Mumbai is a city with a blend of different communities and religions. It is not only a city of dreams for millions but also bestowed with various scenic spots, temples, beaches, historical places, and many more which are also known to be some of the If you are living in Mumbai or plan to visit this magnificent metropolis, there are several places you would love to see. Of course, lots of these famous place’s feature on tour guides and maps. You also have tourist buses that will take you to these attractions during the day.
List Of Best Places to Visit in Mumbai
Marine Drive:
The spot which ranks 1st on our list of best places to visit in Mumbai is none other than Marine Drive. It is a 3.6km long curved boulevard that runs between Nariman Point business district and Malabar Hill. This beautiful Cornish is also called Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Marg.
Marine Drive is a highly prestigious office and residential location in Mumbai. You have several important offices and hotels located along its 3.6km stretch.
Additionally, very expensive residential dwellings including apartments and bungalows dot both sides of the road leading to Malabar Hill. Evenings are the best time to visit Marine Drive: the entire road is illuminated.
Marine Drive is also called The Queen’s Necklace as the ordinary street lamps lend the curved Marine Drive, an appearance of a necklace studded with precious stones and adorning a woman’s neck.
The Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is a monumental arch built in the 20th century to mark the arrival of King George V and Queen Mary of England at the Apollo Bunder in Mumbai. It is considered the foremost tourist attraction in Mumbai.
A visit to The Gateway of India is a must for every tourist. You can also see India’s famous Taj Mahal Palace hotel which was attacked on 26/11 by Pakistani terrorists. Also near The Gateway of India, you will see warships of the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command berthed in the nearby naval harbor. There are excellent restaurants around The Gateway of India where you can feast on local food.
The prestigious hotel Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was the first five star Hotel in India. property to be owned by an Indian and where entry to British colonials was banned.
Bandra West (Mt. Mary Church & Bandstand)
Another popular place to visit in Mumbai is Bandra West. Generally, every tour operator in Mumbai will take you on a drive to this suburb. Bandra West has several attractions: Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount (also called Mt. Mary Church), Bandstand- the picturesque seafront, and residences of Bollywood stars and eminent sportsmen.
Just outside Bandra West railway station are myriad restaurants that offer excellent non-vegetarian food, various ice creams, and Indian desserts. Bandra is also an excellent place to shop for stuff to take home. The Linking Road area has street-side shops that sell readymade garments at very economical rates. You can find several shops that sell sweets and savories typical to Mumbai.
Other places to visit in Bandra are Bandstand, Bandra Fort as well as India’s Longest bridge, the Bandra-Worli Sea link Bandra West is called the Queen of Suburbs of Mumbai which includes a historical Bandra fort. This fort was built by the Portuguese and later destroyed by the British to prevent Marathas rulers to capture it.
Juhu
Another major tourist spot in Mumbai is Juhu Beach. It is also one of the most popular beaches in Mumbai for family and friends amongst locals. Juhu is a residential area of Mumbai, located between Andheri West and Vile Parle West suburbs.
Here you will find several residences of top movie stars including Amitabh Bachchan and others. There are also several selfie points in Juhu where you can take pictures. One of the significant landmarks of Juhu is the eponymous beach, which is very popular among teenagers and young couples.
The other is Juhu is also very popular for its beachside eateries. You can taste typical Mumbai Bhel Puri and Gola at beachside stalls. A little away, you can relish Mumbai samosa and hot tea. In the evening, street-side vendors prepare and sell hot Jalebi- a favorite sweet.
International Society runs the grand Lord Krishna Temple for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)- which is an international monument that now is visited by hordes of Indians during Janmashtami the renowned festival of India. It is one of the 400 Iskcon temples in the world.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
This is the best place to visit in Mumbai especially meant for adventure lovers. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a wildlife sanctuary right amid this megacity. It is home to lots of rare endangered species of wildlife the most prominent being leopards and panthers.
You may get lucky and spot the fast-moving Indian Viper, Brown Spotted Cobra, and various other species of highly venomous snakes that abound in the national park. This national park of India is also home to scores of trees that are rare to find elsewhere in the world. Some of these are trees whose barks, roots, leaves, and sap have medicinal properties.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park also spans outside Mumbai, into the Sahyadri range of mountains and tropical rainforest. Another critical feature of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the Kanheri Caves. These caves were said to be carved by ancient Hindu travelers and Buddhist monks. You can find ancient carvings in these caves. Rare species of bats also dwell in these caves.
The park also has its toy train called Van Rani meaning jungle queen similar to the one which exists in Matheran, the famous Hill Station of India. Over 25 years old, it got discontinued in the year 2001 due to its lack of maintenance.
Hanging Garden of Mumbai
Hanging Garden is a famous place to visit in South Mumbai with friends. Located in the Malabar Hill district of South Mumbai, the Hanging Gardens overlook the Arabian Sea. The garden is also called Perozeshah Mehta Gardens and can be easily accessed by bus from Churchgate, Marine Lines, and Charni Road.
Most guided tours of Mumbai which are operated by various Indian travel services include Hanging Gardens as an attraction. Nearby, you can also view Raj Bhavan, an official residence of the Governor of Maharashtra. Several official residential quarters are also located nearby.
Close to Hanging Garden, there is two other popular tourist attraction in Mumbai, i.e. Boot House/Old Woman’s Shoe and Kamla Nehru Park. Hanging Gardens of Mumbai were laid in 1881 to protect a reservoir- the main water supply of South Mumbai.
This reservoir was threatened by vultures predating on the mortal remains of members of the Zoroastrian community left at a nearby Tower of Silence. In fact, the garden sits atop the reservoir.
Dargah of Haji Ali
The Dargah of Haji Ali is one of the most famous Islamic shrines in Mumbai. It is located on an islet located off the Mahalakshmi and Mumbai Central railway stations and the Tardeo area. People of all faiths visit this Dargah.
A small road connects Haji Ali Dargah with mainland Mumbai. This is the only access route to the shrine. Till about a year ago, entry to the sanctum sanctorum was restricted to males only. However, women are now allowed following a landmark decision by a top Indian court.
According to legend, all desires expressed at the sanctum sanctorum of this shrine are fulfilled through divine intervention.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum)
Located in the Colaba area of South Mumbai and a little away from The Gateway of India is this oldest museum. Formerly called the Prince of Wales Museum, the building houses over 50,000 exhibits from various parts of India and foreign countries.
CSMV Museum is an excellent tourist place in Mumbai especially if you are into history, art, and literature. Generally, a brief visit to this museum is included in the itineraries of tour operators.
However, most of them do not allow visitors to tour the interiors and view exhibits due to time constraints. Visit the museum if you want to get glimpses of some unusual and mysterious objects of the world. The museum is very exhaustive and also features a library.
The building of this Museum is classified as a Grade I Heritage Building of Mumbai & was awarded 1st prize by the Bombay Chapter of the Indian Heritage Society for heritage building maintenance in the year 1990.
Veermata Jijabai Udyan (Byculla Zoo)
Located near the JJ Hospital in Mumbai’s zoo, the Veermata Jijabai Udyan. It houses wild animals from India as well as some foreign species. Veermata Jijabai Udyan is not very spectacular like those in certain other Indian cities, due to the lack of adequate land.
Other than wild animals, Mumbai Zoo is also home to dozens of rare plants and trees both indigenous and foreign. A Veermata Jijabai Udyan strives to bring a microcosm of India’s vast tropical rainforests to visitors. Generally, all tour operators will halt at Veermata Jijabai Udyan as part of their itinerary. Though the zoo is relatively simple, it is worth a visit if you wish to round off your trip to Mumbai.
This remarkable Zoo is getting rapidly developed as the day passes and recently added 8 Penguins from Seoul in the year 2016 to its family. These Penguins are the 1st ones to survive in India, which definitely adds more value to this tourist attraction in Mumbai.
If you are planning to visit this zoo, the entry fees are just 50/- for adults and 25/- for kids. India’s 1st Humboldt Penguin was born on the night of Independence Day in the year 2018 at Byculla Zoo.
Global Vipassana Pagoda
The Global Vipassana Pagoda is an Indian historical monument that attracts foreign and domestic tourists. It is located near the Essel world amusement park on Gorai Beach. This pagoda is well known for its dome and golden shape.
You cannot enter the Global Vipassana Pagoda without prior permission because of the meditation programs that are held there daily. However, a small area of the pagoda is open to the public where you can meditate and pray for mental peace.
If you are visiting the Global Vipassana Pagoda- also called Golden Pagoda – pay a visit to Esselworld and Water Kingdom theme parks nearby. The shape of the pagoda is a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. Also, its center contains the world’s most massive stone dome built without any supporting pillars.
Devi Temple
Located a little away from Zaveri Bazaar or the gold market of Mumbai and the Pydonie area, Mumba Devi temple is one of the best places to visit in Mumbai for every visitor to this city. The city Mumbai derives its name from this Goddess Mumba. Indigenous people of ancient Mumbai called this deity as Mumba Aai (Mother Mumba).
The name was anglicized to Bombay by British colonials and later reverted to Mumbai in the late 1990s. A short bus ride from Marine Lines railway station or Chhatrapati Shivaji (Rail) Terminus will bring you to Mumba Devi temple.
According to legend, migrants to Mumbai offer special prayers at Mumba Devi temple and invoke the blessings of the goddess before seeking jobs or entering the business. Mumba Devi temple is the most important religious shrine in the city. You will find scores of armed police officers defending the temple since Pakistan-sponsored terrorists had planned to attack it.
Just outside the temple, you can relish an excellent snack called ‘Khichiya’- a crispy bread made with gram flour and garnished with onion, tomato, various chutneys, and savories. The deity’s image is said to be at least 800 years old while the temple was built sometime in the 1600s. It survived the Portuguese and British conquests of the city.
Bhau Cha Dhakka
The 12th place rank on our list of best places to visit in Mumbai is Bhau cha Dhakka. Bhau Cha Dhakka or Ferry Wharf is located on the eastern seaboard of Mumbai. You can reach Bhau Cha Dhakka by bus or taxi from Dockyard Road railway station on Mumbai’s suburban Central Railway (Harbor Line).
Bhau Cha Dhakka is famous for its fish market: local fishers bring fresh catch every morning and evening for sale to the public. Additionally, you can also get ferry boats to Rewas, Mandwa, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) from Bhau Cha Dhakka. Residents of Alibaug and Uran widely utilize the ferry services to Rewas and Mora.
This tourist place in Mumbai is the oldest pier located in Mumbai, built by an indigenous resident of Mumbai, Lakhsman Hari Chandrajee, who was also famous as ‘Bhau’ or brother in the mid-1700s.
Mandapeshwar Caves
Mandpeshwar Caves are located in Borivali in suburban Mumbai. Their location, called Mount Poisar, is suspected to be an Anglicized version of Mandapeshwar. These caves are located in hills and mean “Abode of Gods.” You can easily access Mandapeshwar caves from Borivali railway station by bus or taxi.
Mandapeshwar Caves is an excellent tourist attraction in Mumbai if you are looking for a bit of ancient history. The caves house an ancient shrine dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva in the mid-1840s. Portuguese inquisitions built an ancient church, Our, Lady of Immaculate Conception at the venue. It is also in a state of shambles now.
There are no exact records, but carbon dating and other studies prove, Mandapeshwar Caves were carved sometime between 1BC and 500AD.
Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple
One of the most popular visiting places in Mumbai amongst tourists from all around the globe is Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple. Located on the busy Dr. Annie Besant Road in Worli, the Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple is a relatively unknown monument of global importance.
Buddhists of the Nipponzan Myohoji order believe this temple will play a key role in world peace because Buddha attained enlightenment in India. Nipponzan Myohoji Daisanga is an order of Buddhist monks from Japan. These monks aim at spreading peace and harmony across the world, following the teachings of Lord Gautama Buddha.
Hence, Nipponzan Myohoji Daisanga has a small pagoda in Shizuoka, Japan, and another in the US. Visitors to Nipponzan Myohoji temple in Worli, Mumbai are welcomed by Japanese monks. You can engage in short meditation at this shrine. Inside the shrine, you will experience deep serenity. You can also get some insights into Buddha’s teachings of peace from monks at this temple, which was built in the mid-1950s.
There are only two Nipponzan Myohoji temples worldwide- of which one is located in Mumbai, opposite the Poddar Hospital. The other is in the UK.
Church of St. John the Evangelist (Afghan Church)
Afghan Church is neither the oldest in Mumbai nor is very picturesque. It was built in memory of British soldiers and civilians that died during their unsuccessful campaign in Afghanistan. This church is located in Navy Nagar, a military area in Colaba, which is also a well-known place to visit in South Mumbai.
Afghan Church began as a thatched structure where Anglican Christians from England would offer prayers. However, in the mid-1840s, officials of the British East India Company averred that a spire or cross on top of this structure could help ships from England find bearings to Bombay Harbor. Over the years, this church was developed into a proper structure.
The church, as it stands today, was designed by various British architects and designers. The structure has beautiful glass paintings and architecture. On November 10, 2013, British royals attended a service at the church. It commemorates one of the bloodiest events in the history of the Indian subcontinent- the First Anglo-Afghan War that raged from 1839 to 1842.
Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari (Film City)
Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari or Film City is a state-of-the-art facility that was opened in the Goregaon (East) suburb of Mumbai in 1977. Bollywood is the largest maker of movies in the world. And the Film City plays a crucial role in the making of Bollywood movies.
As one can imagine, Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari is a bustling place. Movies are shot here daily. You can book day-long sightseeing in Mumbai to the Film City. You might get fortunate to spot or even chat with your favorite hero or heroine. The visit also provides you with insights into how Bollywood movies and made and the efforts exerted by everyone- from directors to actors and other crew.
Film City has around 44 exclusive outdoor locations, indoor studios for various scenes, make-up rooms, recording studios, and every other facility required for making movies which are spread over an area of 100,000 sq. Meters.
Dhobi Talao
The last one to showcase on our list of best tourist places to visit in Mumbai is Dhobi Talao. Dhobi Talao is not a very spectacular area. It is one of the oldest residential and commercial areas of south Mumbai. Other than the Metro cinema, there is nothing that would attract an ordinary visitor.
However, for food lovers, Dhobi Talao has something extraordinary. Two of the oldest restaurants in Mumbai- Kayani & Co and Café Sassanian Boulangerie are located in Dhobi Talao. While Kayani & Co opened as an Indian bakery and restaurant in 1904, Sassanian was established in 1913. Both are owned and operated by Zoroastrian families.
The two restaurants are also famous as the oldest ‘Irani’ cafes in Mumbai. The two places are not economical at any rate. But the prices are more than justified since Kayani & Co and Café Sassanian use only the finest and purest ingredients in their preparations.
Kayani & Co and Café Sassanian Boulangerie which are located in Dhobi Talao have interior décor and furniture dating back over 100 years. These famous restaurants in Mumbai are known for their most exclusive Parsi (Irani) dishes and sweets. While we encourage you to visit the topmost attractions of Mumbai, you can get a great experience of this city by visiting these off-beat tourists