A city quite unlike any other in the whole of India, Mumbai (previously named Bombay) is an island city, being located on Salsette Island, alongside the Arabian Sea. With an appealing coastline, many of Mumbai's top resorts and tourist attractions lie around its main beaches, which include both Juhu Beach and also Girgaum Chowpatty Beach, where evening funfairs provide plenty of atmospheres.
Mumbai is famous for many things, including its thriving Bollywood film industry, teeming bazaars, colonial-style buildings, Art Deco structures and a superb choice of restaurants, often being rated as the dining capital of India. The tourist district of Colaba is a great place to start exploring the city and multilingual guides can be arranged should you wish to find out more about Mumbai's history.
Many guided tours of Mumbai are available and led by enthusiastic locals, including the Transway International 'Bombay by Night' tour, which even includes drinks at the exclusive Royal Bombay Yacht Club. Cruises around Mumbai Harbour are also available and this is the perfect way to escape city life and offers great views of the striking Gateway of India landmark.
MUMBAI TOURIST INFORMATION AND TOURISM: TOP SIGHTS
There are tourist attractions for everyone in Mumbai, ranging from wind surfing to roller coasters. Particularly popular with visiting families are Mumbai's Essel World and Fantasy Land theme parks, the Veermata Jeejmata Udayan Zoo and Botanical Gardens, and the sharks at Taraporewala Aquarium. For a true taste of life in Mumbai, a visit to the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat is quite unforgettable, where you will find literally thousands of men and women washing garments outside in troughs. Many people choose to take a stroll along Marine Drive, where the coastal views are superb, and also visit the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, known as the 'Hanging Gardens' and full of botanical interest and located within the Malabar Hill area. For all things scientific and astronomical, a visit to the Nehru Centre and Nehru Planetarium is worth considering.
Mumbai Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing
A variety of tourist attractions await visitors to Mumbai, ranging from theme parks and theatres, to zoos and aquariums. Families staying in Mumbai will find plenty of suitable attractions for children, with both Essel World and Fantasy Land offering a fun day out for all ages.
A series of water parks reside within the Mumbai area and offer a great way to cool down on a hot, sunny day, while for tourists simply looking to explore the city's many architectural attractions, walking tours are available, starting from the Gateway of India and finishing at Church gate Train Station. Mumbai's top tourist attractions are described below.