5 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Mumbai
Mumbai is a city of contrasts. Arguably India’s most cosmopolitan city, it brims with gourmet restaurants, five-star hotels, the fancy living quarters of Bollywood megastars and renowned attractions. But remember: An estimated 20 million people call this bustling metropolis home, giving India’s largest city a distinctively chaotic, energized feel.
It’s easy to experience India at its most authentic in Mumbai. You’ll see Hindu devotees picking up garlands from the massive flower market near Dadar railway station, “dabbawalas” (translated as people who carry containers) delivering hundreds of thousands of freshly cooked lunches to the city’s office workers from Churchgate railway station, the swirling colors of the bustling “Thieves Market,” and people of all walks of life enjoying the sunset from the sugary sand at Marine Drive Chowpatty. Mumbai is equal parts overwhelming and inspiring, and you’ll never forget your first visit to this city.
Tourists are spoiled for choice when it comes to things to do in Mumbai. Plan your adventure in this incredible city with our list of the top tourist attractions in Mumbai.
1. Visit the Gateway of India
Standing proud on the banks of the Arabian Sea at the Apollo Bunder waterfront area, the Gateway of India is one of Mumbai’s most popular and treasured landmarks. The 26-meter basalt archway, which combines the architectural styles of Roman triumphal arches with traditional Hindu and Muslim designs, was built as a gesture of welcoming for King George V and Queen Mary when they visited British India in 1911. Ironically, it was under this very archway that the last British troops exited India in 1948, after the country declared its independence from Great Britain.
Nowadays, the Gateway of India is one of the most popular gathering spots in Mumbai for tourists and locals alike. Watch the yachts and ferries take off to sea from the five jetties that flank the arch. Enjoy some of the famous bhelpuri (a crunchy, savory snack made of puffed rice and doused in tamarind sauce) from the street food vendors. Or just spend an hour or two people watching at this lively attraction.
Afterwards, walk 10 minutes southwest to the Colaba Causeway Market, a vibrant bazaar selling everything you can imagine and more. It’s one of the best places for cheap shopping in Mumbai.
2. Watch the Sunset on Marine Drive
No trip to Mumbai would be complete without a cruise down Marine Drive. The 3.6-kilometer-long, C-shaped boulevard offers epic views of the coast. However, just as amazing are the sightseeing opportunities on the other side of Marine Drive. The street is lined with stunning Art Deco buildings that have earned status as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
After your mini road trip, head out on foot for some more sightseeing along the Marine Drive promenade. The best time to go is at sunset. That’s when tourists and Mumbaikars gather on the sands of Girgaum Chowpatty to see the cotton candy skies fade to dark while noshing on Mumbai’s famous street food from nearby stalls.
Hot tip: Wonder why Marine Drive is also known as “Queen’s Necklace”? Just look up at the street lights—they were positioned to make the road resemble a pearl necklace from above.
3. Drive across the Bandra-Worli Sea Link
One of Mumbai’s most iconic sites is a cable-stayed bridge known as the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. Opened in 2009, the eight-lane bridge connects the central business district with the western suburbs over the open sea, offering some much-needed relief from the congestion on the Mahim Causeway. It has become the Mumbai equivalent of New York’s Brooklyn Bridge or Sydney’s Opera House.
For the most impressive views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, head to the Bandra Fort, a historic watchtower built by the Portuguese in 1640. It’s also worth driving across the bridge, as well. By day, you can see the crashing sea on both sides of the bridge. And at night, watch the bridge light up with spectacular colors.
4. Take Pictures of the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai
Tourists can find another popular site right near the Gateway of India: The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai and Tower. More than a century old, India’s first luxury hotel is revered for the grandeur of its brownstone exterior. The windowed facade infuses its Renaissance architecture with Islamic touches, like corner turrets topped with onion domes, pointed archways, and covered balconies.
Fun fact: The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai hotel is one of India’s most photographed places. Walk by and snap your own picture from street level. Or, better yet, step inside the hotel’s colonial-style restaurant, Sea Lounge, in the afternoon for an elaborate high tea.
5. Visit the Kanheri Caves
While Mumbai may look like a shiny, modern city at first glance, it also has some ancient sites that will leave you in awe. Spend a day at Sanjay Gandhi National Park exploring the Kanheri Caves, a complex of monuments that were carved out of the basalt formations around 2,000 years ago. Inside the 109 cave entrances, you’ll see large stupas (a hint that this was once a sacred place for Buddhists), congregation areas, and prayer halls. Look for the incomplete paintings of the Buddha on the ceiling of cave 34.
Address: Borivali East, Mumbai