Planning to Visit Mumbai - India's Most Happening City? Don't Forget to Visit These 10 Best Places While in Mumbai (2020).

Mumbai – The City of Dreams is where everyone wishes to be to meet their destiny. One of the largest cities in the world, Mumbai is the financial capital of India. It is also the entertainment capital of the country that draws a large number of people to the city. It is the city for everyone – with its vibrant atmosphere and accommodating people from across the country, cutting across religion, creed and ethnicity.

We present to you five reasons why you would be pulled towards visiting this city:

Mumbai has several places of historical importance. Apart from the grandeur of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, you can also find the remarkable Elephanta Caves, Gandhi House and the Bhau Daji Lad Museum. The rich cultural heritage of the city can also be showcased through the number of temples and other places of worship.

Mumbai city is a creator of fortunes and its people are also known to be workaholics. You may find transportation even at around three in the morning! Literally, the city never sleeps. The city gets more beautiful at night. The heritage buildings, gardens and the airport are lit up at night, and these monuments and landmarks mesmerise even the people of the city. It is a magnificent sight with the multitude of people milling across the streets. The skyline is also too beautiful to behold.

Given the harmony that exists in the city, you can find a large number of festivals being celebrated across the city. Apart from New Year, people come together to celebrate Christmas, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Eid, etc. It is a great time to visit Mumbai during one of the festivities as the city gets decked up even more. It is a mesmerising sight to see the festive mood with people exchanging pleasantries and the firecrackers display at night is too good to miss.

Being on the coast of the Arabian Sea provides a unique advantage to Mumbai. It is one of the few major cities that can boast of having a seashore. The beaches are well kept and clean. Some of the famous beaches are Girgaon Chowpatty beach, Uran beach and Juhu beach. Other beaches worth visiting are the Versova beach and those in the suburbs of Vasai and Virar. There are a few other quieter beaches also.

Are you still young at heart? You cannot miss out on the Mumbai nightlife. There are many lounges and posh bars to quench your thirst. Add to it the swanky discotheques that will lessen your age. The city has lots to offer to every type of person. It is also a safe city and can help you reduce your stress after a tough day.

Being the nerve centre of the country also has its drawbacks. The traffic is perennially heavy, and you can rarely find the city without any bottlenecks unless you are travelling at dawn or very late at night. At times, the Mumbai traffic can be very frustrating. However, help is at hand. You can avail of the metro, the monorail or the suburban trains to reach your destination. Most Mumbaikars do avail of these alternative modes of transport to beat the traffic.

The rains all along the Western Ghats are endless, probably more so in Mumbai. The rainy season begins in late May and can continue till September. The city remains inundated most of the times bringing traffic to a standstill. The monsoons have a punishing effect on the suburban trains. The best time to visit the city is between November till February when the temperatures are milder.

India has an abnormally high rate of deaths due to selfies. There are some spots where taking selfies are deemed to be very risky. Given the recent spate of deaths, the government has declared some of the places across Mumbai as No Selfie Zones. There are 16 such zones across the city. Just look for the relevant signs and refrain from taking any selfies as the fines could be steep.

Being on the coast, Mumbai experiences a warm tropical climate for most of the year. This makes even the winter months warm. It is advisable to carry light cotton clothes when you visit the city. Ideally, visit Mumbai during the winter months.

You should do some research before setting out on a shopping spree in Mumbai. There are places in the city where you may find items cheap. The Colaba Causeway and the suburban areas across Hill Road market and Irla in Vile Parle are some areas where shopping is very affordable. And, do not forget to visit Fashion Street.

The Gateway of India is very popular among the tourists. Located in Colaba, it was built in 1924 by the renowned architect George Wittet to welcome King George V and Queen Mary in Mumbai. The monument is made from yellow basalt along with solid concrete. There are numerous Hindu and Muslim motifs as well.

Sitting on the Arabian Sea, tourists throng the place to enjoy the cool breeze from the sea. At the background is the iconic Taj Mahal hotel. It is also the place from where you can use the ferry service for the Elephanta caves.

Mumbai, being on the sea, is bestowed with several well-preserved beaches and a beautiful seafront. Marine Drive is among the 10 best places to visit in Mumbai. Also known as the Queen’s Necklace, the Marine Drive adds to the glitz and glamour of the city. It looks great at night and shines in its dazzling beauty. It is essentially an arc that stretches from Nariman Point and ends at the Girgaum Chowpatty.

Marine Drive is also known among the most romantic places in Mumbai. Couples can be seen walking hand in hand and enjoying a beautiful evening. Also, locals could be seen taking an evening stroll or sipping on some piping hot tea and having snacks from the shops littered along the way.

Mumbai has many beautiful beaches in its arsenal. If you are done with the Marine Drive, you can visit Juhu beach also. It happens to be the longest beach and the locality is also where many Bollywood stars live. If you are lucky, you may also find some of them jogging on the beach in the morning.

It is also a great place to be at after a tiring day of sightseeing across the city. Also known to be a place for couples, they can be seen gorging on some sumptuous stuff from the numerous stalls along the beach.

The Siddhivinayak Temple is an important place for devotees of Lord Ganesha. It is among the most frequented temples in the city. Many politicians and Bollywood stars frequent the temple very often. The idol is carved out of a single black stone, and the trunk of Lord Ganesha is bent to the right.

You may visit the temple for spiritually uplifting experience. The temple is quite famous because it is believed that Lord Ganesha is self-manifested and grants the wishes of the devotees.

Located in south Mumbai, Girgaum Chowpatty is a popular destination for the locals and tourists alike. Adults, as well as children, can enjoy the Ferris wheel and merry-go-rounds. Food lovers can also taste some sumptuous food on offer. Throughout the day, you will find a large number of people just lazing around on the beach.

People also throng the beach during the immersion of Lord Ganesha. It is also the location for Ram Leela that is performed by actors on a stage. However, bathing in the sea must be avoided due to the presence of harmful pollutants.

The Bandra-Worli Sea Link is among the projects initiated by the government to connect the suburbs with the main island across the backwaters. The construction of the bridge is unique. It is a cable-stayed structure with pre-stressed concrete-steel viaducts to hold the structure in its position. It is an engineering wonder that upholds its penchant for modern infrastructure.

Built over the sea, it reduces travel time to the city from the outskirts. The spectacular city seen from the heights above is a sight to behold in itself. It provides the perfect location to take a few snaps of the city.

If you are travelling to Mumbai by train, in all possibility, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is where you would disembark as your destination. It is also among the 10 best places to visit in Mumbai. It is an excellent example of Victorian – Gothic architecture and has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. You may get a feeling of British history in the various corners of this bustling railway station.

The station is all decked up at night and happens to be amongst the most photographed monuments in the country. It is not an ideal place to be in if you are claustrophobic as it is always crowded. However, you must pay a visit to this place to understand the pulse of the city.

When in Mumbai, how can you not pay a visit to its amusement parks! Notable among them is the Essel World – counted among the best amusement parks in the country. It is located over a vast area of around 65 acres. While mainly for kids, adults also love the atmosphere of fun and frolic at this place.

Having won numerous awards, it has also been the location of numerous film shootings. You may opt for a day-long picnic with your family. The children will love the experience. The Water Kingdom is also a great place to be in summer.

Being a tourist, you always like to take back something with you as a souvenir. Most of us are fond of buying some dresses also. If the fashion bug has bitten you, visit Fashion Street. Among the favourite shopping hubs for the youth of the city, you will be stunned by the range and the collection that you could get here. You can also find fashion accessories here. The export quality garments at rock bottom prices are the speciality of Fashion Street. You can also bargain based on your negotiation skills.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a perfect weekend getaway for the locals. You can visit this place if you are an avid wildlife enthusiast. It is among the top national parks of the country. People pay a visit to spot boars, lions, leopards, and a variety of birds and butterflies.

Spread across more than a hundred square kilometres, it is currently home to numerous species of wildlife. It has two artificial lakes which have crocodiles in abundance. The Kanheri caves, located within the national park, are also a great tourist attraction.

The locals usually drive out to nearby locations after a hectic week. Being near the Western Ghats, there are several locations where couples can spend quality time together. You may rekindle your romance at these fantastic places around Mumbai.

Located in the Sahyadri range, Matheran is only around 100 kilometres from Mumbai. It is among those few places where vehicles are not allowed. A great place to visit during the monsoons, the hills are surrounded by clouds where couples can relight their romance. There are many spots to relish the surrounding beauty. The major ones are the Panorama Point, Echo Point, Porcupine Point and the Alexander Louisa Point. The Charlotte Lake is also a great picnic spot.

Another hill station close to Mumbai is Lonavala. It is also a great place to visit during the monsoons to have a jaw-dropping view of the surrounding mountains and the greenery. Also located in the Sahyadri range, it is usually frequented by hikers and trekkers. Your weekend with a soulmate can offer an alluring experience with the waterfalls, dense forests and lakes. You can also visit the Ryewood Lake, Bushi Dam, Karla Caves on the way.

Bhandardara is another hill station that you can visit for a couple getaway. The lush green hills and waterfalls surrounded by the mountains, provide a great backdrop to reignite your romance. It is a special holiday spot for the Mumbaikars. There are some villas and cottages where you can put up for a day. The scenic beauty of the location is too good to find its place here.

We also have something for the beach lovers. Situated in the Konkan region, the Kashid beach is known for its white sands and clear blue seas. Known to be among the virgin beaches, you can be assured about the calmness and serenity to enjoy some intimate moments together. A drive on the beach is also extremely enjoyable. You may also like to visit the Buddhist caves at Chaul or the Korlai Fort, which are an added attraction.

The Elephanta caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and situated almost 11 kilometres from Mumbai. You can visit the location using a ferry ride from the Gateway of India. The site has a group of five caves related to Hinduism that depict carvings and sculptures from the Shaiva sect. There are several exquisite sculptures viz. the three-headed Shiva, the Gangadhar and the Ardhnarishwar. There are two Buddhist caves as well.

Known for its delicious strawberries, Mahabaleshwar is a small town in the Western Ghats. The town is among the best places to visit near Mumbai. It has some ancient temples and is also known as a centre of many residential schools. The enchanting views of the surroundings provide a breathtaking experience. There are magnificent waterfalls and a sizeable man-made lake. Tourists also visit the Elephant's Head Point and the Wilson Point to have an enthralling view of the hills.

Alibag is nestled in the Konkan region and tourists love to frequent the beach. The sandy beaches of Alibag are almost 110 kilometres from Mumbai. There are quite a handful of beaches to choose from – all quite close to each other. The beaches offer a great view of the Colaba fort – once an epitome of success for the Maratha empire. The Mandwa beach has also been the shooting location for many films. The other famous beaches are the Kihim beach and the Nagaon beach.

Also among the best places to visit near Mumbai, Khandala is located in the Sahyadri range. It is an excellent getaway for Mumbaikars for a weekend vacation. A favourite location for Bollywood movies, Khandala is also a great romantic place with its natural beauty encompassing the hills with its vegetation and cascading waterfalls. Adventurists find a great time doing rock climbing at the Karla hills and the Duke’s Nose Peak.