Mumbai holidays

Three things you’ll need in Mumbai: comfortable shoes, a taxi-hailing wave, and a camera. Armed with these, you’re set for days of sightseeing across the city.  Stand beside the Arabian Sea and look up to the Gateway of India as ferries and yachts sail from the jetties behind you. Move just steps away to join the photographers at the luxurious Taj Mahal Palace. Browse stalls at Colaba Causeway and the “Thieves Market” of Chor Bazaar, or witness the world’s largest outdoor laundry at Dhobi Ghat.

Take a taxi along the Art Deco buildings that have made Marine Drive a UNESCO World Heritage site, or drive across the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, Mumbai’s answer to the Golden Gate and Sydney Harbour bridges. Spend a family day splashing in the attractions of Water Kingdom, catch a test match at Wankhede Stadium, and find the perfect sunset view among the skyscrapers of Nariman Point.

Hinduism, Islam, and Christianity are all widely followed in India’s most cosmopolitan city, with Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism also represented. For visitors, this means a wide range of beautiful and contrasting temples. Witness the sun reflecting off the golden 96-metre stupa of Global Vipassana Pagoda while up to 8,000 people meditate inside. See the colourful idol of Ganesha at Shree Siddhivinayak.

Pass through the ornate gate of Shree Mahalakshmi to find decorated idols of Lakshmi, Tridevi, and Kali, all just a short walk from the Islamic floating shrine of Haji Ali Dargah. Take in the seaside hilltop grandeur of Our Lady of the Mount Basilica, home to an extravagant festival each September. Or take a boat to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elephanta Island to explore its 1,600-year-old cave temples as the waves lap gently around.

Among the thriving modernity and fascinating history of Mumbai, two products of the city have become renowned across the globe: street food and Bollywood. Take a taste tour with hawkers on every corner offering local delicacies from chaat or vada pav to kebabs and panipuri. Graze the stalls of Churchgate Station, find global fare at Carter Road, or wander Marine Drive from the Gateway of India where fragrant food tempts you at every step.

Once bellies are full, film buffs can go behind the scenes of India’s epic movie industry with a tour of the Bollywood studios where more than 1,000 extravagant productions are filmed every year. See the homes of Bollywood’s most famous actors, grab a selfie with a star, or even learn some signature dance moves.

November to February is the best time to visit Mumbai as days are reliably dry and pleasantly warm without the humidity of summer. These winter months’ average around 25°C in the day, dropping closer to 10°C at night, and are perfect for walking around the city and its many attractions in ease and comfort. March to May is summer and temperatures quickly rise towards highs of 40°C with a sticky feel that can make extended outdoor periods or strenuous activities less comfortable.

June to September is the monsoon season. While milder than many parts of the continent, Mumbai’s monsoon is unpredictable and rains can be short and heavy or linger for several days. The reward for visiting at this time is the beautiful freshness the showers bring to the city. October days are drier but the high temperatures remain before cooling weather arrives once more.