Mumbai, the bustling “City of Dreams,” offers a rich blend of history, culture, and coastal charm. From the iconic Gateway of India and serene Marine Drive to the spiritual Haji Ali Mosque and ancient Elephanta Caves, this vibrant city has something for every traveler. Explore Chowpatty Beach for its street food, visit the luxurious Taj Hotel, or experience the unique open-air laundromat at Dhobi Ghat. Don’t miss the colorful markets like Crawford and the food-filled lanes of Mohammad Ali Road. Discover Mumbai’s top 10 must-visit places, each offering a glimpse into the heart of this energetic metropolis.
1. Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai:
Girgaon Chowpatty, located in the Girgaon area of Mumbai, gives the beach its name. This public beach adjoins the 3.6 km-long Marine Drive promenade. Chowpatty Beach stands out in Mumbai for many reasons, particularly during Ganesh Chaturthi, when people from across Mumbai and Pune gather to immerse Lord Ganesh’s idols in the Arabian Sea on the 3rd, 5th, and 7th days. The beach also hosts ‘Ram Leela’ performances, adding to its cultural significance. College students and families frequent it on weekends, and the nearby fast food spots make it an ideal place to relax and unwind.
How to reach:
From Churchgate Station take the local train to Charni Road and from there walk to the beach.
2. Â Gateway of India:
Constructed in 1924, this monument commemorates the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Bombay (Mumbai) in March 1911. Governor Sir George Sydenham Clarke laid the foundation stone, and construction began on March 13, 1913, finishing in 1924. The monument was inaugurated on December 4, 1924. Standing 48 feet in diameter and 83 feet tall, it remains open to visitors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How to reach:
From Churchgate Station take a shared or personal taxi to reach Gateway of India.
3. Â Babu Amichand Panalal Adishwarji Jain Temple:
People consider this temple one of the most beautiful Jain temples in India. The artistic sculptures on the main door enhance its beauty, and two stone elephants stand at the entrance. Inside, the temple features numerous handmade paintings that add to its grandeur. Visitors can find various images of great deities and saints, including an image of Lord Ganesh, which signifies the connection between Jainism and Hinduism. The temple opens at 5:30 AM and closes at 9:00 PM.
How to reach:
From Mumbai Central Station you can take a private taxi.
4. Â Haji Ali Mosque, Mumbai:
Haji Ali Mosque serves as both a mosque and a dargah, constructed in 1431 to honor the wealthy Muslim merchant Sayyed Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a Sufi saint from Uzbekistan (now in Pakistan). Located on the coast of Worli in southern Mumbai, the mosque attracts approximately 80,000 visitors each week.
According to those close to Haji Ali, he once saw a woman weeping while holding an empty vessel. He asked her why she cried, and she explained that she had accidentally spilled the oil she needed to take home, fearing her husband would punish her. Haji Ali then instructed the woman to take him to the spot where she spilled the oil. There, he jabbed a finger into the soil, causing the oil to gush out. The woman filled her vessel with joy and returned home.
How to reach:
Get off at Mumbai Central Station from there hire a taxi to the mosque. It is about 3 km.
5. Â Crawford market, Market:
This market is also famous as ‘Mahatma Jyoti Phule Mandai’. It is south Mumbai’s most famous market. Originally, Arthur Crawford lent his name to this market. Vendors sell vegetables, fruits, and poultry throughout the market, while one end features a pet store that occasionally sells dogs, cats, and other animals of various breeds, sometimes illegally. The market closes on Tuesdays and opens at 11:00 AM, remaining open until around 8:00 PM. Shoppers can find a wide range of products, including party supplies, artificial jewelry, travel bags, ready-to-stitch clothes, and more.
How to reach:
Get off at Andheri Railway Station take a local train going southwards and stop at Dadar Western. From Dadar Western change line and catch a train to Mumbai CST.Â
6. Â Muhammad Ali Road:
This market is famous among non-veg lovers and people with a sweet tooth. This market is lined with food stalls on both sides of the street. You can enjoy kababs, biryanis, Malpuas, ice creams, and many more. Here you can enjoy fresh food at reasonable prices. Some of the famous places to eat are Surati Barah Handi, Noor Mohammadi Hotel, Shalimar, Taj Ice Cream, Fakhri Sweets, and Suleman Usman.
How to reach:
Get off at Mumbai CST and walk for 5 minutes.
7. Â Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai:
Dhobi Ghat is an open-air laundromat. It holds a Guinness world record for the ‘Maximum number of dhobis washing clothes at a place’. People refer to washers as dhobis. Dhobi Ghat collects clothes from hotels, hospitals, and homes throughout Mumbai. The facility features aligned washing pens equipped with flogging stones. Dhobis gather clothes from owners and tag them with codes to ensure they return the correct items to each owner. More than 200 families live at Dhobi Ghat, where dhobis wash, dry, and iron clothes. They also dye fabrics on-site. Dhobi Ghat generates an estimated annual turnover of about 100 crores. However, it struggles with unhygienic conditions that contribute to the spread of malaria and dengue.
How to reach:
De-board at Mahalaxmi Station, and take a left to the flyover bridge which will take you to the saat rasta and dhobi ghat.Â
8. Â Taj Hotel, Mumbai:
The Taj Hotel opened on December 16, 1903. Jamsetji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group, owns this huge 5-star luxurious hotel, which sits near the Gateway of India. This grand establishment boasts 550 rooms, 44 suites, and 9 restaurants, supported by a staff of 1,600 employees. The Taj’s construction divides into two sections: ‘The Taj Palace’ and ‘The Taj Tower.’ During World War I, the hotel served as a military hospital with 600 beds. It also fell victim to the 2008 Mumbai attack. Room prices range from 9,000 to 700,000 rupees per night, depending on the facilities provided.
How to reach:
Deboard at Bandra terminus, and take a cab to The Taj Palace.
9. Elephanta Caves:
It is a collection of cave temples of Lord Shiva. These caves are located on Elephanta Island also known as Gharapuri. The syncretism of the Hindus and Buddhists is made up of cut rocks. They were named ‘Elefante’ but were later modified to Elephanta by the colonial Portuguese who found elephant statues in caves. Elephanta Island is 2.4 km in length. It also has 2 hills, which are connected through the walkway. The eastern hill is known as the Stupa Hill. The western hill is known as the Cannon Hill.
How to reach:
From Gateway of India buy tickets of the ferry boat from MTDC. It will take 1 hour to reach Elephanta Island by sea.
10. Marine Drive, Mumbai:
It is a 3.6 km long promenade near the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road. It is a C-shaped six-lane concrete road. Marine Drive is also known as Queen’s Necklace because when seen from a height at night, the Marine Drive looks like a necklace of pearls due to street lights.
How to reach:
Deboard at Churchgate/ Charni Road/ Marine lines. Marine Drive is just a walking distance from these stations.
