Mumbai is the city where dreams are made and fulfilled! From jam-packed railway platforms to the famous dabbawalas, from multi-millionaires to suburban slums, from glitzy Bollywood to the quintessential vada pav, the uniqueness of the city of Mumbai is beyond words.
The best places to visit in Mumbai reflect the essence of these elements beautifully. With an area of 603.4 sq km and an altitude of 14 meters, Mumbai sets new travel goals all year round.
1. Gateway of India
Gateway of India, the best place to visit in Mumbai, was built in 1924 by George Willet to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. Visit this place in the early morning or late evening hours to enjoy the cool breeze of the sea with your family sans the crowd.
Located next to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and facing the vast Arabian Sea, the Gateway of India leaves you spellbound in every way possible. Take a ferry ride offered here to experience a stupendous view of this monument right from the sea and you can also visit other main attractions nearby.
And the best part? You don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy the beauty of this iconic monument which is often called the Taj Mahal of Mumbai. And there are many famous places in Mumbai that you can enjoy free of cost.
2. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Sprawling over an area of 104 sq. km. of land, this is one of the most-visited national parks in Asia and because of this, I give it the 2nd spot among the best visiting places in Mumbai.
With all sorts of fun activities, this park can surely be a family entertainer. You can watch the big cats of the park close enough in a safari cage and have a fun day boating in the artificial lake in the park. Take the forest road or stairs and hike towards the Gandhi Tekdi, a memorial built in the memory of Mahatma Gandhi. The toy train, Van Rani, is another popular attraction here, especially among kids. You can also visit the 2000-year-old Kanheri Caves to capture the Buddha relics. Furthermore, the undisturbed natural trails and the Jain Temple in the forest are also sure to make your visit a memorable one.
Ranks among the top places to go in Mumbai for ecotourism.
- Location: Borivali East
- Timings: 07:30 am to 06:30 pm; closed on Mondays
3. Red Carpet Wax Museum
Ever imagined standing next to Barack Obama, striking a pose with Michael Jackson, or taking a selfie with Harry Potter? Yes, you read it right. Come to the city of dreams and fulfill this dream at the Red Carpet Wax Museum. It exhibits lifelike wax figures of prominent icons from various fields including science, politics, sports, and world cinema. So, take selfies with your favorite icon, post them on social media, and make your friends jealous. At any rate, this is my 3rd best place to visit in Mumbai.
One of the best places to explore in Mumbai with kids.
- Location: Amrut Nagar, Ghatkopar West
- Timings: 09:45 am to 09:30 pm; every day