Posted 30 July 2024 in Travel wanderlust

Top reasons why Mumbai should be on your travel itinerary

Nestled on the coast of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra. Formerly known as Bombay, it is the second-most-populous city in India and home to at least three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Since it is the abode of Marathi and Hindi-language cinema, many refer to the city as the entertainment capital of the country. It is a cosmopolitan city with a modern culture that enjoys inclusivity to a great extent. The culture of Mumbai is a blend of entertainment, traditions, nightlife, festivals, and food.

The establishment of the city started with a cluster of seven islands. The islands have seen many rulers in the past, including Portuguese and Britishers. Mumbai has many beaches that offer stunning views and destinations to unwind the mind. Additionally, Mumbai has always been a centre for art, and one can witness that in the architecture, galleries and museums spread across the city. The city also houses several billionaires and serves as a corporate headquarters for many Indian and multinational corporations. It helped the city earn the title of being the financial and commercial capital of India.

Places to visit in Mumbai

Elephanta Caves: Among the three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Elephanta Caves is an architectural marvel created by carving the massive rocks in caves. Around five caves are dedicated to Lord Shiva and two caves depict Buddhist architecture. To reach the cave, tourists can take a ferry ride from the Gateway of India.

Read - Fifteen UNESCO World Heritage sites in India you should visit at least once

Nehru Centre: The centre was built to commemorate the memory of the first Prime Minister of India, Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru. It propagates his ideologies and teachings through cultural and educational programmes. It is a place where you can take your children. It boasts of an art gallery, library, and other small centres that impart general knowledge to children and adults.
Bandra-Worli Sea Link: To witness the incredibility of modern architecture, there is no better place than a ride through the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. It has viaducts constructed from pre-stressed concrete and steel on both sides. It can support traffic across eight lanes and 5.6 km in length.
Taraporewala Aquarium: Another place in Mumbai that people can visit with kids is the Taraporewala Aquarium. It displays freshwater and saline water aquatic life. It has an oceanarium that offers the experience of walking underwater while marine life floats around you. You can indulge in the fish spa as well.
EsselWorld: Boasting thrilling rides, EsselWorld is a place to enjoy with family, friends and children. One of the top attractions is the ride that takes you high in the air and then comes down only to splash into a pool of cold water.
Gateway of India: George Willet built the Gateway of India in 1924 to honour the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the city. Locals often visit the place in the early morning or evening to experience the cool breeze and witness a stunning view of the monument against the sea.
Siddhivinayak Temple: It is one of the most famous temples in India and amongst the most-visited religious places in Mumbai. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, a large footfall of devotees come every day to seek blessings and offer prayers.
Colaba Causeway: If you find shopping therapeutic, Colaba Causeway is a paradise for you. From inexpensive clothes to goodies, the small and large shops are perfect for any shopaholic. You can buy clothes, home décor items, accessories, jewellery, designer items, and more. It also features several restaurants and eateries for food lovers.
Kidzania: This is an indoor amusement park that travellers can explore with children. It has a lively environment and a lounge area for parents. Children can spend an entire day playing games and doing various activities.
Haji Ali Dargah: Built in the middle of the Arabian Sea, Haji Ali Dargah features the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. The spiritual place has marble construction depicting Indo-Islamic architecture style. Many devotees come here from across the country to offer prayers.
Madh Island: If you want to escape the bustling city and visit a quiet spot, Madh Island is the best place to visit. Adorned by stunning beaches, it also features a Portuguese Port. Ferry rides from Versova are available to reach Madh Island without any hassle.
Snow World: Since Mumbai has a moderate climate, the Snow World allows the locals and tourists to experience temperatures as low as -10°C. You can experience natural snowfall, play snowball war with friends, slide through the ice slope, take a ride through a rubber tube, and enjoy ice skating or snowboarding.

Other places to visit in Mumbai include Marine Drive, Hanging Gardens, Mumbai Film City, ISKCON Temple, Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo, Shivaji Park, Shri Mahalakshmi Temple, Juhu Beach, Girgaum Chowpatty, Mahakali Caves, Powai Lake, Red Carpet Wax Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Jehangir Art Gallery, and more.

Things to do in Mumbai

Enjoy the serene view at the beaches of Mumbai – Mumbai boasts many beaches like Juhu Beach, Versova Beach, Gorai Beach, Kalamb Beach, Aksa Beach, Madh Island, Marve Beach, and Girgaum Chowpatty. You can visit them with family, friends, loved ones, and children to enjoy a picnic, spend some alone time, click pictures, or adore nature.
Learn about the art of filmmaking – Visiting the Film City is one of the most exciting places in Mumbai. Sprawling over 520 acres, it hosts sets for Bollywood movies. You can visit a few sets, check out the locations, and witness the magic of filmmaking.
Explore wildlife in Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan – It is one of the best places in Mumbai for wildlife enthusiasts. It is an abode for birds and other animals that adults and children can witness closely.
Go Kayaking – Among adventurous activities, Kayaking is one of the most preferred activities by travellers and natives. It is an activity that de-stresses and offers a striking view, while you paddle through the water bodies of Mumbai.
Fly over Mumbai – In Mumbai, you can go for an exhilarating helicopter ride to take a tour around the landmarks. You get a bird’s-eye view of tall buildings, bustling roads, stunning beaches, and hills.
Experience Sailing– From Gateway of India, you can book a sailboat ride around Mumbai. Yachts and sailboats take you to many tourist destinations and provide a serene view of the blue sky and water. You can also organise parties and events on yachts.

Other activities that you can indulge in Mumbai include a candlelight dinner, club-hopping, camping, river rafting, trekking, scuba diving, and paramotoring.

Read - Nine things you should definitely do on your next trip to Mumbai

Delicious food of Mumbai

Mumbai is a hub for food lovers. With its cosmopolitan and cross-cultural environment, tourists can relish their taste buds with ample choices available on the streets and in restaurants. A few must-try dishes include chicken or vegetable shashlik, dark chocolate macarons, ragda pattice, ginger cookies, butter chicken sushi rolls, flaming pizza, vada pav, pav bhaji, butter chicken rolls, pani puri, samosa, vegetable cheese pizza, misal pav, pork spare rib, prawns, fish fry, and kosha mangsho.

Famous food joints to try the aforementioned delicacies include:

Gulshan-e-Iran in Crawford Market
Guru Kripa in Sion
Jai Jawan
Bachelorr’s at Charni Road
Babu Chinese in Worli
Dynasty
Shree Thaker Bhojanalay
Amar Juice Centre in Vile Parle
Soul Fry
Kobe Sizzlers
Yazdani Bakery & Restaurant
American Express Bakery
Pizza by the Bay
Ladu Samrat
The Calcutta Club

Shopping in Mumbai

Tourists from around the country go to Mumbai to shop for budget shopping, designer clothes, and accessories. Here is a list of markets to visit while you are in the city:

Crawford Market: It is one of the oldest markets and is famous for home décor items, toys, cosmetics, spices, bags, and groceries.
Hill Road: This market area has shopping malls, upscale stores, and high-end shopping centres selling everything from clothes to footwear.
Lalbaug Market: In this market, you can find shops selling red chillies and other spices. It is also popular for street food.
Dharavi Leather Market: Here, one can find stunning leather jackets, shoes, bags, and accessories.
Linking Road: The market is filled with shacks selling footwear, clothes, jewellery, and accessories.
Lokhandwala Market: If you are looking to buy chic clothes and accessories, this market is perfect for you.

Climate of Mumbai

Mumbai experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. The dry period extends from October to May. Between June and September, the city experiences rainfall. From November to February, the city experiences a pleasant climate.

Best time to visit Mumbai

The best time to visit Mumbai is between November and February. The weather remains favourable for a tour around the city. Between these months, tourists can witness the celebrations around Christmas (December), New Year (December-January), Banganga Music Festival (January), Mumbai International Film Festival (February), Kala Ghoda Festival (February), and more.

Summer: Mumbai during summer is hot and humid, with temperatures typically ranging from 25°C to 35°C. It's a vibrant time for beach visits, festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, and enjoying local street food.
Monsoon: Mumbai during monsoon transforms into a rain-soaked city from June to September, with heavy rainfall bringing relief from the heat. It's a time for lush greenery, marine drive walks, and enjoying hot snacks.
Winter: Mumbai during winter is pleasantly cool and dry, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C. It's ideal for outdoor activities like picnics, exploring historical landmarks, and enjoying street food.

How to reach Mumbai?

Air: One can take the IndiGo flight from various cities toMumbai. From outside the airport, one can book a cab or use public transport to reach the destination. The airport connects the city with other parts of the world with multiple direct and connecting flights. For more information about the duration and timing of the flights, travellers can visit goIndiGo.in.
Rail: Mumbai Suburban Railways has headquarters for Central and Western Railway Lines of Indian Railways at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Churchgate, respectively. There are other railway stations also in Mumbai that bring passengers from all over the country.
Road: Passengers can reach Mumbai from nearby cities and states via a well-connected road network. You can choose to travel via bus or taxi and reach the destination without any hassle.
Water: Established along the coast of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is well-connected to the rest of the country via waterways. Mumbai to Goa cruise service has been entertaining reservations from travellers looking to experience the journey to the state capital through pristine waters.

How to travel around Mumbai?

Mumbai offers many convenient transport options to get around the city.

Local Train: Mumbai has a vast network of local trains that allows travellers to reach their destinations without paying a hefty amount. It is one of the most convenient modes of public transport in the city.
Metro – You can use the metro to go from one end to another without having to hustle through the traffic. The metro trains are air-conditioned and facilitate comfortable travelling.
Road: Travellers and tourists can take an auto-rickshaw or taxi to reach their destination. It allows people to explore the great city.
Water: Mumbai offers ferry rides, catamarans, and hovercrafts to travel to other island parts of the city.

Conclusion

Mumbai is not only a gateway to Bollywood, but it is also a must-visit city to experience an amalgamation of various cultures. From religious places and bustling markets to stunning beaches and authentic restaurants, the city has something to offer to everyone. It is hence called the City of Dreams. Book your IndiGo flight tickets now and visit the place.