Mumbai (Bombay), India — Where to Go
Mumbai (Bombay) Sightseeing Overview
Mumbai's main sights can be found in south Mumbai, where the European settlers established themselves and local communities took root. The center of Imperial Bombay is the area known as Fort, after the fortifications that protected the British settlement. This area and its surrounds are lined with an array of grandiose Victorian buildings and art deco apartment blocks. North of here are the narrow, twisting streets and medieval bazaars.
Superimposed on these two distinctly different parts of Mumbai is the modern city: the 1930s developments along Marine Drive and on Cumbala Hill, the modern office blocks to the west of the Maidans, and the tower blocks that line the southern end of Back Bay. Further north, up the peninsula, are the city suburbs, where the worst of the shantytowns and slums are located.
Most attractions are fairly central and can be reached on foot; otherwise taxis are the easiest way to get around. Most sights have a different admission fee for Indians and foreigners and may impose camera/video charges. Admission fees for foreigners are sometimes displayed in US Dollars but are payable in the Rupee equivalent.
Mumbai (Bombay) Tourist Information
Government of India tourist office
123 Mararishi Karve Road, Churchgate
Tel: (022) 2207 4333/4 or 2203 3144/5.
Website: www.incredibleindia.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1800, Sat 0830-1400.
There are also offices at the international and the domestic airports. Many of the individual states of India have their own tourist office in Mumbai. The Government of India tourist office provides contact details.
Mumbai (Bombay) Sightseeing
There are currently no tourist passes available in Mumbai.
Mumbai (Bombay) Sightseeing
There are currently no tourist passes available in Mumbai.
Key Attractions in Mumbai (Bombay), India
GatewayofIndia
The bold basalt arch of Mumbai's Gateway of India was built by the British to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary's visit to India in 1911. Designed by George Wittet, the foundation stone was laid in 1911 but the gateway itself was not completed until 1924. The design is a mixture of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles; the pillars are similar to those found in Hindu temples and the windows derived from Islamic architecture. In earlier times, the Gateway was one of the first sights visitors arriving by boat would have seen of Mumbai. These days it attracts a colorful crowd of tourists, hawkers and beggars.
Apollo Bunder seafront
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Free admission.
ChhatrapatiShivajiTerminus(CST)
(formerly Victoria Terminus)
Now the headquarters of the Central Railway, this magnificent terminus building (commonly known as CST or Bombay VT) was completed in 1888 for the Great Indian Peninsular Railway. Designed by the architect FW Stevens, it is one of the world's grandest railway stations and was added to the UNESCO Wold Heritage list in 2004. A wonderful mixture of Victorian Gothic, Hindu and Islamic styles, the magnificent building is awash with domes, turrets, spires and stained-glass windows, and boasts a particularly beautiful staircase. Not bad for a train station that happens to be the busiest in Asia.
Dr D Navroji Road, Fort
Tel: (022) 2265 6565.
Opening hours: Daily early morning to late evening.
Free admission.
StThomas'sCathedral
Recently restored to its former glory, St Thomas' Cathedral was the first Anglican Church to be built in the city and the oldest English building in Mumbai. Construction on the cathedral began in 1676 although work was not completed until 1718. The tower and clock were added in 1838 and the chancel in 1863. While the building itself is impressive, the colonial memorials that line the cathedral are of particular interest. Look out for the memorial belonging to Captain George Hardinge whereby Hardinge is being borne away on a huge seashell pulled by two fiery seahorses.
3 Veer Nariman, Fort
Opening hours: Daily 0730-1800.
Free admission; donations welcome.
Taj Mahal Palace & Tower
One of Mumbai's favorite landmarks, this grandiose hotel hit the headlines in November 2008 when it became a target of a terrorist attack. Although it suffered significant damage, this building has been wowing visitors to the city since 1903 and is well worth a visit. Built by JN Tata, the Parsi industrialist, after supposedly being refused entry into one of the city's European hotels for being 'a native', it has since hosted everyone from The Beatles to Bill Clinton. Even if you don't stay here, however, it's worth stopping by just to look around.
Apollo Bunder
Tel: (022) 6665 3366.
Website: www.tajhotels.com
Free admission.
ChhatrapatiShivajiMaharajVastu Sangrahalaya
(formerly the Prince of Wales Museum)
Mumbai's biggest, and many would argue best, museum is housed within a grand domed building amid beautiful gardens. It was opened in 1923 to commemorate King George VI's first visit to India and was designed by George Wittet of Gateway of India fame. Inside, the eclectic collections house everything from Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and miniature paintings to weaponry and stuffed animals. The admission fee includes a helpful audio guide.
K Dubash Marg, Kalaghoda
Tel: (022) 2284 4484.
Website: www.bombaymuseum.org
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 1015-1745.
Admission charge.
HornimanCircle
Originally called Elphinstone Circle, Horniman Circle is the epicenter of the Fort area. It consists of James Scott's elegantly curved, arcade terraces with a garden in the middle. It was the first significant piece of the city's redevelopment, which began under the governorship of Sir Bartle Frere in the 1860s. The central gardens are open to the public and offer a lush and shady retreat from the cacophony of the streets. Following independence, the Circle was renamed Horniman Circle, after the editor of the Bombay Chronicle, Benjamin Horniman, who was an avid supporter of Indian independence.
Horniman Circle, Fort area
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 1000-2030, Sat 1600-2030.
Free admission.
TownHall
A distinguished neo-classical structure overlooking Horniman Circle, Mumbai's Town Hall was built between 1821 and 1833, to designs by Colonel Thomas Cowper. It originally stood on Bombay Green, which was the center of the Fort area, and is one of the few remnants (along with the Mint Building) of pre-Victorian Bombay. It's an impressive structure ordered by colonnades, wrought iron staircases and parquet flooring. Today the building is used as a public library and houses over a 100,000 books, of which 15,000 are classified as rare and valuable.
Horniman Circle, Fort
Tel: (022) 2266 0956.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1030-1815.
Free admission.
JehangirArtGallery
Founded by Sir Cowasji Jehangir, the Jehangir Art Gallery is Mumbai's premier contemporary art exhibition space. It boasts four exhibition halls and regularly shows works by Indian artists with most works available for sale. Those artists not yet fortunate enough to have their artwork displayed inside the gallery often exhibit paintings on the pavement outside. The gallery is also home to Natesans, the country's oldest licensed antique dealers and the popular Samovar café.
Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort
Tel: (022) 2204 8212.
Opening hours: Daily 1100-1900.
Free admission; some exhibitions may charge.
ShrineofHajiAli
Commemorating a Muslim saint who died while on pilgrimage to Mecca, the Shrine of Haji Ali rises magnificently out of the sea sparkling in the bright sunshine. Built on a tiny islet 500m (1,640ft) from the coast and linked only by a narrow causeway, access to the Shrine is only possible at low tide. The Shrine consists of a mosque and daragh (tomb), and both are beautiful examples of Indian Islamic architecture.
Off Lala Lajpa Trai Murg
Opening hours: Daily 0500-2200, subject to tides.
Free admission.
Mumbadevi Temple
This old Hindu temple in the heart of Bhuleshwar Market was built to honor the city's patron deity Goddess Mumbai (after whom the English word 'Bombay' was supposed to have been derived). While not ornate or of particular architectural merit, this crumbling temple forms part of Mumbai's rich history having stood there for the last six centuries. Inside the temple, the modern shrine displays an image of the Goddess Mumbai, and a tiger, the traditional carrier of the Goddess, sits in front of the shrine.
Bhuleshwar Market
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 0630-2130.
Free admission; donations welcome.
Babulnath Temple
Perched on the northeastern end of Malabar Hill, overlooking Chowpatty Beach, a visit to Balbulnath Temple involves a steep climb (or a cheeky ride up the elevator). Located nearly 305m (1,000ft) above sea level, the ancient temple of Lord Babulnath (Lord Shiva) features elaborate carvings and a grand terrace. Devotees climb to the top to receive darshan of the temple deity and blessings.
Near junction of Walkeshwar and Marine Drive
Opening hours: Daily dawn-dusk.
Free admission; donations welcome.
Further Distractions
Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat (Washing Place)
Mumbai's 136-year-old Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat is where the city's dirty laundry gets washed and aired. Every day hundreds of dhobi wallahs (someone who does the laundry) beat the dirt out of hundreds of bags of laundry in row upon row of open-air troughs.
Dr E Moses Road, Mahalaxmi
Opening hours: Dawn to dusk.
Free admission.
Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach
Built on land reclaimed from Back Bay in 1920, Marine Drive is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare. Lined with grandiose Victorian buildings, aging art deco apartment blocks and palm trees, the road runs down Back Bay from Malabar Hill to Nariman Point. At night the promenade twinkles with streetlights, which if viewed from above supposedly resembles a string of pearls; hence the promenade's nickname 'Queen's Necklace'. At the top end of Marine Drive is Chowpatty Beach, the only strip of sand in central Mumbai and a favorite spot with locals for evening strolls.
Malabar Hill to Nariman Point
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Free admission.
University of Mumbai
Still more commonly referred to as Bombay University, this imposing gothic building is one of the oldest universities in India. It was designed by Gilbert Scott in 1857, the same architect responsible for London's St Pancras Station, and remains today an impressive structure. It's possible to look inside the University Library and Convocation Hall but unfortunately not the 80m-high (262ft) Rajabai Clock Tower.
Fort area, M.G. Road
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Free admission.
Malabar Hill
Jutting out to the sea from the northern end of Marine Drive, Malabar Hill offers splendid views of Mumbai. The hill is one of the most exclusive residential areas in Mumbai and is home to the city's high-flyers. The state governor's official residence can be found here. The area is also home to the Banganga, an ancient water tank which forms part of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex, and the pretty terraced Hanging Gardens.
Marine Drive
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours.
Free admission.
