Mumbai, the finance capital of India and home of Hindi cinema a.k.a Bollywood is a lively city that can overwhelm anyone. Being rich with impressive restaurants and cafes, monuments, bustling markets and historic places, Mumbai is a dream destination of travel enthusiasts. If you are looking for places where you can not only enjoy your trip but also get some candid shots worthy of Instagram then, this grand city is not going to disappoint you. To capture the soul of this vibrant city, here are the most remarkable spots you mustn’t miss at any cost. These hidden gems of the city will undoubtedly leave you yearn for more and you’ll fall in love with instagrammable Mumbai.
Gateway of India
This iconic architectural marvel needs no introduction as it is one of the defining monuments of Mumbai. Built-in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the city, this magnificent monument sits on the tip of Apollo Bunder gazing the vast Arabian Sea. Interestingly, it is also the place where the last troop of British soldiers left the country after centuries of colonial rule. The architecture of this gigantic gateway is inspired by indo-islamic, indo and roman ones. Gateway of India is the first place where every tourist starts exploring the city. It is the best place to capture some great selfies and candid pictures for social media accounts. Owing to the craze of instagram these days, Gateway of India is where you should start your Mumbai trip. You mustn’t forget taking pictures of the picturesque Arabian Sea, Mumbai harbor, Taj Mahal Hotel when exploring the place. The ethereal beauty of Gateway of India will leave you mesmerized for sure!
Chor Bazaar
Infamous of sales and purchase of stolen items, this centuries-old flea market is home to stolen goods whether it is branded perfumes, shoes, clothes, bicycle, headphone, and antique pieces. Chor bazaar literally means thieves market. It’s one of the largest flea markets in the world where you can find almost any item be it of regular or rare ones. Since the market is packed with stalls, street vendors and small stores, you might feel suffocated at first but capturing this always-busy market is going to worth every hassle. To avoid the crowd, you can click some shots before sunset. Every nook and corner of the market is full of colors and characters with vendors shouting on top of their lungs to buy stuff from their stalls, the noise of vehicles, and the sound of birds flapping their wings are probably the coolest thing you’ll ever witness. However, you need to be careful of the pickpockets while visiting this place.
Elephanta Caves
A UNESCO world heritage site, these ancient rock-cut caves are situated on Elephanta Island and are mostly a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. It consists of five Hindu and two Buddhist caves which acted as a place of worship during ancient times. To reach the place, you need to take a ferry ride from gateway of India that roughly takes about 40 minutes. Elephanta caves are popular for their architecture and sculpted rock figures. A popular spot of professional photographers, clicking cool pictures and selfies with these phenomenal artworks is an absolute delight. A visit to these caves will make your trip to Mumbai a memorable one. Elephanta caves are the go-to destination if you are keen on having a great time and wish to capture those memories on a frame. Social media savvies will find this place enthralling. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bag and get ready to take social media by storm.
Marine Drive
If you haven’t seen the marine drive in Mumbai, then you haven’t really seen the best part of this filmy nagari. This arc-shaped concourse has palm trees planted alongside the walkway that presents a breathtaking view of Arabian Sea. People come here to walk no matter if it is a morning one or evening one. Since the weather of Mumbai remains pleasant most of the time, shutterbugs can find this place soul-soothing and perfect for capturing instagrammable moments. There are plenty of things to do in marine drive- you can drench in the trickles made by the sharp waves of the Arabian Sea, lose yourself in the skyline of Mumbai, drive by the sea, experience the cool breeze or simply take a leisure stroll. The lip-smacking street food by small vendors must be tasted when visiting this place. Marine drive is indeed a place to capture the essence of Mumbai.
Nariman Point
Nariman Point is the most visited and iconic place in Mumbai luring tourists from all over the country. Witnessing joggers, businessmen and friends relaxing by the sea is a wonderful sight in itself. If you can imagine kinds blowing bubbles in the air, dogs wagging their tails, friends bonding over cutting chai, tourists enjoying pakodas, birds flying in a beautiful pattern, and breezy environment, then this would be the apt description of Nariman point. Capturing these colourful emotions and picturesque views on your camera are going to be a one-of-a-kind experience you can ever have. You might as well hone your photography skills here and who knows your pictures might rock the social media world!
CST
Another important landmark of Mumbai is Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus a.k.a Victoria Terminus which is a unique blend of Victorian and Indian architecture. It is also one of the famous and busiest railway stations in the country. Clicking pictures of this majestic architectural wonder is never a cliché’. One cannot get tired of taking pictures of this beautiful place. As you enter the station premises, you get the feeling of entering British Indian era. At night, the terminus is lit with lights which are a treat to anyone’s eye. The gothic style architecture of the terminus is what attracts people from across the country.
Haji Ali Dargah
This whitewashed structure is an important religious place in this bustling city. Built in 1431 by a Muslim merchant, this place is a shrine of a Muslim Sufi Saint named ‘Haji Ali’. It serves both as a mosque and tomb dedicated to the Sufi saint where people come to pray for their well-being. Since the shrine is situated amidst the ocean, it can only be accessed during low tide. Haji Ali Dargah is linked to the mainland through a narrow pathway that gets submerged during high tide. The pristine architecture of this important landmark of Mumbai deserved to be captured on your camera. Every Friday, the atmosphere of this pious place gets charged up due to the qawaali session.
Colaba Causeway
Is that even possible to leave Mumbai without indulging in a shopping spree from the famous Colaba causeway? The market is not only popular among shopaholics and fashionistas for cheap clothes, and designer wears but for its historical buildings and scrumptious food too. The street-side stalls selling cheap yet fashionable jewelry, used books, clothes and other quirky items are worth visiting once. And if you are tired of endless shopping, then there are cafes available which serve delicious food at affordable prices.
Vipassana Pagoda
If you want to get away from the crowd of the city, then Vipassana Pagoda is the place you must visit. The serene vibes of the place will make you forget everything and you will simply enjoy the moment. Vipassana Pagoda is a dome-shaped structure serving as a medication centre where devotees of all ages come to meditate and practice Vipassana. It is a great place to spend some “me” time away from the busy lives in the city. Ironically, this remarkable monument of Mumbai is located in the bustling suburbs of the city. Despite that, it is a great place to click a few memorable pictures. The meditation hall is a symbol of peace and harmony.
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is one of the most luxurious and prestigious hotels in the country which is located near the Gateway of India. The hotel is an architectural delight with a unique blend of Islamic and Renaissance styles. It has more than 10 high-end restaurants offering all kinds of cuisines in the world. Mumbai darshan is considered incomplete if you fail to capture this marvel on your camera. Not only this, you can indulge in relaxing spa therapies provided by luxurious spa centers in the hotel after a long and tiring day. Though booking a room in this hotel is a little expensive, but well you’ve got to experience it once in this life right? Don’t hesitate to shell out a few extra bucks for one day of a luxurious stay in this hotel. It’s going to worth every penny!
