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 A city with well-known architectural beauties like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and the World One skyscraper set against the natural harbour of the Konkan coast, Mumbai is the capital of Maharashtra, India. It has now become one of the biggest melting pots in the world, boasting an ever-increasing population that is attracted by both the sights and business opportunities available here. Seeing all it has to offer may seem like a daunting task, but you are sure to find something to your liking in this megalopolis.

currency

Indian Rupee (INR)

phone

Police: 100
Fire Brigade: 101
Ambulance: 102

newspaper

The Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Hindustan Times: www.hindustantimes.com

hours

Shops in Mumbai are generally open from 10am to 8:30pm, depending on the area, with some shops staying open longer. General banking hours are Monday to Friday from 9am to 3pm, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday.

population

City: 17 million (2024)
Metropolitan area: 26 million (2024)

info

India Tourism, Mumbai
Uttara Road, Nariman Point, Mumbai
+91 22 2202 3145
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 9:30am–6pm

Gateway to India in Warm afternoon light, Mumbai. Nickolay Stanev/Shutterstock.com

The City

The city is split into diverse areas, making Mumbai's urban setting a complex nest of cultures, greatly influenced by the wave of immigrants taking their shot in the city of opportunities.

Widely renowned as its pulsing heart, the southernmost precinct of Mumbai represents the downtown area and certainly the wealthiest neighbourhood in the whole of India. Home to the oldest and newest parts of the city, it boasts the iconic Gateway of India and the contemporary hustle around the Flora Fountain, along with other monuments, luxury retailers, art galleries and restaurants. South Mumbai is a fine starting point, a take-off platform to begin exploring the concealed wonders located throughout the city.

The birthplace of the Indian film industry, Mumbai also houses Bollywood and its light-filled studios, fascinating dances and intense rhythms, with a production volume of over 1000 films per year.

A group of indian women looking at the skyline of mumbai theowl84/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

A complex tangle of cultures and creeds, the financial capital of India is a hub of activity. Get a flavourful sample of the country's food by visiting Crawford Market, experience a journey through the life of one of the most influential men in India at the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum, and visit a fortune teller after a pony ride at Chowpatty Beach.

Historical sites are located throughout the city, boasting ancient caves and temples while the city itself, with its bustling daily life and luxurious retail shops and restaurants, is an experience in itself.

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Gateway of India

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Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

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Flora Fountain at Hutatma Chowk

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Dhobi Ghat

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Elephanta Caves

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Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum (Gandhi’s House)

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Chowpatty Beach

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Shree Siddhivinayak Temple

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Kanheri Caves

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Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market

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Global Vipassana Pagoda

PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek/Shutterstock.com

Dadar Flower Market

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Juhu Beach

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General Post Office

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Malabar Hill

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Nehru Centre

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Prithvi Theatre

Chapatti roti or Flat bread, curry chicken, biryani rice, salad, masala milk tea and papadom. Indian food on dining table. szefei / Shutterstock.com

Dining

Renowned for its vast street food culture, Mumbai's streets bustle with food vendors and diverse stalls. Mumbaikars from all walks of life pour down the crowded streets indulging in the numerous delicacies the city has to offer, in a tradition that dates back several years and reaches its peak in Mumbai. Regional Indian cuisine can be sampled on this city's main roads, offering insights into its culinary tradition.

Pav bhaji, a vegetable curry served with a soft bread roll, is a local speciality while Vada Pav, the poor man's burger and kebabs perfectly represent Mumbai and its thousands of flavours. Bhel puri, a sweet and sour dish made of deep-fried pastry shells with onion, tomato and chilli is a popular snack often linked with Mumbai's beaches.

Locals tend to prefer grabbing some street food rather than going to the restaurant. However, this cosmopolitan hub has a long list of places to try - traditional Indian cuisine, Italian, and Asian, the city is well equipped with every kind of exotic eatery.

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Olive Bar & Kitchen

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Khyber Restaurant

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Cream Centre

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Golden Punjab

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New Martin Hotel Restaurant

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Leopold Café & Bar

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Nawab Saheb

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Thai Pavilion

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Out of the Blue

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China House Lounge

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Gajalee

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Swati Snacks

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Cecconi's Mumbai

Cafés

With its own coffee culture and as a vibrant and constantly growing centre, Mumbai boasts a wide range of cafeterias and afternoon tea spots. From happening cafes to elegant lounges, the city doesn't lack destinations for coffee connoisseurs and, considering the wide and diverse offer, there won't be difficulties in finding a place that best fits your needs.

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Cafe Mondegar

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Sea Lounge (The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel)

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Mockingbird Cafe Bar

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Bombay to Barcelona Library Café

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Prithvi Café

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The Nutcracker

Traditional lantern close ups on street side shops on the occasion of Diwali festival in Mumbai, India. Milind Arvind Ketkar/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

Mumbai's vigorous club and bar scene has become increasingly popular among party lovers. In the last ten years, the city has seen many hangouts rise quickly, making India's commercial capital a suitable destination for night owls.

The district of Colaba is where most of the party-goers hover; starting the evening in one of its bars or cruising around local food stalls and souvenir shops squeezed down the crowded Colaba Causeway. From here, the way is paved, opening up no shortage of options available until around 3am, when most bars and clubs tend to close.

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Olive Bar & Kitchen

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Round About Bar & Kitchen

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Aer Lounge

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Drop

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Breeze Lounge

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Kitty Su Mumbai

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Bombay Cocktail Bar

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Rude Lounge

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Rock Bottom

small shop owner indian man selling shawls, clothing and souvenirs at his store Dmitry Kalinovsky / Shutterstock.com

Shopping

A wide range of upmarket outlets pop up sparsely throughout the city. Plentiful handicrafts, textiles and clothes of any sort sit in local shops, waiting to be discovered. Fruit and vegetable markets, typical clothes bazaars and thousands of hawkers located among outdoor dumps and upscale residential areas thrive within the lively city.
Mumbaikers, living in such a urban jungle, have learnt how to get the best deals out of the city's thousands of vendors. A Mumbaiker would tell you that the stalls along MG Road boast some great quality signature items from brand manufacturers, that Colaba Causeway offers some of the best knickknacks in town or that fruit at the Crawford Market is fresher in the morning. There are lots of choices on Mereweather Road but you might, however, have to haggle to get the price you want.

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Shoppers Stop

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Colaba Causeway

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Fashion Street

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Kulture Shop

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High Street Phoenix

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Hill Road

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Kitab Khana

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Crawford Market (Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market)

Tourist with backpack walking in the mosque arch near Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India Pikoso.kz / Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport is the busiest airport in India. Expect it to take around 90 minutes to get into the city centre as the traffic can be quite heavy. To get to the city centre, you can either go by train, bus, rickshaw, taxi or by renting a car.

The fastest option is the train. The nearest station to the domestic terminal is Vile Parle and the nearest one to the international terminal is called Sahar. Buses are another option, with numerous stops throughout the city. Route 312 connects the domestic terminals to Vile Parle (East) and Andheri (East) railway stations, while routes 321 and 308 serve the international terminal, linking it to Vile Parle East and Andheri (East) respectively.

Auto rickshaws, three-wheeled metered vehicles, operate primarily in the suburbs, from Borivili to Bandra in the western suburbs and up to Sion in the central suburbs. Additionally, numerous private taxi providers and car rental services are available at the airport.

Address: Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, Mumbai

Email:

Phone: +91 22 6685 1010

Website: https://csmia.adaniairports.com

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Passport / Visa

All foreign nationals entering India are required to possess a valid international travel document with a valid visa. A visa is required for most nationalities, except for Bhutan, Nepal and the Maldives (if not arriving from mainland China).

The visa has to be requested through an online application. Be aware that a visa can only be acquired via this online application, and without any intermediary – do not follow agents who claim speedy/express grant of e-Visa.

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Best Time to Visit

The best months for visiting Mumbai are the ones from October to February. The winter season here is warm overall, with a minimum temperature of 10°C and low levels of humidity. This is also the period in which several events occur, from the Diwali Festival of Lights in October to the Moon Indigo Cultural Festival towards the end of December.

Coming a bit earlier though, around the end of August and the start of September, is also a good idea: this is when the monsoon season ends, together with its heavy rainfall, leaving behind lush greenery making for worthwhile sights. You can also join the Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day-long festival in honour of Lord Ganesha.

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Public Transport

The city buses are run by BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport) and, although being normally crowded, they are ideal for short journeys. To get around with public transport, you must be acquainted with the system; if you are a tourist, it is advisable to plan your journey in advance. Tickets can be bought from the conductor on board.

The fastest way to get around the city is by train. The city has three lines: Western Line, Central Main Line, and Harbour Line.

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Rickshaws

Taking a rickshaw is an easy, flexible, and fast way to navigate through Mumbai's traffic. Rickshaws are readily available, especially near major roads, markets, and transit hubs. Most are metered, so ensure the driver starts the meter at the beginning of your journey. If there’s no meter, negotiate the fare beforehand. Clearly state your destination and know nearby landmarks for easier communication.

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Taxi

There is no shortage of taxis in Mumbai and they can be easily found throughout the city. Taxis usually have meters, just make sure the driver starts it at the beginning of your journey.

Consider Uber or Ola as an alternative to taxis when getting around Mumbai. If possible, avoid hailing taxis late at night. Use app-based services that allow you to share your ride details and location for added security.

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Post

Numerous post offices are located throughout the city, making it easy to find places to buy stamps and to post letters. Letters can be posted in the letter boxes sparsely located within the city, easy to find thanks to their characteristic vivid red colour.

Address: Mumbai Central Head Post Office - Belasis Road, Mumbai Central East, Dalal Estate, Kamathipura, Mumbai

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Phone: +91 22 2307 1296

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Pharmacy

Some of the main pharmacy chains in Mumbai, include Apollo Pharmacy, MedPlus, Wellness Forever, and Noble Medicals. This last one boasts several locations across the city, and most of them are open 24 hours.

Address: Noble Plus - 12, Moti Mahal, Dinshaw Vacha Road, Churchgate, Mumbai,

Email:

Phone: +91 22 2283 8888

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More Information: next to The Cricket Club of India

Telephone

Country code: +91

Area code: 22

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Electricity

In India, power plugs and sockets are of types C, D, and M, with a standard voltage of 230V and a frequency of 50Hz.

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