Mumbai Tourism

Mumbai is more affectionately known as the city of dreams. The city is a collection of 7 islands and was named after the goddess Mumbadevi. The history of this metropolis is said to date back to the Stone Age. It has been a part of many major empires including the Maurya, Chalukya and Rashtrakuta as well as Marathas. Being a port city it flourished as a trade route and subsequently came under the Portuguese rule. In 1678 AD, it became the headquarters of the British East India Company and soon became a major international hub for trade, especially in cotton. It became the capital of the Bombay Presidency under the British rule and played an import role in the 'Quit India Movement' and 'The Royal Indian Navy Mutiny'.

Being an ancient city, sightseeing in Mumbai is an absolute delight. Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (Victoria Terminus), Elephanta Caves, Kanheri Caves, Haji Ali Darga, Siddivinayaka Temple, Juhu Beach, Marve Beach, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Film City, Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, Babulnath Temple and Mount Mary Church are some of the popular places to visit in Mumbai city. Mumbai is also famous for fashionable clothes and imitation jewellery.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the nearest airport which is about 21 km from Mumbai City and is well connected by flights with major international destinations like Dubai, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, USA, Europe and domestic destinations including Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Jaipur, Kochi, Trivandrum, Kolkata & Goa. Mumbai is the headquarters for Western & Central Railways sectors of Indian Railways. The Victoria Terminus and Bombay Central Station, the two main railway stations in Mumbai, are well connected by trains with all the major towns and cities in India, including Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore.

Gateway of India, Mumbai
Gateway of India, the best place to visit in Mumbai, was built in 1924 by George Willet to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. Visit this place in the early morning or late evening hours to enjoy the cool breeze of the sea with your family sans the crowd. Located next to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and facing the vast Arabian Sea, the Gateway of India leaves you spellbound in every way possible. Take a ferry ride offered here to experience a stupendous view of this monument right from the sea and you can also visit other main attractions nearby.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai
Sprawling over an area of 104 sq. km. of land, this is one of the most-visited national parks in Asia and because of this, I give it the 2nd spot among all the best places to visit in Mumbai. With all sorts of fun activities, this park can surely be a family entertainer. You can watch the big cats of the park close enough in a safari cage and have a fun day boating in the artificial lake in the park. Take the forest road or stairs and hike towards the Gandhi Tekdi, a memorial built in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. The toy train, Van Rani, is another popular attraction here, especially among kids. You can also visit the 2000-years-old Kanheri Caves to capture the Buddha relics. The undisturbed natural trails and the Jain Temple in the forest are also sure to make your visit a memorable one.

Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai
How about taking a trip with your family to one of the most popular religious shrines in Mumbai, built right in the middle of the Arabian Sea? Yes, we are talking about Haji Ali Dargah that houses the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. This grand edifice is made of white marbles and exemplifies the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. A walk through the causeway that connects the Dargah to the Lala Rajput Rai Marg is the main attraction of this place. Feel the spirituality of this place with your dear ones while enjoying a panoramic view of the deep blue waters! I give the places Fab rank no.4 among all the best places to visit in Mumbai.

Elephanta Caves, Mumbai
Take a tour to this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai and get wonderstruck by the massive rock-cut caves that date back to several centuries. It has five caves dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and two caves depicting Buddhist architectures. To reach this place, you need to take a one-hour ferry ride from the Gateway of India, during which you can also enjoy the scenic beauty of Mumbai. Those who lack the spirit of a trekker can hop on the toy train that will take you on a tour of the caves right from the entry point. The restaurant and canteen run by MTDC can take care of your hunger pangs. If you are planning a one-day tour to the Elephanta Caves, this blog will give you more details.

Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai
One of the most frequented temples in Mumbai, the Siddhivinayak Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. Devotees from across India including famous personalities from Bollywood and sports throng the temple to seek the blessings of Siddhivinayak Ganapati. The auspicious idol of Lord Ganesha is carved out in a single black stone with the trunk bent towards right making it one-of-its-kind. You can plan a visit to this temple with your family for an enriched spiritual experience.