Sharing my fabulous experience on my visit to Mumbai
Last vacation, I was traveling to a few Indian cities and Mumbai was one of them. The coastal state capital of Maharashtra is Mumbai, originally Bombay, in west-central India. It serves as both the nation’s financial and economic hub and as its main port on the Arabian Sea. It is the most populous city in India and is also where some of the richest areas and largest slums are located. Besides, it is India’s entertainment capital, in addition to being the country’s economic center. The most successful film industry in the world, Bollywood, is there. Well, Bollywood creates over 1,000 feature films annually, more than twice as many as Hollywood. To witness all of these things, I went there, and let me share my experience with you all. Top Places to Visit in Mumbai
How to reach Mumbai? Top Places to Visit in Mumbai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Airport will be the arrival point for travelers traveling into Mumbai. The quickest and most costly means of transportation to reach here is via air, though. I advise utilizing a flight booking aggregator site to look for the most affordable travel options from wherever you are to Mumbai.
Best time to visit Mumbai
Mumbai experiences rather extreme weather. The temperature doesn’t vary as much throughout the year, but there are significantly more dry spells and months of really heavy rain than we’re used to in a nation with a comparable monsoon pattern. Because of this, the best time to visit Mumbai is from mid-October to February, when the weather is at its finest.
Here are some essential travel-related details for Mumbai
- Mumbai replaced Bombay as the city’s name in 1995, yet you may still hear Mumbai, Mum-bay, and Bombay. The name Bombay is still cherished by many residents of Mumbai.
- You won’t be able to see all of Mumbai because it is a very large metropolis in terms of both area and people.
- Mumbai might be pricey in comparison to other parts of India; as such, so be flexible with your budget.
- Visit during the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at the end of the monsoon season each year for a distinctive experience.
- Mumbai is famous for the extremes it depicts, from extreme luxury to extreme misery. It is the city of dreams for some and of terrible dreams for others.
- Street cuisine in Mumbai is what characterizes the city’s culinary scene. In Mumbai, people of all socioeconomic levels prefer the roadside food vendors, which provide some of the greatest regional cuisine—better than many restaurants. Vada Pav, bhelpuri, panipuri, Sev puri, Bombay sandwich, ragda-pattice, pav bhaji, omelet pav, and kebabs are some of Mumbai’s most well-known street foods. In addition, Kulfi and Ice Gola are two of Mumbai’s most well-known desserts.
What to dress for women in Mumbai?
- Mumbai is less traditional than the majority of other regions of India, and if you go out to party there, you’ll witness many people dressed to the nines. Feel free to do the same, but use a cab rather than the public transportation system while wearing party attire.
- Many young ladies in Mumbai dress in Western-style attire; here, slim jeans are almost as common as saris. It’s acceptable to expose your arms and shoulders, but I wouldn’t suggest wearing a blouse with thin straps. Thick straps are preferable—and keeping your cleavage covered.
- In Mumbai, I covered my legs, although I have observed Western ladies wearing shorts with no issues when roaming around Bandra.
- In the winter, you can try either a T-shirt and skinny jeans or a tunic top. A scarf is always useful to have on hand for covering up.
Things to Bring to Mumbai Top Places to Visit in Mumbai
Make sure you have the following necessities for your time in Mumbai:
- A MUST for India is travel insurance, so get one without fail.
- India utilizes type C and D plugs; bring an adapter. For further device safety, get a multi-region adapter with surge protection.
- To protect your possessions, use a cross-body purse or handbag.
- For securing baggage, locking hostel lockers, etc., a padlock and chain are usually helpful.
- Safe drinking water options include a water filter bottle and a refillable bottle. Don’t forget to bring extra steripen batteries and filters!
Getting around Mumbai
- Local Trains
These are the quickest ways to go up and down the city, leaving from Churchgate (Western Line) and CSMT (Central and Harbour Lines) in Mumbai. However, trust me when I say that using them during rush hour is a very BAD idea. Rush hours in Mumbai are defined as any time between 6 am and 10 am traveling into central Mumbai and in the evening outside of Mumbai. Furthermore, thankfully, people no longer perch on top of trains, but there is still a lot of risk hanging out of doors, and it is a major issue.
- On 3 Wheeler
Only as far south as Dadar do tuk-tuks, autos, or three-wheelers run throughout the city. They are not present in Colaba, Fort, or the neighborhood. Most drivers in suburban Mumbai will utilize their meters. But if you encounter one who claims that his meter is broken, attempt to locate another.
- Mumbai Taxis
These are ubiquitous and in great supply; as a visitor, your major challenge will be persuading the drivers to use their meters. I advise using the pre-paid taxi line (where you pay in advance and don’t give over the receipt to your driver until you’ve reached your location) while arriving at one of Mumbai’s railway stations to prevent complications.
- Uber and OLA
OLA and Uber are affordable and effective options in Mumbai if you’re tired of overcharging taxi drivers. However, the Mumbai traffic simply doesn’t spare them too.
- Buses
Mumbai has a bus system, but I don’t advise using it because it’s the least effective method to get about. This is again because of the sluggish moving traffic and full buses.
Places I visited: Top Places to Visit in Mumbai
- Marine Drive
This location was on my list of top places to see because I had heard so much about it. The most prominent emblem associated with Mumbai is Marine Drive, which represents the city’s glamour and splendor. An almost 3.6 km long, arc-shaped boulevard stretches from Girgaum Chowpatty, also known as Chowpatty Beach, to the southernmost point of Nariman Point along the South Mumbai coast. Mumbai’s Arabian Sea beachfront is great for watching the sunset or simply wandering along the sea. I strolled here at the time of sunset and the views were unforgettable! When the entire beachfront is lit up at night, its alternate name, Queen’s Necklace, makes sense.
- Fashion Street
The newest apparel styles, a large assortment of clothing, and the tantalizing aromas of street food are all present on Mumbai’s Fashion Street. I visited here to check out some cool pieces to buy for myself. One of Mumbai’s most popular shopping destinations, especially for students, the location provides some of the hottest and newest designer clothing at unbelievable discounts. There are more than 150 shops in the area that provide a broad selection of clothing and accessories. Shopaholics like me will find paradise on fashion streets because of the abundance of goods available.
- Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is the longest and most popular among tourists in Mumbai. It is also known for its extensive selection of sweet-and-sour, typically Mumbai-flavored street cuisine. One of the poshest neighborhoods in Mumbai, Juhu’s neighborhood is home to several well-known Bollywood and TV stars, with Amitabh Bachchan’s bungalow being the most well-known. It is not unusual to see a celebrity running on the beach. I clicked dozens of pictures at the beach and also tried some street food here.
- Hanging Garden
On top of Malabar Hill, near Kamla Nehru Park, is a terrace garden called Hanging Garden. The garden boasts exquisite hedges in the form of animals, rich green foliage, and a tranquil view of the Arabian Sea from above. The garden, built on top of a water reservoir, gives the neighborhood’s residents access to clean drinking water. The Hanging Garden’s appeal is further enhanced by the lovely floral clock that is present there. To witness the stunning views, I made my way to this garden on my trip to Mumbai.
- Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, which lies between Mumbai and Thane’s two suburbs, is a great place for picnics and weekend getaways. It provides a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and I agree with it. Known as one of the most popular national parks, millions of tourists go here to see butterflies, a large number of kingfishers, flying foxes, boars, lions, leopards, macaques, and boars. Within the park’s boundaries, the more than two-thousand-year-old Kanheri caverns are another popular destination for visitors. Out of the steep rocks, the caverns have been excavated.
- Bandra Bandstand
The well-known promenade in the regal Bandra suburbs of Mumbai is the Bandstand or Bandstand Promenade. Due to its park and joggers’ strip, it is a very well-liked hangout place. The promenade, with food joints and hawkers selling street foods, is constantly packed with people at all times of the day. Bandstand boasts of Shahrukh Khan’s residence, which is a key draw for tourists in addition to offering an entrancing view of the nearby sea and the captivating skyline. Moreover, the amphitheater, which serves as a venue for numerous concerts and cultural events, is towards the end of the promenade.
- Imagica
How can someone miss going to Adlabs Imagica when they are in Mumbai? The largest theme park in the nation and charmingly dubbed “India’s Disneyland,” is close to Mumbai. The Adlabs Imagica, which opened in 2013 and spans a massive 300 acres, is a one-stop shop for all water sports and adventure activities. Additionally, it features an abundance of clubs and restaurants for both fine dining and binge eating.
Bottom Words:
These few days in Mumbai were insufficient to fully experience everything the city has to offer. Even though I made every effort to cover everything, there were still a lot of places I missed. Nonetheless, everyone should visit Mumbai at least once in their lives since it has a lively culture, from cuisine to architecture, history to modern arts. Top Places to Visit in Mumbai