Mumbai Tourist
Information
A city quite unlike any other in the whole of India,
Mumbai (previously named Bombay) is an island city, being located on
Salsette Island, alongside the Arabian Sea. With an appealing coastline,
many of Mumbai's top resorts and tourist attractions lie around its main
beaches, which include both Juhu Beach and also Girgaum Chowpatty Beach,
where evening funfairs provide plenty of atmosphere.Mumbai is famous for
many things, including its thriving Bollywood film industry, teeming
bazaars, colonial-style buildings, Art Deco structures and a superb choice
of restaurants, often being rated as the dining capital of India. The
tourist district of Colaba is a great place to start exploring the city
and multilingual guides can be arranged should you wish to find out more
about Mumbai's history.
Many guided tours of Mumbai are available and led by enthusiastic locals,
including the Transway International 'Bombay by Night' tour, which even
includes drinks at the exclusive Royal Bombay Yacht Club. Cruises around
Mumbai Harbour are also available and this is the perfect way to escape
city life and offers great views of the striking Gateway of India
landmark. For tourist information, the Government of India Tourist Office
is where you should head, being located on Maharshi Karve Road. Further
tourism outlets and travel agencies are available throughout Mumbai,
although some are quite sub-standard and worth avoiding.
Mumbai Tourist Information and Tourism: Top Sights - There are tourist
attractions for everyone in Mumbai, ranging from wind surfing to roller
coasters. Particularly popular with visiting families are Mumbai's Essel
World and Fantasy Land theme parks, the Veermata Jeejmata Udayan Zoo and
Botanical Gardens, and the sharks at Taraporewala Aquarium. For a true
taste of life in Mumbai, a visit to the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat is quite
unforgettable, where you will find literally thousands of men and women
washing garments outside in troughs. Many people choose to take a stroll
along Marine Drive, where the coastal views are superb, and also visit the
Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens, known as the 'Hanging Gardens' and full of
botanical interest and located within the Malabar Hill area. For all
things scientific and astronomical, a visit to the Nehru Centre and Nehru
Planetarium is worth considering. More information about Mumbai Tourist
Attractions.
Those wishing to explore more than simply Mumbai's coastline will find
that the island is full of historical landmarks, including the Haji Ali
Dargah, a magnificent mosque where many major religious temples are
hosted. Amongst the most stunning temples in Mumbai are both the Babulnath
Mandir Temple and the Mahalaxmi Temple, while the early 20th-century Taj
Mahal Palace and Tower is equally impressive when reflected in the
adjacent waterfront. For some of the best views of the Mumbai cityscape,
visit the rather grand, late 19th-century Gothic-style Mumbai Municipal
Corporation (MMCB), which features a tall tower and dominates the area.
More information about Mumbai Landmarks.
For something a little different and great for families, the Nehru Science
Centre contains a host of hands-on displays, while the BEST Transport
Museum has become famous for its huge collection of restored trams and
buses. Other notable museums in Mumbai include the Chhatrapati Shivaji
Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which offers a range of interesting
information about the Mumbai region, also featuring regular expositions
and an outdoor science park. For contemporary Indian paintings at their
best, pay a visit to Mumbai's National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), a
leading exhibition venue found at the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall.
More information about Mumbai Museums and Mumbai Art Galleries.
Tourists are able to make the most out of Mumbai's enviable coastal
setting by visiting the nearby attractions, such as Elephanta Island and
its many rock-cut caves, which date back some 1,500 miles and can be
easily reached by boats from the Apollo Bunder. North of Mumbai, Sanjay
Gandhi National Park is full of exotic creatures, with its tigers and
lions being amongst the main tourist attractions. Also nearby are the
trekking trails around Malshej Ghat, Lake Charlotte within the Matheran
area, and also the ancient Karla Caves in Thane. More information about
Mumbai Attractions Nearby.
More Mumbai Information / Fast Facts and Orientation
Country: India
Location: Indian state of Maharashtra
Status: state capital (city)
Area: approximately 168 square miles / 435 square kilometres
Population: approximately 12 million inhabitants
Language: Marathi, Hindi and English
Currency: Indian Rupee (IDR / Rs)
Time zone: UTC + 5:30
Country dialing code: +91
Telephone area code: 022
Religion: over 80% practice Hinduism, remainder Muslims, Christians, Sikhs
and Buddhists
Average daily Mumbai January temperature: 29°C / 84°F
Average daily Mumbai July temperature: 32°C / 90°F
