Mumbai Tourist Information and Tourism

(Mumbai / Bombay, Maharashtra, India)

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