Mumbai is a swarming and bustling city of India. The capital of Maharashtra it is a prominent city on the world map. Rich in history and culture, Mumbai is an administrative, financial and entertainment hub. From colonial era architecture to modern bridges and buildings, from beaches to promenades and from street food and shopping to the glamour of Bollywood, Mumbai has it all. So, if you are planning to visit the city, what are the best places to visit in Mumbai? What are the main places of interest that one shouldn’t miss out? Read on to know more.
Mumbai Attractions
Let’s start the Mumbai sightseeing tour with an electrifying water and amusement park. Wet’nJoy is located in the splendid hill station of Lonavala, which is only an hour and a half away from Mumbai. Cut off from the urban hustle, Wet’nJoy Lonavala offers thrilling adventure and family rides. Home to an amusement and water park, the combo entry ticket is the budget friendly way to explore both. With family, one can enjoy the calm water rides of Lazy River and Royal Castle. For explosive adventure splash rides, enjoy Cyclone, Sky Fall, Tornado, Nightmare and other rides.
The Wet’nJoy Amusement Park is no less fun and exciting. From Turbo Force, Giant Frisbee, Sky Screamer, Super Splash, Mega Disco to Rush Hour, Carnival and Galleon, all rides are exceptionally enjoyable and safe.
Wet’nJoy Lonavala is one of the best things to do in Mumbai as it accommodates visitors of all ages and has a wide range of different kinds of rides. Also, it is considered as one of the best places to go in India, for its excellent safety standards and customer friendly amenities. From wheelchair facilities, medical bay, shopping area, lockers, changing rooms, parking space and more, the entry tickets are reasonably priced and there are always special discounts and offers to grab. Wet,nJoy Lonavala should for sure be included in your Mumbai sightseeing tour!
Gateway of India is an iconic landmark of Mumbai. The arch gateway is one of the leading postcard Mumbai tourist attractions built on the city’s waterfront. It was constructed in 1924 to commemorate George V’s coronation and landing. The monument is a reminder of the colonial history of India. However, today, there are several activities undertaken at the Gateway of India, including boating and shopping. Being amongst the top 10 places to visit in India, tourists make sure to visit this monument and click pictures and selfies.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was initially known as Victoria Terminus of VT, until 2017 when its name was changed. It is one of the busiest train terminals of India and facilitates the travel and commute of thousands of passengers each day. With 18 platforms, this terminus caters to suburban and long distance trains and is a guaranteed visit in any Mumbai sightseeing tour. Designed by architect Fredrick William Steven, it is an example of the Italian Gothic architectural style.
There is no way that Juhu Beach, also known as Juhu Chowpatty Beach can not be a part of the list of place to visit in Mumbai. The sandy beach is a favourite of all city goers and tourists. A popular Mumbai attraction, it is the best place to relax, watch the foamy waves and gorge on the delightful street chaats. The food stalls along the beach boast of the delicious eateries, but there are also some fabulous restaurants nearby. With interesting tourist attractions near the beach, such as ISKCON temple and Prithvi Theatre, Juhu Beach is amazing to explore.
Marine Drive is the 3km banana shaped promenade along NSC or Netaji Subhash Road. Undoubtedly, one of the best place to visit in Mumbai, this landmark stretch of road is also called the Queen’s Necklace. At night, the street lights along the promenade light up to reveal what looks like a stunning necklace. At night it is gloriously lit up and during the early mornings the cool breeze from the Arabian Sea is a soothing antidote for all stress. On one side is the ocean and on the other are posh restaurants and fancy homes. Great for running, jogging, bird watching and exploring Mumbai style street foods, Marine Drive is a definite attraction to add to your tours in Mumbai.
Haji Ali Dargah is the dargah and mosque of spiritual leader Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Situated in southern Mumbai on the Worli coast it is a classic monument of Indo-Islamic architectural style. People of all faiths and ages can visit the mosque. A reflection and example of the true values of secularism in this country, it is hence one of the best places to go to in India.
The Shri Siddhivinayak Mandir is dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Built in 1801 it is a popular spiritual destination. The temple is lit up in different colors during the evening and is known for its magnificent and surreal architecture. It is one of the most revered place to visit in Mumbai and devotees flock to the temple in large numbers. Visiting this temple during Ganesh Chaturthi is a memorable experience.
The Elephanta Caves are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are located about 10 km east of the city of Mumbai on an island. A stunning collection of cave temples of Lord Shiva, the rock cut sculptures are the highlight of this Mumbai attraction. One of the best things to see in Mumbai for spiritual and archeology lovers, the Elephanta Caves date to the 5th – 9th centuries. Each cave holds wonders of carved and detailed sculptures that display the poses, events and tales from the life of Hindu and Buddhist religious beliefs.
The ISKCON Temple in Mumbai is also called Sri Sri Radha Rasabiharji Temple. It is situated in Juhu and is considered an important place of interest in Mumbai tourism. It is a beautiful Krishna Temple where different events and spiritual programs are held. For tourists who want to explore the religious and divine aspects of the city, ISKCON Temple is one of the place to visit in Mumbai for sure.
Bandra Worli Sea Link or Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link is a modern day architectural wonder. It is the 5th longest bridge of India and is a sight to behold. This 5.6km bridge connects Bandra in west Mumbai to Worli in south Mumbai. To take a drive along the bridge, spanning over vast waters and exploring the cityscape, is one of the top things to do in Mumbai.
One of the most popular museums in the city, CSMVS was known as the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India. Established during British rule the museum has about 50000 exhibits on display. Artefacts include from the Indus Valley Civilization, Gupta, Chalukyas, Mauryas and many other historical periods. The art, archelogy and natural history sections attract huge crowds. For history lovers, visiting CSMVS is a must out of all the other Mumbai tourist places.
For art connoisseurs the National Gallery of Modern Art is one of the most exciting and best place to visit in Mumbai. Located in Colaba, the gallery was opened in 1996 to the public. On display are artistic works of renowned painters, sculptors and art collections of popular artists across the world. Some of the prominent pieces of exhibit include Picasso’s paintings and Egyptian artefacts. Besides, several events and art related workshops and programs are also held here.
A fresh breath of greenery and ecological sustenance, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is a protected area that sprawls over 87 sq.km. One of the top things to do in Mumbai, this national park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. There are over 1000 plant species, 5000 insect species and 250 bird species found here. The Kanheri Caves are also located inside the park that hold intricate and astounding rock sculptures by Buddhist monks.
For natural, archaeological and religious significance, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the best places to go in India.
Mumbai is the heart of Indian cinema. The home of legendary movie makers and artists, it is no surprise that Film City makes it to our list of Mumbai attractions. Also known as Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, it is located in Goregaon. Film City has recording rooms and several locations, such as lakes, grounds, gardens, fountains, mountains etc. for shooting purposes. Many films have been shot here and entertained people for generations. In 2014 Maharashtra tourism began guided tours of Film City and since then it has been one of the top 10 places to visit in India.
Located in Gorai, Mumbai the Global Vipassana Pagoda is an abode for meditation. The meditation hall has the capacity of seating 8000 meditators, making it the largest meditation hall in the world. It is also ‘One of the seven wonders of Maharashtra’ for its intent and beautiful architecture. Inaugurated as recently as 2009, it has already become one of the leading destinations in any Mumbai sightseeing tour.
The best places to visit in Mumbai are a reflection of the culture, history and people of the city. These Mumbai attractions are also a great way to explore and feel the nuances and sentiments of Mumbaikars. A city that is renowned for its grit, resilience and dreams, visiting Mumbai should surely be on your bucket list.
Waterpark Time: 10:00 AM – 06:00 PM
Rides Operational Time: 11:00 AM – 05:30 PM
Amusement Park Time: 10:30 AM – 08:00 PM
Rides Operational Time: 11:00 AM – 06:30 PM