A city with well-known architectural beauties like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the World One skyscraper set against the natural harbour of the Konkan coast, Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, India. It has now become one of the biggest melting pots in the world, boasting an ever-increasing population that is attracted by both the sights and business opportunities available here. Seeing all it has to offer may seem like a daunting task, but you are sure to find something to your liking in this megalopolis.
The city is split into diverse areas, making Mumbai's urban setting a complex nest of cultures, greatly influenced by the wave of immigrants taking their shot in the city of opportunities.
Widely renowned as its pulsing heart, the southernmost precinct of Mumbai represents the downtown area and certainly the wealthiest neighbourhood in the whole of India. Home to the oldest and newest parts of the city, it boasts the iconic Gateway of India and the contemporary hustle around the Flora Fountain, along with other monuments, luxury retailers, art galleries and restaurants. South Mumbai is a fine starting point, a take-off platform to begin exploring the concealed wonders located throughout the city.
The birthplace of the Indian film industry, Mumbai also houses Bollywood and its light-filled studios, fascinating dances and intense rhythms, with a production volume of over 1000 films per year.
A complex tangle of cultures and creeds, the financial capital of India is a hub of activity. Get a flavourful sample of the country's food by visiting Crawford Market, experience a journey through the life of one of the most influential men in India at the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum, and visit a fortune teller after a pony ride at Chowpatty Beach.
Historical sites are located throughout the city, boasting ancient caves and temples while the city itself, with its bustling daily life and luxurious retail shops and restaurants, is an experience in itself.
Gateway of India
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Flora Fountain at Hutatma Chowk
Dhobi Ghat
Elephanta Caves
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum (Gandhi’s House)
Chowpatty Beach
Shree Siddhivinayak Temple
Kanheri Caves
Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market
Global Vipassana Pagoda
Dadar Flower Market
Juhu Beach
General Post Office
Malabar Hill
Nehru Centre
Snow World
ISKCON Mandir - Juhu
Prithvi Theatre
Renowned for its vast street food culture, Mumbai's streets bustle with food vendors and diverse stalls. Mumbaikars from all walks of life pour down the crowded streets indulging in the numerous delicacies the city has to offer, in a tradition that dates back several years and reaches its peak in Mumbai. Regional Indian cuisine can be sampled on this city's main roads, offering insights into its culinary tradition.
Pav bhaji, a vegetable curry served with a soft bread roll, is a local speciality while Vada Pav, the poor man's burger and kebabs perfectly represent Mumbai and its thousands of flavours. Bhel puri, a sweet and sour dish made of deep-fried pastry shells with onion, tomato and chilli is a popular snack often linked with Mumbai's beaches.
Locals tend to prefer grabbing some street food rather than going to the restaurant. However, this cosmopolitan hub has a long list of places to try - traditional Indian cuisine, Italian, and Asian, the city is well equipped with every kind of exotic eatery.
Olive Bar & Kitchen
Khyber Restaurant
Cream Centre
Golden Punjab
New Martin Hotel Restaurant
Leopold Café & Bar
Nawab Saheb
Thai Pavilion
Out of the Blue
China House Lounge
Gajalee
Swati Snacks
Cecconi's Mumbai
With its own coffee culture and as a vibrant and constantly growing centre, Mumbai boasts a wide range of cafeterias and afternoon tea spots. From happening cafes to elegant lounges, the city doesn't lack destinations for coffee connoisseurs and, considering the wide and diverse offer, there won't be difficulties in finding a place that best fits your needs.
Cafe Mondegar
Sea Lounge (The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel)
Mockingbird Cafe Bar
Bombay to Barcelona Library Café
Prithvi Café
The Nutcracker
Mumbai's vigorous club and bar scene has become increasingly popular among party lovers. In the last ten years, the city has seen many hangouts rise quickly, making India's commercial capital a suitable destination for night owls.
The district of Colaba is where most of the party-goers hover; starting the evening in one of its bars or cruising around local food stalls and souvenir shops squeezed down the crowded Colaba Causeway. From here, the way is paved, opening up no shortage of options available until around 3am, when most bars and clubs tend to close.
Olive Bar & Kitchen
Round About Bar & Kitchen
Aer Lounge
Drop
Breeze Lounge
Kitty Su Mumbai
Bombay Cocktail Bar
Rude Lounge
Rock Bottom
A wide range of upmarket outlets pop up sparsely throughout the city. Plentiful handicrafts, textiles and clothes of any sort sit in local shops, waiting to be discovered. Fruit and vegetable markets, typical clothes bazaars and thousands of hawkers located among outdoor dumps and upscale residential areas thrive within the lively city.
Mumbaikers, living in such a urban jungle, have learnt how to get the best deals out of the city's thousands of vendors. A Mumbaiker would tell you that the stalls along MG Road boast some great quality signature items from brand manufacturers, that Colaba Causeway offers some of the best knickknacks in town or that fruit at the Crawford Market is fresher in the morning. There are lots of choices on Mereweather Road but you might, however, have to haggle to get the price you want.
Shoppers Stop
Colaba Causeway
Chor Bazaar
Fashion Street
Kulture Shop
High Street Phoenix
Hill Road
Kitab Khana
Crawford Market (Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the busiest airport in India. Expect it to take around 90 minutes to get into the city centre as the traffic can be quite heavy. To get to the city centre, you can either go by train, bus, rickshaw, taxi or by renting a car.
The fastest option is the train. The nearest station to the domestic terminal is Vile Parle and the nearest one to the international terminal is called Sahar. Buses are another option, with numerous stops throughout the city. Route 312 connects the domestic terminals to Vile Parle (East) and Andheri (East) railway stations, while routes 321 and 308 serve the international terminal, linking it to Vile Parle East and Andheri (East) respectively.
Auto rickshaws, three-wheeled metered vehicles, operate primarily in the suburbs, from Borivili to Bandra in the western suburbs and up to Sion in the central suburbs. Additionally, numerous private taxi providers and car rental services are available at the airport.
Address: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai
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Phone: +91 22 6685 1010
Website: https://csmia.adaniairports.com
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Passport / Visa
All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document with a valid visa. A visa is required for most nationalities, except for Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives (if not arriving from mainland China).
The visa has to be requested through an online application. Be aware that a visa can only be acquired via this online application, and without any intermediary – do not hire agents who claim speedy/express grant of e-Visa.
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Best Time to Visit
The best months for visiting Mumbai are the ones from October to February. The winter season here is warm overall, with a minimum temperature of 10°C and low levels of humidity. This is also the period in which several events occur, from the Diwali Festival of Lights in October to the Moon Indigo Cultural Festival towards the end of December.
Coming a bit earlier though, around the end of August and the start of September, is also a good idea: this is when the monsoon season ends, together with its heavy rainfall, leaving behind lush greenery making for worthwhile sights. You can also join the Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day-long festival in honour of Lord Ganesha.
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Public Transport
The city buses are run by BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) and, although being normally crowded, they are ideal for short journeys. To get around with public transport, you must be acquainted with the system; if you are a tourist, it is advisable to plan your journey in advance. Tickets can be bought from the conductor on board.
The fastest way to get around the city is by train. The city has three lines: Western Line, Central Main Line, and Harbour Line.
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Rickshaws
Taking a rickshaw is an easy, flexible, and fast way to navigate through Mumbai's traffic. Rickshaws are readily available, especially near major roads, markets, and transit hubs. Most are metered, so ensure the driver starts the meter at the beginning of your journey. If there’s no meter, negotiate the fare beforehand. Clearly state your destination and know nearby landmarks for easier communication.
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Taxi
There is no shortage of taxis in Mumbai and they can be easily found throughout the city. Taxis usually have meters, just make sure the driver starts it at the beginning of your journey.
Consider Uber or Ola as an alternative to taxis when getting around Mumbai. If possible, avoid hailing taxis late at night. Use app-based services that allow you to share your ride details and location for added security.
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Post
Numerous post offices are located throughout the city, making it easy to find places to buy stamps and to post letters. Letters can be posted in the letter boxes sparsely located within the city, easy to find thanks to their characteristic vivid red colour.
Address: Mumbai Central Head Post Office - Belasis Road, Mumbai Central East, Dalal Estate, Kamathipura, Mumbai
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Phone: +91 22 2307 1296
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Pharmacy
Some of the main pharmacy chains in Mumbai, include Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus, Wellness Forever, and Noble Medicals. This last one boasts several locations across the city, and most of them are open 24 hours.
Address: Noble Plus - 12, Moti Mahal, Dinshaw Vacha Road, Churchgate, Mumbai,
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Phone: +91 22 2283 8888
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Telephone
Country code: +91
Area code: 22
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Electricity
In India, power plugs and sockets are of types C, D, and M, with a standard voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz.
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