Mumbai

Mumbai, the city of dreams, which was officially called Bombay until 1995, lies on the Konkan coast on the west coast of India, which boasts a deep natural harbor. The 'City of Dreams' lures over 6 million tourists annually, considered the 30th most visited destination worldwide. The backdrop of such amount of tourism sets against its pristine beaches, nightlife, towering buildings, exquisite hotels, including the Taj Hotel, Oberoi House, many prominent celebrity residents, landmarks (such as the Gateway of India), etc.

Before you hit the road to this coastal city, it is recommended that you dive into the tabs and learn more about places to visit in Mumbai, to-do activities, regional delicacies and restaurants, accommodation, traveling mediums, and other essential details that will help you implement the plan effectively. 

The Best Time to Visit Mumbai 

Mumbai's weather is unpredictable at most times due to its geographical location (coastal area near the Arabian Sea). Thus, for anyone visiting from another state or a country, people often search about the climate in Mumbai so they can carry luggage and plan a visit accordingly. 

March to May. (Summer Season). 

The average temperature of Mumbai during these months remains between 25-38 degrees! The weather is humid, and these months can be a little harsh. Heat can soak your energy and overall enthusiasm to explore the new city until or unless you stay indoors. But, it is generally, if you are incurring expenses to visit Mumbai, then your feet will not stop without exploring the beautiful city, its culture, luring architects, and the list goes on.  

June to September (Monsoon and Pleasant Weather). 

Mumbai's climatic pattern remains moderate, with moderate to high precipitation due to its geographical location. However, the monsoon is at its peak between June and September, when the average temperature is between 20 and 30 degrees. The monsoon plays a critical role in Mumbai's greenery, providing slight relief to dwellers from humid weather, etc.

October to February. (Winter Season)

Generally, the coastal areas have high humidity levels, which make people tired quickly, and travelers often find it difficult to hop around! Thus, if anyone chooses months between October and March, they can escape the humidity trap and witness the best winter months when the temperature goes below 10 degrees. Between these months, the weather is pleasant; you can accumulate many experiences near the beaches. 

Places to Visit/Nearby Places of Mumbai. 

Mumbai boasts world-class regions to visit, thus opening thousands of doors for tourists worldwide. The climatic pattern, an array of monuments, culture, a cinema hub, and prominent other figures are found in this city! First-time visitors to this state would pose a series of queries so they can create a better plan. Worry not; the following list will showcase what regions you can visit:

Film City.  

The film city has been named Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari as a tribute to the Father of the Indian film industry (Mr. Dada Saheb Phalke). It has an integrated film studio complex nestled near Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Goregaon East, Mumbai, India. 

• Each visit can be charged an entry fee of 1099.
• It may take around 55 minutes to travel to Film City from Mumbai.
• It will take around 2-3 hours to hop around the Mumbai Film City. 

Siddhi Vinayak Temple. 

Siddhi Vinayak Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, and lakhs of Hindu devotees visit it throughout the year. It was built by Deubai Patil in 1801, and the term 'Siddhivinayak' refers to "Ganesha who grants your wish." What is special about this temple is that it boasts the trunk of the idol curved towards the right, considered auspicious and rare. This temple is located at Prabhadevi, Mumbai, and you can travel via bus or taxi or also walk to the temple.  

• This temple opens at 5:30 AM and closes at 10 PM.
• You can experience Kakad Aarti between 5:30 Am and 6 AM, whereas Darshan can be done between 6 AM and 12:15 PM.
• Evening prayer begins at 7:30 PM and until 8:30 PM. 

Marine Drive. 

This place is also regarded as "Queen's Necklace" as it is a 3.6 km long promenade alongside the Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Road in Mumbai. The reason behind it is that the streetlights resemble a string of pearls in a necklace. You will find a crowd of artists, families, and friends enjoying the view of the surroundings, including the sea view that will leave you mesmerized. 

• The times to visit Marine Drive are from 12 AM to 12 PM.
• The recommended period to visit is from November to February. 

Haji Ali Dargah. 

It is a mosque, and a dargah of Pir Haji Ali Sha Bukhari nestled on an islet off the coast of Worli in Southern Mumbai. Lakhs of devotees pay a visit to this holy place as it also showcases the exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Architecture, related to lovers.  

• You can visit the concerned mosque every day between 5:30 AM and 10 PM.
• The nearest Metro Station is Mahalaxmi Metro Station.
• You will not be charged any fee. 

Gateway Of India. 

It is an arch-monument built in the 20th century to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911. It is one of Mumbai's iconic monuments and is considered to be a symbol of new independence and resilience. 

• From Central Mumbai, it is located at a distance of 21-23 KM (48 minutes of drive).
• You will not be charged any fees.

Important things to remember. 

Before you hit the road to head toward Mumbai, it is essential to keep in mind some factors, and those are below; please have a look:

• Mumbai's climate is quite unpredictable. Thus, the probability of rainfall is excessive! You must carry not-so-warm or light clothes. You must not forget to keep an umbrella or raincoat in your bags if you are visiting during the Monsoon period.
• Most people speak Marathi; however, they also speak Hindi and English.
• Mumbai is also prominent for its handmade fabrics, textiles, jewelry, hotels, etc.; thus, you must create a to-do list before you travel to Mumbai.
• Traveling by car can be hectic during rush or "peak" hours in Mumbai. Thus, you can avoid traveling during these hours.
• Be sure about the distance and travel fare so no extra taxi fares are charged. 

Famous Foods of Mumbai

Mumbai also attracts lakhs of tourists worldwide because of its mouthwatering delicacies that improve the overall taste buds! Hold your horses for your convenience and efficient travel to Mumbai; you can take reference to the must-taste-food list, which is mentioned below:

• Dahi puri
• Dabeli Panipuri.
• Bhelpuri
• Pav Bhaji.
• Ragda-Pattice.
• Sandwiches.
• Chinese Bhel.
• Dhokla.
• Idlis. 

Famous Restaurants of Mumbai

Although the meals in Mumbai are not very popular, if you search closely, you will indeed find some hidden gems of great food that will leave you astounding forever. So, if you are preparing your to-do list, the given section will assist you in all the possible ways: 

• Traditional Naga staples at Naga Belly Restaurant.
• Tibetan/Nepali dumplings at Suraj Lama Momos.
• Dahi Puri at Ram & Shyam Chaat.
• Salad Bar at Bombay Salad Company.
• A cup of chai at Cafe Irani Chaii.
• Ghee Roast Masala Dosa at Cafe Madras. 

Things to Shop in Mumbai

A deviser always prefers to carry back some items from the visited state either for his family, friends or for himself as a token of memory, etc. Below are the different items one can keep in mind: 

• Trending Apparel, including Jeans, Sarees, etc.
• Jewelry.
• Antique and Vintage Items.
• Artifacts and Handicrafts.
• Retro Bollywood Posters.
• Traditional Indian Instruments including Guitar, Piano, etc. 

How to reach Mumbai? 

Mumbai is a prominent coastal region where many tourists visit in high numbers from across the world. If you wish to know how you can travel to Mumbai, find out the travel mediums: 

Via Air. 

You can travel from your hometown to Mumbai by air. You will land at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, which is around 18 km from central Mumbai, and you can get Taxis, Metro, and other travel mediums to hop around or reach your destination. 

Via Train. 

Mumbai boasts a good number of railway stations (around 136), and the most crowded one is Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station, where 1250 locals operate on a daily basis. To hop around the city, you can board trains as well; for example, there is a Mandovi Express (Mumbai to Goa), Tejas Raj (Mumbai to Delhi), and the list goes on. 

Via Bus. 

The BEST bus (Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply & Transport) operates all the routes in Mumbai. These bus services are generally economical but remember: during the monsoon, you can avoid traveling on a bus to avoid getting stuck in traffic. However, Mumbai has the largest organized bus transport network among major Indian cities.