The city of dreams, the heart of India, an intersection of the second densest population of the country; here’s Aamchi Mumbai! An electrifying atmosphere and wild energy that will intimidate anyone who arrives; embodying the true spirit of India, its hot, fast,loud, crazy, relentless and endless, and just so much of everything at the same time. Right from the dazzling Bollywood to the suburban slums, the highs and the lows like never before.
The rich and brilliant culture awaits you, with a long-standing heritage co-existing with flourishing industrialization; Mumbai is two sides of the same coin, massively spread out and accommodating everything in its stride. Begin your vacation atFour Seasons Hotel Mumbai, to get the perfect starting point, for what will prove to be, no doubt, an exhilarating and grand experience. So, grab a vada pav and let’s go!
List of the Best Sites to Visit
Gateway of India
How can you not place this behemoth of a monument at the top of your Mumbai destination list? Built in 1911 by George Willet to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, it has now become a symbol for Mumbai itself. It’s always bustling with people, from visitors to vendors, hawkers, photographers etc.
Location: Apollo Bandar, Colaba
Marine Drive
No Bollywood movie ever, based on Mumbai has never not had a shot of the Marine Drive. There’s always a serenity that radiates off of this beautiful seafront that almost seems endless. Watch the sunset as it drowns away on the seamless Arabian Sea, and feel yourself relax with the calm waters.
Location: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Chowpatty
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site built during the British colonial period, in the year 1888. It is primarily Victorian-Gothic style with partial influence from the Mughal and Hindu temple architecture. It operates as both a terminus and the Headquarters of the Central Railway.
Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area
Sanjay Gandhi Park
Filled with charming attractions, this ecosystem spans over an area of 104 sq.km and is one of Asia’s most visited National parks. The 2000-year-oldKanheri Caves, the Gadhi Tekdi memorial, the Jain Temple, the toy train – Van Rani, the undisturbed natural trails, the artificial lake, and the safari cages make up the salient features of the park.
Location: Borivali East
Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Modern-day architecture at its finest, it is a 5.6 km cable bridge, spanning across Mahim Bay, and connects Bandra and Worli, supporting up to a total of 8 lanes of traffic. It took ten years to build and now stands as India’s engineering brilliance.
Location: KesarinathBuvaBhaye Marg, Koliwada, Worli
Elephanta Caves
A UNESCO World Heritage site, these huge rock-cut caves date back 120 years when they were carved from Basalt. It has five caves dedicated to Shiva, the Hindu God and two depicting Buddhist architecture. You need to take a ferry ride, that’s quite scenic from the Gateway of India.
Location: Gharapuri
EsselWorld
EsselWorld is India’s largest amusement park. It boasts around 71 attractions designed for thrill, fun and entertainment, out of which, over 50 are rides and eachis made for their specific age group. There are also DIY activities, the parade, dazzling shows and events.
Location: Global Pagoda Road, Gorai Island, Borivali West
Juhu Beach
Typically, a couple’s go-to date spot; with its breezy atmosphere, warm sand and cool waters, it makes for an ideal place for relaxation and quality time. The beachside restaurants are illuminated and magical in the evenings.
Location: Juhu Tara Road
Madh Island
It’s a group of quaint fishing villages and rustic farmlands onthe outskirts of northern Mumbai. With the Arabin Sea on its west and Malad Creek on the east, it’s full of beautiful beaches like Silver, Aksa, Erangel, Dana Pani and the Portuguese-built Versova fort standing, it’s a very popular haunt for locals and tourists alike.
Location: 30 km from the north-western coast of Mumbai
Haji Ali Dargah
Standing at around 500 yards away from the coast, insideof the Arabian Sea, the Haji Ali is a marvel of Indo-Islamic architecture that holds the tomb of Sufi saint Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. It’s an environment filled with serenity and spirituality.
Location: Islet coast of Worli, Dargah road
Location: Aarey Colony, Goregaon East
Siddhivinayak Temple
This spectacular monument of a shrine attracts devotees from all over the world. Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, this spiritual place is a beacon to millions of visitors who come here to experience the divinity of their faith. Famous personalities from sports and films are seen frequenting the temple often.
Location: Khed Galli, Pravhadevi
Nehru Planetarium
Commissioned on 3 March 1977, in the memory of Jawaharlal Nehru, this centre aims to cultivate scientific interest through both education and entertainment. It focuses on Astronomy with its various attractions and programs specially designed to foster curiosity and interest in young minds. Stargazing, the Moon’s surface, art galleries, its library, solar system models, miniature galaxy etc., are equally appealing to adult visitors as well.
Location: De Annie Besant Rd, Lotus Colony, Worli
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj VastuSangrahalaya
This famous museum documents and traces India’s history to modern times and is home to approximately 50,000 exhibits of ancient India, divided into three categories – Art, Archaeology and Natural History. It was built to commemorate the visit of the Prince of Wales during the British occupation. It received the 2010 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award.
Location: Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda Fort, Mumbai
Mumbai Film City
Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari, famously called Mumbai Film City is the home of Bollywood. Comprising of theatres, recording rooms, studios, shooting spots, gardens and lakes, the place is the quintessential location for Bollywood film shootings. Spread over an area of 520 acres, it has twenty indoor studios with over 900 movies and television shows having been shot here.
CONCLUSION
So, what’s going to be your first destination? Will you beeline straight for the magnificent modern marvels or take your time strolling and taking in the mythic atmosphere of the preserved sites? Well, just remember when you do arrive in Mumbai, head straight to Four Seasons Hotel Mumbai for the best of Indian hospitality. Begin at the heart of Worli, and set out to witness the true Indian experience, after all, it’s Mumbai Meri Jaan!