Mumbai is India’s financial capital and the heart of Bollywood — a city of dramatic colonial architecture, a long seafront, and an energy that’s hard to match anywhere else in the country.
Getting there
Mumbai has a major international airport and is a key hub on India’s rail network.
Highlights
- Gateway of India & Colaba — the iconic waterfront arch, with the grand Taj Mahal Palace hotel right beside it
- Marine Drive — a sweeping curve along the coast, best experienced at sunset
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus — a UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic railway station that’s a working station and architectural marvel at once
- Elephanta Caves — ancient rock-cut caves on an island, reachable by a short ferry ride
- Bandra & Worli Sea Link — for a glimpse of the city’s more modern, upscale side
Where to eat
Vada pav (Mumbai’s answer to a burger), pav bhaji, and the city’s famous street-side chaat are all must-tries.
Practical tips
- Local trains are the fastest way around but get extremely crowded during rush hour
- Monsoon season (June–Sept) brings heavy rains — plan indoor activities as backup