Table of Contents
Mumbai is a city full of dreams, hope, magic and chaos. It was popularly known as Bombay. It is not only the powerhouse of Indian Business, industry and trade but is the capital of our country in the financial and entertainment sector. In this city, you will see people from all walks of life. It has the perfect balance of modernity and tradition. Mumbai is known to be the ‘New York City‘ of India. The vibe of the city is unlike any other. It is the city where nobody sleeps. Mumbai can be visited at any time of the year. It is the most happening city of India.
If you are planning to have a trip to Mumbai, keep scrolling this article because we are going to enlist the Top 10 places to visit in Mumbai. So let’s get started.
Gateway Of India
One of the most famous tourist spot of Mumbai, The Gateway of India is as popular as any other landmark of the world. The monument is 83 feet tall facing the Arabian Sea and is located right next to Taj Palace. The place is seldom visited at night. The breeze from the sea makes the surrounding a lot cooler. The place is filled with food and shopping vendors. This place was one among the many targeted during the infamous 26/11 terror attacks. Although now it has become a prime spot for various activities. Boat and ferry rides are a great form of attraction for tourists.
To reach the monument, any type of public transport is recommended as parking is not available. The main station near the monument is Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST). The place is open all day and all days for tourism.
To take the boats and ferries for a short ride minimum fare is Rs 70. From Gateway of India, several other places can be visited via boat that is Alibaug and Elephanta Caves. The first boat to Elephanta Caves leave at 9:00 am and there are boats available every 30 minutes. The last boat is at 2:30 pm to Elephanta Caves. From Elephanta Caves the first return boat to Gateway of India starts at 12:00 noon and last boat departs at 5:30 pm. Elephanta Caves is closed on Monday so there are no boats for the venue on Monday. There are no boat rides available from June to early September. During rainy seasons, there are no boat rides for the safety of the public.
Gateway of India is best recommended to visit during the evenings.
Bandra Worli Sea Link
Worli Sea Link also known as Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link is located in Bandra, that is the Western Suburbs of Mumbai. The bridge can be classified as suspension bridge, pre-stresses with concrete and steel via ducts on both sides. It is the bridge that connects the Western Suburbs to the main city till Nariman Point, it is a concept of Western Freeway. The bridge is a key link as it significantly reduces distances between suburbs including the airport.
To reach the place, private or public transport like taxi can be taken. It is open throughout the day and on all days of the week. There is a poll where Rs 100 has to be paid in order to cross the bridge. Beautiful lighting make evenings and nights the best time to visit or ride across the Sea Link.
Alibagh
Alibagh is located 110 kilometres away from Mumbai. It is a perfect gateway for weekends. The tropical vibes here refreshes anyone and everyone. There are individual villas and bungalows where people like to spend time with their close ones. The place is famous for its beaches and hence is the most commonly visited among the many.
Kolaba Fort which is only a kilometre away presents a fantastic view. Other beaches that are famous in Alibaug are Varsoli Beach, Nagaon Beach which is famous for water sports and Kihim Beach which is a photographer’s delights and Madwa Beach.
In Nagaon Beach there are water sports like Kayaking, Jet Skiing, Scuba Diving and a lot more. Kanakeshwar Devasthan Temple is on a 900ft high hill and one must climb 750 steps to reach the temple. The temple is an added attraction for all tourists. There is a Native Bio-diversity Garden which is a must-visit.
To reach Alibaug one can take a ferry or a boat from Gateway of India. The charges to travel is Rs 110 for adults and Rs 100 for children. Another way to reach there is via road but it’s less preferred as it is more time consuming than usual. After reaching there a car can be taken on rent or a taxi can be hired to visit all the tourists spot. The best time to visit the place is from November to July. The place is best suited for friends and family outings.
Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves locally called as Gharapuri is a hidden world of rock-cut caves robust in their carvings and boasting a legion of Shaivite sculptures. The studies trace all architectural styles and inscriptions back to the cave temples of King Krishnaraja from the Kalachuri dynasty. This UNESCO World Heritage Site straddles between the two hills, one on the west and one on the east. There are 7 caves in total that symbolise spiritual and mythology. Sculptures are considered to be veritable commentary on Hindu culture and society of the Mid-1st millennium CE.
The place is 10kms from Gateway of India. To reach Elephanta Caves one can take a ferry or a boat from Gateway of India. The charges for the Ferry is Rs 100 for adults and Rs 80 for children. The first ferry from Gateway of India is at 9:00 and from then it is available at every 30 minutes. The last Ferry is at 5:30 pm. The Visiting timing for the cave is from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Entry fee for the venue is Rs 40 for adults and children below the age of 15 years are free to go. In the month of February there is a two-day festival which is something that should not be missed. It is full of classical dance activities, musical recitals, theatre performances, and a performance by folks from local Koli fishing community. It is advised to avoid visiting the place during the rainy season and the best season to visit is from November to March. To avoid ruckus at the venue online ticketing is recommended. For all architectural buffs, this is the best place to visit and take a stroll around the cave.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
This park is the most visited national park in Asia, with all the fun activities in the park it is best suited for family. Big cats can be watched from the cage and the artificial lake provides a nice boating experience. Gandhi Thekdi, a monument built in remembrance of Mahatma Gandhi, is a trek point of the national park which can be reached by stairs or by road. An added attraction to the place is the toy car which is for children only. Numerous trails and a magnificent Jain temple between the forests is highly visited too.
The National Park is located in Borivali. To reach there, one can take a local train and get down at Borivali East or hire a cab. The park is open from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm and is closed on Mondays. The entry fee for adults is Rs. 53 and for children, the entry fee is Rs. 28. The visit to Kanheri Cave, Boat Ride, Safari and Toy Train are charged at actuals which can be checked at the venue. Since the park is full of fun and activities for both adults and children, it is a must-visit place.
Haji Ali Dargah
Take a trip with your family to one of the most religious shrines in Mumbai which is built in the middle of the sea. Haji Ali Dargah is built on the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. This place is made of white marbles and is built in an Indo-Islamic style of architecture. People feel thrilled as the waves of the Arabian Sea lap against the walkway. During high tides, the mosque seems to float in the water and the causeway gets submerged in the water.
The Sharif is draped in an elaborately woven rug which is mostly in red, green and folden colours and is known as the zari cloth. The hall is decked with multi-hued mirrors which are inscribed with 99 names of Allah. Verses from Quran are engraved on the ceilings and the walls of the Dargah. The place has three prayer halls which are on the East, West and the South sides. The East prayer hall is reserved for men and West prayer hall for the women.
To reach the place, a mode of public transport is recommended so that parking your own vehicle won’t be a problem. In the Dargah leather items are not allowed as it is Haram in the Muslim religion. Haji Ali Dargah is open on all days of the week from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm. The best time to visit the place is during the evening.
Siddhvinayak Temple
The most iconic Hindu temple of Mumbai is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The shrine is more than 220 years old and is the most visited temples in India. The popular belief of the temple is that if you wish for anything here with a true heart, it is known to be fulfilled. People from various places come to seek blessings of Lord Ganesha also known as Vighnaharta that is ‘the destroyer of obstacles’. Celebrities and Bollywood stars often visit the temple before the release of their movies. The Ganesha idol was sculpted out of a single black stone. Near the Siddhivinayak Ganapati there are figures of Riddhi and Siddhi that is goddess of prosperity. The doors of the temple are carved with the Ashtavinayka that is the eight manifestations of Ganesha.
The temple organises many cultural programs and social welfare programs. To reach the temple one can use any mode of transport like bus, car, train or taxi. The main landmark of the place is Prabhadevi. The temple is open from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm on all days of the week. People stand in big queues to worship the Lord. If you want any of your wishes to be fulfilled this is the right place to go.
Kidzania
The name Kidzania describes that is it for kids. The place is an indoor adventure park with all kinds of rides, activities and multi-dimension experiences. The entrance of the Kidzania is set up like an airport where you receive a boarding pass, Kidzania passport and a security device which will be tagged on your hand upon entering the premises. It is a huge city and it has many professions that kids can try from beautician, fire-fighter and fashion designer to a dentist. Each child is given 50 Kidzos as initial amount to do these activities which can be collected from the bank. Outside every activity, there are details about the roles that can be played and how much you can spend or earn. After spending or earning the Kidzos you will have some left which can be redeemed for real gifts from the Kidzania store which is located near the exit point.
To reach the place you can take a train, bus or a cab. It is located in R City Mall, Ghatkopar West. Kidzania is open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm on Tuesdays to Friday and from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Weekends and public holidays. Kidzania is closed on all Mondays. The entry fee for adults and children range from Rs 300 to Rs 1500. It is a very good place for learning and knowing the interest of your kids.
Marine Drive
Queens Necklace, the 3.6 Kms stretch of Marine Drive combined with lights along with the sound of water is worth experiencing. It is an ideal place to relax and spend some time with friends and family. The beautiful sunset and sunrise are some eye capturing moments. The waves can be noisy but a person could be at peace after spending some time here. Many shooting of films and TV serials take place at the Marina Drive. The is crowded by passer-by’s at night. People come from different places to take a stroll of this place.
Reaching this place is very simple as it is the most popular place of Mumbai. There are several 5 stars and 7 stars hotels which are located near Marina Drive. Any mode of transport can be used to reach the place. The place is open 24*7 and on all days of the week and there are no entry charges to the place. Kids and adults come here for walking, jogging, running and other fitness activities.
Mumbai Film City
Excited to know what’s behind the camera? Your visit to Mumbai is incomplete without a tour to the Mumbai Film City which is in Goregaon. The film city is the heart of Bollywood. It covers numerous gardens, lakes, equipment rooms sets, vanity vans, mountains, fountains, man-made structures, prison, temple and other location sets that are used for shooting. There are high chances of meeting celebrities and you might stand an opportunity of clicking a picture with them and getting an autograph. You can watch the shooting of the movie and visit recording sets. There are sets of some amazing places of the world like Goa and Thailand.
There are multiple transport that can be used to reach the location like bus, taxi, cab or a private car. Even local trains can be a medium to travel, Goregaon is the station one must get down and catch an auto from there to the film city. Tourism is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days of the week. The entry fee for the film city starts from Rs 599. If you are a big-time Bollywood buff this a place you should visit.
(Travel Xamp is now on Telegram. Join our Telegram by clicking here to get all the travel hacks, destinations, blogs and travel news for free!)
