In addition to beaches and museums, Mumbai offers a wide variety of other places to visit with varying experiences. There are architectural landmarks dating back to the British Rule and places of worship that are older than the rest of Mumbai. Each is intriguing and interesting in its own way. Read on to know more and add these places to visit in Mumbai to your holiday itinerary.

Gateway of India
One of the most iconic landmarks of India, the Gateway of India is one of the most-frequented places to visit in Mumbai. This monument is so popular and well-known that it has become synonymous with the city of Mumbai and even casual visitors to the city visit it at least once.

Built in the early 20th Century, the Gateway of India was commissioned in honour of King George V’s first visit to India. Although it was not completed in time for his arrival, this iconic landmark played an important and fitting role in bidding adieu to the British Empire at the time of India’s independence.

The last of the British Soldiers marched through the Gateway of India on their way out of India in a ceremony formally signalling the end of British rule for once and all.

This historic information aside, the Gateway of India was the landing pier for many years and even today, it is one of the first sights that greet visitors cruising to India. Ferries to Elephanta Caves begin from the pier here to-date.

The Gateway of India is included in almost all Guided Sightseeing tours of Mumbai as one of the first places to visit in Mumbai. It is recommended to visit this landmark either early in the morning or in the late evening to enjoy the sea breeze and the scenic views without the harsh sun beating down.

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, the Vivekananda Statue and the Elephanta Caves are the other places to visit in Mumbai near the Gateway of India.

Siddhivinayak Temple
One of the most visited temples in Mumbai, the Siddhivinayak Temple is famous for its legendary belief of fulfilment of its devotees wishes. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha and his consorts Siddhi and Riddhi, the Siddhivinayak Temple is so famous that even celebrities make it a point to visit it before the beginning of any big project.

The temple dates back to the beginning of the 19th Century, when it was a simple small structure. Now it is a multi-storeyed structure topped by multiple domes. While the main central dome is Gold-plated, the surrounding domes are made with a mix of gold and panchadhatu (5 metals).

The inner sanctum has retained its original deity, which is 2 centuries old and is carved out of a single black stone. It is 2.5 feet high and 2 feet wide. Ganesh ji has the trunk on the right side, a lotus on the upper right hand, an axe on the upper left, a rosary in the lower right and a modak in the lower left hand.

Darshan can be pre-booked by foreigners and NRIs. There is a separate line for VIPs and celebrities.

There are several flower and prasad shops within and near the complex.

The Siddhivinayak Temple is located in Dadar. Dadar beach and Dadar Flower Market are the other places to visit in Mumbai located near the Siddivinayak Temple.

Victoria Terminus
Originally named the Victoria Terminus and presently known as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, this main railway station of Mumbai is a major place to visit in Mumbai. The terminus is the lifeline of the city, with many local trains originating and terminating here, connecting the Mumbaikars to their workplaces across the city. This fact is evident from the pulsating energy that can be seen at the terminus during peak travel hours.

However, that is no reason to visit the Victoria Terminus or CST on a tour of Mumbai.

So why is this railway station listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and why does every sightseeing tour of Mumbai include it as a top place to visit in Mumbai?

The answer lies in its spectacular architecture. Built in the late 19th Century, the architecture of CST is a grand mix of Indian palatial architecture and Victorian Gothic style. No effort was wasted in the construction of this terminus.

Stone gargoyles, busts of the 10 Directors of the Railway organization of that time, and intricate stone carvings adorn the façade of the terminus. A collection of high pointed domes including a main dome, arched windows, decorated roofs and frescos, stained glass windows and much more can be seen here – preserved in their original state.

The architecture of the Victoria Terminus is inspired by the Parliament Building in Berlin, Germany and the St Pancras Railway Station in London, UK. It might resemble them in some aspects, but with the inclusion of India style architecture, it is a unique piece of architecture. And that is the main reason that the Victoria Terminus or CST is listed as a top place to visit in Mumbai in most travel guides and Mumbai sightseeing tour packages.

While the terminus was initially built to commemorate 50 years of successful reign by Queen Victoria in India, it was renamed in honour of the famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj almost 50 years after independence.

The CST is vast; notable areas that inspire tours include the Ticket Booking Office, a view of the original platforms (Platform 1 to 9), and the façade; the best time to visit is in the evening, when the façade is beautifully illuminated with colourful lights.

Marine Drive
Built on land reclaimed from the sea, the Marine Drive of Mumbai is one of the top places to visit in Mumbai – especially in the evenings. Find your spot and sit back and relax, as the sea breeze blows away your worries and the scenic sunset fills your heart with peace. Look around, and it is as if the city that supposedly never stops, has come to a halt, to enjoy and revel in the smallest pleasures of life – by the seaside.

As darkness falls, you can see the thousands of lights illuminating the drive like a Queen’s Necklace. The sound of the waves crashing on the rocks below only serves to enhance the experience.

Haji Ali Dargah
A truly unique creation by man, the Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque located on an islet just off the coast of Mumbai. The complex has the tomb / dargah of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and is one counted amongst the top places to visit in Mumbai.

Open to visitors from all walks of life and religions, the Haji Ali Dargah can be visited only at certain times of the day – when the tide is low. During high tide, the path leading to the mosque is covered in water and cannot be used.

On low tide, the path to the mosque is kind of a dirt track. Often, the waves of the surrounding ocean splashes the visitors as they make their way over to the Haji Ali Dargah.

On Thursdays, you can experience a live Qawali performance, making the Haji Ali Dargah a top place to visit in Mumbai for special experiences of the city.

Even if you do not visit the Haji Ali Dargah, do try to check it out from the mainland itself – the view of this white monument, surrounded by the ocean is a view in itself and a photographer’s delight.

Elephanta Caves
Many sightseeing tours of Mumbai begin with an excursion to Elephanta Caves. A complex of rock cut caves located on an island off the coast of Mumbai, the Elephanta Caves are one of the top places to visit in Mumbai, especially for the historically- and architecturally-inclined.

Interestingly, the caves have been around since as back as the 5th century and were once active places of worship for Hindus. Today, the caves are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites and have become popular places to visit in Mumbai.

A tour of the caves reveal gigantic statues and life-size sculptures of Lord Shiva and Buddha, amongst others. Quite many of these faced damage in the pre-Independence era. Despite the damage, these rock-carved sculptures inspire awe in their visitors.

Walk around the caves or take a combination of toy train rides and pony rides. Either way, you will find yourself spending at least a couple of hours marvelling at the expertise of the ancient artisans who carved these sculptures by hand, chiselling away with hand-held tools.

These historic caves are accessible only by a hour-long ferry ride; ferries are available from the pier at the Gateway of India. A visit to the Elephanta Caves can be combined with a visit to the Gateway of India and the Colaba Causeway market.

Mount Mary Church
One of the most famous churches in India, the Mount Mary Church is also one of the top places to visit in Mumbai. Signified as a minor basilica, this place of worship is renowned for its wooden statue of Mother Mary and child Jesus, which dates back to the 16th Century.

Brought to India by the Jesuits from Portugal, this statue of Mother Mary is believed to have the special power of granting wishes and favours to believers, visiting the basilica. The shrine has grown over the years from a small altar at the top of the mount near Lands End Bandra to the beautiful brick structure of today.

Today, the Basilica is also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount and is most famous as the venue of the Bandra Fair and the Annual Feast of Our Lady of the Mount. Held on September 8, this feast is also known as the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and makes the basilica one of the most visited places to visit in Mumbai at the time.

The fair is an annual affair that is spread across 17 days, with the first 9 days devoted to praying to Virgin Mary and the next 8 days in celebration. There are various stalls selling everything from snacks to souvenirs lining the streets leading to the basilica. There is festivity and joy in the air.

Mahalakshmi Temple
Perched on a small hillock on the shores of the Arabian Sea, the Mahalakshmi Temple in Mumbai is one of the most revered temples in India and one of the top places to visit in Mumbai. Its history, which is uniquely linked to the history of Mumbai, and its marvellous sea views both combine to attract visitors from across India.

According to legend, idols of Maa Durga, Mahalakshmi, and Mahasaraswati were immersed in the sea near Worli creek to save them from demolition by invaders. Years later, when Mumbai came under the British and an effort was on to reclaim the land and build a link between Malbar Hill and Worli, success evaded the engineers.

One of the engineers eventually had a vision of Goddess Mahalakshmi, in which the Goddess asked him to retrieve her idols from the creek. The engineer, Shri Ramji Shivji Prabhu, did as directed and placed the idols on top of the hillock. Later, he constructed a temple to house the idols and give them a proper place of worship. Only after the idols were retrieved from the creek, was he able to successfully build the link between Malbar Hill and Worli.

Since the building of the temple, the Mahalakshmi Temple has been a top place to visit in Mumbai for worshipping Goddess Mahalakshmi, Goddess Mahakali and Goddess Mahasaraswati. The temple is especially busy during the festivals of Navaratri, Chaitra Navaratri, Kartik Poornima, and Gudhi Padwa (the Marathi New Year).

The Mahalakshmi Temple is located on Bhulabhai Desai Road in the Mahalakshmi Area of Breach Candy, Cumbala Hill. Many visitors make it a point to visit the backside of the temple to enjoy the sea breeze and sea views after worship. There are many other temples devoted to Lord Shiva, Rama and Ganesha in the vicinity of the Mahalakshmi Temple, making the entire area a top place to visit in Mumbai for prayer and worship.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Just step inside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park for a wonderfully refreshing break from the hustle-bustle of Mumbai. One of the few national parks to exist within a city limit, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park offers a pleasant reprieve from the pollution and hectic pulse of the city.

Enjoy a Jungle safari to meet the big cats – lions and tigers; ride the toy train across the national park; have fun boating at the vast lake; and cycle or trek to the Kanheri Caves, a set of rock-cut cakes located within the Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

Either way, there is a lot to see and enjoy here, making the Sanjay Gandhi National Park one of the top places to visit in Mumbai for kids, couples, family and all nature lovers.

Dhobi Ghat
For Indians and Mumbaikars, the Dhobi Ghat might not seem like a top tourist place to visit. But for visitors from other nations, especially, those who come to see the poor and rural part of India, this open-air laundromat holds a special appeal.

Visitors to the Dhobi Ghat witness thousands of men washing clothes by hand, while standing in soap-filled concrete tubs. There are rows and rows of these tubs with concrete slabs set against one end, upon which the men beat large and heavy clothes to remove their dirt.

Once washed, the clothes are dried, pressed and delivered to their respective owners – who range from hotels, resorts and clubs to wedding caterers and hospitals.

Over 100,000 clothes are washed by a team of 7000 people every day, making it to be one of the largest laundromats in the world and one recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most people hand-washing clothes in a single location.

The best time to visit the Dhobi Ghat is early morning to see the washing in action and at afternoon to see the lines of clothes drying off!!

Museums in Mumbai

Mumbai is a city that has risen out of the seas and has proved itself to be resilient time and again, despite many challenges. It is also a very integral part of Indian history – and the only way to truly appreciate its strengths is by a visit to the Museums in Mumbai.

The city has several museums – not all are worthy of a visit – not because their exhibits are not important, but rather that their upkeep has a lot lacking. At the same time, there are a few museums of Mumbai that are gems – in terms of their exhibits and presentation alike.

These museums of Mumbai have been listed in this travel guide to Mumbai.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya / Prince of Wales Museum
One of the most-appreciated museums in Mumbai as well as India, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya offers a treasure-trove of artefacts collected from across India and across centuries.

The artefacts in this Mumbai museum are beautifully organized in specific exhibits; informative brochures and strategically placed labels provide detailed information on the exhibits; and audio guides are available to further enhance your experience.

The museum is divided into Galleries across 3 levels and include Sculptures, Decorative Art, Miniature Paintings, Textiles, Natural History and a collection of Chinese & Japanese Antiquities.

Most visitors who reviewed this Mumbai museum recommended the buying of a Photography pass. The fee is nominal for hand-held cameras and mobile cameras.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya was formerly known as Prince of Wales Museum and is housed within a building that dates back to the early 20th Century. It is located on the Mahatma Gandhi Road in the Kala Ghoda Art precinct.

Other Mumbai museums near Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya include the Jehangir Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Modern Art.

Bhau Daji Lad Museum / Victoria & Albert Museum
The oldest museum in Mumbai, the Bhau Daji Lad Museum is a place where architecture and historical heritage meet to create one of the most enriching experiences of being in Mumbai. This is one museum, where you can get to know, exactly how Mumbai got transformed from the initial 7 islands to the mesmerising and energetic coastal city of today.

Most guided sightseeing tours of Mumbai include a visit to the Bhau Daji Lad Museum, which was one of the rare museums of India to be housed in a building built originally for its use.

Its architecture in itself is very unique and Victorian and includes railings, iron palisades, arched supports, and Corinthian capitals and columns that were shipped from London. A walk through the museum for its architecture itself is worth every minute of your time.

The exhibits, which represent the 18th to 20th century Mumbai, are the icing on the cake. The exhibits of the Bhau Daji Lad Museum are beautifully organized and displayed across 6 galleries – 19th Century Paintings Gallery, Industrial Arts Gallery, The Founders Gallery, Origins of Mumbai Gallery, Kamalnayan Bajaj Mumbai Gallery, and the Kamalnayan Bajaj Special Exhibitions Gallery.

Each gallery has been skilfully organized to give you an enriching experience.

The Bhau Daji Lad Museum is located in Byculla East, less than 2 km from the Byculla East Station. It is within the Byculla Zoo complex and a visit to the two can be easily combined.

Most Guided Sightseeing tours of Mumbai include a visit to the Bhau Daji Lad Museum and the Byculla Zoo too.

Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
From the outside and its name, one would expect only the patriotically and historically-inclined persons to be interested in the Mani Bhavan Gandhi

Museum in Mumbai.

However, just step inside and your entire perception of this Mumbai Museum gets transformed within seconds.

Yes, it was once the home of Gandhi Ji when he was in Mumbai or Bombay as the city was known as at that time. With his passing, it was transformed into a museum in his honour – and it is not a simple museum housing his personal artefacts. Instead it is a full-blown museum that brings alive the key happenings of the freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi with life-size sculptures and art pieces.

You can also see models of his ashram, a collection of varied types of chakhras or Spinning Wheels, and many photographs of Gandhi ji as he travelled across India, gaining momentum for the freedom struggle. Mani Bhavan also includes a library and an auditorium, where films on Gandhi ji and videos of his speeches are regularly shown.

The museum is located on Laburnum Road in Gamdevi locality, close to the ISCKON Chowpatty Temple. A visit to both the attractions can be planned for the same day. The Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum in Mumbai is also included in almost all Guided Sightseeing Tours of Mumbai.

Beaches of Mumbai

Juhu Beach:

The most popular beach in Mumbai, Juhu Beach ranks as one of the top places to visit in Mumbai. No holiday in Mumbai can be said to be complete without a visit here. Long and sandy, with affluent neighbourhoods, bungalows, eateries and shops lining it from one end to the other, Juhu Beach offers an experience in itself.

Tourists in Mumbai frequent Juhu Beach to enjoy long seaside walks, horse riding down the shore, enjoy sunsets while munching on delicious street food, and be entertained by street entertainers by the dozens. Solitude is a stranger here unless you visit the beach in the early morning.

Tourists can visit Juhu Beach from Vile Parle, Santa Cruz or Andheri. Due to the large number of daily visitors and a general lack of sensibility towards cleanliness, much of Juhu Beach can be seen scattered with plastics and rubbish. Efforts are on by the civic authorities to keep the beach clean.

Aksa Beach

One of the cleanest beaches of Mumbai, Aksa Beach might be a bit away from the main city, but it is well worth the drive. Clean sands, beautiful sunsets and fewer visitors make it a pleasant contrast to Juhu Beach.

Towards late evening, the crowd lessens gradually, leaving the beach deserted. It is hence advisable to plan your beach outing to end by sunset. Swimming is restricted too due to the strong undercurrents. There are not many food stalls either.

But if it is peace and serenity that you are seeking, along with the freshness of the sea breeze and the calming power of the ocean, then Aksa Beach is the place for you.

Girgaum Chowpatty Beach

Cleaner and less crowded than Juhu beach, but equally popular with beach goers is the Girgaum Chowpatty Beach. Also known as the Chowpatty Beach, this beach of Mumbai is located near the Marine Drive Queen’s Necklace and offers a pleasant respite from the chaos of Mumbai City.

A mix of sand and rocks, the Chowpatty Beach is famous for its street food, especially Bhelpuri, a savoury snack. A visit to Chowpatty Beach would be incomplete without it.

It is best to visit the beach during weekdays as crowds increase exponentially during weekends. However, if crowds do not bother you, then do visit the Chowpatty Beach during festivals such as Ganesh Visarajan, when almost whole of Mumbai descends to have the last glimpse of Ganesh ji, before the god’s idol is immersed into the Arabian Sea.

The Navratris are also a great time to visit the Chowpatty Beach in Mumbai, as during these days, Ramleela is held on the beach and a huge effigy of Ravana is burnt on the sands.

Mats for rents, Ferris Wheels and other rides on the beach, and sand castle making are the other experiences that set Chowpatty Beach apart from the other beaches of Mumbai.

Madh Island Beach

The Madh Island Beach is one beach in Mumbai to have its own church, much like the beaches of Goa. It is located away from the city, and is hence less crowded.

Its far-away location ensures that the beach remains a secluded getaway. Enjoy walking on the warm sands, see the fishermen fishing out in the sea, their little boats bobbing up and down on the waves. Enjoy the breeze.

There are fishing villages in the vicinity and the smell of dried fish is strong – so, if such smells trouble you, then avoid a visit to this beach. Else, enjoy a true beach getaway in Mumbai!

There are many resorts nearby for overnight stays.

Marve Beach

One of the most easily accessible beaches of Mumbai, Marve Beach offers one of the best experiences of Mumbai beaches. It is clean, less crowded, and offers a gateway to many other places to visit in Mumbai – such as Essel World and Gorai Beach.

A naval base on the beach ensures a secure presence and in the early morning, you can see fishing trawlers dock up and empty their vessels of the catch of the day. It is an interesting sight for those who are not bothered by the smell of the fishes.

Gorai Beach

Gorai Beach is the only beach in Mumbai where you can ride your car / scooty, right on the beach. It is barely crowded, especially in the mornings, when many groups can be seen practising yoga, dance and other activities.

The sand is blackish, litter-free and backs out to black rocks. The air is crisp and the breeze cool.

All in all, Gorai Beach offers a quite getaway, especially in the early morning.

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