Top places to visit

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), a railway station earlier known as Victoria Terminus (VT), is a marvelous piece of Victorian Gothic architecture. The station is positioned on the suburban railway tracks of Mumbai. CST also serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways of India. Built in 1888, this spectacular structure took ten years to complete. Replete with spectacular stained glass windows, stone domes, turrets, pointed arches and an unusual ground plan, the station is unlike any with traditional Indian architecture. It is worth taking a look also for its fine interiors like wood carvings, tiles, ornamental iron, brass railings, etc. This building is a perfect marriage of British architecture with Indian craftsmanship. In 2004, this majestic building was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

The Gateway of India is the landmark of the city and its most identifiable building. It is located on the waterfront on the southern part of Mumbai. This arch, an architectural delight, was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary of England to Bombay in December 1911. Ironically, it is through this gateway that the last British troops passed to board their ship back to England after India gained Independence. The gateway is built of yellow basalt and reinforced concrete. The style of architecture is Indo-Saracenic with influences of Muslim architectural styles of the 16th century Gujarat. This monument is probably the most visited one in Mumbai. From here one gets a fantastic view of the Arabian Sea. The Gateway is also the boarding point for visitors taking the ferry to Elephanta Caves. From here, tourists can also enjoy cruises through the natural harbor of Mumbai. The Gateway of India is also the perfect place to hang around and do people watching as you nibble your way through the assorted snacks sold by roadside vendors.

Town Hall, located in the Fort area has been influenced by Greek and Roman architecture and is one of the heritage buildings of Mumbai. The massive pillared edifice with eight Doric pillars is impressive. A flight of 30 steps leads to the portico. The building has wooden floors, spiral staircases, wrought iron loggias and exquisite marble statues of late benefactors of the island city. It houses the Asiatic Society of Bombay which consists of the city’s largest library with a collection of 8,00,000 antique volumes one of which is a priceless first edition copy of Dante’s ‘Inferno.’ There is also an impressive numismatic collection of over 1,000 ancient coins and a rare gold mohur belonging t Emperor Akbar. Prior permission is required to view the treasures but the reading room is open to all.

Rajabhai Tower is a clock tower located within the campus of Mumbai University next to the High Court. It was designed by an English architect, Sir Gilbert Scott, and was based on the tower in London housing the Big Ben. The tower which is 280 ft high took around 9 yrs to get constructed. Based on Gothic and Venetian styles of architecture, this tower is built of Kurla stone, a locally available buff colored stone. The library of the university is housed within this tower. A major attraction of the tower is the beautiful stained glass windows, some of the finest in Asia. The majestic clock tower is definitely worth a visit.

Malabar Hills is an elite and posh residential area of Mumbai. It also has a few places of tourist interest like Walkeshwar Temple, Banganga Tank, Parsi Tower of Silence, Hanging Gardens, etc. Malabar Hills is the highest point in the city center being 50 meters above sea level. With some spectacular views of the city surroundings, Malabar Hill is a must-see place. Location: South Mumbai

This picturesque garden, also named Ferozeshah Mehta Gardens after a famous barrister of the yesteryears, is laid out in terraces on the slopes of Malabar Hill. From atop here, one can enjoy spectacular sunset scenes over the Arabian Sea. A major attraction of the gardens is the several hedges that have been pruned into the shape of animals. There is also a striking flower clock in the middle of the garden. The vast expanse of verdant green offers a soothing contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city below.

Marine Drive is a grand semi circular promenade skirting the Arabian Sea. It sweeps down from Malabar Hill to Nariman Point and is lined by grand Victorian buildings, art-deco apartment blocks and luxuriant palm trees. The twinkling at night of streetlights lining this promenade give an impression of a string of pearls; thus giving it the popular name ‘Queen’s Necklace’.

Mumbai’s biggest and best museum, the Prince of Wales Museum, is housed in a grand building set amidst luxurious gardens. Built to commemorate King George VI’s first visit to India in 1923, this museum has a vast collection of artifacts to interest every visitor. Make use of the audio guide to enrich your visit.

The National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) is the premier institute in the country that houses modern and contemporary Indian art. The rich and varied collections comprise of more than 17,000 art objects - paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs. Coupled with modern facilities of display, conservation, auditorium and library, the NGMA aims to make the viewing and understanding of modern and contemporary Indian art a joyful and enriching experience across all levels of audiences. The Gallery also brings an interesting program of visiting exhibitions from around the world.The building, resembling a miniature Albert Hall, itself is worth seeing. From within, it has a winding Guggenheim-like staircase linking the floors.

Mumbai’s Chowpatty Beach at the northern end of Marine Drive is where the citizens and tourists alike head to for an evening of fun and frolic. The many attractions here include numerous stalls selling a variety of snacks, the most popular being the famous bhel-puri, chat and pav-bhaji. One can also enjoy ferry rides and pony and camel rides too. The entire beach is abuzz with activity creating a carnival like atmosphere. It is a popular hangout place which is crowded in all seasons. Unlike other beaches, Chowpatty Beach is not meant for sunbathing or swimming.

Flora Fountain is located in the Fort business district of South Mumbai. Its name originates from Flora, the Roman goddess of flowers. This stone fountain was built of imported Portland stone in the year 1864. The square where the fountain stands was named in 1960 as Hutatma Chowk or Martyr’s Square. Today, this well-preserved fountain has been declared as a heritage structure

Churchgate, South Mumbai’s downtown business district is a busy area filled with several banks and offices. This area gets its name from Churchgate Railway Station, a very busy and focal point as it is the terminus of Western Railway line of Suburban Railway and caters to an influx of a large number of passengers daily who com to this area to work. The Income Tax Office is located at Churchgate while Nariman Point is just about a kilometer away. This area is dotted with educational institutions like University of Mumbai, Government Law College, Jain Hind College, K.C. College, Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Sydenham College, SNDT Women’s College and Indo-German Training Center. Wankhede Cricket Stadium, Mahindra Hockey Stadium, Brabourne Stadium and Oval Maidan are some of the prestigious sport complexes in the region. It is worth taking a stroll around this area to admire the architecture of the buildings and get a feel of the hustle and bustle of the city.

Haji Ali Dargah is a mosque and shrine on an island off the coast in Worli. It was built in memory of Haji Ali, a rich Muslim merchant who gave up all worldly pleasures before embarking on a pilgrimage. Popular not just with Mumbaikars but also people from all over the country and abroad, this mosque (dargah) is built in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture and looks stunning amidst the blue waters of the Arabian Sea. It is linked to the mainland Mahalaxmi area by a narrow walkway bereft of railings and is prone to sea water during high tide which makes it accessible only during low tide. A walk on the causeway with the sea on both sides is one of the highlights of a trip to the shrine. Haji Ali Dargah has a tomb that is always covered with a brocaded red and green sheet, supported by a delicate silver frame. The marble pillars inside the main hall are decorated with multihued mirrors and embrace the ninety-nine names of Allah. On Thursdays and Fridays, the shrine is visited by at least 40,000 pilgrims from all faiths who seek blessings of the legendary saint. This shrine is more than 500 years old.

Mumbai zoo is located inside the Veermata Jijabai Bhonsle Udyan Botanical Garden of Mumbai. Here you can see many rare and endangered species of birds and animals apart from tigers, lions, elephants, bears and many migratory birds as well as native birds. There are many species of plants as well. There are over 3000 tress belonging to around 276 species. Some of the trees here are the oldest examples of their species in India. There’s a museum as well within the zoo which has some interesting archaeological findings. The park is entered through a grand Victorian marble gateway. The serene verdant environs of this place make it an ideal location for family picnics. (Remember-plastic bags and water bottles are banned inside)

Victoria and Albert Museum, built in 1872, is the oldest museum in Mumbai. It has now been named as Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum. Here you discover the history of Mumbai through archaeological relics, maps and photographs. The museum also contains artifacts like clay models, costumes, finely shaped silver, copperware etc. Some of the most valuable articles relating to industrial and agricultural interest are housed here. The museum also serves as sort of reference center on the history of the country, with its compilation of over 4,000 books and manuscripts. This museum stands in the midst of the picturesque Jijamata Udyan, Mumbai’s beautiful botanical gardens.

Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat is Mumbai’s 136 years old laundry. It is an amazing sight to see the city’s dirty laundry being washed in row upon row of open-air troughs. The dhobis working at the ghats wash every item by hand. It’s a fascinating sight and a popular photo-opportunity. Anyone can look from above, but visitors are discouraged from entering the washing floor.

Mount Mary’s Church, a Roman Catholic church, is probably Mumbai's most famous church. It is visited by people of all faiths. Perhaps the oldest church in Mumbai, it was built by the Portuguese around 1640 AD. It is situated on a hillock about 80 m above sea level and from there one can get magnificent views on the waters of the Arabian Sea. A week-long fair held annually on the Sunday following September 8 (which is the Feast of Our Lady of the Mount) draws visitors from all religions. At this time the whole area is gaily decorated with festoons and buntings. The current structure is about a hundred years old but the current statue of Our Lady was bought from Portugal by Jesuit priests in the 16 century when they placed it in a chapel which was constructed at the present location. The exquisite interiors and stunning architecture also make this place worth visiting.

Want to see your favorite stars in flesh and blood? Then head to Film City of India, the venue for the shooting of many Bollywood movies. The movie sets there are sure to fascinate you with authenticity of construction that you can hardly manage to distinguish fake from real. Sprawled over a large area, Film City has fountains, gardens, lakes, helipads and real looking buildings. In addition, there are well appointed indoor and outdoor shooting facilities, editing and recording rooms. To visit you need prior permission from relevant authorities. Some tour operators organize trips to Film City so be sure to contact them.

Juhu Beach is located in the central suburb of Mumbai. The beach is clean and the waters are a beautiful shade of turquoise blue which turn into shades of red and orange as the sun dips into the Arabian Sea. This spectacular sight is worth watching. Every evening, hordes of people converge at Juhu Beach and enjoy local snacks as they watch dancing monkeys and acrobats while children buy toys and balloons from the vendors or go on horse or donkey rides. Juhu Beach has also been featured many a time in Hindi movies so don’t be surprised if on your visit there you find a film shooting going on!

Dharavi, slated to be Asia’s biggest slum, lies on prime property right in the middle of Mumbai. Some travel operators offer guided tours through Dharavi showing the residential as well as the industrial parts. This area is home to a number of small scale industries and it is interesting to see how they operate from here. Some of these industries produce embroidered garments, export quality leather goods, pottery and plastic. Most of these products are made in tiny manufacturing units spread across the slum and are sold in domestic as well as international markets. The annual turnover of business here is estimated to be more than $650m (£350m) a year. Dharavi has been featured prominently in a number of movies including Danny Boyle’s Oscar winning movie, Slumdog Millionaire!

Esselworld is Mumbai’s favorite amusement park with 34 exciting rides and games. The Water Kingdom, a part of this complex, is a delight for those who love water sports. Eighty-foot drops, white -water rapids lazy rivers and wave pools are all part of Water Kingdom. Hordes of tourists as well as locals throng to this site, especially in summer. Look out for monsoon deals and special packages on weekends.

Nehru Science Center is the perfect place where children can unravel the mysteries of science through interactive exhibits and games. The center also organizes programs, science expositions, creative science workshops, film festivals and a drama festival on a regular basis. A bookstall called third wave sells great scientific toys and books.

Nehru Planetarium is a landmark building in Mumbai. Its honeycomb, cylindrical shaped building also features art gallery, restaurant, library, cultural center and a 14-gallery exhibit called Discovery of India. This center has been designed by J M Kadri, one of India’s finest architects. There is a concert cum movie auditorium too. Children enjoy watching the mysteries of the universe unfold in the various shows at the planetarium. As this place is frequented by hordes of school children, it is advisable to book tickets at least a day in advance especially on holidays and during summer and winter vacations. They also have sky observation sessions on some evenings or during special celestial events.

This unique state-of-the-art showroom is full to the brim with the best acoustic guitars in town, handpicked by professional musicians right from the factories. Beautiful guitars, incredible effects, amazing amps and awesome keyboards of all leading brands of the world are available here at guaranteed lowest prices & after- sales services as compared to any shop in India. A true delight for bidding guitarists.