Indulge in History
08:00 AM – 12:00 PM
There is no better way of kicking off your Mumbai tour other than the iconic Gateway of India.
The historical significance of the monument is well known to every Indian and being there, you get a surreal feeling. The famous and legendary Taj Mahal Palace sits just across the road. This is a popular spot for photographers and history lovers.
Time duration: 45 min – 1 hour
Mode of Transport: Kaali Peeli Taxi is an economical option.
From here, you get the tickets for the ferry ride to Elephanta Caves.
The Elephanta Caves is located on an island. It takes around 30 min to get here on a boat. This is a complex of many caves. Inside the caves, what you find are sculptures that are rock-cut. These caves are believed to be more than 1500 years old. The site is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Time duration: 1 – 1.5 hours
Mode of Transport: Ferry ride from Gateway of India.
By the time you return to the mainland, it will be lunchtime and to quench your hunger, Colaba is the place to be. Just 500 meters from Gateway of India, here you get plenty of options to dine in but the 2 most popular names are Leopold Café (Persian) and Bademiya (Mughlai).
If looking for a vegetarian option, Pancham Puriwala, opposite CSMT Station, offers veg thalis with five varieties of puris and is one of the most famous restaurants in Mumbai, which dates back to 1848!
In the news: The Hindu
Also read: Coastal Sightseeing in Mumbai
Explore the Streets
01:00 PM – 07:00 PM
Post lunch, take a stroll along the Colaba Causeway.
Colaba Causeway is a paradise for shopaholics and culture vultures. A 500-meter lane packed with street vendors with unique collections of clothes, pieces of jewelry, footwear, and more products put up for sale at giveaway prices. And bargaining skills will be tested here. This is also known as the Culture Square of Mumbai.
Time duration: 1.5 – 2 hours.
Mode of Transport: Explore the place on foot.
1 km from Colaba is The Oval Maidan.
The Oval Maidan and the surrounding area are home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of heritage buildings of Mumbai. The area was formerly called the Esplanade during the British Era. The architecture of Mumbai High court, Rajabai Clock Tower, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya stand out. If you love museums, you can spend some time at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya. It remains open till 06:00 PM.
Time duration: 2 hours (including museum visit)
Mode of Transport: 10-min walk from Colaba.
The next stop in the list is none other than the world famous Marine drive.
The 3.6km long promenade is the city’s most perfect place to catch the sunset which is an experience one should not miss. There are lots of restaurants along the stretch of the road with amazing views. During the night, Marine drive looks like a string of pearls forming a necklace due to which is called a Queen’s necklace.
Time duration: 3 – 4 hours.
Mode of Transport: Take an auto or a cab from Oval Maidan.
The city of Mumbai is known for its legendary nightlife. Marine Drive has lots of amazing eateries and pubs where one can enjoy and experience the amazing nightlife of Mumbai even till the wee hours of the morning. Head towards any of these places and have a great time with friends and family.
The city of Mumbai has strict patrolling throughout the night and there are no safety concerns which has all contributed to the nightlife the city is famous for. The taxis are available even during late-night and one can have a gala time with no worries.
After an unforgettable and long day, head back to the hotel and have a good night’s sleep to be fresh for the next day of Mumbai travel and sightseeing.
