Mumbai, the city where dreams are made and fulfilled. From jam-packed railway platforms to the famous Dabbawalas, multi-millionaires to suburban slums, the dazzling Bollywood to the vada pav, bhel puri, and sev puri, the uniqueness is beyond words. If you are planning a trip to Mumbai (if you are someone who is staying outside Mumbai), make sure you visit the right places. To help you with that, I have listed down my top 10 amazing places for visit in Mumbai, which will make you fall in love with this city again and again.
1. Gateway of India
Gateway of India, the best place to visit in Mumbai, was built in 1924 by George Willet to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. Visit this place in the early morning or late evening hours to enjoy the cool breeze of the sea with your family . Located next to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and facing the vast Arabian Sea, the Gateway of India leaves you spellbound in every way possible. Take a ferry ride offered here to experience a stupendous view of this monument right from the sea and you can also visit other main attractions nearby.
And the best part?
You don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy the beauty of this iconic monument which is often called the Taj Mahal of Mumbai.
Location: Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai
Timings: 24×7 i.e. every day
Entry Fee: Free entry
Ferry rides are chargeable.
2. Haji Ali
How about taking a trip with your family to one of the most popular religious shrines in Mumbai, built right in the middle of the Arabian Sea?
Yes, I am talking about Haji Ali Dargah that houses the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. This grand edifice is made of white marbles and exemplifies the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. A walk through the causeway that connects the Dargah to the Lala Rajput Rai Marg is the main attraction of this place. Feel the spirituality of this place with your dear ones while enjoying a panoramic view of the deep blue waters.
Location: Dargah Road, Mumbai
Timings: 05:30 am to 10:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee: N/A
3. Elephanta Caves
Take a tour to this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai and get wonder-struck by the massive rock-cut caves that date back to several centuries. It has five caves dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and two caves depicting Buddhist architectures.
To reach this place, you need to take a one-hour ferry ride from the Gateway of India, during which you can also enjoy the scenic beauty of Mumbai. Those who lack the spirit of a trekker can hop on the toy train that will take you on a tour of the caves right from the entry point. The restaurant and canteen run by MTDC can take care of your hunger pangs.
Location: Gharapuri, Mumbai
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm; closed on Mondays
Entry Fee:
Citizens of India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, & Thailand – ₹10 per person
Other foreign citizens – ₹250 per person
Separate charges involved for videography, toy train ride, and ferry ride.
4. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus is another UNESCO World Heritage Site situated right in the heart of Mumbai. Built in the year 1888, during the British colonial period, this edifice exemplifies the Victorian-Gothic style of architecture. While you are here, don’t forget to take a photograph with your family and kids. And guess what, the magnificent CST is the most photographed building in India after Taj Mahal.
Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Mumbai
Timings: Every day
Entry Fee: N/A
5. Marine Drive
Walk hand in hand with your lover along the walkway at Marine Drive witnessing the sunset hues reflecting on the vast Arabian Sea. It is an ideal place to relax and spend some romantic moments on a beautiful evening. This is also one of the popular places to visit in Mumbai at night.
Don’t forget to satisfy your hunger with some delicious street food available here.
Location: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai
Timings: 24 x 7 i.e every day
Entry Fee: NA
6. Colaba Causeway
Do you have friends who think shopping is the best form of therapy?
Then the Collaba Causeway would be a shopping paradise for them forever. With shops after shops piled up with goodies, you are sure to have a great time shopping everything from inexpensive clothes to sophisticated designer wears, home decor items to jewelry, and everything in between. For food fanatics, the place has a lot of restaurants, cafes, and patisseries.
And once you are done with this retail therapy, it’s time to start your gastronomic therapy. Head out to one of the many food streets in the city and experience an explosion of flavors in the form of pav bhaji, vada pav, pani puri, bhel puri, ragda pattice, kebabs, sandwiches, and more.
Location: Collaba Causeway, Mumbai
Open: All days
Entry Fee: NA
7. Hanging Gardens
Every relationship deserves a break from daily routines.
Take your significant other to the Hanging Gardens and unwind and slacken yourself amidst the flower beds, spectacular water fountains and lush green animal shaped hedges.
Don’t miss out to take a funny picture with your partner at the giant boot structure, known as the “Old Women Shoes”. What else can be more romantic than this?
Location: Simla Nagar, Malabar Hill, Mumbai
Timings: 05:00 am to 09:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee: Free entry
8. Chota Kashmir
If you are in search of a peaceful yet serene place to cherish some intimate moments with your partner, Chota Kashmir should be the right spot while you are in Mumbai. It has a beautifully landscaped garden and a placid lake that tranquillizes your body and mind. Recline peacefully on the greens of the garden or go boating in the lake and get lost in love on this little piece of paradise. Either way, you are sure to find a new spark in your love life :)
Location: Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon, Mumbai
Timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm; every day
Entry Fees: Free entry
Separate charges for boating.
9. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Sprawling over an area of 104 sq. km. of land, this is one of the most-visited national parks in Asia .
With all sorts of fun activities, this park can surely be a family entertainer.
You can watch the big cats of the park close enough in a safari cage and have a fun day boating in the artificial lake in the park. Take the forest road or stairs and hike towards the Gandhi Tekdi, a memorial built in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. The toy train, Van Rani, is another popular attraction here. You can also visit the 2000-years-old Kanheri Caves to capture the Buddha relics. The undisturbed natural trails and the Jain Temple in the forest are also sure to make your visit a memorable one.
Location: Borivali East, Mumbai
Timings: 07:30 am to 06:30 pm;
closed on Mondays.
Entry Fee:
Adults – ₹53 per person
Children (Between 5 to 12 years of age) – ₹28 per person
Children (Below 5 years) – free
Additional charges for Kanheri Cave visit, safari, boat ride, and toy train ride.
and last
10. Taraporewala Aquarium
Touted as India’s oldest aquarium, this place houses a variety of marine and freshwater fishes including coral fishes from the Lakshadweep Islands. It also has an Oceanarium that gives you the feel of walking under the sea with exotic fishes floating above you. You can also enjoy a whale of a time at the fish spa. This aquarium is a perfect blend of education and entertainment, making it an ideal place to visit.
Location: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Marine Drive, Mumbai
Timings: 10:00 am to 08:00 pm;
closed on Mondays
Entry Fee:
Adults – ₹60 per person
Children (Below 12 years) – ₹30 per person
Govt. Employees – ₹30 per person
Separate charges for photography and videography.
Whether it is a bunch of crazy friends, a loving family or a cute couple, Mumbai has no dearth of places to escape the daily grind of life.
You can explore the city at your own pace or hop onto the MTDC Mumbai Darshan tour bus, which takes you to prominent places to visit Mumbai in one day.
As Salman Rushdie had rightly said,
"You can take the boy out of Bombay. You can’t take Bombay out of the boy."
