Things To Do In Mumbai

Mumbai is a vibrant, active city; all at once ancient and sophisticated. The densely populated city has realms of vast open spaces and rolling hills where one could go trekking, a number of beaches to spend idyllic lazy evenings, that include perching on a tetrapod and watching the sunset at Juhu beach, go bird watching or the theatres to watch an opera or a play. Mumbai’s innumerable bazaars are a shopaholic’s dream come true. Saunter off on a shopping spree or sit by the Gateway of India over a hot chai and vada pav. Check out the things that will keep you occupied in Mumbai, once sightseeing needs a break.

There are some amazing trekking trails near Mumbai that you might want to have a go at. Some of the loveliest treks are the Lohagad Fort (Lonavala) with a historic fort perched on top, the Kalsubai (Bhandardhara) the highest peak of Maharashtra and the most touristy Rajmachi Fort, Tung Fort and Tokona Fort near Lonavala.

If you are in Mumbai by winter, pick up your binoculars and camera and head to the Mahul, Sewri and Thane Creeks and the Mumbai Harbour which lie in the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that is the migratory route of birds. Watch for the Greater and Lesser Flamingos and Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, among others.

There are a handful of wildlife sanctuaries in Mumbai that would be ideal for a day’s visit. The Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary (95 km) in Thane is home to a variety of flora and fauna including panthers, wild boar, hyena and deer. If you want to see its birds, head to Karnala Wildlife Sanctuary at Raigad where you are likely to spot over 200 species of birds.

A popular monsoon attraction in Navi Mumbai, the Pandavkada Waterfalls cascades down from a height to form a pool at the bottom. The rocks are slippery and you might not be allowed to dunk in the pool, but the waterfalls are great to watch even from a safe distance.

Mumbai has some of the most attractive beaches. You could spend an evening watching the sunset at Juhu, Versova, Aksa or Chowpatty beaches. The beaches are favourite evening spots where one could gorge on bhel puris and corn while watching the waves.

If you would love to indulge in some exhilarating adventures on water, you could go in for ferry, sail boat and speed boat rides from the Gateway of India or try your hand at a banana boat, flying fish or bumper ride or jet skiing at Juhu beach. If you can travel a little further, like to Mandwa or Alibaug beaches you could do a lot of trapezing, kayaking, jey skiing or stand up paddle boating.

Mumbai is the ultimate destination for shopaholics of the country, and more so for those who are looking for budget shopping. There are several shopping hubs and marketplaces where you could buy informal clothes, trinkets, fashion jewellery, footwear, antiques, spices and home décor. In fact, bazaars are crammed with tiny shops overflowing with stuff you’d love to take back home. From the Colaba Causeway's road shopping of clothes and bags and shoes to Kala Ghoda's antiques, Chor Bazaar's vintage wares to Hill Road's trendy shops, Mumbai goes all out with its street shopping. If you are looking for luxury brands and high street then head to one of the malls; Phoenix Market City in Kurla or in the Mills, to the Inorbit Mall in Andheri. Bandra Linking Road is the best street for boutiques and high street brands.

Mumbai is popular for its scrumptious signature street food – Vada pav, misal pav, bhel and sev Puri, pav bhaaji and batata vada are some dishes that makes up the iconic street food on Mumbai. Walking down Marine Drive, biting into a hot batata vada on a monsoon evening is a dream! With recent developments in the street food scene in Mumbai, you will also find Frankies as the new big thing to eat. A roti wrap filled with schezwan sauce and tender spiced mashed potatoes, and a sprinkling of onions, masala and vinegar; this handy snack is an Ind-Chinese delight, and Mumbai's answer to Kolkata's kathi roll.

Mumbai’s traditional food that you must includes rotis, dhal and veggies, fish and prawn curry, kanda poha, puran poli, sabudana vada, kothimbir vada et al. Made of ethnic communities, traditional Mumbai dishes imbibe the variety and spices from Konkani as well as Maratha region.