Mumbai, the city of dreams, is a place that everyone wishes to visit at least once in their lifetime. Mumbai is the seventh most populous country in the world. It has several places you should see but here is a list of the top 15 places in Mumbai you must visit during your travel trip to Mumbai.
Top 15 Places In Mumbai You Must Visit Without Fail
1. Gateway Of India
The Gateway of India was built in the early twentieth century in the town of Mumbai. It was constructed to memorialize the arrival of King-Emperor George the fifth and Queen-Empress Mary, in December 1911 at Apollo Bunder. The foundation of the monument was laid in March 1913. The monument is the emblem of “conquest and colonization” marking British colonial legacy. The gateway is a preserved monument in Maharashtra, under the patronage of the Archaeological Survey of India.
People can visit the memorial at any time of the day. The finest time to drop-by the Gateway of India is from November to March, as the post-monsoon weather is very pleasant and there are very few chances of rainstorms at this time. The Gateway of India is an ideal destination to view the culture, tropical sea level, and history at one time. People from every country and race visit here. In easy words, if you are a true traveler and wanna tour the world’s most attractive and historic places, you should surely visit here.
2. Elephanta Caves
Situated adjacent to the concrete chaos of Mumbai, the Elephanta Caves are placed just off the shore of the Arabian Sea. One of the ancient rock-cut construction in the country, the Elephanta Caves are the ideal expression of archaic Indian artistry related to the cult of Lord Shiva. The sculptures are said to be from the 6th or the 8th century. Elephanta Island is a peaceful and charming island with greenery and naïve monkeys all around. One of the prime places to see on this island is the Elephanta Caves.
On the entrance of the caves, there is a gigantic hall backed by huge pillars and an enormous ‘Mahesamurti’ statue to greet the visitors. The cave compound is 60,000 sq. feet and is constructed out of a natural rock. The Elephanta Caves is an excellent place to get away from the hustling lives of the city. This outing to the caves will take you back to the period when faith, religion, art, and culture were the foundation for everyday living. The Elephanta Caves are a remarkable demonstration of creativity and it stands as one of the most famous tourist spots, furthermore, it is also UNESCO World Heritage Site.
3. Marine Drive
Marine Drive originally known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, is a 3.6 km lengthy road in the south of Mumbai which extends north along the shoreline, making up a natural bay. This C-shaped road attaches Nariman Point to Babulnath and is located at the bottom of Malabar Hill. A wide amount of people come here to stalk along the gorgeous walkway and to see the remarkable sunlight. The spectacular beauty of the finely lined palm trees gives its guests a fascinating experience.
Marine Drive, also famously known as ‘Queen’s necklace’ is recognized as the biggest viewing gallery in the world. Various events have been organized along its walkway over the past few years. It consists of Bombay Marathon, IAF Airshow, French Festival, International Fleet Review, etc. The vision of the shimmering Arabian Sea and the awesome cold breeze flowing through your hair along with a long cluster of restaurants providing delicious food will surely make any low day bright again. Since you know everything about our queens necklace, do not forget to go to this beautiful place.
4. Haji Ali Shrine
Haji Ali Dargah is a tomb and a mosque situated on the shore of Worli. This construction is located in the soul of the town and it is a crucial landmark. This idol of Islamic Indian architecture has a splendid beauty that engages tourists and pilgrims from all over the world. This masterpiece was constructed in the 15th century in the remembrance of Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari.
The tomb is placed on a huge marble yard and it is wrapped with religious red and green sheets. The hall comprises plenty of marble pillars with gentle mirror art made in kaleidoscopic Arabic design. It is said that the diagrams on the pillars spell 99 different names of Allah. After adoring the mosque, you can go around and visit the stalls. You will find several fast foods, street-food, and traditional food here. You will even find specialties of Islamic cuisine like Mughal biriyani, kebabs, and others.
5. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Earlier known by the name ‘Borivali National Park’, Sanjay Gandhi National Park was founded in the year 1996. The park consists of a huge protected area and widens over 104 square km. Positioned in northernmost suburban Mumbai, Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the most toured parks in the City of Mumbai.
Each visitor who comes here to appreciate the splendid picture of abundant greenery with a noteworthy set of birds, butterflies, and many kinds of animality consisting of the wild leopard. This well-acclaimed park is a natural territory for about 36 categories of mammals, 38 breeds of reptiles, 5,000 species of insects, and 1000 distinct flowering plants.
Another specific interest of the park is the habitation of Atlas Moth, the world’s largest moth. Karvi, an alluring variant of flora, is also raised here, which blooms only once in eight years. Authorities of the park have also organized tiger and lion safari, which fascinates about 2 million visitors every year. It is a mind-blowing experience to view wild animals in their surroundings. It is, without fail, a must-visit spot in Mumbai.
6. Prince Wales Museum
Also widely known by the name Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahanalaya, the museum was titled after Prince George V when he had toured India in 1905. The foundation was set down by the prince himself, but the inauguration ceremony was done in 1922 by Lady Lloyd. The museum is constructed in Indo-Saracenic style with blue and yellow stones and has very simple yet intricate designs.
As we enter the palace we can see a huge central hall from which leads staircases on both sides, taking us to the galleries on the next two floors. There are several art exhibits placed in here. These also comprise of Indian mixed art forms as well as magnificent art pieces. We can also view Nepalese and Tibetian art forms along with beautiful European paintings, garments, and armory displays. The art pieces from the Pahari School of Art and Deccan School of Art are also worth seeing.
7. Global Vipassana Pagoda
Global Vipassana is one of Seven Wonders of Maharashtra, created by the state government. This meditation center was opened in February 2009, by the ex-President of India Shrimati Pratibha Patil. The pinnacle is decorated with big crystals, and the spire is covered with pure gold, and the hall is also topped by a special Burmese ornamental umbrella. Other parts of the pagoda are gold painted.
The place is an emblem of peace, created in the memory of Lord Buddha and his principles, which is followed by various devotees. Do note there are no entry fees to view the Global Vipassana Pagoda. The tour guides at Global Vipassana Pagoda do not charge any money. Pagoda is an outstanding location to have a peaceful moment for yourself. You can have a look at a fantastic sea view and greenery. You won’t regret visiting here, but you will surely regret if you don’t see this beauty.
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8. Siddhivinayak Temple
One of the most elegant temples located in Mumbai, the Siddhivinayak temple is an outstanding combination of beauty and architecture. This ancient temple was built in 1801 and is devoted to the Hindu God, ‘Lord Ganesh’. The shrine was rebuilt for accommodating more number worshippers after seeing the opinions of various religious experts.
Each day, about 25,000 devotees visit the temple to offer their prayers and seek the blessings from Lord Ganesha. Tuesday is said to be a holy day for ‘puja’ and ‘darshan’ at this temple. An astonishing masterpiece with one of its kind designs, the Siddhivinayak Temple is one of the most visited places for tourists who visit Mumbai. The Siddhivinayak Temple is created flawlessly and without a doubt is one of the most elegant shrines in Mumbai. The idol of Lord Ganesh is made from a single black stone and is about 2.5 feet tall.
The Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai and is one of the most popular ancient temples devoted to Lord Ganesh. A huge number of people visit the temple to offer their prayers, especially during Tuesday. Anyone who visits this sacred place will surely adore its divine architecture and eye warming Lord Ganesh structure.
9. Basilica Of Our Lady Of The Mount
Mount Mary Church is a Roman Catholic Church, devoted to ‘Virgin Mary’, located in Mumbai. This age-old church, constructed in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761, is also titled as ‘The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount’. What makes this church even more attractive is that it is placed on top of a hill known by the name ‘Sunderban Bandra’, which oversees the massive Arabian Sea.
It is said that the church has magical healing powers and for this very reason, the church is flocked by a huge number of devotees every day. Some even say that those who pray with pure intensions at the Mount Mary Church often get their wishes fulfilled by the almighty. People who suffer from any kind of disease bring wax statues symbolizing their illnesses to the Mount Mary Church in the hope that they will be healed.
The design of Mount Mary Church is influenced by the British style of architecture. The church is very famous in Mumbai and is visited by many worshippers from all around the world. One can get a stunning vision of sunsets from this church.
10. Colaba Causeway Market
Mumbai is popular not just for the international fashion brands and labels, but it also home to a wide range of local markets, boutiques, and shopping malls that trade essentially everything that a parish Mumbaikar needs! The markets are situated in the suburbs and if you are great at bargaining, you can get stuff for even half the price. ‘Colaba Causeway’ is a large, local market placed in Colaba where you buy everything!
Originally termed as ‘Shor Bazaar’, which meaning ‘noisy market’, the whole stretch of road is an economic district and is a humming hive of activities, happening from dawn till dusk. Shopping at Colaba Causeway can be equal to visiting a buoyant carnival. With so many things to see and so much to shop, people usually get puzzled about where to start. Whether it be handicrafts, fabrics, clothes, accessories, footwear, books, electronic items, etc you name it, and Colaba Causeway has it!
Warmly known as the ‘Cultural Square’ of Mumbai, Colaba Causeway is packed with people from coming from different ethnic backgrounds, both residents as well as visitors. The crowd surely adds to the beauty of this historic location, several restaurants, and simple food stalls that can also be found here.
11. Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach in Mumbai is the most popular Indian beach. This beach is said to be the most-visited beach in India and is located in ‘Ville Parle’. It is approximately 18 km away from the city center and is a fancied location for film shootings. Juhu Beach surrounds a posh locality where majority celebrities stay and therefore, it is quite natural to find well-known celebrities jogging on the sands of this beautiful beach of Mumbai. People visit this beach because it has a peaceful tone and has marvelous scenic beauty.
Juhu Beach is also well acclaimed for its regional delicacies and street food. The food stalls in here offer mouth-watering cuisines and snack items. People in Mumbai visit this beach to relax and have a fun time after a long, tiring day. Viewing the sunset in this remarkable place, adjacent to the vast Arabian Sea, is a dreamy view for anyone who visits the beach.
The perfect time to visit Juhu Beach is from October to February. It is best if you avoid visiting the beach during the monsoon season as high tides are frequently observed during this time. This beautiful beach, amid the posh town of Bombay, is a beloved hot-spot for many people.
12. Film City
Situated in the east of the Goregaon region of Mumbai, Film City or also known as Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri, is titled after the great Dadasaheb Phalke. The film city is in a place where all kinds of resources are accessible to shoot a film. The film city is well furnished with gardens, lakes, theatres, recording rooms, and whatnot. The complete Film city was built by Maharashtra Government to promote the film industry of Mumbai, famously known by the name Bollywood.
The niceties of Film city is too excellent that one cannot differentiate between realness and fakeness. Even though the place is available for people but it is essential to take prior permission to enter it. The major feature of the Film City is authentic sets, which comprises artificial lakes, fountains, mountains, gardens houses, picnic spots, cities, villages, etc. The Film City also blusters of having all the modern state-of-the-art technology, which benefits in making movies with supreme quality. Film City is the soul of Bollywood. If you are too curious to know what happens behind the cameras, you should visit Film City without fail.
13. Kanheri Caves
One of the most breezy places in the city, the Kanheri Caves layout awards a well-deserved break from the pollution, noisy, metropolitan, and busy life. Located inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivali, the Kanheri Caves are said to be the ‘lungs of Mumbai’, because it is the only place in the city with the maximal bulk of greenery and additionally, a lot of fresh air.
When one tours the Kanheri Caves, there is a so much to see, in terms of what the caves have to grant and also around the caves. There are about 34 bare paintings of Buddha inside the Caves. The hilly province of the caves also forms several, small waterfalls that are gorgeous to see. Natural streams and rivers found around the Kanheri Caves award magnificent views and beautiful locations for visitors to enjoy a small picnic while touring the caves.
The Kanheri Caves are one of the most famous tourist spots in Mumbai. Besides the caves, you can also freely explore the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, but with permission from the local bodies. The caves offer viewers an ideal getaway and teleport visitors into a historical world that flourished a long time ago.
14. Worli Seaface
Worli is an integral part of South Bombay stretching from Haji Ali to Prabhadevi. The sea face is one of the prime places to encounter the soul-soothing Bombay monsoon, observing the dynamic sea tides rising on the road. The Worli Sea Link is the most favorite hangout location for the public.
Placed adjoining to the beautiful Arabian Sea, Worli Sea Face is an excellent alternative to the often crowded spot, Marine Drive. Since the 1970s, this locality has been one of the most operating offices stretches in Mumbai. The region includes the Palais Royale – which is one of the tallest towers in India. Besides being decorated by modern architecture, the sealink enables you to spend some time experiencing the sea breeze pass by you and view a scenic view of the city. Be it the never-ending crystalline water of the Arabian Sea or the charming beauty of historic erection like the Worli Fort and Haji Ali Dargah, you would cherish to capture it all.
The popular Bandra-Worli Sea Link is another interest that tempts every onlooker to click. Worli Sea Face is an ideal destination to visit with your kids. They can also play along the shore or visit any of the heritage sites like the Worli Fort and Haji Ali Dargah.
15. Nehru Science Centre
Nehru Science Centre prior known by the name, Science & Technology Museum in the late sixties. It later grew and became India’s biggest interactive science center in 1977. The center spreads up to 8 acres of area with various variants of plants, trees and shrubs the park has more than 50 hands-on and bilateral science display on energy, sound, kinematics, mechanics, and transport.
It is toured by over 600,000 people every year who encounters and adores the basic doctrines and marvels of science & technology. The Science Centre is accessible for viewers every single day also during Sundays and public holidays all round the year, excluding Holi & Diwali. The opening hours start at 10.00 am and end at 6.00 pm. The ticket counter opens at 10.00 am and shuts down at 5.30 pm.
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