The Gateway of India is an arch monument built during the 20th century in Bombay, India. The monument was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911.

1. Gateway of India

However, if one looks closely, traces of Muslim architectural styles can also be seen in the edifice. Another important attraction in Mumbai, Elephant Caves are located close to the Gateway of India, and tourists can travel on motor boats to reach there. Also, Taj Mahal Hotel, which is India’s most prestigious and luxurious hotel is situated close to the Gateway of India. Therefore along with visiting Gateway of India, one can catch up on two other important tourist attractions in Mumbai.

2. Elephanta Caves

Situated at a 10 km radius from Gateway of India is one of the major tourist places in Mumbai, the Elephanta Caves.
Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a collection of cave temples predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. They are located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri (literally "the city of caves") in Mumbai Harbour, 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) to the east of the city of Mumbai in the Indian state of Mahārāshtra. The island, located offshore about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) west of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port, consists of Shaivite caves and a few Buddhist stupa mounds.

3. Colaba Causeway Market

An ideal place for street shopping in Mumbai, Colaba Causeway Market has ion offer cheap clothes, fashionable boutiques, British era buildings and of course good food. Everything that you can name can be found in this old market in Mumbai.

4. Juhu Beach

Juhu Beach is a popular hangout spot for all Mumbaikars and tourists alike; since many years this has been a location where there are lots of recreational activities, and oh yes, how can we forget the delicious food that we get here? Juhu is most popular for its street food, and so here we present the best places to eat in Juhu, so that you can make the most out of your trip to the area!

5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

This Victorian Gothic style edifice is situated in the heart of Mumbai City. Just like the Gateway of India, CST is an important landmark of Mumbai. Declared a ‘World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2004, Victoria Terminus was built in 1888 and till today stand as one of the best examples of Gothic style architecture in India. It is also one of the busiest railway station in Mumbai.

6. Film City

Located near Sanjay Gandhi National Park in the vicinity of Aarey Colony in Goregaon is probably the most famous place in Mumbai. Also known as Dada Saahab Phalke Chitranagri, Film City is spread across 520 acres and is abslolutely a dream world. You will be taken to a live shoot, where you can observe the nuances involved in acting—the take and retakes that the directors calls for, or the beauty with which the actors immediately don the character of the role and deliver mind-blowing performances. However, this would depend on whether any shoot is taking place during the days of your visit.

7. Essel World

Reckoned to be one of the first amusement parks in India, Essel world in Mumbai is a place for everyone. Situated in the Gorai Island, Essel World is one of the biggest amusement parks with its colossal infrastructure and several exciting dry and wet rides. The park remains open all year round and fun activities that can be enjoyed here include ice skating, dancing and bowling. The park has several rides that cater to all age groups and also there are avenues for shopping and food courts for people looking for a holistic experience.

8. imagica

A one-stop entertainment destination for everyone spanning a whopping 138 acres, Imagica, just off the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, is a great getaway any time of the year. From children to grown-ups, Imagica is where everyone can have fun. Whether you’re a family or group of friends, there will never be a dull moment during your visit here where rides and attractions have been specially curated and designed for Indian sensibilities. Here are 10 things about Imagica that will make you want to go there right now.

9. Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Situated within Mumbai, Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) has the distinction of being a wildlife reserve in a metropolitan . The national park is spread over an area of 104 sq km, andis popular among wildlife and nature enthusiasts. It is also the most visited places in Mumbai , and get about two million people annually. The park was earlier known as Borivali National Park and was renamed in 1990 after Congress leader and late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s son Sanjay. Ashok Van and Gaumukh are the trails commonly used by the trekkers. Whereas, the View Point trail is the most ambitious which takes you to the highest point in the park and offers a panoramic view of Mumbai and Tulsi, Vihar and Powai lakes. Barking deer, Hanuman langur and Indian flying fox, birds like jungle owlets, golden orioles among many others can be spotted here.

10. Chor Bazaar

'Chor Bazaar, located near Bhendi Bazaar in South Mumbai near place in kamathipura', is one of the largest flea markets in India. The area is one of the tourist attractions of Mumbai.if you lose anything in Mumbai you can buy it back from the "Chor Bazaar". The market has been mentioned in popular novels, including Rohinton Mistry's Such a Long Journey, where it is described as "not a nice place"

11. Banganga Tank

A sacred water tank, Banganga or Banganga Tank is one of the prominent tourist attractions in Mumbai. This ancient tank, whose origin dates back to 12th century, forms a part of Walkeshwar temple complex in Malabar Hill. Constructed in 1127 A. D under the initiative of a minister of Silhara dynasty that ruled Mumbai from 9th to 13th century, Banganga tank and the temple was destroyed by the Portuguese and was rebuilt in 1715 utilizing a donation made by Rama Kamath, a rich philanthropist and businessman in Mumbai.

12. Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat

This 140-year-old dhobi ghat (place where clothes are washed) is Mumbai’s biggest human-powered washing machine: every day hundreds of people beat the dirt out of thousands of kilograms of soiled Mumbai clothes and linen in 1026 open-air troughs. The best view is from the bridge across the railway tracks near Mahalaxmi train station.

13. Dharavi Slum

A walking excursion through Dharavi, Mumbai will open you up to a whole new side of the city that has remained hitherto unseen. Contrary to the popular perception, Dharavi is more than just a slum area of this metropolis, it is a place where indigenous industries and works come to life. With an annual income of more than US$665 million, this tour will expose you to the way that revenue is created. There area number of industries that operate here such as; recycling, pottery-making, embroidery, bakery, soap factory, leather tanning, poppadom-making and many more. The way these things are created is truly wonderful and indigenous to the land.

14. Marine Drive

Known as Marine Drive, this tourist spot has also been called Sonapur by the locals of the city. Marine Drive is a 3km long stretch that links Nariman Point to Babulnath, and is situated at the foot of Malabar Hill. Large crowds of people come to this place to stride along the walkway and to view the setting sun at dusk.Marine Drive is also referred to as ‘Queen’s necklace’, because the street lights make the road look like a string of pearls and create an illusion of a necklace, when viewed at night from an elevated point. Towards the northern end of Marine Drive lies one of the oldest beaches in Mumbai, Chowpatty Beach, which is famous for its bazaars and fast food and snacks such as Bhel Puri, Paav Bhaji, etc.

15. Prince of Wales Museum

Prince of Wales Museum, now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is the biggest and best museum in Mumbai. Housed in a grand Indo-Saracenic building, the museum is renowned for its impressive collection of sculptures and miniature paintings.

16. Siddhivinayaka Temple

Siddhivinayak TempleSiddhivinayak Temple is one amongst the most crowded and most revered temples of India. The establishment of this temple dates back to early nineteenth century. In 1801, Siddhivinayak Temple was built by Mr. Laxman Vithu in the company of Mrs. Deubai Patil. Located at Prabhadevi in Mumbai, Siddhi Vinayak Mandir is the most visited temples of Mumbai. Siddhi Vinayak Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, who is considered as the lord of beginnings.

Inside the temple, there a small hall (Mandapa) along with the shrine and one can see the image of Siddhi Vinayaka here. Siddhi Vinakaya is said to be the provider of good wishes. The main doors of the shrine are made out of wood and various images of Ashtavinayak are carved on it. These images represent eight manifestations of Lord Ganesha in Maharashtra. In the sanctum, the ceiling is covered with gold sheet, making the exact crown of the Lord.

16. Mahalakshmi Temple

Mahalaxmi Temple is one of the most famous temples of Mumbai situated on Bhulabhai Desai Road in Mahalaxmi area. It is dedicated to Mahalakshmi the central deity of Devi Mahatmyam. The temple was built in 1831 by Dhakji Dadaji, a Hindu merchant.

17. Mount Mary Church

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, more commonly known as Mount Mary Church, is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Bandra, Mumbai. The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated here on the 8th September, the birthday of the Virgin Mary.

The shrine attracts people from all faiths who pray to the Virgin Mary for expressing their gratitude or requesting favours.

The main doors of Colaba’s Holy Name Church and Bandra’s Mount Mary Church have been declared ‘Holy Doors of Mercy’. These doors will now become pilgrimage sites for Catholics to walk though, asking for grace, purification and forgiveness from sins. Both doors will remain open to the public until November 13 2016. This follows Pope Francis’s declaration of this being a ‘year of mercy’ and his historic order to open such doors in designated churches in every diocese for community members who cannot journey to Rome. Until now, there had been only one Holy Door of Mercy at the Vatican, a side door that had been specially designated for this purpose.

18. Haji Ali

Haji Ali Dargah: There are some beautiful Mosques around Mumbai. Haji Ali Dargah is one of the Most Visited Mosque among other religious places in Mumbai. There is some History attached to this place. Here we look 10 Lessor known things about this place. The Haji Ali Dargah was constructed in 1431 in memory of a wealthy Muslim merchant, Sayyed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who gave up all his worldly possessions before making a pilgrimage to Mecca.

19. Kanheri Caves

Deeply nestled among the tranquil surroundings of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Borivali in Mumbai, are more than 100 Buddhist caves popularly known as the Kanheri Caves. Kanheri, known as Krishnagiri or Kanhagiri in ancient inscription, literally means black mountain (Krishna means black and giri is mountain) and is mostly named after its black basaltic stone. Spanning from the 1st century BC to 11th century AD, an era that saw the rise and decline of Buddhism, these caves present an insight into its evolution and also have the distinction of having the largest number of cave excavations from a single hill.

20. The Nehru Planetarium

Inaugurated on 3rd March 1977 by Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, the Nehru Planetarium is a part of the Nehru Centre in Mumbai. The Centre pragmatically promotes the teaching and thoughts of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru through its cultural and educational events. The Planetarium strives to infuse and spread the knowledge about Astronomy and Science through prodigious lectures, discussions and events, ensuring an enriching experience, both in learning and entertainment.

If space and science intrigues you, Nehru Planetarium is a place to visit during your stay in Mumbai, and of course, it is a great place to take your kids along!