The modern world and ancient history collide in Mumbai, a city that is large, loud, and whole of life. It’s a charming city, the fashion capital of India, and home to the Bollywood film industry. The city’s population is calculated at over 18 million individuals, and if you add the metropolitan region, over 20 million.
Mumbai holds a storied past that has witnessed a series of Indian realms, then Portuguese power, and thereafter British colonization before liberation in the 20th century.
From the multiple well-maintained antiques of the British Raj, including the renowned Gateway of India stone arc that was created in 1924, to the shining lights of Bollywood, Mumbai is an experience waiting for you to uncover.
Read More : Gangtok Travel Guide- Best Time to Visit and How To Reach Gangtok More Details
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Mumbai
1. History
There are multiple ways one can explore the city’s ample past. Elephanta Island, a Hindu temple, is created up of a series of caves with elegantly sculpted walls and is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO that traces back to around 450 AD.
2. Tropical Forests and Outdoor Escapes
You can encounter the equatorial forest in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which covers almost 65 square miles in the northern portion of the city. It houses hundreds of species of birds, and animals, including monkeys and crocodiles, in a dense forest setting.
You can also get away to the wilderness for a stroll along Girgaum Chowpatty Beach, a famous picnic spot with locals.
3. Spectacular Architecture
You will discover Gothic Revival in structures like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus made during the colonial period, and the 2nd most extensive number of Art Deco structures after Miami, with special characteristics like minarets and domes taken from Hindu and Islamic culture.
There are sleek stylish buildings like the Bombay Stock Exchange and features of multiple European styles, along with Indo-Saracenic architecture, an elaborately ornate style that uses elements of Gothic Revival, local Indian, and Islamic influences.
4. Shopping!
From the designer boutiques of Kala Goda to the “Thieves Market” or Chor Bazaar – among the largest flea markets in India, Mumbai is complete with excellent shopping options.
You will discover global designers and locally made jewelry and clothing, along with special gems like the antique markets of Mutton Street where Bollywood set designers search vintage pieces for their movies. Don’t forget to bargain for the most reasonable price.
5. The Food
This is a city that adores eating and where you will discover everything from the standard regional foods of India to European-style meals and modern creations like Indo-European fusion, Indian tacos (in a flatbread), and much more.
Things to do in Mumbai
Gateway of India: Your Trip Begins Here
An icon of British power in India, this 20th-century structure is regarded as the “Gateway to India”. It oozes British majesty and is a wonderful location to begin your excursion of the city.
Pictures of the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel are undeniable, and ferries are plentiful for journeys further afield. The most famous day tour carries you to Elephanta Island, where you can witness caves concealed in the terrain, and temples with a few of the most amazing carvings in the nation.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: Cultural Crossroads
Still functioning as the major train station in Mumbai, this famed railway station has been a gothic masterwork since its building in the late 19th century. Over 3 million people pass through the amazing area daily, and visitors join the groups to carry in the architecture as well.
Design details from other regional monuments are seen combined on this structure, a unique blend of Western and Eastern influence that replicates itself all over the country.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya: “CSMVS”
Yet another magnificent spot in Mumbai is home to the city’s most famous museum. The halls are served with a variety of diverse collections that surround the myriad history of the homeland through treasured artifacts.
Near this iconic museum are also the Knesset Eliyahoo Synagogue and the Wellington Fountain – two beautiful places emphasizing the blend of cultures that remain in this cosmopolitan city.
Mumbai High Court: Authority and Judgement
In the style of Mumbai’s most prominent architectural attractions, the Bombay High Court is yet another superb bizarre draw of the city. The impressive building greets tourists into its equally fierce interior, where you’re welcome to visit your soul’s content.
Visitors are even permitted to hear cases, delivering an exceptional understanding of India’s judiciary system. Close to the Court lies another amazing place in the Rajabai Clock Tower, an age-old antique modeled after London’s Big Ben.
What is the most suitable Best time to visit Mumbai
The finest time to explore Mumbai is between October and February when the weather is nice and perfect for sightseeing and exploring. The weather during this period varies from 10 to 35° Celcius.
Monsoon is also an excellent time to see Mumbai for taking a trek on the enclosing hills, because they seem their greenest, with impressive falls rushing down. Summer is not the right time to visit because it’s too sizzling and humid with weather between 26 to 39° Celcius.
How to Get to Mumbai
By Flights
International flights run from Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM), which is formerly known by its previous name, Sahar International Airport.
The terminal is roughly 12 km from the city center, the only direct way to reach the airport is by taxi. It costs you around ₹120, and fares are prepaid.
By Train
Mumbai is a hub for the Western Railway at Churchgate and the Central Railway at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. Long-distance trains may go through several stations, with links to other Indian parts through Indian Railways.
By Car
NH 3, NH 4, NH 8, NH 17, and NH 222 all link with Mumbai. Be mindful that you might have to pay a toll to access the city.
By Bus
Intercity buses operated by MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) connect Mumbai with other cities within the state, as well as neighboring states.
Where to stay in Mumbai
Colaba
This is where you will discover multiple of the city’s popular landmarks like Hotel Taj and the Gateway of India. Along Colaba Causeway, you will discover reasonably priced shopping and hotels.
Marine Drive
From Malabar Hill to Nariman Point, walking the path along the beach in the evening is a favored fun for residents and visitors alike.
At nighttime, the lights tracing the bay’s curve offer the region the name Queen’s Necklace. It’s also where you will discover Mumbai’s cache of Art Deco buildings.
Bandra
Among the multiple suburbs of the northern region of Mumbai, this is where you can spot the Bollywood celebrities who churn out over 1,000 films every year. There are also multiple stylish restaurants, bars, cafes, and nightclubs to visit.