Places to visit in Mumbai

The most popular city in India to visit with friends and family Mumbai, is known to be a city that never sleeps. Also called the ‘City of Dreams’ it is one of the most alluring holiday destinations. To compile a list and to include all that the city has to offer was a herculean task. Once you step into the city you will be mesmerized by its hustle-bustle, legendary arts, delectable street food, quaint hill stations around, Bollywood industry, skyscrapers and much more. Here is a list of the most popular places to visit in Mumbai. Check them out!

Places to visit in Mumbai

Marine Drive – Mumbai Skyline

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One of the top places to visit in Mumbai is the popular Marine Drive, an arc shaped boulevard along the Arabian Sea coast of South Mumbai. It starts with the Spectacular Nariman Point and ends with the famous Chowpatty Beach. It is also called the ‘Queen’s Necklace’ due to its yellow street lights and the shape of the road along the coast.

Marine Drive is best viewed during sunset or just a leisurely stroll by the sea during day and almost empty at night. It is romantic getaway with the starry sky reflected in the musical waves along the Mumbai skyline.

Tips: If you want to avoid crowded areas, plan a trip late at night or early morning.

Gateway of India – Magnificent

Another one of the best places to visit in Mumbai with friends is undoubtedly the Gateway of India. The tall majestic gateway overlooks the Arabian Sea from a spectacular and unique in its location.

Built in 1924 by George Wittet (architect) the imposing monument is an amalgamation of Western and Indo-Arabic architecture. It is made of yellow basalt and solid concrete with Hindu and Muslim motifs embellished on it. It is one of the hottest tourist spot in Mumbai.

Tips: During Mumbai heavy rains and high tides avoid this area as it is bang next to the sea. Best time to visit is during or after sunset.

Juhu Beach

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Juhu Beach often takes the top position amongst tourist places in Mumbai. Juhu is renowned for its longest beach view and variety of typical Mumbai street food. The highlight of your visit could be a Bollywood celebrity jogging down the beach.

Juhu is best to visit during sunset to enjoy the cool sea breeze with hordes of tourists flocking it every day. The beach is dotted with food and toy vendors, acrobats and sandcastles. Nearby attractions are the iconic Iskcon Temple and Prithvi Café. You could also spot television shoots happening in the vicinity.

Tips: Due to safety concerns avoid staying there later than 1 AM. Binge on the local food items like – missal pao, bhelpuri, panipuri, pao bhaji and vada pao typical to Maharashtrian food.

Haji Ali Dargah – Spiritual Escape

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Looking for places to visit in Mumbai – Haji Ali Dargah is the spiritual mausoleum. It was raised in 1431 in the memory of Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari a Muslim trader who gave up worldly pleasures before his trip to Mecca.

The Dargah is beautifully situated 500 meters from the coast, 4500 sq m and 85 m tall, at the backdrop of the wide open sea view. It showcases multi colored glass handiwork with Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The pillars being engraved with mirror work that spell ‘ninety nine names of Allah’.

Tips: Make sure to attend the famous Qawalli session for a wonderful musical experience. Many a celebrities come here to seek blessings.

Siddhivinayak Temple –  Famous Shrine

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One of the top religious and tourist places in Mumbai is the Siddhivinayak Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha and is one of the most frequented temples in Mumbai. It is one of the richest temples due to the devotees who visit in huge numbers daily.

As per popular belief the statue of Lord Ganesha was self-manifested. The deity has four arms called Chaturbhuj with the famous aarti (worship) of the Lord a sight to behold.

Many a Bollywood celebrities visit the shrine every year.

Tips: Check out the timings of the aarti online, as they may change according to the Hindu calendar.

Elephanta Caves – Ferry Ride

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Looking for some historical places to visit in Mumbai with friends – tucked 11 km away from main land Mumbai, is a UNESCO world heritage Site, Elephanta Caves. These are ruins of once elaborately beautiful painted artworks.

The caves contain five Hindu and two Buddhist Caves dating back to the 5^th and 8^th century architecture. There are depictions of the images showing the scared river Ganga with Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati represented in the same body.

The caves are also a high point for trekkers and a popular picnic spot.

Tips: One has to take a ferry for joy ride to the caves between 9AM and 2.00PM with a nominal fee.

Essel World & Water Kingdom – Fun Park

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One of the most popular places to visit in Mumbai with friends and family is the Water Kingdom. It is located at Borivali West next to Essel World.

It is full of fun rides and slides for kids and adults (the most popular being ‘What-a-coaster’ Serpent safari, and Elephant Safari) making it one of the top tourist places in Mumbai for all ages.

Tips: People with a weak heart or sea/car sickness should avoid taking the rides.

Film City – Bollywood Uncut

One of the most sought places in Mumbai to visit is the Film City (1911) built under the guidance of the famous V. Shantaram. It is spread over 520 acres with twenty indoor studios based on the Film City of California. As many as 100 sets can be erected here at any given time, it is a major shooting location for Films and television shows.

It has India’s best studios with world-class facilities and is historical for both Hindi and Marathi film industry.

Film City is a must visit for all movie buffs or aspirants who want to be associated with the film industry.

Tips: Chose between various options of guided tours of the Film City organized especially for movie buffs. Tickets are a steep INR1,099 to 6,000 per head.

These are some of the most famous tourist places in Mumbai.

Other tourist places in Mumbai are Mount Mary Church, Victoria Terminus, Prince of Wales Museum and the Colaba Causeway. Amongst the recent are Sanjay Gandhi National Park, National Gallery of Modern Art, Fashion Street and Bandra Worli Sea Link to name a few.

Checkout our recommendations of road trips from Mumbai, road trips from Chennai, road trips from Hyderabad, road trips from Bangalore and road trips from Delhi. Plan your road trips here on ScoutMyTrip – The Ultimate Road Trip Planner.

Also here are some tips about road trip food and road trip hacks which will make your trip a lot more enjoyable.

Do leave your comments below and let us know which of the tourist places in Mumbai did you go to during your trip!