Best Things to Do in Mumbai

When King George V visited India in 1911, The Gateway of India was built as a welcome gate to celebrate the the first-ever visit of the monarch. Aptly named, this spot serves as the entrance into India. Victoria Terminus (now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – UNESCO World Heritage Site) was built in the 1880s in sublime Victorian Gothic design. This historical landmark serves as the ultimate historical symbol of the city and was built to mark 50 years of the Queen’s rule. These two jewels on the banks of the Arabian Sea are well worth an evening stroll.

Colaba Causeway a chic Art-Deco-styled up-market shopping district with stylish cafes, boutiques, and art stores that you’ll enjoy exploring. Located in South India, it is a few minutes from the Gateway of India and the Taj Mahal Palace. Colaba prides itself as the “Culture Square’ of the city its landscape is characterized by gothic themed built like the National Gallery of Modern Art, Regal Cinema, and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum. It is also one place where you can enjoy the legendary Iranian Café experience in an establishment run by the city’s Parsi community.

An estimated 1 million people call Dharavi home. It is one of the planet’s most densely populated regions that inspired the movie Slumdog Millionaire. But do not mistake Dharavi for “poverty tourism.” There is so much human endeavor and tenacity on display. The slum is home to a large number of small leather, textile, and pottery factories that are estimated to generate around a billion US dollars in revenue. Take an ethical tour to Dharavi. Watch how the people live. Get to know their way of life.
One great thing is that our Dharavi slum tours are led by young locals from the slums.

Before the British arrived, this region had already seen a cultural and artistic renaissance as evident from the intricately carved stone temple of Elephants Island, which lies a short ferry ride from the mainland in Mumbai.  Historians believe that these World Heritage temples were constructed to worship Lord Shiva as early as the 5th century AD. The architecture and religious symbolism of the temples bear not just Hindu, but also Buddhist influences, pointing to an era of mutual co-existence and inter-faith harmony.

You come to Mumbai for Bollywood but you stay for its delicious food. There is no other city in India that comes anywhere close to the street food scene of Mumbai. No food lover should ever pass on a chance to go on a street food tour. The food we recommend: Pav Bhaji (vegetable curry served with a pav/soft bread), Pani Puri (fried dough balls stuffed with potatoes), Dahi Batata Puri, Jalebi (pretzel-like sweetmeat), and Kulfi (frozen dairy dessert). 

Hinduism and Islam (among other faiths) co-exist in harmony in Mumbai. To get a glimpse of the spiritual life of the city, we recommend that you pay respect to these two revered holy destinations.
Dedicated to the elephant god Ganesha, the Siddhivinayak Temple goes back to the early 1800s. The nearby Haji Ali Dargah is a holy Muslim shrine of the 15th-century Sufi saint Haji Ali Shah Bukhari who originally hailed from Bukhara (Uzbekistan). 

The word Dhobi Ghat means ‘the laundry.’ Mumbai’s Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat is the world’s largest open-air laundry place. This Dhobi Ghat dates back to the 1890s. Hundreds of washers called Dhobi work here washing clothes for ordinary Mumbaikers, hotels, hospitals, and businesses. It is a unique one-of-a-kind place that you should take some time out for. It is located right outside the Mahalakshmi railway stations, so it’s super easy to get to for a quick trip.

The Juhu Chowpatty beach is Mumbai’s beloved. It is famous for its food stalls that offer a wide range of snacks and food that Mumbaikers can’t get enough of. The place is a mood-lifter for everyone who lives in the city. To get a sense of how locals go about their recreation, we recommend that you plan a picnic at the Juhu Chowpatty and sample some of its famous snacks like Bhelpuri, Pani Puri, and Sev Puri.

Shaped like a banana, Marine Drive (aka Queen’s Necklace) is a 3 km (2 miles) long Promenade with a six-lane road that connects Girgaon Chowpatty to Malabar Hill and Babulnath. Lined on its edges are some modern and Raj-era buildings that have become recognizable symbols of the city. As the sunset in the Arabian Sea, a refreshing sundowner at the Marine Drive is an experience that won’t be a waste of your time.

Mention the word Bombay (or Mumbai for that matter), and it brings up mental images of not just Bollywood, but also of its unique Indian art-deco-themed architecture that characterizes its landscape. Under the British Raj, public buildings, railway stations, movie theatres, and residences were built in this theme. Only Miami has more art-deco buildings than Mumbai. Resplendent Travel recommends a walk in south Mumbai to admire the architecture.

Unless you’ve lived under a rock on the planet, chances are you’ve seen a Bollywood movie with its romantic dance musicals, action-packed adventure, and entertainment.  A visit to the Film City, one of the world’s largest film studios where several movies are shot on a given day, is your chance to see Bollywood in action. And who knows, on a lucky day, you might come across your favorite Bollywood stars.

In recent years, the neighborhood of Kala Ghoda has emerged as the artsy hipster hood of Mumbai with graffiti highlighting its landscape. This part of Mumbai houses several modern art galleries, workshops, and café frequented by artists, painters, creators, and musicians.  The name Kala Ghoda or Black Horse comes from the black stone statue of King Edward VII riding a horse. While you explore Kala Ghoda, be sure to visit its artsy café like the Kala Ghoda Café, Irish House, and Bake House.