Questions? Feedback? powered by Olark live chat software

Mumbai

Fast Facts
  • State – Maharashtra
  • Famous as –
  • Language – Marathi, Hindi & English
  • Weather – Summer 20-36°C, winter 16-32°C
  • Best Time to Visit –
Home » Destinations »Mumbai

Overview

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.


How to Reach

By Train

The headquarters of both Western and Central Railways lie in Mumbai. This city is connected massively via railways. Railways are said to be the lifeline of Mumbai. Super-fast trains and passenger trains connects the city with all prominent towns of India like Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bangalore. The two railway stations in Mumbai are Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) previously known Victoria Terminus, and Bombay Central Station. Central railways serve eastern and southern parts, wherein western railways operate towards to the north from Church gate and central stations. Other local railway stations are Dadar, Church gate and Kurla. It's always advisable to make bookings in advance to escape last minute hassle.

By Air

Mumbai is reachable through several flights. Mumbai's international terminal is the Sahar International Airport, renamed as Chatrapati Sivaji International Airport. Located 30 km from centre of the city, Nariman Point and 4 km from the domestic terminal of Santa Cruz, this airport operates 24X7. Most of the international flights ply from here and connect it with various national and international destinations. Bothe the domestic and international terminals have amenities like exchange bureaus, duty free shops, restaurants, left luggage sheds and tourist offices. Hotel bookings, car rentals and pre-paid taxis are also available at the terminals. The terminals are 5 km apart and separated by the landside. They can be reached through the regular shuttle bus service operating between the two of them. One can also avail pick up services from airport by hotels you booked. The domestic airport is finely linked with most parts of Western and Southern India.

By Road

Mumbai is perfectly connected by a road network to the rest of India. The city's public bus system BEST is one of the most efficient bus systems. Interstate roadways buses and private operators run luxury coach buses as well as rickety buses. It has a vast fleet of black-and-yellow taxis too. The fine roads of this city connect you to all big and small towns and tourist centres in the state of Maharashtra- Pune (163 km), Aurangabad (392 km), Nashik (184 km), Mahabaleshwar (239 km) and to the towns and cities of the neighbouring states- Goa - Panaji (597 km), Gujarat - Ahmadabad (545 km) and Vadodara (432 km) and Andhra Pradesh.