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Things to do in Mumbai for a Fantastic Holiday

Things to do in Mumbai for a Fantastic Holiday

Mumbai is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. The city has a rich history and culture, as well as some amazing attractions that are sure to pique your interest. Here are just some of my favorite things to do when visiting Mumbai:

Visit the Gateway of India

One of the most popular tourist attractions in Mumbai, this historical monument is a must-visit spot.

Situated at Girgaum Chowpatty, this monument was built to commemorate the visit by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to India in 1868. The Gateway of India stands over 100 feet tall and has seven floors filled with intricate sculptures and paintings depicting various scenes from Indian history. It also houses an IMAX theatre where you can watch films about India's past or present day life on earth!

Explore Marine Drive

  • Take a stroll along the iconic Marine Drive, also known as the Queen's Necklace, and enjoy the beautiful sea views.
  • Check out one of Mumbai’s oldest and most famous landmarks: Elephanta Caves! This UNESCO World Heritage site is home to several rock-cut temples carved into caves that date back to around 1000 AD. The caves are located about 70km from Mumbai on Ganeshkhind Island in Gujarat state but make for an excellent day trip from Mumbai if you have time on your hands (more on this later).
  • Visit Santa Cruz Church—a Portuguese-era church built by Jesuits who arrived in Goa between 1510 and 1517 (and stayed until 1654). It has been designated as an architectural masterpiece by UNESCO since 1988 because of its unique design motifs such as arches made up only out of brickwork instead of stone blocks like many other churches across India were built with at that time

Enjoy the street food

  • Enjoy the street food: Mumbai is famous for its street food, so don't miss out on trying some of the local favorites like vada pav, pav bhaji, and bhel puri.
  • Visit the Gateway of India: This monument was built to commemorate the visit of Queen Victoria in 1887. It's located opposite Marine Drive and has been a major landmark in this city since then. It also serves as a great place to watch fireworks during Diwali or Holi festivals!

Visit the Elephanta Caves

The Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the oldest Hindu temples in India. They were carved out by a family that lived on an island in the middle of the sea, thousands of years ago. The rock-cut temples are made from granite stones and can be seen today at several places along with sculptures depicting animals, humans and mythical beings.

The caves are located about 45 minutes away from Mumbai city center by ferry boat or taxi ride. If you have time to visit only one site on this list then make it this one!

Watch a Bollywood movie

  • Watch a Bollywood movie: Mumbai is the hub of Bollywood, so catch a movie at one of the many theaters to experience the vibrant cinema culture.
  • Explore the nightlife: Whether you're looking for bars and clubs or lounges and Mumbai restaurants, Mumbai has it all! You can find everything from pubs on Marine Drive to dance clubs in Colaba—but if you want something unique, try out an adventure activity like sky-diving or horse riding!

Go shopping at Colaba Causeway

Colaba Causeway is a bustling street market where you can find everything from clothes and accessories to souvenirs and antiques. This place is perfect for people who like to shop, as there are many stands selling different items. You can also find food stalls along the way if you’re hungry after exploring the area!

Visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

While Mumbai is a city of many wonders, there's one that stands out above all others. It's the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), better known as CST or CTS. This historic railway station, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an architectural marvel that showcases the city's Victorian Gothic style.

This famous landmark has been around since 1878 when it was built by Claudius Henryk Wieniawski and named after Queen Victoria because she had visited India during her reign in Britain.

Take a tour of Dharavi

  • Take a tour of Dharavi: Dharavi is one of the largest slums in Asia, but also a thriving community with a diverse culture. Take a tour to see the daily life of its residents.
  • Go to Siddhivinayak Temple: This temple was built by Maratha general Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in 1648 and has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It's located near Mahalaxmi Race Course, so you can easily find parking if you're driving or taking public transport there from Mumbai's central parts.
  • Visit Elephanta Island: Elephanta Island is located between Mumbai and Elephanta Caves; it's home to various Hindu temples which date back centuries ago when this area was ruled by Hindu kings like the Mauryas who ruled over northern India at that time period.*

Explore the art scene at Kala Ghoda

  • Explore the art scene at Kala Ghoda: Kala Ghoda is Mumbai's art district, where you can find galleries, museums, and street art.
  • Visit a flea market: Many of these markets are open-air and sell everything from used clothes to handcrafted items. If you're looking for something specific in particular—like a particular piece of jewelry—it's best to do some research beforehand so that you know what kind of prices people are willing to pay for certain items at each one (merchants often have their own personal favorites).
  • Eat at an Indian restaurant: I'd recommend eating here if possible because most Indian food comes from home-cooked meals rather than restaurants serving pre-packaged meals like Western restaurants do; this means that the quality will be higher than what we get here in America!

Visit the Haji Ali Dargah

  • Visit the Haji Ali Dargah: The Haji Ali Dargah is a beautiful mosque located on a tiny island off the coast of Mumbai, accessible by a causeway.
  • Check out Victoria Memorial: This memorial museum features paintings by Sir Frank Lee-Wong, who was one of India's most famous artists at the time of its construction. It also has some great views over Mumbai!

Relax at Juhu Beach

Juhu Beach is a popular spot to unwind, enjoy the sea breeze and watch the sunset.

The beach is also home to many cafes, restaurants and bars that cater to all kinds of tastes.

Go on a street art walk

The city is home to some incredible street art, and taking a walking tour to discover the city's colorful murals and graffiti is a fun way to explore. A good place to start your journey is the Gateway of India, which sits on Marine Drive near Chowpatty Beach. While you're there, check out some of its nearby murals—there are several impressive examples of this art form along this stretch of road!

After that, head over to Mumbai Central Station (which was built in 1887) for more street art. There's no better way than getting lost in Mumbai during rush hour traffic so that you can see all kinds of different styles: from original pieces by local artists like Chintan Upadhyay who created an installation called "Mumbai" or Suyash Rai who painted over his own work with bright color combinations; or even more contemporary pieces such as those created by New York-based artist duo Mooki & Bhatta."

Visit the Sanjay Gandhi National Park

If you're looking for a place to explore nature, the Sanjay Gandhi National Park is an excellent choice. This sprawling park on the outskirts of Mumbai offers a refreshing escape from the city and its modern pace, with hiking trails, a wildlife sanctuary and ancient caves.

Some of my favorite parts were visiting Gir Forest Reserve where we saw leopards in their natural habitat; trekking through Dindori Tiger Reserve where I saw tigers roaming around wild; climbing up Mount Abu's Nanda Devi Peak (the highest peak in India), which was breathtakingly beautiful!

Explore the Chor Bazaar

The Chor Bazaar is a fascinating place to browse antiques, vintage items, and other unique finds. This market was once home to the city's most famous thieves but now has been transformed into a tourist attraction by the government. You'll find everything from antique jewelry to paintings and sculptures at this historic labyrinth of vendors selling their wares on the street or in tiny shops tucked away in alleyways.

The best way to experience all that there is to see here is by walking along its narrow lanes with their cobblestone streets and high walls protecting pedestrians from being mugged or falling off ledges as they walk between buildings that are hundreds of years old.

Experience the nightlife

If you're looking for a fun way to spend your time in Mumbai, look no further than its vibrant nightlife scene. With trendy bars, nightclubs and live music venues, there's never been a better time to embrace the city's nightlife culture.

If you're feeling up for an adventure on the dance floor then head out to one of Mumbai's many nightclubs where you can enjoy all-night parties every weekend. Alternatively if you're more of an evening person then try out some of the more intimate lounge bars where people gather together over drinks and conversation while enjoying music played by talented musicians on stage during intermissions between sets.