Encompassing 38.6 square miles (100 square kilometers), Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the world's largest parks within city limits as well as one of Asia's most-visited national parks. An attractive getaway from Mumbai, it's best-known as the home of the Kanheri Caves, rock-hewn monuments and dwellings more than 2,000 years old.
Part of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex in Mumbai, Banganga Tank collects water from a freshwater spring. The earliest mention of this water source is in the Ramayana, a sacred Hindu text: legend has it that the spring was created when Rama asked his brother Lakshman for water and Lakshman shot an arrow into the ground, causing water to flow.
At the southernmost tip of Mumbai, Colaba is a charming old neighborhood filled with colonial-era buildings, busy cafés, vibrant markets, and hotels for all budgets. It's one of the best parts of town to go for a stroll, and the craft stalls that line the main road ensure that most travelers won't leave empty-handed.
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the destroyer in the Hindu trinity, Babulnath Temple (Babulnath Mandir) is a beautiful, intricately carved building made of limestone and marble, situated atop a small hill. The current temple dates to 1890, but people have been worshiping at the site for much longer, and a previous temple was built there in the 18th century.
Deep in the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Kanheri Caves comprise 109 basalt grottos that were carved between the first century BC and the 10th century AD. The caves served as Buddhist monastic dwellings for many centuries, and some of the newer ones feature intricate carvings, pillars, and even rock-cut cisterns.
Dating back to the 15th century, this white-marble mosque and shrine (dargah) is among Mumbai's most important sights for Muslim pilgrims. It was built to honor a Muslim saint, Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who was known for spreading knowledge of Islam. Today worshipers and tourists come from across India to pray and learn about the mosque.
Officially known as the Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir, this temple was originally built back in 1801. It's one of the wealthiest temples in Mumbai, and it’s not uncommon to hear of Bollywood stars stopping to pray here. The temple also houses a shrine to Hanuman with an idol that was unearthed during a local road extension project.
India’s expansive Bandra-Worli Sea Link (Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, which connects the western suburbs of Mumbai to the well-heeled neighborhood of Bandra, is no exception. This 8-lane bridge opened to the public in 2009 and cost the equivalent of $250 million dollars to construct.
Just over a half mile (1.2 kilometers) long, this stretch of pedestrian walkway hugging the coast has become one of the city’s most popular hangout spots. On any given day, you’ll see locals jogging or relaxing in the park and young couples sneaking in displays of affection away from the prying eyes of parents.
One of the best places to score bargains in all of Mumbai, Fashion Street is a stretch of shops and market stalls selling inexpensive clothing and accessories, with a focus on international women's wear. While most people come here to bargain hunt, the people watching and abundant street food options make it worth a visit for everyone.
Sitting on a hill overlooking the Arabian Sea, Mount Mary Church is one of the most important churches in the city. It attracts people of all faiths, particularly during the annual Bandra Fair, which is held every September. The church is a great place to escape the hectic city and take a little time for peace and quiet reflection.
Looking out over the Arabian Sea in an upscale Mumbai suburb, Juhu Beach is a 7-mile strip of golden sand that attracts locals and tourists alike with its pleasant weather and laid-back vibe. It's often used for Bollywood film shoots, and you may even spot one of the city's many movie stars who live in the area.
Dating back to the 17th century, Mumbadevi Temple is one of the oldest temples in the city. The Hindu goddess Mumbadevi was the patron of the Koli people, Mumbai's original inhabitants, who relied primarily on fishing for their livelihood. Today the temple attracts pilgrims and tourists alike.
One of Mumbai's largest markets, gritty and loud Chor Bazaar is packed to the brim with second-hand items, from old furniture to antique bric-a-brac. Its name translates to "thieves market" and according to a local running joke, anything you lose in Mumbai will eventually make its way here. Rest assured, though: Most of the goods aren't actually stolen.
Tucked behind a bright-blue entryway in one of the busiest parts of south Mumbai, Bombay Panjrapole is one of the oldest animal welfare organizations in the city, one that dates back to the 1830s. Today this two-acre sanctuary houses hundreds of cows and other animals, including donkeys, dogs, goats, and all sorts of avian species.
A popular day trip from Mumbai, the Karla Caves is a series of Buddhist shrines that were carved from a hillside thousands of years ago, with many dating back to the first century BCE. Here you'll find beautifully preserved prayer halls and monasteries, many decorated with intricate sculptures of elephants, horses, and people.
Inaugurated in 1952, Jehangir Art Gallery is among India's foremost centers of contemporary art, exhibiting paintings, sculptures, photography, textile arts, and crafts. The gallery hosts upwards of 300 shows per year showcasing the works of established and emerging artists, along with all sorts of lectures and special programs.
In a neighborhood of markets, south Mumbai’s bustling Bhuleshwar Market (Bhuleshwar Bazaar) has long been a popular shopping spot for locals and visitors alike. Here you'll find everything from vibrant textiles to shimmering costume jewelry, along with many stalls selling practical items such as fruits and vegetables and kitchenware.
Dating back to 1785, Mahalakshmi Temple is among Mumbai's most popular Hindu places of worship, attracting pilgrims from around the world. While it's at its busiest during the annual nine-day celebration Navratri, dedicated to the goddess, a visit any time of year will give you a good introduction to Hindu beliefs and prayer.
SItuated in the Western Ghats, and within day-tripping distance of Mumbai, the Bhaja Caves is a series of 22 rock-hewn cave structures dating back to the 2nd century BC. They're worth visiting for their beautifully carved prayer halls, stupas, and relics, along with their depictions of scenes from Indian mythology.
The National Gallery of Modern Art Mumbai (NGMA) is among India's most prestigious modern art museums—alongside the Kolkata Museum of Modern Art and the national galleries in Bangalore and New Delhi. The museum holds thousands of artworks dating from the mid-18th century onward, by Indian painters such as Raja Ravi Varma, M. F. Husain, and Tyeb Mehta. There’s also a small collection of paintings by Pablo Picasso.
At the edge of the Colaba Causeway in southern Mumbai, Regal Circle (SP Mukherjee Chowk) is a busy intersection with a Victorian fountain at its center. Next to it is the art deco Regal Cinema, an active cinema hall that dates back to the early 1930s, and the whole area is surrounded by historical Raj-era buildings, restaurants, art galleries, and shops.
At Mumbai’s Red Carpet Wax Museum, conveniently located in the R City Mall, you can “meet” Mahatma Gandhi, Barack Obama, the late Queen Elizabeth II, and other celebrities. The museum makes a fun, short break from shopping, with lots of opportunities to take memorable selfies, and you can even make a wax cast of your hand as a souvenir.
Spread out over 4 acres (1.6 hectares), the ISKCON Temple of Mumbai is an excellent spot for visitors to learn more about Hindu traditions, and those who wish can take part in chanting and classes. The temple’s interior is adorned with spiritually oriented artwork and religious statuary, and the grounds include a large restaurant and guest house.
Officially known as Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Colaba Causeway is a major artery in South Mumbai, connecting the Colaba and Fort neighborhoods. Part of the street is lined with shops and stalls selling everything from nautical-instrument reproductions to budget fashion, and many visitors to Mumbai stay in the general area.
Spanning hundreds of acres, Filmcity (now officially known as Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri) has been a popular location for Bollywood filming since the Maharashtra state government built it back in the late 1970s. The massive complex is one of the largest of its kind in India, and features everything from indoor studios to full-sized village recreations. With 16 indoor studios and 42 outdoor shooting locations, multiple film sets can operate at once.
Designed like a palace in the Indo-Saracenic style, the elegant 5-star Taj Mahal Palace hotel was built in 1903. Once synonymous with Mumbai’s most glamorous people and representing the ultimate in the city’s heritage accommodations, the site was hit during the terrorist attacks that ravaged the city in late 2008. But since then, the hotel has risen again as a premier property.
Mumbai’s Yazoo Park is an amusement park with a variety of rides and attractions designed to appeal to all age groups, from ball pits and slides for young kids to roller coasters and carnival-style games for teenagers and adults. An attached water park and a variety of other amenities make this an excellent spot for family fun.
Touting itself as Asia's largest aquatic theme park, Water Kingdom is an expansive water park spread in the northern outskirts of Mumbai, right by the sea. As the name suggests, attractions here are centered around water, with all sorts of pools and slides—one of which features a 7-story drop and reaches speeds of up to 40 mph (64 kmp).
Some of Bollywood’s most famous productions have come out Mumbai’s S.J. Studios, one of the city’s premiere filming locations. Bollywood films are shot here 365 days a year, and with eight full-sized sets open to guests, chances are high that visitors will spot a Bollywood star or catch a glimpse of a filming taking place.
