Mumbai : A metropolitan with a unique charm

Oct 15, 2022 Mumbai : A metropolitan with a unique charm

Seeing Mumbai in various Bollywood movies and hearing references to various popular places, I've always been fascinated with it. Hence, when I got the opportunity to take a small break from work, Mumbai seemed to be the perfect destination. This trip was particularly exciting for me since I got to travel by air after quite a few years and was my third airplane journey so far.

About the city

Bombay, meaning 'good bay', was named by the Portuguese Empire when they claimed the port city. It was in 1995 when the then ruling party changed the name to Mumbai, paying tribute to the local deity goddess Mumbadevi. It was once an archipelago of seven islands and it took six decades to merge it into one landmass. Apart from being the most populous city of India, Mumbai is India's financial capital and entertainment hub.

My comprehensive 4 day travel guide to Mumbai

Some people believe that there is not much to explore in Mumbai for a tourist, while others feel that two days are enough to cover all there is to see in Mumbai. However, while researching and preparing the itinerary for my vacation, I realized that one must spend atleast three days in Mumbai to be able to comfortably explore and soak in what the city has to offer. The most popular weekend getaways near Mumbai are - Alibaug, Lonavala, Karjat and Nashik. A short trip to any of these places can be clubbed with your trip to Mumbai.

Day 1

We took the 8:50am Vistara flight (UK 963) from New Delhi to Mumbai and landed at 11:00am, 10 mins early than the scheduled arrival. This was my first time flying Vistara, the only Indian airline to feature among world's top 20 best airlines. Being a full service carrier (FSC), we were served in-flight meals. I really loved the hot coffee they served. Overall, the service was impeccable.

Flight in sky and while landing in Mumbai Clouds from sky; Mumbai city while landing

We stayed at the ITC Grand Central in Parel, South Mumbai. Parel used to house a number of textile mills but is now filled with residential and commercial skyscrapers. One of the reasons for staying at this hotel was its location and proximity to various attractions. The design of the hotel is inspired by Victorian architecture of Old Bombay. The tastefully appointed rooms on the higher floors offer a panoramic view of the Mumbai skyline and the Arabian sea in the distance.

Panoramic view of Mumbai skyline from room Panoramic view of Mumbai skyline from the hotel room

Tip - I recommend staying in any of the following locations - Colaba, Parel, Nariman Point, Marine Drive or Bandra.

In the evening, we were lucky enough to catch the heritage bus tour operated by BEST, the civic transport body of Mumbai. The roughly 1.5 hour long tour takes you past the famous attractions of South Mumbai in an open double decker bus that starts from Gateway of India around 5:30pm.

Mumbai BEST heritage tour Mumbai BEST heritage open double decker bus

Some of the places covered are - Marine Drive, Girgaon Chowpatty, Colaba, CST, BMC headquarters, The Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Oval Maidan and Rajabhai clocktower. As Mumbai's pleasant breeze swept past us, viewing these attractions from atop the double decker provided us a unique experience. As the sun was setting, the rays shimmering over the Arabian sea offered an amazing view. We then went inside the Gateway of India complex, which was full of tourists and locals clicking pictures infront of the iconic monument of historic significance.

Gateway of India Gateway of India at sunset

It was erected to commemorate the landing of King-Emperor George V. The last British troops also left India from this spot in 1948, following Indian independence. Usually, the monument is lit up at night, however, the lights were not on till we were there until 7pm. We had dinner at Bombay Coffee House in the Fort precinct. It is a quaint cafe that was recently featured in the song 'Haaniya Ve' from the movie 'Thank God', featuring Sidharth Malhotra and Rakul Preet Singh. The corn chaat here was refreshing and delectable.

Bombay Coffee House, Fort Bombay Coffee House, Fort

Tip - There is a toll to use the Bandra-Worli sea link. As of September 2022, it is Rs. 85.

Day 2

After having a lavish breakfast, we started the day with a visit to the Siddhivinayak Temple in Prabhadevi. Built in 1801, it is one of the richest temples in India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh. Photography is not prohibited inside the temple. From there, we went to Dadar viewing deck that offers unparalleled view of the Bandra-Worli sea link.

Bandra-Worli sea link from Dadar viewing deck Bandra-Worli sea link from Dadar viewing deck

We drove across the spectacular Bandra-Worli sea link Bandra in the Western Suburbs of Mumbai with Worli in South Mumbai and reached the Lands End area where Mannat, the house of Shah Rukh Khan, and the famous Taj Lands End hotel are situated. The Bandra fort offers a close-up view of the majestic sea link.

Bandra-Worli sea link from Lands End, Bandra Bandra-Worli sea link from Bandstand, Bandra

We had lunch at Farmers' Cafe in Khar and en-route saw Galaxy apartment, the residence of Salman Khan. The pizza and coffee here were appetizing. Later we saw the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount Bandra (also known as Mount St Mary Church). It stands on a hillock and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount Bandra Front entrance of the church; Inside of the church

After a relaxing swim at the hotel, we ventured out to explore the Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), which is a prominent upscale commercial hub. Jio World Drive, one of the biggest malls in Mumbai, is a new attraction here. This is India's first pet-friendly mall. It boasts of most of the famous brands as well as some of the lesser-known luxury international brands. The mall also houses Mumbai's first drive-in theatre with a capacity to hold 290 cars.

We had dinner at Hitchki, an eclectic resto-bar. The dahi-ke-kebab here were scrumptious.

Tip - Getting around in Mumbai is easy. You will find plenty of cabs (kaali-peelis) and autos. The drivers here are friendly and always go by meter. You can also use Ola and Uber. Apart from offering normal cabs, they also allow you to book the kaali-peeli cabs through the app.

Day 3

In the first half, we proceeded on a walking tour of South Mumbai, which is home to a cluster of Victorian and Art Deco buildings. The first stop was the Gateway of India. The view was beautiful with the ferries floating in the sea in the backdrop. Private sail boats can also be rented from here. Right next to the monument is the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, an epitome of luxury that offers unobtrusive view of the sea and the Gateway. Everything from the lobby, hall, to the stairway is ornate.

The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai Exterior of the Taj Mahal Palace; Ornate dome

We walked past Cafe Mondegar, which is on one end of the Colaba Causeway market. On way to Flora Fountain, we saw Regal Cinema, National Gallery of Modern Art, Elphinstone College, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Musuem), University of Mumbai, Bombay High Court, Kala Ghoda area, and the Jehangir Art Gallery. Being a participant of the market and a technical analyst, getting to visit Dalal St and the BSE building was an extremely special moment for me.

South Bombay Rajabhai clock tower; Flora Fountain

Afterward, I was left spellbound by the magnificent structure of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Exterior view of the terminus; Exuberant Italian Gothic styling

This famous landmark is an icon and a trip to Mumbai is incomplete without visiting it. One can go inside the railway terminus and admire the intricate ceilings. Right opposite CST is another heritage building, the BMC Building.

BMC Building View from the front; Back view of the building

We had lunch at the Cafe Madras, an institution located in Matunga, that has been serving traditional South Indian dishes since 1940. The setting of the restaurant is not fancy, but the food served here is lip-smacking. In the evening, we went to Juhu Beach and watched the sunset. We came back to our hotel via the sea link, which has a different allure at night with the lights on. The Mumbai skyline looked aesthetic with the glittering lights.

Tip - Try the famous street food of Mumbai. The following dishes are a must try when you are here - Pav Bhaji, Vada Pav, Pani Puri and Bhel Puri.

Day 4

We started the day early and went to Marine Drive for a sunrise walk on the promenade. The pathway was bustling with people exercising, jogging, reading, and soaking in views of the sea glistening in shades of blue. After having breakfast, we explored the Malabar Hill area where we saw the following - Antilia (residence of the Indian billionaire, Mukesh Ambani, and the costliest house in the world), Raj Bhavan, and Hanging Garden. Hanging Garden affords beautiful scenic views of the Queen's Necklace (Marine Drive). We had delish ice-cream sandwiches at K Rustom's, an old-school Iranian ice-cream parlour that was setup in 1953.

Marine Drive Marine Drive at sunrise

The trip culminated and we checked out of our fabulous hotel to reach the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for our flight back to New Delhi. We boarded the 6:30pm Vistara flight (UK 996) and landed in Delhi at 8:40 pm.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport; Mesmerizing sunset as viewed from the airplane

Often referred to as city of dreams and city that never sleeps, Mumbai truly has it all. Sea shore, national park within city limits, highest number of skyscrapers in India, and entertainment hub - all these characteristics make Mumbai a metropolitan with a unique charm.