Located in the western suburbs of Mumbai, Juhu Beach stretches for about 6 km along the Arabian Sea and attracts thousands of tourists and locals every day. The beach is lined with palm trees and is a popular spot for picnics, leisurely walks, and enjoying the sea breeze.
The beach is lined with numerous food stalls, restaurants and is home of most celebrated actors of Bollywood. It is also renowned for its stunning sunsets, drawing crowds of locals and tourists alike in the evenings.
Things to Do at Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach offers a variety of activities and experiences that can suit different tastes and preferences. Here are some of the things that you can do at Juhu Beach:
Enjoy Water Sports: If you are looking for some fun and adventure at the Juhu beach, try some water sports such as jet skiing, banana boat ride, parasailing, etc. You can also rent equipment such as life jackets, helmets at various points along the beach and are operated by trained professionals.
Watch a Mesmerizing Sunset: One of the most beautiful and romantic things that you can do at Juhu Beach is to watch the sunset over the horizon. The best time to watch the sunset at Juhu Beach is between 6 pm to 7 pm.
Relish Street Food: No visit to Juhu Beach is complete without tasting some of the delicious street food available at the beach Chowpatty (food court). You can find a variety of dishes such as pav bhaji (bread with spicy vegetable curry), pani puri (crispy balls filled with spicy water), kulfi (frozen dairy dessert), bhel puri (puffed rice with tangy sauce), vada pav (fried potato dumpling with bread) and more.
Visit Gandhi Gram: Know more about Mahatma Gandhi’s life and teachings by visiting the Gandhi Gram, a small area near the beach where Gandhi used to stay during his visits to Mumbai. You can see his statue and cottage where he used to spin the charkha (spinning wheel).
Shop at Nearby Markets: Head to some of the nearby markets that offer a range of products such as clothes, accessories, handicrafts, etc. Some of the popular markets near Juhu Beach are Linking Road, Hill Road, and Irla Market
Visit Nearby Temples: Visit some of the nearby temples that are dedicated to various gods and goddesses. Some of the famous temples near Juhu Beach are Mahalaxmi Temple, Siddhivinayak Temple, and ISKCON Temple.
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Experience Nightlife At Juhu Beach
Prithvi Cafe: Located near Juhu Beach, Prithvi Cafe is a popular hangout spot known for its artistic ambiance and delicious food. It often hosts live performances, making it a great place to enjoy some music along with your meal.
Gadda Da Vida: Situated at Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Gadda Da Vida is a stylish beachfront bar offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea. It is known for its innovative cocktails, lively atmosphere, and delicious snacks.
Estella: This beachside restaurant and bar offer a relaxed and upscale ambiance. Known for its Mediterranean cuisine and exotic cocktails, Estella is a great place to unwind and enjoy the sea breeze.
Mango Tree: This rooftop restaurant offers a panoramic view of Juhu Beach and serves delicious North Indian and Mughlai cuisine. It's a great place to enjoy a meal while soaking in the sights and sounds of the beach.
Ark Bar: Located at the Courtyard by Marriott Mumbai, Ark Bar is a trendy rooftop bar offering a range of cocktails, wines, and spirits. It's a popular spot for both locals and tourists looking to unwind after a long day.
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History of Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach's history spans several centuries, with its name derived from the Sanskrit word "Juvem," meaning "island."
In ancient times, Juhu was an island surrounded by the Arabian Sea on three sides and the Versova creek on the fourth side. It was inhabited by fishermen and farmers who cultivated salt and rice.
The island was connected to the mainland by a causeway built by Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy in 1846.
In the late 19th and early 20th century, Juhu became a popular destination for wealthy businessmen and industrialists who built their bungalows and villas along the beach. Prominent names include Jamnalal Bajaj, Walchand Hirachand, Homi Bhabha, and J.R.D. Tata.
Juhu also became a hub for the film industry and celebrity culture in Mumbai, with many actors, directors, producers, and writers making their homes in Juhu. Famous personalities include Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and many more.
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Places to Visit Near Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is not only a beach but also a gateway to many other attractions and landmarks that are located near it. Here are some of the places that you can visit near Juhu Beach:
Prithvi Theatre: Prithvi Theatre has a capacity of 200 seats and hosts more than 500 shows every year featuring both established and emerging artists from India and abroad. Located about 3 km from Juhu Beach, this theatre was founded in 1978 by Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal Kapoor in memory of their father Prithviraj Kapoor, a legendary actor and theatre personality.
Versova Beach: Located about 4 km from Juhu Beach, this beach is a part of the Versova village which is home to the Kolis, the original fishing community of Mumbai. The beach is known for its fishing activities, seafood stalls, and festivals such as Narali Purnima (coconut day) and Ganesh Chaturthi (elephant god’s birthday).
Bandra-Worli Sea Link: Bandra Worli Sea Link is one of the most iconic and impressive landmarks in Mumbai that connects the western suburbs of Bandra with the central business district of Worli. It is an engineering marvel that spans 5.6 km over the Arabian Sea and has eight lanes of traffic. It is located about 12 km from Juhu Beach and was inaugurated in 2009 and is officially known as Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link.
Siddhivinayak Temple: Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the most revered and visited temples in Mumbai that is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom and success. It is located about 14 km from Juhu Beach and is easily accessible by road or train. The temple was built in 1801 by Laxman Vithu and Deubai Patil, a childless couple who wished for a son from the god.
Mount Mary Church: Mount Mary Church is one of the most beautiful and visited churches in Mumbai that is dedicated to Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. It is located about 8 km from Juhu Beach and is easily accessible by road or bus. The church was built in 1640 by Jesuit priests on a hill overlooking the Arabian Sea. The church has a Gothic style architecture with stained glass windows, marble altars, wooden statues, etc.
Hotels Near Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach has a wide range of hotels near it that can cater to different budgets and preferences. Here are some of the hotels near Juhu Beach:
Budget Hotels: If you are looking for some affordable and comfortable hotels near Juhu Beach, you can choose from some of the budget hotels such as Hotel Bawa Continental, Hotel Sea Princess, Hotel Ramee Guestline, Heraa International, Hotel BR Golden Galaxy.
These hotels offer basic amenities such as air-conditioned rooms, free Wi-Fi, complimentary breakfast, etc. at reasonable prices ranging from Rs. 2000 to Rs. 4000 per night.
Mid-range Hotels: If you are looking for some moderate and convenient hotels near Juhu Beach, you can choose from some of the mid-range hotels such as Hotel Novotel, Hotel JW Marriott, Hotel Ramada Plaza.
These hotels offer standard amenities such as spacious rooms, swimming pool, gym, spa, restaurant, bar, etc. at moderate prices ranging from Rs. 8500 to Rs. 15000 per night.
Luxury Hotels: If you are looking for some lavish and exclusive hotels near Juhu Beach, you can choose from some of the luxury hotels such as Hotel Sun-n-Sand, Hotel The Taj Mahal Palace, Hotel The Oberoi.
These hotels offer premium amenities such as luxurious rooms, sea view, balcony, jacuzzi, sauna, lounge, etc. at premium prices ranging from Rs. 15000 to Rs. 50000 per night.
Best Time to Visit Juhu Beach
The best time to visit Juhu Beach is during the winter months, from November to February. During this time, the weather is pleasant with cool breezes, making it ideal for spending time on the beach. The monsoon season, from June to September, should be avoided as the beach can be crowded and the sea rough. Summer months, from March to May, can be hot and humid, but evenings can be enjoyable for a visit.
How to Reach Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is well connected by various modes of transport and routes from different parts of Mumbai. Here are some of the ways that you can reach Juhu Beach:
By Road:
Juhu Beach is easily accessible by road from any part of Mumbai. You can use your own vehicle or hire a cab, taxi, or auto rickshaw to reach Juhu Beach. The approximate distance and time from some of the major landmarks in Mumbai to Juhu Beach are as follows:
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport: 5 km, 15 minutes
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST): 22 km, 45 minutes
Bandra: 8 km, 20 minutes, Worli: 12 km, 25 minutes, Andheri: 4 km, 10 minutes
By Train:
You can use the local trains that run on the Western Line or the Harbour Line to reach Juhu Beach. The local trains are the cheapest and fastest mode of transport in Mumbai and have frequent services throughout the day.
Vile Parle: 3 km, 10 minutes , Santacruz: 4 km, 15 minutes, Andheri: 5 km, 20 minutes
By Metro:
You can use the metro trains that run on the Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar (VAG) Line or the Dahisar-DN Nagar-Mankhurd (DDM) Line to reach Juhu Beach. The nearest metro stations to Juhu Beach are as follows:
Versova: 3 km, 10 minutes, D.N. Nagar: 4 km, 15 minutes, Azad Nagar: 5 km, 20 minutes