India's modern metropolis and the home of Bollywood
The capital of Maharashtra and India’s economic powerhouse, Mumbai is a huge metropolis home to over 22 million people. A melting pot of cultures, the affectionately named City of Dreams envelops all who come in a cloud of colour and sound, its energy undeniably contagious. Mumbaikars have a real love for life, which they live at quite a pace, and the best way to enjoy this city is to simply join them.
The city previously known as Bombay became the principal gateway to the Indian Subcontinent and it has transformed from a collection of fishing islands on the shores of the Arabian Sea to one of the world’s biggest urban sprawls.
Mumbai is a city of contrasts. It is at once home to some of the country’s most expensive real estate and some of Asia’s biggest slums. Its high-rise buildings and glitzy shopping malls share pavement space with British-style architecture and bustling street markets. Weaving its way through this fascinating tapestry are streets that heave with cars, pedestrians, rickshaws and bikes. What may seem chaotic to the untrained eye is in fact a finely-tuned system that enables its inhabitants, who always have somewhere to go, to get from A to B.
There is so much to see and do, from marvelling at iconic structures such as the Gateway of India and Chhatrapati Shivaji terminus to exploring its museums, temples, mosques and churches. Admire the city’s skyline with a stroll along coastal Marine Drive and get swept up in the glamorous world of Bollywood. If you need to escape the hustle and bustle, Sanjay Gandhi National Park is a 103sqkm oasis of green on the northern fringes of the city, home to numerous species of birds, butterflies and plants.
Much of Mumbai’s appeal lies in its diversity. Keep your ears open to the hundreds of different dialects, let your taste buds savour the different regional cuisines and allow yourself to get swept up by this hugely vibrant and exciting city.
Highlights
Visit the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s most famed landmark
See the dabbawalas in action as they deliver thousands of lunchboxes across the city
Learn about India’s fight for freedom at the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
Take an evening stroll along Marine Drive
Keith Jarman
Travel Designer
Luxury accommodation in Mumbai
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Trip inspiration
Where else to visit in India
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Rajasthan’s second largest city, historic Jodhpur may just be its most photogenic. Labyrinthine streets, bustling spice bazaars and flitting multihued saris make for an overwhelmingly vibrant sight at every turn.
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Kanha Tiger Reserve is the largest national park in Madhya Pradesh. Right in the heart of central India, this sprawling protected is regarded as one of the best parks in the country for its safari.
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Equidistant between Agra and Varanasi in the state of Madhya Pradesh, is the small town of Khajuraho. Its remote location means it could easily slip under the radar of travellers keen to get to India’s more well-known cities, were it not for its remarkable collection of temples, famous for their erotic carvings.
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Away from Rajasthan’s thronging historic cities, this vast state – India’s largest – is peppered with traditional villages, looked over by fortresses in the rugged mountains, and awash with the sands of the baking Thar desert.
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The pedestrianised centre is wonderful to explore on foot, despite the topography, and there are a charming collection of bustling bazaars to be found off the winding main street, the Mall, which follows the spine of the ridge.
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Certainly one of the most scenic cities in Rajasthan, and perhaps in all India, this unmatched setting along with Udaipur’s rich history and culture make it a must-see.
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Discover moreMeet your Indian Subcontinent team
When to visit
The best time to visit is between October and March. September and April are considered the shoulder months when it is very hot in the middle of the day but mornings and late afternoons are lovely. From the end of December until the middle of January, mornings and evenings can be foggy and nights cold, but during the day the weather is great for sightseeing.
Sudden showers
September
Peak season
March - October
Religious festivals
March / October - November
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