reached by road from Bhayender in the Thane district and by ferry along the Gorai creek in Mumbai. This pagoda is a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda of Yangon in Myanmar – the tallest in the world – and is built as a sign of India’s gratitude to Myanmar for preserving the non-sectarian Vipassana form of meditation. The entire structure is covered in gold paint and the spire or the shikhara is covered in real gold donated by the Burmese. The structure, measuring 325 ft in height, is as tall as a 30-storey building. The humongous inner dome enables 8,000 people to practice Vipassana meditation at the same time. The Gong Tower and the Bell Tower are significant structures that contribute to the beauty of the Global Vipassana Pagoda. The entrance doors are made of wood with intricate hand-carvings done in Myanmar. It was established in February 2009 and was inaugurated by the former President of India – Pratibha Patil. Its dome, which has relics of Buddha, was built without supports, using an ancient technique of interlocking stones. The meditation hall is the largest stone dome in the world unsupported by pillars.
Best tourist places to visit in Mumbai #16: Mahalakshmi temple
Built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji, the Mahalaxmi Temple is one of the most famous temples of Mumbai situated on Bhulabhai Desai Road. The temple consists of the Tridevi goddesses Mahakali, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati. The Mumbai Coastal Road is constructed behind the Mahalakshmi Temple.
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Things to do in Mumbai
From ferry rides to wildlife, from visiting museums and religious places to watching film shootings and enjoying pubs, Mumbai has lots of interesting things to do for tourists.
Ferry ride to Elephanta Caves
Enjoy an hour-long ferry ride from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. Located off the coast of the Arabian Sea, the Elephanta Caves is an architectural wonder, sprawling over 60,000 sq. feet. Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this place has rock-cut caves, depicting the cult of Lord Shiva and can only be accessed by ferries from the Gateway of India. Mahesh murti – three-headed Shiva, Nataraja and Ardhanarishvara are the popular sculptures at the Elephanta Caves, which consist of caves dating back to the 8th century A.D.
See also: Top sightseeing places in Delhi
Sunset at Marine Drive
Take an evening walk near the Arabian Sea on Marine Drive. The sea, picturesque sunset and a refreshing breeze are just what you need to relax. The impressive light up in the evenings makes the walkway the “Queen’s Necklace” as the lights look like a string of pearls forming a necklace.
Drive at the Bandra-Worli Sea Link
The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is a 5.6 km long, 8 lane wide bridge that connects Bandra with Worli in South Mumbai. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link, also known as the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, is one of the main attractions of Mumbai. The sea link looks beautiful by the day and is an example of sheer beauty by the night as it glimmers with sparkling lights. Go for a drive across the sea link during early mornings or late nights when the traffic is less.
Walking tours
Walking tours are a fun way to discover the architecture, heritage, lifestyle and food of Mumbai. Depending on your interest, choose a walking tour. It can be the Dharavi slum tour, heritage tour, street food tour, Naval Dockyard tour, Mumbai temples tour or dhobi ghat tour.
Visit Film City
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The Goregaon Film City, originally known as the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari’, spread over 520 acres, has around twenty indoor studios and 42 outdoor shoot locations in Aarey Colony, Mumbai. The area can accommodate up to 1000 film sets at the same time. Over the years, it has been the location for several Bollywood films. Filmcity is located in the western Mumbai suburb of Goregaon, in the vicinity of the secluded and lush Aarey Colony and on the outskirts of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
Enjoy the nightlife
Mumbai is a city that loves to party and every part of this city has some interesting bars and nightclubs for the party-loving crowd. The best clubs in Mumbai attract both party-loving locals and tourists. From low-cost drinking holes and dimly-lit lounges to exclusive dance clubs and elegant bars — the city has it all.
Shopping in Mumbai
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From boutiques to street markets to high-end stores, Mumbai has something for every budget. In Mumbai, you will find the best fashion designs, electronic gadgets, home decors, the latest saris and other fantastic designer works. Mumbai is not only famous for its international fashion brands and labels but is also home to a wide assortment of local markets, boutiques and shopping malls. For shopaholics, Mumbai has Phoenix Market City, R City Mall, High Street Phoenix, Inorbit Mall, Palladium mall, The Oberoi and the World Drive Shopping Mall, one of the latest premium malls.
If you enjoy bargaining and street shopping for clothes, footwear, fashion accessories, trinkets and more then Mumbai has lots to explore. Linking Road and Hill Road in Bandra, Colaba Causeway in Colaba, Fashion Street near Azad Maidan and Lokhandwala Market and Irla in Vile Parle West are some famous street markets.
Chor Bazar is a must-visit place if you like collecting vintage items and antiques. Crowded streets make up Chor Bazaar’s history, which dates back 150 years. The market has the image of being a ‘thieves’ market’, however, not everything sold here is stolen.
Must-have food in Mumbai
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Mumbai, truly, is a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. Here a tourist can enjoy Italian, Chinese, Mexican and Thai besides regional food like Gujrati, Maharashtrian and South Indian. Mumbai has world-class restaurants and is also famous for its street food. The famous street food in Mumbai includes vada pav, bhelpuri, pani puri, sev puri, Bombay sandwich, ragda pattice, pav bhaji, omelette pav, dabeli, frankies and kebabs. Among the popular desserts of Mumbai are Kulfi and Ice Gola.
Mumbai is also known for its Malvani and Gomantak cuisines. The curries here are tangy, spicy and coconutty and are served with rice. Bombil, prawn and surmai fries are popular dishes. Do not miss the Irani cafés that serve authentic Parsi dishes including salli boti (mutton with caramelized gravy, topped with crunchy fried potato straws), mutton dhansak (meat cooked in a creamy gravy of lentils and spices), keema ghotala (curried minced mutton with an egg scrambled in, served with pav for breakfast), Irani chai, keema pav, cheese omelette and mawa cake.
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Housing.com POV
Mumbai, the city that never sleeps has a lot of interesting places to visit and do. These places make up for the landmark and enjoy great connectivity with each other. What is more interesting is this connectivity has increased the infrastructural and real estate development in the Mumbai city, making it one of the best places for tourism as well as to reside.
FAQs
Which are the best tourist places in Mumbai for kids to visit?
In Mumbai, kids can visit the Hanging Garden and Kamala Nehru Park, famous as the Shoe Park. Also, it’s fun to visit the oldest amusement park and water park in the city, Essel World and the Water Kingdom. Kidzania, located in R City Mall, Ghatkopar, is worth visiting as kids can enjoy multiple realistic and role-play activities.
Which is the best way to travel in Mumbai?
Mumbai is a crowded city and has traffic during peak hours like any other metropolis. Buses, trains and the metro are the most economical ways to travel. App-based cabs and private cars are also comfortable options. In the western suburbs, auto-rickshaws can be hired. A tourist can also try Hop-on Hop-off (HoHo) bus service from Gateway of India to Juhu beach.
Which are the places to visit near Mumbai?
A tourist can visit hill stations like Lonavala, Khandala, Matheran and Mahabaleshwar. Those who love the beaches can enjoy Alibaug and visit Kamshet for paragliding.
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