Mumbai also known as “Mayanagri of India” is not only the business capital of India but also the capital of Maharashtra state of the India. The city is known as the dreamland for the budding artists and holds a mega corporate sector population of India. The city attracts around six million population every year. Mumbai’s tourist places will never dishearten to charm a wanderlust.
The top tourist places in Mumbai include the following:
1. Gateway of India
This was constructed in 1924 and designed in the style of Indo-Saracenic style. It is marked as one of the top tourist places in Mumbai. It is situated nearly 2.5 kms away from the CSTM Station. Visiting this place on a cloudy day and early in the morning will surely increase the charisma of this place and also Hotel Taj & Oberoi can be viewed.
2. Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves situated on the Elephanta Island (also known as Gharapuri island) and UNESCO has declared it as World Heritage Monument. The island is famous for rock art associated with the cult of Shiva. It takes around 60 mins to reach from Gateway of India through ferry which 200 INR per person for round the trip. Also, the visiting hours are up to 1700 hours only and caves remain closed on Monday. The ferry services also remain disturbed during heavy rains.
3. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
This national park is situated in Borivalli and offers tiger & lion safari, boating, mini train ride, deer park and sight-seeing for Jain Temple and Kanheri Caves which are dedicated to Lord Buddha. The park charges around 58 INR per adult and 31 INR per child as entry fees. It charges separately for visiting the Kanheri Caves and one needs to take transportation service to reach the caves. Also try not to visit the park on monday because few services remain close.
4. Taraporewala Aquarium
This aquarium is the oldest aquarium in our nation. India’s first president Sri Rajendra Prasad inaugurated it in 1951. The aquarium has more than 100 species of freshwater and marine fishes and also includes marine animals like turtles, sharks. Adults are charged 60 INR per person as entry fees and separate fee payment is necessary for photography.
5. Bandra Fort
As the name suggests, this fort is located at the Land’s End in Bandra and built by the Portuguese in 1640. This fort redefines the beauty of sunset and sunrise with the Arabian sea. It also gives you the opportunity to take some breath-taking views of the famous Bandra Worli Sea Link.
6. Global Vipassana Pagoda
This place is basically a meditation centre with the capacity of 8,000 meditators to sit and mediate under the world’s largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars. The monument is a tribute to the Lord Buddha and inspired from Burmese design. It is located on the Gorai Creek and inaugurated in 2009. One needs to take a ferry ride from Borivali west with a charge of around 150 INR. Entry in the pagoda is free but one can not enter the meditation centre unless you are enrolled for 10 days meditation.
7. Bandra-Worli Sea link
This gigantic bridge is a master piece of engineering. Bandra Worli Sea Link is a cable-stayed bridge. It connects the western Mumbai to its southern covering a distance of 4.7 km. The bridge remains open for 24 hours and the beauty of the bridge increments with the lighting at night. One can also view it from Band Stand up to 1830 hours only. The bridge does not permit two and three-wheelers due to safety concerns.
8. Hanging Garden
The Hanging Gardens also known as the Pherozshah Mehta Gardens, provides you with immense peace and relax among the enormous chaos of a metropolitan city. This place is located at the Malabar Hills and one can hire a taxi or ride a bus to reach the destination. Entry is absolutely free and remains between 5 am to 9 pm. One can have a bird’s eye view of the Marine drive from this place.
9. Marine Drive
Marine Drive also referred to as the Queen’s Necklace is among the top tourist’s places in Mumbai. It is actually a 3.6 kms long road stretching in the southern Mumbai. This place looks amazing in the evening and night with lighting all over the city giving the best shot of your life. Churchgate is the nearest railway station and one can easily cross the road and enjoy the beauty of this place.
10. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
One of the best cultural institutions of India is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which is also known as the Prince of Wales Museum. It was found in the early 1900s. Its architecture is based on Indo-Saracenic style. This museum has around 50,000 artefacts including sculptures, terracotta’s, bronzes, paintings, porcelain and ivories from China and Japan, etc. History lovers must visit this place which is near the Gateway of India and 1.5kms away from CST and charges are different for adults and children.
So, visit this beautiful metropolitan city of the Indian nation and make the most of your holiday trip. But make sure to at least plan for 4 to 5 days of a trip to Mumbai because this city has a lot in store for you besides these tourist places. Enjoy & make numerous memories with this city. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #circularjourney on Facebook and Instagram with your pictures, if you find this article helpful!