What Is There To See and Do In Mumbai?

Mumbai – the capital of Maharashtra and the largest city in India – is a vibrant metropolis, a hub for culture, entertainment, fashion, finance and more. With beaches, museums and exciting attractions, it is the ideal destination for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or an extended stay, Mumbai is sure to give you plenty of experiences that you’ll remember for years to come.

Exploring Mumbai’s Neighborhoods

Mumbai is one of the most colorful cities in India, and exploring its many distinct neighborhoods is one of the best things to do here. In South Mumbai, for example, traditional art and culture come together with prestigious shopping complexes and 5-star hotels. The streets are lined with high-end boutiques, international art galleries and local eateries. There are plenty of places of worship scattered throughout that are open to visitors looking to understand more about the local faith, including Mahalaxmi Temple, Haji Ali Dargah, and the Mount Mary Basilica.

Head over to Colaba Causeway in South Mumbai to take in all that vintage shopping. Here you can buy anything from antiques to vintage clothes, books and miniatures. Another popular place in South Mumbai is Chowpatty Beach, where street food vendors compete for your attention with camel rides and children’s amusements.

In Central Bombay, located between South Mumbai and the suburbs, commercial buildings, schools and embassies dominate the skyline. It’s here that some of the city’s main railway stations can be found, along with some great shopping malls – High Street Phoenix (formerly known as Phoenix Mills), Oberoi Mall and Atria Mall among them.

Further north is the city’s largest Victorian section – Kalbadevi – where some of the main business hubs are located. In addition to affordable clothing and jewelry stores, which have attracted shoppers from across Maharashtra, there are also two well-known mosques – Mumbadevi Temple and Mahalaxmi Temple – that make it well worth a visit.

Head over to Bandra West in the western suburbs and you’ll find yourself in a lively melting pot of cultures that come together over fashion and street food. You can go clubbing until the early hours at places like The Lodge Bar or watch a movie at the ever-popular Big Cinemas. Be sure to leave time the next day to visit Juhu Beach before heading off on your next Mumbai adventure.

Top Attractions in Mumbai

There is no shortage of attractions in Mumbai – from stunning heritage buildings to stunning temples and from chic modern galleries to bustling markets. Here are some of Mumbai’s must-see attractions:

Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is a popular tourist spot and the entry point to Mumbai which makes it a must-visit destination during your visit to the city. Located on Apollo Bunder in South Mumbai, this grand monument is made of yellow basalt and was designed by George’s Wittet in 1924. It stands at a height of 26 meters tall and is an architectural delight enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum

Also known as the Prince of Wales Museum, this is one of the largest museums in India and houses an impressive collection of sculptures and images from Hindu mythology as well as coins, weapons and Ganesh idols from around the world. The museum houses some of the oldest artifacts from various Indian civilizations such as Harappan (around 2550 BC), Neolithic (around 3200 BC), Mauryan (around 500 BC) and Indo-Roman (around 100 BC).

Elephanta Caves

Located off the shore of Mumbai are mysterious rock-cut caves built during the 6th century AD. These ancient caves were carved out of solid rock by sculptors with a passion for turning them into galleries with intricate carvings depicting Hindu deities like Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Elephanta Caves are considered to be a World Heritage Monument by UNESCO and are one of the must visit places in Mumbai.

Film City

Film City is a sprawling 125-acre film studio complex that includes shooting facilities for both film makers and television producers. Some of Bollywood’s greatest directors have shot here including Yash Raj Chopra, Mani Ratnam and Karan Johar. Even if you’re not interested in movies, it is worth visiting for its interesting architecture and sculptures depicting Hindu mythology on its walls.

Hanging Gardens

Located south of Mumbai on top of the Malabar Hills is one of Mumbai’s most popular attractions – The Hanging Gardens. This stunning terraced garden offers panoramic views of Arabian Sea on one side and South Mumbai on the other side. It features colorful plants and flowers, topiaries of animals and birds, fountains and ponds as well as an open-air amphitheater which hosts music and theater performances.

Kanheri Caves

The third century Kanheri Caves are known for their 109 ancient Buddhist rock-cut sanctuaries carved out of hillsides within Sanjay Gandhi National Park. These caves also contain sculptures in stone depicting Lord Buddha in different poses as well as inscriptions in red ochre depicting tales from Jataka stories. They are considered to be one of the best examples of Buddhist architecture outside India.

Nightlife In Mumbai

Mumbai has no shortage of nightlife venues where you can party until sunrise with your friends or just hang out with locals while sampling delicious street snacks. Here are some must visit night spots:

Hoppipola

Hoppipola is an upbeat bar/pub located in Lower Parel that serves up delicious cocktails along with great food like fusion pizzas, sliders, tacos and more in a lively setting. It makes for a great spot for after work drinks with their eclectic music and a fun game zone with billiards and foosball tables.

XOXO Restocafé Girls Night Out

For a more upbeat experience there’s XOXO Restocafé girls night out located in Andheri West. This popular spot hosts lively girls nights with DJs spinnings an eclectic mix of music from dance music to Bollywood hits 8pm till midnight. They have plenty of drinks offers as well as snacks like salad wraps and pani puri making it a great place to party up until late night.

South Bombay Pub Crawl

The South Bombay Pub Crawl is an evening tour taking visitors on an unforgettable discovery around some of South Mumbai’s most famous pubs like Blue Frog, TOTO’s Garage Bar & Kitchen and Fisherman’s Wharf. You can enjoy delicious beverages at each stop before making your way around historical monuments like Flora Fountain, Marine Drive and The Gateway Of India that forms part of the tour itinerary. Be sure to sign up for this unforgettable experience during your visit to Mumbai – book your Mumbai South Bombay Pub Crawl here.

So Much To Enjoy In Mumbai

Mumbai is filled with attractions suited to travelers from all walks of life – from family entertainment to vibrant nightlife spots where you can let loose until late night. No matter what your interests may be or how long you plan on staying in the city, you are sure to find plenty to do while visiting Mumbai that you won’t get anywhere else in India or the world!