Gateway of India
Overlooking the Arabian Sea, the Gateway of India dominates the port area of Mumbai. Built in 1911 for the visit of King George V, it’s a major draw for tourists and a Mumbai icon.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
Mumbai’s enormous, UNESCO World Heritage-listed train station is one of the city’s most impressive sights. A combination of Victorian Gothic and Indian tradition, it’s a must-see in Mumbai.
Haji Ali Mosque
Haji Ali Mosque’s picturesque setting on a tiny island off the coast of south Mumbai has made it one of the city’s most famous sights. If you decide to visit, check the tides – the causeway linking the mosque to the mainland is only passable at low tide.
Global Vipassana Pagoda
Opened in 2009, this enormous golden meditation hall is a stunning sight to the north of Mumbai. It’s one of the largest stone monuments in Asia and has the largest dome in the world. 8000 people at a time can meditate in the main hall.
Elephanta Caves
Take a 1 hour ferry to Elephanta Island and visit the mysterious caves. The Elephanta Caves are another UNESCO World Heritage Site and consist of one large and six minor caves, all richly decorated with rock carvings dating back to the 7th century.
If you enjoy your visit to Elephanta, take a trip out to the western outskirts of Mumbai and see the stunning Kanheri Caves in Sanjay Ghandi National Park. The Kanheri Caves are even older – dating back to the first century BC – and are set in an area full of gorgeous forests and waterfalls.
Dhobi Ghat
Dhobi Ghat is the world’s largest laundrette. Thousands of clothes pass through here everyday, being washed on the 700 stone washing platforms and dried in the sun as they have been for generations. It’s a real one of a kind, only-in-Mumbai sight.
Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach
In the Marine Drive area, nicknamed the “Queen’s Necklace” for its curving shape, you’ll find Chowpatty Beach. This is a beach for having fun rather than lazing on the sand – during the day you’ll find street food and a buzzing atmosphere, while at night the beach transforms itself into an open-air fair where locals meet for after-work snacks and fun.
Antilia
Antilia is the name of the world’s second most expensive residence (after Buckingham Palace) and the world’s most expensive private house. Completed in 2010 at a cost of over a billion US dollars, the house has 27 floors and is occupied by a single family and 600 staff. It isn’t possible to visit the house, but as one of the tallest houses in the world, it’s easily seen from the street.
Art deco buildings
Newly-added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in June 2018, Mumbai boasts one of the largest collections of art deco buildings in the world.
Versova Beach and Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is one of the most popular places in Mumbai and offers the perfect place to enjoy the sea breeze, soak up some sun and taste some of the best street food snacks Mumbai has to offer. As the sun goes down, it becomes a lively meeting-spot for locals. Neighbouring Versova Beach has undergone a concerted clean-up effort in recent years and is now home to nesting turtles.