Built across seven islands and reclaimed land, Mumbai’s streets are filled with energy, with colonial-era monuments dotted around amongst the bustling markets and ancient temples.
You could easily spend a month exploring this coastal city, but for those who are looking to make the most of their Mumbai holiday (however long it may be), be sure to stick to our list of things to do in the city.
A short train ride from Mumbai are the Buddhist Kanheri Caves. Nestled in the peaceful Sanjay Gandhi National Park, most of these caves (dating from the 2nd to 9th century AD), were used by monks for accommodation and meditation during the rainy season. The caves offer an insight into the rise and decline of Buddhism over the years, and some later excavations revealed superb sculptures and decorative art.
Mumbai is a city rich in history and visiting its museums is one of the best ways to uncover its past. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, the city’s very first museum which originally opened as the Victoria & Albert in 1872, is a great place to start to get a snapshot of Mumbai’s history while the magnificent Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which documents the history of the country, contains around 50,000 exhibits spotlighting ancient India.
Located at the waterfront on the shore of the Arabian Sea, The Gateway of India was built in the early 20th century to commemorate the landing of King Emperor George V – the first British monarch to visit India – and is now a symbolic ceremonial entrance to India for important colonial personnel. Another great tourist attraction in Mumbai is the Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj Terminus: a historic train station so beautiful that it was awarded Unesco World Heritage status.
