Mumbai, Bombay, or the city of dreams, the bustling metropolis on the west coast of India has many names. Named by the Portuguese Bom Bahia, meaning the good bay, the English pronounced the name as Bombay.
The government changed the name officially in 1996 to Mumbai, named after the local deity Mumba Devi. The city is the home of around 20 million people, the economic and commercial centre of the country, and always worth a visit!
GATEWAY OF INDIA
This unofficial icon of Mumbai has a historic significance for the whole country. Opposite of the Taj Mahal palace you will find yourself in front of a triumphal arc facing the sea which is dotted with all kinds of boats.
You can enjoy the views of the Gateway, the Taj Mahal Hotel and the beautiful Mumbai coastline by taking a ride in the ferry! Tickets are available at the counter, located a couple of metres away from the entrance to the monument.
These ferries are subject to weather conditions, especially in Monsoon (July-September) the services are halted when it rains!
VISITING HOURS: All-day, Ferry rides – 09:00 to 17:00 hours
ESTIMATED TIME: 15-30 mins
COST: Free, Ferry ride cost INR 110 per person.
TAJ MAHAL PALACE HOTEL MUMBAI
The iconic luxury hotel with a sea view in Colaba represents the wealth of the city. Built-in 1903 by the industrialist Tata after he was denied access to some European hotels in the area, the Taj is an inherent part of Mumbai’s identity.
Right opposite of the Gateway of India, this iconic hotel has hosted every one of distinction in the last century, amongst them freedom fighters during the struggle for independence, rock stars, queens and kings.
If you are not a guest at the hotel, don’t hesitate to take a glance inside! You can easily enter the hotel and have a look around the luxurious lobby, grab a bite in one of the various restaurants.
Right across the entrance, you can also have a look at the small monument, which has the names of the armed forces who sacrificed their lives in the 2008 terrorist attack engraved on them.
VISITING HOURS: All days
ESTIMATED TIME: 15-20 mins
COST: Free
KALA GHODA
Kala Ghoda is the city’s art district with small lanes with numerous museums, art galleries, boutiques, cafes and restaurants. To name only a few of the prestigious cultural institutions: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya or Prince of Wales Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, DAG, Gallery MMB and Method Art Space.
The greatest highlight is the Kala Ghoda Art Festival, an annual week-long event in February which represents the spirit of the area. If you are in town make sure you drop by and enjoy all the events and shows. Another fascinating sight is the Keneseth-Eliyahoo-Synagogue which is still used by the decreasing Jewish community.
You can not miss it since it is a beautifully restored and maintained blue and white building. The tiny streets surrounding this place are lined with a variety of cafès and eateries if you wish to grab a quick bite!
VISITING HOURS: 10:00 to 17:30 hours
ESTIMATED TIME: 20-40 mins
SASSOON DOCK MUMBAI
An adventurous early-morning highlight in Colaba is the Sassoon Dock, north of the Gateway of India. An impressive gate leads you to one of the oldest docks in Mumbai which was built in 1875 by the Jewish merchant Sassoon.
From around 5 am you can witness a fascinating spectacle. The before empty and dark dock now transforms into a bustling fish market. The Koli fishermen (actually the original inhabitants of the coast of Maharashtra) unload their catch and eager buyers from high ranking restaurants and local stalls are already waiting to make a good catch themselves.
The Bombil fish might be the celebrity amongst the various kinds of fish because it is used for the famous dish ‘Bombay Duck’. An unbelievable 20 tons of fish are sold in auctions on the dock itself every day, and you will see a wide variety of them being transported and sold if you wander to take a look.
VISITING HOURS: All days from 05:00 – 09:30 hours
ESTIMATED TIME: 15-30 mins
COST: Free
VICTORIA’S TERMINUS/CHATRAPATI SHIVAJI MAHARAJ TERMINUS
This historic train station is situated in the heart of the city, representing India’s colonial past. Inaugurated in 1887 on the day of the Queen of England’s Jubilee it was named after this very Queen – Victoria Terminus. More than 100 years later it was renamed to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (short CST).
The impressive architectural structure represents a Victorian-Gothic style, probably the most important in Mumbai. You will find Hindu and Islamic stylistics which resemble those of ancient Indian Palaces. For architecture lovers, the CST has a lot of small details to discover.
The view from the other side of the street is magnificent, especially at night when the building is beautifully illuminated. It definitely deserves the title of UNESCO World Heritage.
If you wish to venture inside and check out the train station, please make sure to buy a ‘platform ticket’ (available at the ticket counter on the right side of the entrance) which costs about INR 10 per person.
VISITING HOURS: All-day
ESTIMATED TIME: 20-40 mins
COST: Free
MARINE DRIVE
You cannot understate what the stretch of Marine Drive means to locals. It is a beautiful promenade along the sea, with a beautiful view of the coastline! In the evening, when the street lights are turned on, the stretch looks bejewelled, earning the name ‘The Queen’s Necklace’.
Simply walk along the promenade, especially in the evening when it is cooler and you can experience the sunset over the sea. Lined along the coastline are beautiful art dèco buildings to see!
VISITING HOURS: All days
ESTIMATED TIME: 30 mins – 1 hour
COST: Free
