By Known as the “City of Dreams” and the “Financial Capital of India,” Mumbai is a city that never sleeps. Mumbai is a vibrant, diverse, and historic city that has long served as a melting pot for a variety of cultural backgrounds and ways of living. The city offers colonial-era architecture, a vibrant market, peaceful beaches, and Bollywood glitz. It is home to an estimated 20 million people making it India’s largest city and most populated one.
Mumbai named after Goddess Mumba Devi, this city is both overwhelming and captivating. A city that has a lot to offer and have million things to spend time with your loved ones. Whether it be beaches, amusement parks, historical places and pilgrimage locations, shopping malls or variety of restaurants – Mumbai has something for everyone. Whether it is a long holiday or, weekend break of one day tour to the city, Mumbai Tourism is best for all.
Famous for spoiling its tourists for choices, you can visit and do a number of things in Mumbai. Here, we put our list around the top tourist attractions in Mumbai to plan your adventure in this incredible city. If you are a first-time visitor or live in Mumbai but want to explore further, here’s all about the best places to visit in Mumbai.
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India, one of Mumbai’s most recognized monuments was constructed in 1924 to remember the visit of King George V and Queen Mary. Located next to the Arabian Sea, this grand arch gives a spectacular view. More than a historic landmark, it also serves as a picnic point for locals and tourists. Get spectacular views of the ships and ferries getting off to sea from the five jetties that line the arch. Relish some of the bhelpuri (a crunchy, savory snack made of puffed rice and doused in tamarind sauce) from the street food vendors or simply spend some quality time with your friends and family.
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You can also take a 10-minute walk southwest to reach the Colaba Causeway Market, an extremely lively bazaar selling everything you can dream of. Hence, it is one of the best places to visit in Mumbai, and it offers cheap shopping.
Key Attractions :
- Ferry Rides
- Famous Street Food
- Beautiful architecture.
Timings :
Open all day
Entry Charges :
Free of charge
Marine Drive
How can a Mumbai visit be complete without Marine Drive? Yes ! Famously known as the Queen’s Necklace, Mumbai Drive spans over 3.6 kilometers in length and runs parallel to the coastline of South Mumbai. This is one of the most gorgeous places in the city, especially at night when the streetlights are on and it looks necklace-like arranged. Once you finish your little drive around, set out on foot to do a bit more sightseeing along the Marine Drive promenade. Sunset is the perfect time to head up here. This is when tourists and Mumbaikars congregate on the sands of Girgaum Chowpatty to watch the cotton candy skies melt into darkness while munching on Mumbai street food from stalls nearby.
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Key Attractions
- Sunset beauty
- Chowpatty beach
- Peaceful night walks
Timings :
Open all day
Entry fees:
Free of charge
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST)
UNESCO World Heritage Site, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (earlier Victoria Terminus), is a magnificent example of Victorian Gothic architecture. Inaugurated in 1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, this remains one of the busiest train stations in India. Beyond a train station, it is an architectural wonder and has come to symbolize the magnificence of Mumbai. CST is an all time favourite for photographers, especially when shot in early morning or a late evening when there are lesser number of people.
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Key Attractions :
- Gothic Architecture
- Great historical significance
- Photographic spot
Timings :
Open all day
Entry Fees:
Free of Charge
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves also known as Gharapuri are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can considered these caves as one of the most unique places to visit in Mumbai situated on Elephanta Island, some 10 km from Mumbai. These are situated on the Arabian Sea islands, named after the massive elephant that was discovered here. Elephanta caves — the best-preserved specimen of rock-cut architecture that delightfully glimpses life during pre-medieval India. Although it suffered a little during the colonial era – but still makes a stunning sight with its fortunately solid and elaborate structure. These centuries-old cave temples are mostly devoted to Hindu gods, especially Shiva. These sculptures and carvings represent India’s legend, culture, and architectural heritage.
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Key Attractions
- Cave Temples
- Ferry Ride
- Hiking a series of steps
Timings :
09:00 am to 05:30 pm
Entry fees:
- For Indians : Rs 40
- For Foreigners : Rs 600
Haji Ali Dargah
Haji Ali Dargah Haji Ali is a mosque on an islet off the coast of Worli. Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who was a Muslim saint, is entombed at this place. Getting to the Dargah is a fascinating journey, as you have to go through a narrow pathway to get into it. The mosque is linked to the mainland by a narrow, pebbled walkway. Constructed in 1431, this mosque has the Indo-Islamic architecture. The complex has a marble central courtyard. The ceiling in the main hall is also marble. It is adorned with differently colored mirrored designs and Arabic phrases. You will find Quran verses on the ceilings and on the walls, too.
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Key Attractions
- Splendid Architecture
- Spiritual Atmosphere
- Sea Views
Timings :
06:00 am to 10:00 pm
Entry Fees :
Free
Juhu Beach
One of the best beaches in Mumbai, Juhu beach is famous for its nightlife, sunset views and street food. A hot spot for locals, Bollywood stars, and visitors alike. Juhu is one of the most posh localities of Mumbai, as many of the Bollywood & TV celebrities live in its surrounding area. It’s not rare to spot some Bollywood celebs jogging at the Juhu beach.
You can also visit the picturesque ISKCON Temple a few meters away from the beach or catch a theatre act at the renowned Prithvi Cafe. You can experience some internal peace by walking on the sand on the beach. While the beach had found itself in the news for all wrong reasons over being filthiest in the last couple of years, constant efforts by BMC have gradually helped beautify the view.
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Key attractions :
- Famous and delectable street food
- Marvelous sunset view
- Celebrity Home
Timings :
Open all day
Entry Fee:
Free of charge
Film City
Mumbai is the home of India’s Bollywood, and this Goregaon Film City is where all the magic of Bollywood begins. Film City is one of the best places in Mumbai for movie and drama producers; with bundled land of 520-acre range, it has somewhere around twenty indoor studios in it. It’s so wide that within this area, about 1000 film sets can be set up. Being host to uncountable bollywood movies, television shows and commercials, With a guided tour, guests can view the sets and shooting locations as well as get more information about the exciting behind-the-scenes action of movie-making. Film City is a place where it is hard to differentiate between dreams and reality, and it is an inspiration for every movie buff.
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Key Attractions :
- Studio Tours
- Bollywood Experience
- Film Shoots
Timings :
10:00 am to 05:00 pm
Entry Fees
Charges range from Rs 500 to Rs 1700 depending upon the type of tour.
Essel World
The Essel World is one of the biggest & most famous amusement parks in India, located in Gorai, Mumbai. Although there many good places to visit in Mumbai but you can consider this one as the best. This sprawling park, which opened in 1989, has long been a popular destination for family fun seekers, adventurous crowds as well as tourists. Set across 64 acres, Essel World houses almost all sorts of rides, attractions, and entertainment-based activities suited for every age group. From thrilling rides to family entertainment, or just want some chill time, Essel World will give you a fun and joy filled day.
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Key attractions :
- Thrill Rides
- Top Spin
- Thunder
- Aqua dive
- Family Rides
- The crazy cups
- Hoola loop
- The water kingdom
- Kids Zone
- Themed parties and celebrations
- Live performances
- Dining options
- Southern treat
- Happy Singh da Dhaba
- Domino and Mc McDonald
Timings :
- Weekdays :10:00 am to 07:00 pm
- Weekends :10:00 am to 08:00 pm
Entry Fees
For Adults (height above 4’6″)
- 290 per person for Basic
- 885 per person for Silver
- 1170 per person for Fast Track + Silver
- 1405 per person for Combine
For Children (height between 3’3″ & 4’6″)
- 290 per person for Basic
- 530 per person for Silver
- 900 per person for Fast Track + Silver
- 945 per person for Combine
Siddhivinayak Temple
The Siddhivinayak Temple is Mumbai’s best places to visit as it very famous and worshipped temples in all of India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and attracts millions of followers throughout the country and worldwide. Siddhivinayak is not only a sacred site but is also an architectural wonder. The main dome, where Lord Ganesha’s idol is housed, is plated with gold. Apart from the temple, there is a wooden door beside which beautifully carved images of eight manifestations of Lord Ganesha called Ashtavinayak are found. Built-in 1801 by Laxman Vithu & Deubai Patil, it is believed that the couple had no children and decided to build this temple to fulfill their wish. Being granted their wish, this temple is considered to be self-manifested and fulfills wishes. The fame of this temple has gone beyond boundaries, and people from every walk of life, including sportspersons, film industry personalities, and politicians, keep coming here to offer prayers.
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Key Attractions :
- The iconic idol of Lord Ganesha
- Prabhadevi Shrine
- Festivals and Special pujas
Timings :
05:30 am to 09:50 pm
Entry fees:
Free of charge (Charges Applicable only on VIP Passes )
Chor Bazar
Chor Bazaar, or “Thieves Market” is a place full of antique lovers as it is one of the oldest market in Mumbai. The market is not so shady as its name implies, for it’s a place of legality with rare collectibles, vintage items, and quirky artifacts. For those who love exploring hidden gems and bargaining, Chor Bazaar is a must visit.
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Key Attractions
- Antiques and Collectibles
- Unique goods
Timings :
11:00 am to 07:30 pm
Entry fees
Free of charg
Mumbai : Where dreams soar with the skyline
Mumbai is one of the few cities in India where tradition and modernity coexist. So whether it be the allure of Bollywood, the architectural marvels of its colonial past, or the dazzling range of its markets and beaches — each turn of this city will delight you with a special experience. There are serene temples, peaceful parks, bustling markets, and amazing landmarks of Mumbai for everything in between.
Unraveling the history, culture, and stories that make it the amazing city it is today. Sunset at Marine Drive, mesmerized by CST architecture, or shopping in the colorful lanes of Colaba — its diverse tourist places will need a lifetime to explore but will definitely make you come back for more.
For adventurous travelers seeking history, leisure, or even just a bite of Mumbai street food — endless moments will be built in this city. Thus, pack your bags and explore the best of what Mumbai has to offer — you will not be disappointed!
