Are you leaving for Mumbai? Nice, but what to do in Mumbai, capital of Maharashtra? Let's discover together a list of the essential things to do in Mumbai!
The most populous city in the world, Mumbai – formerly Bombay – is the capital of the Indian state of the world Maharashtra , in the center of the west coast of India. With its estimated population of 12,478,447 (2011), Mumbai is the most populous city in India and is in the heart of one of the largest urban areas in the world, bringing together 18.5 million people.
Cultural Capital of Indian Cinema – the Bollywood -, Mumbai is also the country’s commercial capital, and produces 5% of India’s GDP, contributes 25% of industrial production, 40% of maritime trade and up to 70% of total financial transactions in the Indian economy. As the living standards are higher than elsewhere in India, it is a popular city of Indian migrants and international tourists, which makes the city a permanent social, ethnic and cultural bubbling.
What to do in Mumbai? So much so, if you are agoraphobe, Mumbai is not for you. But visiting Mumbai offers many unmissable charms, including a list, sadly modest and non-exhaustive.
1. The Old Town: Colaba
Photo credit: Flickr – Eric Parker
Colaba is the oldest part of Mumbai: located on the peninsula to the extreme south of the city, it is one of the most frequented, especially because it houses the Gate of India, this great basaltic arch built between 1915 and 1924. Many Victorian colonial architecture buildings are located there. It is the district where the British settled in the 17th century, and a relative tranquility reigns in its alleys.
Uncontournable in Mumbai, the old town enjoys guided tours: accompanied by a local or time of a private day , you choose your means of exploration!
2. The Gate of India
Photo credit: Flickr – David Brossard
What to do in Mumbai if you pass next to this iconic monument of India? This famous arch in basalte is located on the seafront, at the southeast end of the city. It was built to commemorate the visit to Bombay of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. The architecture recalls the Gujarati style of the 16th century and is one of the most visited monuments and one of the most photographed in Mumbai.
3. The Taj Mahal Palace
Photo credit: Flickr – Franx’
Not far from there, don't miss another must-see to visit Mumbai: the Taj Mahal Palace , huge luxury hotel built in 1903. It is probably on all blogs dedicated to travel to Mumbai.
4. The Tower of the Horloge
Visit Mumbai without photographing the Tower of Horloge ( Rajabai Clock Tower ) would just be a shame : since the Oval Maidan Park , we see the monument, built to recall the Big Ben tower, between 1869 and 1878. A mix of neo-Gothic and gothic styles, the tower is 85 metres high: it would be almost in England if mercury did not display 30°C and more every day!
5. The Prince of Wales Museum of Western India
Photo credit: Flickr – Patrik M. Loeff
The main museum in Bombay is a must-see visit. You know what to do in Mumbai? Enjoy entering this museum, just to take the fresh air conditioning! The museum is called “ Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya ", and was founded in the early 20th century. There will be many paintings, sculptures and other historical objects, through 4 hours of visit to rediscover the history of the city.
6. Chor Bazaar
Photo credit: Flickr – Glenna Barlow
What to do in Bombay if you don’t mix with local, groubling and life-filled wildlife? The Bazaars of Mumbai are real labyrinths without organization of narrow alleys, located on Mutton St, the Bazaar de Chor is one of the most emblematic of Mumbai. It mixes with art, history and local crafts.
7. The Sassoon Docks Fish Market
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons – Appaiah
Located in the Colaba district, this vast market offers a pleasure of eyes and happiness to taste buds. By entering this fish market, there will be beautiful fresh fish scents, freshly released from the water at the shout: tunas, mackerels, gambas, lobsters, crabs, octopuses, sharks, salmon, and more, for cheap!
If you want to continue the culinary exploration, know that there are also some gastronomic visits from Mumbai through which you discover the city otherwise, between scents and flavors of typical dishes.
8. Banganga Tank
Photo credit: Flickr – Jeremy Higgs
Mumbai is a tripodizing, world-big, polluted, and dirty city: you can find peace by evading to Banganga Tank In Malabar Hill. Banganga Tank is a sacred basin built in the 14th century, where Hindus come to swim. On the heights of the city, also enjoy the Walkeshwar temple to find serenity.
9. Marine Drive
Coming to Bombay, you won't miss walking around Marine Drive , a 3.6-kilometre long boulevard along the coast, around a natural bay looking at the immensity of the Arabian Sea. The iconic Boulevard of Bombay, Marine Drive is one of India’s most famous, such as the Promenade des Anglais in Nice . Nicknamed the "Queen necklace", the boulevard is the favorite Indian walk, especially because of the sunset it offers to its passers-by.
10. Island of Elephanta
Photo credit: Flickr – Andrew Reilly
Visit the island of Elephanta is one of the immanquables of the trips to Mumbai: located 10 kilometers off the coast, the island is famous for hosting many troglodyte temples, sinking under ground. Rajbandar, Shentbandar and Morabandar are the three most important villages on the island: to enjoy a bit of calm and also to observe the beauty of the site, it is recommended to devote a day to visit Elephanta Island.
11. Elephanta Caves
Photo credit: Flickr – Ting Chen
On the same island, there are the homonymous caves, very visited as they are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The "City of Caves" is an archaeological set dedicated to the worship of Shiva, which would have been built in the 5th century. However, its remains revealed traces of human occupation dating back to the 2nd century before the Christian era. Do not hesitate to opt for a Tour Cave which will allow you to discover them in proper form.
12. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons- Savalkar46
This national park is a must-see activity if you want to find yourself in the middle of nature, away from the incessant tumult of the city. Located north of Mumbai territory, the Sanjay Gandhi Park stands at 86.96 km2, open to the public since 1983. It also houses a dignified archaeological site, the caves of Kanheri, dating from the 1st century before our era: they visit the time of a 5-hour excursion from Mumbai.
13. The beach of Chowpatty
Photo credit: Flickr – ASaber91
The beach in the middle of Mumbai, is it possible? And yes, taking the road to the south and downtown, north of Marine Drive, direction the beach of Chowpatty . Go to the twilight, when the sun goes down to the horizon: it’s the time when families come out to relax. Don’t swim even if it’s very tempting, because the water is too polluted to get out of it without disease, even if some premises do.
14. Bollywood Studio
Photo credit: Flickr – Steve Jurvetson
What if you're penetrating behind the scenes of Indian cinema? Bollywood Studio is part of the Pantheons of the 7th Indian art that it is possible to visit. A day’s time , the studio opens its doors to discover the underside of the cinema: from the decors to the lodges, to the films and series that marked this place, you will discover all the history, to the actors there! On Saturday and Sunday, Bollywood Studio adds to this trip the Mega Show, a superb theme show.
15. The Taj Mahal
Photo credit: Flickr – Daniel Mennerich
What to do in Mumbai when you want to dive into the country’s culture? Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the famous Taj Mahal is one of the must-see in your travel notebook. From Mumbai , towards the airport Delhi for one all inclusive visit of Taj Mahal .
Located in the city of Agra , the monument is only one of the 7th wonders of the world. Dignified with the most emblematic of Indian history, the Taj Mahal or the “Krone Palace” is a splendid mausoleum that will surprise you with its beauty. Inside and outside, its architecture and decors are loving in a white marble setting that your eyes are not ready to forget...
How do I go to Mumbai?
Main entry point in India, India Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport ensures many regular flights from French, Asian and American cities. With or without a stopover, count about 11 hours of flight. To find a cheap flight, head to our partner's website Ulysses !
By bus on site, you will find countless private and public bus companies to go to Mumbai or to leave. Departures from public buses are made from the Mumbai central bus station : appointment on Dr. Anadrao Nair Rd.
To go to South India, the starting point is likely to be Paltan Rd near the Crawford Market.
By train, two lines are frequently borrowed: Central Railways (East and South) and Western Railways (leaving north).
Where to stay in Mumbai?
Knowing where to stay in Mumbai can be dizzy considering the size, huge city. The best areas to sleep in Mumbai are Colaba and Fort if you want to see all tourist monuments and cultural sites. Staying in Malabar Hill to enjoy a relative calm is also an option if you are looking for a ground foot away from the city’s tumult.
On site, many hotels are available, including choosing a room at home or renting an entire independent accommodation. In terms of prices, prices remain affordable but are higher in downtown. To find a cheap hotel, go to this Compare hotels who will offer you the best offers of the moment.
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