Mumbai is the cultural and financial hub of India. It is a city like no other where you can get designer labels as well as high end fashion products from the many malls that line its streets. Being the headquarters of the Indian film industry, Bollywood, the city is pretty glamorous as well. Owing to the many facets of this amazing city and the incredible amount of opportunities it offers, it is known by the name of “city of dreams” by the people of India. Besides, there are many excellent places to visit in Mumbai.
Places to Visit in Mumbai
Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is the most iconic and recognizable landmark of Mumbai. It was built in celebration of the visit of Queen Mary and King George V in the year 1924 and is the first thing that you are going to see when coming to the city via boat. This beautiful structure, which is a mix of both Muslim and Hindu architecture, is located in the south of Mumbai and is the best place to start exploring the city. The surrounding area of this monument is littered with vendors at all times from whom you can buy a whole host of things ranging from tea to balloons.
Heritage Buildings
Although Mumbai is a modern city, there are plenty of heritage buildings located there as well. You can marvel at these fine pieces of architectural brilliance throughout the city. Most of these buildings belong to the colonial era and provide a peek into the historical significance of the city. The historical structures worth watching in Mumbai include Victoria Terminus Railway Station, Prince of Wales Museum and the Bombay High Court. The huge gardens situated near the Horniman Circle are also among the popular tourist attractions of the city along with the historical homes located in the Khotachiwadi village which date back to the 18th century.
Kala Ghoda Art Precinct
One of the best places to visit in Mumbai is the Kala Ghoda Art Precinct which lies in the southern part of Mumbai. It is the cultural hub of the city and is named after a statue of a black horse which used to be there. You will find the finest museums and art galleries in this area. The best of them all is the Jehangir Art Gallery. There are many pavement and street galleries also located in this area which offer you a chance to witness the cultural diversity of the city. The best time to visit this area is in February when a nine day festival – Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is organized by the Kala Ghoda Association.
Juhu and Marine Drive Chowpatty Beaches
The Juhu and Marine Drive Chowpatty beaches offer you the chance to relax and unwind. The sunset scene at these beaches is very alluring and is a must watch for tourists visiting the city. The Marine Drive Chowpatty beaches are located in the central part of the city and can be reached from the Gateway of India after a short drive. The Juhu beaches on the other hand lie 30 km towards the North of Mumbai. There are plenty of food stalls located on both the beaches from where you can buy tasty Indian snacks like Bhel Puri, Pav Bhaji and Pani Puri.
Colaba Causeway
The Colaba causeway is a treat for the shoppers. Located in between the Old Woman’s Island and the Colaba, this land link is strewn with shops and vendors selling a whole host of items that range from jewelry items, electronics, garments, footwear and cosmetics. Besides contemporary products, there are antiques available for sale at these roadside shops. There are many places to eat in and around the Colaba Causeway as well, the most famous of which is the Café Leopold. Sassoon Docks and the church of St. John the Evangelist are also among the tourists attractions located in this area.
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta caves are also among the places to visit in Mumbai. These caves, which have been named as UNESCO World Heritage site, are located on an island in the Mumbai Harbor which lies towards the east of the city. The Elephanta caves are known for having the idols of Shiva and sculptures of other Hindu gods. Made out of Basalt stone, these structures were built somewhere around 5-8 A.D. The place is teeming with monkeys that roam around the caves in huge numbers.
Mount Mary Church
The Mount Mary Church is located in Bandra area of Mumbai. The church lies at an altitude of 80m and is one of the most visited churches in India. Devotees from all over India come to the church each year to say their prayers. There is a festival held here by the name of Bandra Fair in the month of September which goes on for a week. The fair is organized in celebration of the annual birthday of Virgin Mary which is celebrated on the first Sunday after the 8th of September.
The Flora Fountain
The Flora Fountain is a piece of architectural brilliance located in the center of the city. It is one of the iconic structures in Mumbai which is made with white Portland stone. There is a figure of the Roman goddess Flora present on the top of this fountain after which it is named. The monument is surrounded on one side by a shopping complex from where the tourists can buy different artifacts and goods. The best time to visit the Flora fountain is in the evening when all of the lights of this beautiful monument are turned on.
Water Kingdom
Another tourist attraction of Mumbai is Water Kingdom, which is hailed as the biggest water park in Asia. This fabulous water amusement park lies on the outskirts of Mumbai and offers the visitors a number of fun rides and slides. The park has been divided into four different sections with each offering something unique for the visitors. Reaching the Water Kingdom is not that difficult as it is connected to the Western Express Highway.
You may watch the video below for some top places to visit in Mumbai:
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