Posted 29 July 2022

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

Mumbai, also known as the city of dreams, is truly a remarkable holiday destination. It houses a plethora of cultural and historical sites while also featuring vibrant nightlife. The list of top Mumbai activities to enjoy in vacations is quite long. This city boasts eye-catching architecture, incredible Hindu and Buddhist caves, interesting museums, and much more. You will also find one of the most iconic landmarks of India, the Gateway of India, in Mumbai. This flamboyant city is also popular for being home to Bollywood and is among the most notable movie production centres on the planet.

Mumbai is a glamorous, fun and fast-paced city where you can have a number of unique experiences. Lying on the West Coast of India, this city never ceases to fascinate any traveller. 

Here are some of the top activities to enjoy in Mumbai vacation:

1. Explore the Elephanta Caves in Mumbai

Located off the coast of the Arabian Sea, Elephanta Caves are one of the three UNESCO Heritage sites present in Mumbai. This architectural wonder is spread over an expanse of 60,000 sq feet. It features a collection of temples that have been sculpted over many generations. You will find a highly intriguing display of old rock-cut architecture here that celebrates Buddhist and Hindu beliefs.

2. Take an evening stroll at Marine Drive in Mumbai

A trip to Mumbai will not be complete without a leisurely stroll by the Marine Drive. You can admire the azure sea and photogenic sunset views from this arc-shaped boulevard while soaking in some refreshing breeze.

3. Go for wildlife sighting at Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai

A visit to Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a must for any wildlife enthusiast or nature lover. You may spot mouse deer, Indian flying fox, leopards, spotted deer, four-horned antelope, jackals, and several other types of animals at this park. There are even options for going on a toy train ride, tiger safari and recreational boating. You may even choose to trek up to Kanheri caves and Gandhi tekdi.

4. Visit the Film City in in Mumbai 

The incredible Film City of Mumbai provides you with a chance to go on a Bollywood tour and experience it to the fullest. For many travellers, a visit to this enchanting place is among the top Mumbai activities to enjoy in vacations. After all, numerous iconic Bollywood movies have been shot here.

5. Indulge in a food tour of Mumbai

Mumbai is a place for zero-guilt gastronomic indulgence. You will find a delightful spectrum of cuisines in this city, ranging from spicy street snacks to sinful sweet treats. A visit to Juhu Chowpatty will particularly be ideal for street food lovers. This buzzing food arcade features numerous street carts and food stalls that sell local delicacies like ragda patty, vada pav, misal pav, bhel puri, and more. There are multiple excellent restaurants and diners present throughout Mumbai, which you can also try out.

6. Have fun at EsselWorld in Mumbai

This is among the biggest and most thrilling amusement parks in India. It has a vast entertainment zone, with adventurous rides like Rio Grande Train, Crazy Cups, Hoola Loop and more. Essel World is particularly a great place to visit if you are visiting Mumbai with kids. This amusement park houses the oldest water park of India, known as the Water Kingdom, and has some fun rides like What-a-Coaster and Brat Zone.

7. Seek blessings at the Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai

Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this is among India's most auspicious and revered temples. At the Siddhivinayak Temple, you will find a beautiful Lord Ganesha idol sculpted from a single black stone.

8. Engage in street shopping in Mumbai

Mumbai is absolutely a shopper's paradise. It has both lavish malls and street stalls where you can go on a shopping spree. Located in the heart of the city, Colaba Causeway is a perfect place to explore for any person fond of street shopping. You will get the chance to shop for numerous types of items here, starting from home décor pieces to gorgeous accessories and clothes. Alongside the street stalls, you can also find the showrooms of some popular brands.

9. Marvel at the hanging garden in Mumbai

Located on the top of Malabar Hill, this terrace garden was built way back in 1880. This awe-inspiring garden is adorned by lush green vegetation and animal-shaped hedges and offers a spectacular bird's eye view of the Arabian Sea.

Travel tips for Mumbai

Even after you have noted the top Mumbai activities to enjoy in vacations, you must pay heed to a few tips to truly have a comfortable and hassle-free holiday experience in the city. 

• Packing essentials: It is best to travel light while visiting Mumbai for commuting convenience. The clothes you need to pack will depend on the time of your visit. For example, if you are visiting Mumbai during winters, you will need a couple of full sleeve clothes. Woollen sweaters are not needed as the city does not experience severe winters. On the flip side, for the summers, it is smart to pack light, cotton clothes. You also need to pack comfortable shoes and bathroom slippers for a visit. Do not forget to carry an umbrella, as Mumbai is prone to unpredictable showers.
• Public transport: Mumbai is a well-connected city where you can find a varied range of public transport options, and hence you will not face any problems while visiting any of its top vacation highlights. However, most of the public transports can be pretty crowded during peak hours, especially on the weekdays. Hence, you need to plan your travel itinerary accordingly. If you are travelling on a tight budget, taking monorails and the metro would be the ideal public transportation option. The BEST buses are also pretty affordable. If your budget is on the higher side, then you can always opt for app-based cabs or the typical yellow and black taxis. During your stay in the city, you must try to go on a boat ride at least once. Ferries are undoubtedly the way to experience the island city and the mainland.
• Accommodation: As one of India's most prominent holiday destinations, there is no dearth of hotels and resorts in the city. You can find accommodation options in Mumbai for any budget range. While you can enjoy the views of the gorgeous Marine drive at some hotels, many others are equipped with amenities like fine-dining restaurants and recreational facilities.
• Bargain: You need to be prepared to bargain while making purchases at the local bazaars and street stalls of Mumbai, as many of them are prone to throwing exorbitant prices at tourists. You can always check with any fellow local customer if you feel that you are being unreasonably charged for any item.
• Water: It is smart to stick to bottled water. However, you must see to it that the packaging of the water bottle is intact before purchasing it.

Climate of Mumbai

To have the best experience of the top Mumbai activities to enjoy in vacations, you need to plan your trip as per the local climate. This city has a tropical climate, with a long, sunny summer. The months of March to May remain pretty hot and humid here, and the maximum temperature may reach 38/40°C in the afternoons. Mumbai, receives monsoon sometime in June and stays till September. Regular rainfall is fairly common during this time. November to February is wintertime in Mumbai, and the weather remains comfortable and cool here during these months. While the minimum temperature may drop to around 16°C, in most cases, Mumbai experiences quite a pleasant winter.

How to reach Mumbai?

• By Railways: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or CST station is the most popular station in Mumbai. Trains to this station are available from almost all major cities of India. Mumbai Duronto, Mumbai Rajdhani and Konkan Kanya Express are some of the most popular trains for this city.

• By Airways: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport is the prime international airport for Mumbai and is located approximately 30km away from the CST station. This airport has 2 terminals.

  Terminal 1 is meant exclusively for domestic airlines, including IndiGo. This domestic terminal is also known as Santacruz. Direct flights to Mumbai are available from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and several other urban hubs. Terminal 2 or International Terminal is called Sahar by the locals.

  Regular direct flights to Mumbai are readily available from Major Indian airports, as well as cities abroad. IndiGo operates more than 100 non-stop flights daily between Mumbai and other important locations in India and abroad. Hence, visiting this city and experiencing the top Mumbai activities to enjoy in vacations will not be a problem for you, no matter whether you stay in India or outside.

• By Road: Mumbai is quite well-connected with multiple expressways and highways. Hence, you can easily visit the city by road from places like Shirdi, Pune, Goa and Ahmednagar. There are both private and government buses operating regularly to Mumbai from these places. You may even choose to drive down to Mumbai in your car or by opting for a rented vehicle.

  A drive from Goa to Mumbai takes approximately 12 to 13 hours via NH 17 and NH 66, while one can reach the city within 3hours from Pune by taking the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The travel time, however, may vary based on the traffic.

Best time to visit Mumbai

The ideal time to visit Mumbai is during the winter months, which are from November to February. You can comfortably enjoy long sightseeing tours in the pleasant winter weather of Mumbai without any problem and explore its glory to your heart's content.

Conclusion

Mumbai is the perfect place to visit and explore India’s vibrant culture and urban lifestyle. It features a hearty stew of religions, customs and cuisine, and hence planning a visit to this city for your next holiday will definitely be a great idea. 

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