Mumbai is the most populated metropolitan city in India. It is home to Bollywood, it is also the financial and commercial capital of India. History and culture go back at least two thousand years while being very current, modern, and progressive. With such a big city, it’s not an easy thing navigating where to go, what to see, where to eat, or where to go out. While it’s worth taking your time and seeing many places and areas, here is a list of 25 top places to visit in Mumbai. They’re not all the famous, most common places, but you’ll probably agree they are well worth the time to see.
1. Gateway of India: One of the most famous monuments in Mumbai, the Gateway of India is easily one of the top places to visit. The gateway was started in 1915 and completed in 1924. Though originally planned as a welcome for King George V, it became the place where officials and governors would land upon arrival in India. Today it is popular as a tourist destination and looks beautiful both during the day when you can admire the structure as well as during the evening as it’s lit up. From there, you can also visit or just see the Taj hotel, which is at a walking distance from the Gateway.
2. Elephanta Caves: From the Gateway, it’s possible to reach the Elephanta Island by ferry in order to see the caves. These ancient caves have been carved out of the basalt rock and are full of history in the form of carvings and statues. After its renovation in the 1970s, it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is visited by millions every year. The history and culture of the caves can’t be compared as each cave contains several stories and depictions of events. There are two groups of caves—five large Hindu, and two smaller Buddhist caves.
3. Colaba Causeway: If there’s one street that combines art with culture and the traditional Indian market, it would be the Colaba Causeway. It easily lives up to its reputation of being the “Culture Square” of Mumbai, by offering a variety of cultural experiences in one place. The huge causeway is home to museums, high-end retail stores, art galleries, small shops and stalls, a cinema, and a church among other attractions. Eating here can be done at road-side eateries or famous restaurants and cafes which line the street. The Cafe Mondegar is one of the oldest places to chill, with a real juke box and all. Number of things can be bought here, from books to clothes, jewelry to antiques, cosmetics to artifacts and much more.
4. Flora Fountain: The fountain, named after the Roman Goddess Flora was built in 1864 and stands in the middle of a beautiful park area which is worth seeing. There are a number of ways to travel to the fountain, though the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation offers open-air bus tours which is a good way to get a higher view of the fountain. Near to this heritage are other impressive heritage buildings such as the Gateway of India, Bombay High Court, the Central Telegraph Office, and many more. Also worth a visit in the evening as the fountain is stunningly lit up.
5. Churchgate: Churchgate refers to one of the gates that used to be in the walls around Mumbai. Today it’s a place to visit, both for the historical building, and for the newer train station there. The walls were torn down in the mid 1900’s, but the train station was not built until the 1930’s. The building has an interesting structure in that it is far more modern than the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, but offers a different look at Indian station architecture. Within walking distance of the Flora Fountain, the whole area around Churchgate is good for strolling around, taking pictures, and admiring the different types of architecture and buildings.
