Visiting Mumbai

Best places to visit in Mumbai

If you are planning a visit to Mumbai this year, then here’s a video you will like. The video (filmed on Nokia Lumia HD Camera) captures the spirit of Mumbai; the city that teaches us that without struggle there is no success. In a nutshell, Mumbai is the capital of the western state of Maharashtra. Previously known as Bombay, it is also the most populated city of India and supposed to be the fifth most populated city in the world. Mumbai is supposed to be the most prosperous city of India and is supposed to have one of the highest GDP in Asia. In addition, Mumbai is the financial, commercial and entertainment (Bollywood) capital of India. However, you will find big disparity between the huge skyscrapers and the home of the biggest slum of Asia.

Guide to Understanding Hinduism

Some of the best places to visit in Mumbai

Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

Shree Siddhivinayak Temple
Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this is one of the richest temples in Mumbai. It is said that those who come to this temple and asks for a wish – it is granted. No wonder the temple is popular amongst the politicians and Bollywood film stars of India.

Colaba market

try pani puri at colaba market mumbai
Try pani-puri at Colaba Market. Picture by Peter Parkorr

One of the top markets of Mumbai, this place is like a carnival. You’ll have the shopping experience of your life (Here’s a list of things you can buy). If you ever wanted to have your name written on a grain of sand, you can get it done here.

Marine Drive

Marine Drive Mumbai
Marine Drive of Mumbai

This is a 4.3 km boulevard located in South Mumbai. There is a beautiful promenade lined with palm trees as one of its highlights. At the northern end of the Marine Drive is famous Chowpatty Beach. The buildings on the seafront along the Marine Dive are decorated with art deco similar to what you find in Miami.

Chowpatty Beach

Stalls selling Indian street food on Chowpatty Beach
Stalls selling Indian street food on Chowpatty Beach

This is great place to have your evening walk and watch the sun go down. Chowpatty Beach is famous for its street food particularly the bhelpuri and pav bhaji. Although some will find it crowded and filthy but don’t let that distract you (one of the many things you will hate about India). If you love street food then this is the perfect place to try things like dahi-puri, kulfi, ice-gola, faluda, panipuri and ragda patties. A must place if you are in Mumbai.

Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Caves
Elephanta Caves

Located on Elephanta Island about 10 km from the east of Mumbai, it is a must visit if you are visiting Mumbai. There are two sections of Elephanta Caves – Hindu and Buddhist which date back 5th and 8th centuries. The Hindu caves have rock cuttings representing Lord Shiva while the other set of caves house Buddhist monuments.

Juhu Beach

Juhu Beach Mumbai
Juhu Beach, Mumbai

Located on the Arabian Sea, Juhu Beach is sprawling with activity in the evening. If you are lucky, you will meet many famous people taking their evening walks here. The flats surrounding the beach are considered the most expensive in the world. The beach is particularly famous for the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi where the idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in the water on the last day of the festival.

Gateway of India

Gateway of India, Mumbai
Gateway of India, Mumbai

This monument was built by the British when Queen Mary and King George visited India in 1911. (Mind you, this is different to the India Gate in Delhi). Opposite the monument, you will find the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj who found the Mughal Empire.

If you are considering visiting Mumbai, then there is no need to spend hours searching multiple sites for packages, quotes or travel plans. Just fill out this form and you will be given multiple itineraries and personalised suggestions from travel specialists. You can negotiate and choose the best items according to your travel needs.

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46 thoughts on “Visiting Mumbai”

  1. Mumbai is indeed a must visit to see the life in Urban India and some of the best street food in India is found in Mumbai like Vada Pao. You have give some good places to visit, shop and eat in Mumbai. The video is really good both content and quality wise and captures the life of Mumbai very well..

  2. Hi Shalu,

    Lovely post and it surely brought back good memories. 🙂

    I remember visiting ALL these places, not once, but many times because my Dad was posted there and we literally saw all of these and enjoyed them as well. I think the food is the one of the cheapest you will find in the country, and of a lot of variety. Great place to be in.

    Thanks for sharing. Happy weekend 🙂

    • Hi Harleena,

      Nice to know that you lived in Mumbai as a child. It is one hectic place,isn’t it. My dad a flat there so we used to visit Bombay as a child to collect the rent but eventually sold the flat and have visited only once for a family wedding. That’s about it really. I know what you mean about the place. I have fond memories where we used to visit the beaches for street food. Cheap and tastily, that’s how I remember it. Nice place and lots of nice places to eat and things to do. Feeling nostalgic already.
      Thanks for your comment, it reminded me of my own childhood.

  3. Your blog keeps inspiring me to travel to India. Mumbai has been always on my bucket list, so I’ll make sure not to miss it when making it to your beloved country next year. To me, it seems like a perfect travel destination as it has everything I could dream about – friendly locals, good food, this BEACH and a rich history!

  7. Hi

    Good narration of mumbai in pictures. I like mumbai city . I always want to go to mumbai but due my work assignments i am unable to go there. Thanks for these information.

    Ivaan

  8. Vow, great narration of main spots of Mumba. It re-ignited my desire to see at least once this great city that is also called a city of dreams.
    I listened several the word Chowpati but never knew its beach. I also love Pav Bhaji and usually cook at my home at weekend. But I heard the way Indians cook it is matchless. You did not mention here about famous tradition foods of Mumbai like Thaali and Raj Ma etc. If I am wrong please correct me.

  11. Wow Shalu!

    What a great video! I’ve never been there, but what interested me the most was the Rich and Poor factor. What extremes all in one place.

    This looks like one busy place. I can just imagine the street foods…they must be wonderful.

    Also thanks for showing those pictures..I love the one of the beach.

    The more I visit you, the more I want to take a trip!

    Thanks so much for sharing this,

    -Donna

  12. Nice and very informative post.

    I usually travel along my friends for a week or 10 days of vacation whenever possible. It helps us to take a break from our busy lives.

    We earlier visited some parts of north, and mostly south. Mumbai also was on our list but was not possible ever. But next trip would be definitely Mumbai. Have heard a lot about it.

    Your post is really awesome and very well written. It really gave us an idea on what places we should never miss when in Mumbai. Hope it would be great visiting the most popular city in India.Being a part of it for some time would be a good experience.

    Thank you for sharing such valuable information.

  16. Hi Shalu Sharma.
    First of all I want to say thanks to you for providing this fabulous information. I am from New Delhi, & my first dream is to visit Mumbai mostly Marine drive. And now you make me remember once again. But this information is very useful for me when i visit Mumbai.Thank you once again.

  18. The island has two groups of caves in the rock-cut architectural style. The caves are hewn from solid basalt rock. All caves were painted in the past, but only traces remain 🙂

  26. Hi Shalu Sharma. First of all I want to say thanks to you for providing this fabulous information. I am from New Delhi, & my first dream is to visit Mumbai mostly Marine drive. And now you make me remember once again. But this information is very useful for me when i visit Mumbai.Thank you once again.

  27. The true beauty fo Mumbai can only be through the eyes of a person who has experienced living there. Such an amazing article thanks for sharing it with us.

  29. The true beauty fo Mumbai can only be through the eyes of a person who has experienced living there. Such an amazing article thanks for sharing it with us.

    Regards
    Shivaji

  31. Hey Shalu,
    So I am going to be in India in January of 2017 doing the Rickshaw Run.
    Therefore, I will probably only be in Mumbai for 1 day as we continue to race from Cochin to Jalismar.
    So my question, if you only had 5 hours in Mumbai, would you just hit up Shree Siddhivinayak Temple or would there be one other thing that is an absolute MUST?

  33. Juhu Beach is one of the most famous and most visited beach in Mumbai. It has a great shoreline. I love roaming at Marine Drive. It calms me a lot. Thanks for mentioning the beauty of living in Mumbai.

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