Mumbai's most famous landmark, the magnificent Gateway of India, was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the city in 1911. When India gained independence in 1947, this colonial symbol ironically marked the end of the British rule, with the last of the British ships leaving through its arch. It you walk down the steps behind the gate leading down to the water, you'll find motor boats that offer short cruises along the Mumbai harbor.
Gateway of India
Colaba, near Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Situated at the end of a 1500-foot walkway protruding into the Arabian Sea and accessible only during low tide, Haji Ali Dargah (mosque) was built in 1431 on an islet off the coast of Worli. It houses the tomb of the Muslim saint Syed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a wealthy merchant who renounced worldly possessions after Hajj, or pilgrimage to Mecca. On Thursdays and Fridays, pilgrims from across the globe gather at this mosque to receive the dead saint's blessings.
Haji Ali Dargah
Off the coast of Worli, near Mahalaxmi railway station
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Built on land reclaimed from the Back Bay in 1920, Marine Drive is Mumbai's most famous thoroughfare. It runs along the Arabian Sea shoreline, all the way from Nariman Point to the end of Malabar Hill. It is often referred to as the Queen's Necklace because, if viewed from an elevation at night, the street lights resemble a string of pearls. Along the drive, a beautiful promenade lined with palm trees is a popular spot for watching sunsets. At the top end of Marine Drive is Chowpatty Beach, the only beach in central Mumbai. A favorite with locals and tourists for hanging around in the afternoons, Chowpatty is great for watching the sun go down or enjoying snacks from roadside stalls and mobile vendors.
Marine Drive & Chowpatty Beach
Along Malabar Hill
Central Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva, Elephanta Caves feature some of the finest rock-cut sculpture in India. The seven caves, spread across two hills, are located on Elephanta Islands in Mumbai harbor, around six miles to the east of Mumbai. These caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Elephanta Islands
Mumbai Harbor, Maharashtra, India
Kala Ghoda got its name from a black equestrian statue of King Edward VII that was erected there in the 1870s. Although the statue has long been removed, the name stayed on. Part of South Mumbai's art and cultural hub, it is home to the renowned National Gallery of Modern Art and Jehangir Art Gallery. The pavement running alongside this crescent-shaped stretch serves as a pavement gallery for upcoming young artists to display and sell their works of art. The annual nine-day-long Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is held here in February.
Kala Ghoda Art District
Between Colaba and Fort, K. Dubash Marg
Near Army Navy Bulding
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
India's Hindi-language film industry based in the western suburbs of Mumbai, Film City, better known as "Bollywood", is second only to Hollywood in the number of films produced every year. While the Film City is closed to casual visitors, you can take guided tours or obtain special permission to visit the sets to catch a glimpse of popular film stars in action.
Gorgaon
Western suburb of Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
