Mumbai

Eco-friendly travel guide to Mumbai advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to explore the attractions in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Mumbai, India.

Skyline of Mumbai

Air quality: 2.5 / 5

Exploring by foot: 3 / 5

Exploring by bicycle: 4 / 5

Public transportation: 2 / 5

Parks: 5 / 5

Outdoor activities: 5 / 5

Locals' English level: 3 / 5

Safety: 1 / 5

Accommodation: US$30 - $200

Budget per day: US$60 - $300

Responsible Travel

Mumbai is a city in Maharashtra, which is an Indian state. You will find that many billionaires and millionaires of India reside in Mumbai city. The town is popular among tourists as well as among local Indians. You will find many cultural and historical heritages in the different parts of the town, and a lot of them are significant UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

While traveling and exploring Mumbai, you need to make sure that your travel harms the local environment. To do so, you need to travel as responsibly as possible to play your role as a responsible tourist. You can follow the following advice to travel eco-friendly and get the most out of the city;

You should opt for an eco-friendly or green hotel instead of 5-star hotels. These hotels follow various sustainable measures to reduce their carbon footprint and support the local environment.

While exploring the local culture and shopping for souvenirs, prefer the local businesses rather than the international brands as the international brands will provide you with the same services back home. By choosing local businesses, you can explore and discover many exciting things about the local communities and support them.

While exploring the local culture by visiting local shops and vendors, avoid haggling as these local businesses earn a minimal amount. By haggling, you will only be taking advantage of their vulnerability.

Before visiting the city, research the city's culture, traditions, laws, and other relevant things that you need to keep in mind. This research will help you explore the city the right way and respect the culture and rules as you travel.

Make sure to minimize your carbon footprint by avoiding plastic bags, takeaway containers, and plastic water bottles. Instead, use your cloth bag, reusable bottles, and eat at the restaurant or café only.

Mumbai's famous streets have many beggars that include children, women, and older men, but many do the begging for easy money or forcibly. Therefore, avoid giving any money to these beggars; instead, buy them food or drink items if you want to help them.

Try to use public transports like trains and buses as they are cheap and eco-friendly. You can also meet locals in such carriers and learn a lot by interacting with them. You can also opt for eco-friendly vehicles like cycle-rickshaws, bicycles, and electronic cars.

While booking for air travel, choose direct flights rather than transfer flights as airplanes produce a lot of CO2 and are a costly travel mode. If you follow even a few measures, you can travel responsibly and avoid any negative impact of your travel to the local communities.

Air Quality and Pollution

When it comes to air pollution, Mumbai city is one of India's leading polluted cities. The air quality isn't the best, and pollution levels are too high. If you have any respiratory or health problems, then you need to follow proper precautions to avoid getting sick during your travel. The city's government has laid down many measures and programs to eradicate the air pollution problem. Still, due to the high population and tourism rate, air pollution is hard to control. To help you understand the air quality and pollution rates of Mumbai, here are some statistics from the World Health organization;

PM10 – 117

PM2.5 – 63

PM10 Pollution Level – Very High

Pollution Index – 82.96

Pollution Exp Scale – 147.54

Respect the Culture

While visiting a city of a conservative Asian country, you need to learn the local culture's importance and history. Only by learning about India and Mumbai's culture and history, you can respect the people and their culture. India is a diverse religious country, and Mumbai is a historical city and holds a great deal of importance to the country and people. If you want to respect the culture, you will need to learn about it by visiting the culturally and historically significant places and mingle with the locals. The locals are amiable and will help you out in understanding the various customs of their religion. You can also opt for participating in activities that focus on cultural tours.

Top 10 Places to Visit

The Gateway of India: It is a historical landmark of India, built to welcome King George 5th and Queen Mary in 1911. The archway is also the place where the last of the British Troops left India in 1948. Presently, the gateway serves as a popular gathering and cultural spot for tourists and locals. You can also opt for a ferry ride yacht to go off into the Arabian Sea. The gateway offers a wide variety of Indian street food items by the street food vendors around the site.

Global Vipassana Pagoda: It is a place for people that seek to meditate and spend some peaceful time by themselves. The stupa resembles the Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar and welcomes over 8,000 people from all over the world. It consists of a massive hall where you can meditate along with other people and find your inner peace. The pagoda also offers breath-taking views of the surrounding areas from its elevated sites.

Mahalakshmi Temple: The Temple is a significant and the oldest one in Mumbai. You can find it on Bhulabhai Desai Road and represent the Indian Goddess, Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth. The Temple attracts many devotees and is a must-visit place for tourists who want to learn about Indian culture and religions.

Elephanta Caves: It is a Mumbai's UNESCO World Heritage site in the Mumbai Harbor and is a historical and archaeological site. The site homes a series of temples that are in a mandala pattern. The site is more than 1,600 years old and homes many carvings that depict stories of Hindu myths. The attraction of the place is the Shiva statue, which is six-meter-high that represents Lord Shiva, the principal deity of the Hindu religion.

Water Kingdom: It is the largest water park in Asia and is a great place to cool down your body from Mumbai's hot and humid climate. The park homes more than 70 attractions that include water coasters, water gun fighting lagoon, a rain dance zone, a Wetlantic pool, an ice-skating rink, a bowling alley, etc. The park has to age limit, and you can enjoy yourself with your friends or family.

Haji Ali Dargah: It is an Islamic religious place that consists of a mosque and tomb. Another name of the Dargah is; 'The Floating Mosque,' as it stands on the sea. It is a must-visit place that will help you learn a lot of knowledge about Islamic people and their history. The Dargah is open for visitors from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. without any charges.

Film City: While exploring Mumbai, it is essential to visit the Film City if you want to get the best out of your travel. The Film City is a cultural heritage and is home to India's film industry, Bollywood. You can find the Film City in Aarey Colony in Goregaon and might even get the chance to watch a movie's shooting. It is open all the time, but you will need to pay a hefty amount of 1,150 rupees per person for entry.

Mount Mary Church: It is a cultural heritage that sits at a hilltop and gives panoramic views of the surrounding areas. You can find it on Mount Mary, and it is open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. every day. If you seek some peaceful time, then Mount Mary Church is the best place for you.

Madh Island: It is a small island that is home to charming villages and luxurious resorts. It is one of the most popular tourist places in Mumbai and is a great way to escape the city's busy streets and pollution. Madh Island is the perfect place for a family vacation as it has a peaceful and serene environment. The locals of the island are friendly and quite fascinating ones. You can learn a lot about local culture and history by interacting with them.

Shree Siddhivinayak Temple: It is a must-visit Hindu temple that is a tribute to Lord Ganesha, a potbellied deity with an elephant head. The Temple is a great place to discover and learn about Indian religions' diversity, in a prime location on S.K. Bole Marg, the Temple, is a significant worship place. You can accompany the locals and learn how to pay respect at a temple.

Gateway to India

Explore

Mumbai is a beautiful city that offers many other things apart from the historical and cultural places. The town's prime location makes it even more beautiful and a sought-out place for tourists outside and inside the country. The lifestyle and livelihood of the local people are unique and enlightening. There are many significant beaches, museums, parks, and landmarks that are must-visit places and can help you enhance your Mumbai experience.

City Parks

Hanging Garden: You can find this garden in Simla Nagar on Malabar Hill of Mumbai and is one of the city's best city parks. The park gives magnificent views of the Arabian Sea and is home to plants and animals' biodiversity. You can visit the park from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. without any entry charges.

Dadar Shivaji Park: Shivaji Park is one of the most significant parks in the city and hosts many social and political gatherings regularly. It consists of an open space of more than 112,937 square meters. It is available all the time, but you have to pay a small visiting charge of 50 rupees per person.

Central Park in Khargar: Khargar Central Park is an urban park in Kharghar Navi Mumbai. It covers 290 acres of recreational place for the locals and features an 18-hole golf course, an artificial pond, and exquisite sculptors. You can spend some peaceful time and explore the local culture of Mumbai while strolling in the park.

Lions Juhu Children's Municipal Park: It is a popular cultural park that's homes a concrete replica of a Boeing airplane. It is a popular place amongst the locals and tourists to get away from the busy and noisy streets. You can find many locals jogging or participating in fitness exercises or enjoying some free time with their friends or family.

Horniman Circle Garden: It is a beautiful garden with Victorian buildings and a peaceful and quiet environment. It is a great place to visit during the evening to watch the fountains light up and give an enchanting vibe. You can find many street vendors outside the garden as the place is quite popular among couples and teenagers.

Horniman Circle Garden

National Parks

Sanjay Gandhi National Park: It is Mumbai's best nature park that covers an area of more than 87 square kilometers. It is consists of a vast forest area with a beautiful lake and diverse wildlife. It is the perfect getaway place and provides visitors with a peaceful and pollution-free environment. You can opt to participate in various activities such as hiking, trekking, boating, animal safari, etc. You can find the park on the Western Express Highway just outside Mumbai. It is open for visitors from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. with an entry charge of 58 rupees per person.

Flamingo Sanctuary at Thane Creek: You can find this beautiful sanctuary on the Ulhas River in Thane Creek. It is one of the best nature parks that homes a well-preserved ecosystem and hosts the endangered bird species, flamingos. These birds are the park's main attraction that you can see during the birding season every year.

Maharashtra Nature Park: It lies in a notified forest consisting of 40 acres of land that home a wide variety of 14,000 trees that range from teak to golden apple. It is a popular place for birdwatchers as the forests have a rich biodiversity, and you can even spot the white-spotted fantail, purple-rumped sunbird, or the blue tiger butterfly.

View of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Beaches

Aksa Beach: It is a beautiful beach in Aksa Village in the Malad West area of Mumbai. It is the best getaway place and offers a peaceful and quiet environment. You will find fewer crowds on the beach and participate in various activities like volleyball matches, swimming, kayaking, etc. Although the beach is open for access, prefer visiting during the evening to get fantastic sunset views.

Versova Beach: It is a famous beach in the Andheri West area of Mumbai and is the beach lovers' preference. The beach is trendy during the summers, and you can take part in a lot of unique and fun activities with the locals and enhance your Mumbai experience.

Gorai Beach: It is a famous beach among couples as it offers stunning views at sunset. You can find the beach on Gorai Road and is free to access any time of the day or night. You can hire a boat to get into the water and enjoy a peaceful time with your friends and family.

Juhu Beach: It is the most popular beach in India that gets exceptionally crowded on the weekends. The beach offers many activities to indulge in and local street snacks that will broaden your taste buds. You can find the locals exercising as it is a beautiful spot, and no one can resist its beauty and charm.

The Juhu beach is one of the most popular beaches of Mumbai

Landmarks

Marine Drive: Marine Drive might be a crowded area but is a must-visit place. It is a 3.6 kilometers long boulevard on the coast. It gives the visitors beautiful views of the city. You will find that it gets crowded in the evening as many couples visit the place to get sunset and night views, which are breath-taking ones. The Marine Drive Street also homes many Art Deco buildings that are part of Mumbai's UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Bandra-Worli Sea Link: It is a cable bridge that connects Mumbai's two significant areas; the Central Business District and the Western Suburbs. The bridge resembles New York's Brooklyn Bridge and is one of Mumbai's most notable landmarks representing development and growth. The ideal time to visit the bridge is close to mid-night as you can enjoy some peaceful time without the constant honking of vehicles.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus: It is an important landmark and the biggest railway station in Mumbai that possesses a blend of Victorian Gothic and Indian architecture. The terminus is an important railway station in South India, and a lot of trains leading to different states of India pass from here. You can get trains to visit other parts of the city and outdoor areas like Lonavla, Pune City, Khandala, Mahabaleshwar, etc.

Prithvi Theatre: Built as a tribute to Prithwiraj Kapoor, it is a grand theatre with an amphitheater-style gallery. The theatre hosts many plays and acts daily and is a great place to broaden your knowledge about India's culture, traditions, heritage, and history. You can find the theatre on Juhu Church Road and is open from 11 a.m. with an entry fee of 125 Rupees per person.

Powai Lake: It is an artificial lake in the Powai Valley of Maharashtra and has the famous Indian Institute of Technology on the eastern part. The lake offers a peaceful and quiet time for the visitors, and you can go for boating and strolling with your partners or friends. It is open all the time, and you don't have to pay any charges for visiting.

Dharavi Slum: It is the largest slum area in Asia and the best place to explore Mumbai's local culture and people. The slums home many street vendors, N.G.O.s, schools, and garment shops. The residents live a simple life and are very welcoming towards tourists. You can visit the slums any time of the day without any charges but be careful as pickpockets are prevalent in the area, and you will lose your valuable belongings.

Powai Lake

Museums

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vasti Sangrahalay :It is an influential art and history museum in India that showcases more than 70,000 artifacts, sculptors, paintings, antiques, and others representing India's history and culture. The museum's architecture is also of the most admirable ones on Mahatma Gandhi Road of Mumbai.

Mani Bhavan : It is a must-visit museum in Mumbai that showcases the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of India. The museum contains various vintage photographs, spinning wheels, paintings, and artifacts relating to Gandhi. You can easily find the museum on Laburnum Road in the Gamdevi area in Mumbai.

National Gallery of Modern Art: It is the best gallery in Mumbai that showcases a diverse collection of sculptors, artistic pieces, and renowned Indian artists' architecture. You can also find artifacts and relics of ancient civilizations. You can find the museum on Mahatma Gandhi Road and is open for viewing from 11 a.m. with a small charge of 10 rupees per head.

Jehangir Art Gallery: The gallery showcases works of some famous Indian artists like M.F. Hussain. It might not look attractive from the outside, but the inside will make your jaws drop by its beauty. It is the best place for tourists that are into art and culture. You can visit the gallery from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and don't need to pay any entry charges.

Nehru Centre: The museum's name comes from the first prime minister of Independent India and is the ideal place for astronomy lovers. The center hosts various Astro-poetry sessions and exhibitions where you can learn about India's history and culture. The 'Discovery of India' is a must-see exhibit for foreign tourists. It showcases many dioramas and artifacts that will help you get in-depth knowledge about India's history.

R.B.I. Monetary Museum: The Reserve Bank of India building consists of a must-visit Monetary Museum, an important museum in India. It showcases the history of Indian currency that ranges from barter goods to coins and notes. You can find many rare coins with emblems of kings, beautiful calligraphy, and religious imagery.

Jehangir Art Gallery

Eat

Indian cuisines are famous worldwide because of their diverse taste and significance to different religions. India's historical capital, Mumbai, is perhaps the best place where you can indulge in mouth-watering traditional and modern Indian foods that will leave a lingering taste in your mouth. While exploring the city, your experience will feel incomplete if you don't try the local food dishes. The local restaurants, cafes, and street vendors serve a wide variety of food dishes from various parts of India.

Traditional Local Restaurants

The Konkan Café: It is an Indian restaurant that serves coastal cuisines made using ingredients such as; seafood, coconut, rice, and lentils. The restaurant menu offers many Mangalorean, South Indian, and Goan dishes that will leave you content and happy. You find the restaurant in Ganesh Murti Nagar in Mumbai.

Brittania and Company: It is a traditional restaurant that dates back to the 1920s when it first opened. The restaurant has a conventional Irani restaurant vibe as it serves the Parsi and Irani people of Mumbai. The famous dishes of the menu include; berry rice pulav, Saliboti, and dhansak.

Golden Star Thali: It is a popular Indian restaurant on Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road that serves traditional Rajasthani and Gujarati cuisines. The restaurant serves thali meals containing many different food items like Indian flatbread, roulade, rice and lentils, seasonal vegetables, spiced curd, and coconut gravy.

Peshawri I.T.C.: It is a traditional Indian restaurant that serves northwestern dishes of India that includes a wide variety of roasted and grilled meats. You can find this restaurant in Ashok Nagar in Mumbai, and you will be able to spend a fantastic time with your family and friends by exploring India's taste.

Ziya: It is a popular restaurant in Mumbai that serves innovative contemporary Indian dishes. You can find the restaurant in Nariman Point Mumbai, and is a great place to get a first-hand experience of India's evolving food culture. The restaurant's unique and main attraction is the glass-enclosed show kitchen that lets the customers see how they prepare their dishes.

Neel – Tote on the Turf: It is a popular Indian restaurant in the Mahalakshmi area of Mumbai. The restaurant is a luxurious one. It has stunning interiors and serves Nawabi Muslim cuisine that consists of dishes like chilgoze ka shorba, Kashmiri Sebkisabzi, achari Portobello mushrooms, gucchiki biryani, etc. It is a must-visit restaurant if you have a big budget.

Vegetarian and Vegan

Café Madras: It is an iconic cafeteria in Mumbai that is popular amongst vegetarians and South Indian food lovers. The cafe is more than 75 years old and serves traditional South Indian food. It serves different dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner that are vegan and gluten-free.

Riso: It is a popular vegetarian restaurant that serves Italian and Mexican dishes. The restaurant's main attractions are the wheat-based thin-crust pizzas, rice bowls, quesadillas, pasta, etc. You can find the restaurant on Senapati Bapat Marg and serves vegan and gluten-free food items to its customers.

Quattro Ristorante: It is an excellent restaurant in SenapatiBapat Marg that serves vegetarian dishes of Indian, Mexican, and Italian cuisines. The menu's popular dishes include; wood-fired pizzas, pasta, rice dishes, southwestern rolls, burrito pizza, gnocchi paprika, etc.

Ithaka: It is a mixed-cuisine restaurant that serves Middle Eastern, Lebanese, and Indian dishes that are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. The popular food items include falafels, shawarmas, pies, wafer-thin Lebanese pizzas, etc.

Chetana: It is a popular vegetarian restaurant amongst tourists and locals who indulge in Indian food from different states. The restaurant serves thali meals that represent Gujarati, Marathi, Rajasthani, and South Indian food cultures.

Street Food

Vada Pav: It is a popular street food item popular all over India but is usually available in Mumbai and nearby areas only. It is bun bread with a patty of mashed potato in between. The dish accompanies a spicy and sweet chutney and fried chilies. You will find many street food vendors serving the dish in almost every corner of the city.

Misal Pav: It is a popular breakfast dish with a mix of curried lentils topped with a potato and vegetable mix, tomato, chopped onions, poha, and chivada. It is a healthy and nutritious street food that is available in all streets of the city.

Pav Bhaaji: It is an assortment of cooked and mashed vegetables seasoned with Indian spices. The mixture accompanies toasted bun bread. It is a famous dish in Mumbai and every city of India as a comfort yet street food.

Batata Vada: Another name of the dish is Aloo Bonda, which is prevalent in the northern cities of India. It consists of a mashed potato patty with chickpea flour coating and is deep-fried until it turns golden brown. The fried potato accompanies a green chutney, coconut chutney, chili sauce, and fried green chilies. The dish is trendy during the monsoon and winter season amongst the locals.

Bombay Sandwich: It is a unique sandwich that consists of three buttered bread slices with beetroot slices, boiled potatoes, onion rings, cucumber slices, and mint chutney. It is a popular lunch and evening snack and is a must-try one while exploring Mumbai's food culture.

Frankie: It is a popular Indian street food that comes in two variants; vegetarian and non-vegetarian. The vegetarian variant consists of a naan bread that is stuffed and rolled with paneer or potato stuffing. The non-vegetarian version consists of a naan bread which has an egg coating and meat stuffing.

Kanda Poha: It is a popular Indian breakfast dish consisting of flaked rice, onions, chopped potatoes, green chilies, peanuts, and peas. The mix has Indian spices as seasonings and fresh coriander and lime juice as garnishes.

Dabeli: It is another vegetarian street food that is quite similar to Vada Pav but consists of a special Dabeli Masala with toppings of mashed potatoes, spices, sev, pomegranate seeds, and green chutney.

Pani Puri: It is a street dish that every Indian loves and can't resist. Pani Puri consists of thin and hallow flour balls with potato, chickpea, onion, and sev mix stuffing. The dish accompanies a coriander spiced water mix, a sweet tamarind water mix. These water balls are a burst of flavor that will make you teary and satisfied at the same time.

Drink

Falooda: It is an Indian version of the Persian dish 'Faloodeh.' Falooda is a frozen dessert item consisting of ice cream, vermicelli, rose syrup, milk, and sweet basil seeds. It is a popular beverage during the summers in Mumbai for cooling down and hydrating your body.

Coconut Water: It is the healthiest beverage available in the streets of Mumbai and that too in abundance. You will find a coconut water seller in every street and market. The locals prefer this drink as Mumbai's climate is hot and humid, and coconut water provides a newfound freshness and energy.

Jaljeera: It is a delicious beverage in India which is famous for medicinal and digestive aid. It consists of cumin, ginger, black pepper, salt, mint, and lemon. Jaljeera is rich in vitamin C and can help you in keeping your body hydrated during the summers.

Kala Khatta: It is another summer beverage of India that almost every Indian loves and can't resist. The drink comes as a shaved ice sphere attached to a stick, and is you can opt for your choice of juice dressing that you want to put on the ice sphere. It is a fun beverage and comes with various flavors like strawberry, blackberries, mango, etc.

Lassi: It is a must-drink beverage that is yogurt but is blended to give a smooth and liquid texture. The drink is available in three primary flavors; vanilla, strawberry, and pista. You will find many international and national brands selling packets of these drinks. Still, you should avoid them and prefer buying from street vendors as they will provide you with an authentic and quality beverage without preservatives and harmful chemicals.

Sugarcane Juice: Sugarcane juice is a popular choice of people all over India. It helps keep your body hydrated and possesses a lot of nutritional and medicinal qualities. You can easily find many street vendors squeezing out fresh juice for every customer. You can ask the vendor to put a little black salt in the fluid to give it a tangy taste.

NimbuPani: It is the Indian name for lemonade and is another popular choice amongst the locals for cooling down from the hot and humid climate. In India, lemonades come with many variants: cumin, chat masala, mint, and salt. You can choose from the ingredients according to your preference at the many street stalls in Mumbai.

Tap-water

The water supply in Mumbai city comes under the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation that collects water samples daily for examination. You'll be surprised to know that the tap water is the safest one all over India. In the last Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation report, tap water contains only 0.7% coliform bacteria, which is way lower than the limit for water quality advisable by the World Health Organization, which is 5%.

The primary sources of tap water in Mumbai are Vaitarna and Upper Vaitarna, Powai, Tansa, Vihar, Tulsi, and Bhatsa River. Recent findings show that the reservoirs possess pure water. But as the water goes through the various distribution channels, the quality degrades and becomes polluted when it reaches the end consumer.

While traveling and exploring Mumbai, you can prefer mineral water bottles, but they are not friendly to the environment and will result in increasing your carbon footprint. Instead, try finding out good quality water sources in the city and carry a refillable water bottle with you at all times.

Organic Cafés

Kitchen Garden by Suzette: If you want to visit a café that uses clean, healthy, organic, and nutritious ingredients from local sources, the Kitchen Garden is Mumbai's best café. It serves a wide range of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, fresh salads, healthy smoothies, and mouth-watering dessert items.

212 All Good: It is one of Mumbai's best organic café that focuses on serving dishes with fresh and quality ingredients. The café gets the resources from Mumbai's local farms and do vegan dishes to promote a healthy and eco-friendly lifestyle.

Birdsong Café: It is an organic deli that offers a wide range of organic items such as banana fritters, couscous veggie upma, cracker pizza, and granola bowl with fresh seasonal fruits. The chia pudding is the main attraction of the place that consists of fresh coconut milk, chia seeds, and seasonal fruits. They also offer a vegan chocolate cake for chocolate lovers.

The Village Shop: It is a great organic café in Serpis Villa that offers a wide variety of vegan dishes that include salads, sandwiches, main courses, and milkshakes. The café only operates daily but plans to open a full-time store to serve vegetarian, vegan, and non-vegetarian dishes sourced from organic sources.

The Yoga House: It is another day café in Bandra that offers healthy organic food and yoga classes. The menu includes many unique dishes like quinoa poha, fresh raw juices, smoothies, ten grains bread, paneer bhurji, carrot cake, hash browns, etc. It offers various home-made dips and sauces with the main dishes to take the food to another level.

Breweries

Brewbot Eatery & Pub Brewery: Brewbot is the best place to hang out with your friends and indulge in local beers. The brewery pub offers many popular beverages like Skywalker and Hefeweizen. You can also order delicious burgers as an evening snack to accompany the drinks. It is a popular place for young men and women and is open from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. throughout the week in Veera Desai Area.

Gateway Brewing Company: It is the most famous brewery in Mumbai that gets its name from its heritage site, Gateway of India. The brewery offers unique craft beers sourced from local ingredients and is a must-visit place in Nariman Point.

Royal Oak Brewery: It is a famous brewery that offers a good variety of non-vegetarian snacks along with beverages. The popular drinks include craft beer and apple cider. The brewery also offers live music screening to make your experience even more enjoyable.

British Brewing Company: It is one of the party spots in Mumbai that serves beers from the Gateway Brewing Company, local breweries, and imported sources. It is a popular drinking place among the local young men and women in Sakinaka and opens from 12 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Activities

There are many things that you can do to enhance your Mumbai experience. Mumbai city offers a lot of things that range from sports to cultural tours. You can participate in them and will be able to create a memorable time and get the most out of your travel. Here are some must-try activities in Mumbai to help you make a memorable trip;

Sunset at Marine Drive

Hike to the top of Vasai Fort

Ferry Ride at the Gateway of India

Explore the Street Food at Juhu Chowpatty

Visit the Parsi Cafes

Enjoy a day at Essel World

Explore the Buddhist Sanctums at Kanheri Caves

Indulge in bird watching at Jijamata Udyan

Travel among the locals in the Mumbai Local Train

Trek at Gorakhgad

Visit the Pandavkada Falls

Yoga and Retreats

Yoga is an ancient well-being practice from India that helps in keeping your body and mind healthy. You will find that the locals, especially the young men and women, prefer to live a healthy life and are regulars at the city's yoga institutes and studios. There are many yoga institutes, but not all of them are good ones. While choosing a yoga studio, preferably one with a professional and experienced teacher. Here are some of the best yoga institutes in Mumbai and offer quality service to their customers;

The Yoga Institute

The Yoga House

Iyengar Yogashraya

Navroop Yoga

Sarva Yoga Studio

The Yoga Institute Powai

Fusion Yoga

Accommodation

While traveling to Mumbai, you will find that there are so many options for accommodations that you can get confused about choosing the right one for you. You can find almost all kinds of accommodation options from green hotels to couch-surfing hosts. If you want to travel eco-friendly, then the best options are green hotels, campsites, hostels & guest houses, and apartments. These options are relatively cheaper than 5-star hotels and provide quality service. You can also opt for couch-surfing, which has become popular amongst the locals.

Green Hotels

Taj Mahal Palace: It is a 5-star hotel and a heritage landmark fir that attracts tourists from all over the world. You can find the hotel in the Colaba district, and astonishingly, it is an eco-friendly hotel. The hotel uses many environment-friendly measures to promote awareness regarding climate change, green energy, conservation of natural resources, and supporting local communities.

The Orchid: It is the first eco-hotel in Asia that offers a luxurious stay in an eco-friendly manner. You can find the hotel Nehru Road adjacent to Domestic Airport in Mumbai. If you prefer hotels, The Orchid is the best way to maintain your carbon footprint and use 5-star hotel services.

Rodas: It is an eco-friendly boutique in the heart of the Powai area near the Hiranandani Gardens. It is one of Mumbai's popular environment-friendly properties and offers a quality service to its guests. You may need to book in before-hand as the rooms are limited to 36, and it can often get full-booked in peek seasons.

The Fern: The Fern is an eco-friendly hotel chain in India with branches in Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Mumbai. The hotel follows a lot of measures to minimize and reduce their carbon footprint. The various steps include using recycled materials, energy-efficient air conditioning, rainwater harvesting, and eco-friendly toiletries to minimize wastage of resources.

Abode Boutique Hotel: It is the first real boutique hotel in Mumbai that offers many accommodation options according to your budget. The hotel's staff uses copper jugs, reverse osmosis, recycled wood furniture, and other measures to reduce their waste and recycle whatever they can. It is by no doubt, the best boutique hotel to stay in Mumbai.

Taj Lands End: It is another luxury hotel in Bandra that is expanding to become the largest hotel in India. It uses various conservation measures like the use of C.F.L.s, solar and hydro-electric energy, low-energy L.E.D. Lights, waste recycling, underwater reservoirs, vermiculture, biodegradable detergents, etc. If you like staying in a hotel but don't want to feel guilty, the Taj Lands End hotel is the right place.

Hostels and Guest Houses

Arma Hostel: It is the best hostel in Mumbai in a prime location in Bandra District. If you are traveling alone, then it is the right place for you. The hostel offers various room options that you can choose according to your budget and stay.

Backpacker Panda Appetite: If you want to meet other backpacking tourists and share your experience with Mumbai, Backpacker Panda is the right place for you. It is the first backpacking hostel in Mumbai and with modern style dormitories and private rooms.

Horn Ok, Please: It is a pocket-friendly hostel that offers many facilities to its guests, such as individual lockers, books, board games, and a fully-equipped pantry and kitchen. It is the best hostel if you are on a low budget.

Bombay Rooms: It is a cozy and a bit pricey hostel in Mumbai that is ideal for solo travelers and backpackers. The hostel offers fully air-conditioned rooms, private bathrooms, and flat L.E.D. Televisions. It is an excellent place for travelers with a reasonable budget.

City Guest House: It is a famous guest house in Mumbai in the Dadri area that is just a few minutes' walking distances from the market areas and restaurants. It offers different types of rooms according to your budget.

Shiv Sagar Lodging and Boarding: It is an affordable guest house near Bhoir Pada Bus Stop and offers various amenities like room service, housekeeping, and parking facility. The guest house provides a variety of rooms that you can choose according to your budget.

Apartments

You should prefer renting out an apartment rather than staying at hotels. There are many apartments in Mumbai which you can rent out according to your time and visit. If you opt for renting out an apartment with your friends, you will save a lot of money.

Couchsurfing

Couch-surfing isn't that prevalent in India as the local people don't trust online transactions or persons they meet. If you want to couch-surf in Mumbai, you will need to befriend a local and ask him for accommodation. The local might even offer to let you stay at their home when you are in Mumbai. This way, you won't have to pay even a single penny and can learn many things from the local for your travel.

Camping

Uttan : It is the closest outdoor campsite in Mumbai in Uttan village. You can get the perfect outdoorsy experience and learn about rural Indian culture. Uttan camp is a great place where you can indulge in simple seafood dishes, live performances by locals and tourists, and adventure activities in a pollution-free area.

Karnala: The campsite is about 50 kilometers from the city in the Karnala Bird Sanctuary. It is the best place for camping as it offers to stay in the hills where you can get fresh forest air and enjoy some peaceful time in the lap of nature.

Bhatsa River Valley: It is a riverside campsite next to the Bhatsa River basin and is one of the least visited Mumbai places. You can accompany the fellow travelers and explore the vegetation, rock formations, and waterfalls that will give you a memorable experience to remember forever.

Matheran: If you want to get a real outdoor camping experience without any disturbances from vehicles, then Matheran is the place for you. It is a natural playground with small hills with lush greenery and hidden waterfalls.

Lonavala: It is a popular hill station in India, which is about 66.5 kilometers away from Mumbai. Lonavala is a popular destination for couples and families that prefer a peaceful and quiet environment.

Vasind: It is a picturesque campsite about 63 kilometers from Mumbai city that is a great place to get away from the busy streets. You can enjoy some quality time with fellow travelers and participate in adventure sports and recreational activities like kayaking, strolling in the woods and swimming.

How to Get There

There are many ways to get to Mumbai city. If you a different country and want to reach Mumbai, you should prefer booking a direct flight to avoid discomfort and time waste. If you are already in India, you can opt for using the railway network, which is quite efficient in reaching almost every city.

Air

Mumbai's primary Airport is the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport that serves international flights from different countries and Indian states. The Airport provides direct flights to many major cities in the world without any trouble.

Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport

Bus

The local buses in Mumbai come under Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport. Several publicly owned and privately owned buses run in the city, but you should avoid using them alone as they are not safe and face a lot of trouble if you can't speak Hindi fluently. You might even lose your valuables as a lot of pickpockets are prevalent in local buses.

Bus in Mumbai

Train

Mumbai has an efficient railway network that can help you travel to areas inside and outside the city. The trains are the fastest travel mode but are usually full of locals from different towns. As a tourist, you should not prefer traveling in a local train alone as the crime rates are very high, and you might find yourself in a bad situation.

Train at Azad Nagar Station

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is a popular way of traveling to different parts inside and outside the city. You will not face any problem asking for a lift as the locals are amiable and like to help foreign tourists. The drivers you meet while hitchhiking will share their Mumbai experience, which you can use while exploring the city.

Others

Other modes of travel include taxis and boats, which are popular but only to areas inside the city. Taxis are popular amongst tourists as they are relatively safer than public buses and trains. Still, the drivers often overcharge tourists, and the vehicle emits a lot of pollution as it is not friendly to the environment. Boats are only in use for tours and not for traveling purposes.

Moving Around

You will face some trouble while moving around the city as the city is a populated one, and the roads tend to get jammed with traffic during the day. Also, moving around Mumbai's streets for a foreign tourist is not at all safe as some people will try to approach you and take advantage of your limited knowledge of the city. These people might steal your valuable belongings or hurt you, which will ruin your trip.

Walk

Exploring the city by walking around is probably the healthiest way to discover Mumbai's hidden gems, but it comes with its risks. If you are traveling alone, prefer to get a local guide to ensure that you don't land yourself in trouble with the local gangs and pickpockets.

Bicycle

Bicycles are relatively the better option for foreign tourists to move around the city but not the best one as the traffic is relatively high, and you might get in accidents if you are not extra careful on the roads or pathways. You can find many hotels and bicycle shops, providing rental bicycle services. You will be able to avoid pickpockets and travel faster to different areas of the city.

Electronic Vehicles

The best way to travel safely and eco-friendly in a populated and crime-hotspot city is by using electronic vehicles. Electronic vehicles are the best options as they don't need any fossil fuel or natural resources to work. There are many charging stations set up by the local government to charge your car, bike, or bicycles. Electronic modes of transport are prevalent among the locals and are the safest way to move around the city.

Public Bus

Public buses are the cheapest mode of transport to different city areas but are not the safest ones. You will find many minor crimes like pickpockets occurring in the public buses regularly. The locals use buses as they are accustomed to criminal activity, but you can't risk traveling in domestic buses alone as a tourist. If you want to travel using public buses, prefer accompanying fellow travelers or a local Indian to avoid getting in trouble.

Tram, Train and Subway

The railway system and the Mumbai Metro are the fastest traveling areas to different areas inside and outside Mumbai. These modes are not only the quickest but also the cheapest one. If you want to travel using public vehicles, then the metro trains are the best option for you as they are safer than railway trains.

Sustainable Shopping

Sustainable shopping is a popular trend in Mumbai, and a lot of people are focusing on changing their lifestyles and adapting to eco-friendly practices. This type of shopping promotes buying reusable and recycled items, organic products, and services that support the local communities. As a tourist, you should prefer sustainable shopping while buying souvenirs and other things to understand the local culture and people.

Food Markets

Mumbai has a wide variety of seafood that comes from the Arabian Sea, lakes, and rivers. Because of its prime location, the city also has access to nature reserves and farms that provide high-quality produce. There are many food markets in the town that sell fresh produce and other food items. These markets are must-visit places if you want to explore the food culture of Mumbai.

Juhu Chowpatty

Matunga Street Vendors Fresh Produce

Simon Peter Fish n Chips Company

Fresh Macchi

Sassoon Dock Local Fish Market

Fish Market

Flea Markets

Flea markets are markets where local people sell second-hand products that are reusable or recyclable. These markets are trendy amongst the locals as they sell unique and creative items at a low price. You can visit these markets to search for some souvenirs of your trip. You can learn many things about the local culture and the people by observing these markets' activities.

Chor Bazaar

Colaba Causeway Market

Fashion Street

Mangaldas Market

Manu Market

Somwari Bazaar Market

Gandhi Market

Second Hand Stores

These retail stores are the perfect places to find unique and antique items. Second-hand stores sell used items that are in mint condition. These stores are familiar shopping places for the lower-income groups as the products are affordable to them. Here are some popular second-hand stores in Mumbai that you can visit;

Stylflip

Good Luck Furniture

Shaman Used Cars

Maruti BhangarWala

Readongo

Eco-Fashion

Surprisingly, eco-fashion or sustainable fashion is quite popular in Mumbai as it is the film industry's home. Eco-fashion is a type of style that uses organic substances that are sourced from the local environment. There are many eco-fashion stores in Mumbai as the locals are focusing on using eco-friendly practices. Here are some popular eco-fashion stores in Mumbai;

Douspeak Green

Patrah

Toile

Mayori Conscious Clothing

Recycling

With high rates of population, there is no doubt that the city has a huge pollution problem. You will find that the streets are never clean as the locals are accustomed to throwing away plastic wraps, plastic bags, and other items without a care in the world. Because of such dire conditions, the local government has put various measures to control the pollution rates and spread awareness regarding proper disposal and recycling. You can find many recycling shops in every district to take your non-disposable waste for recycling and earn a small amount. Even after such measures, people cannot understand the severity and do as they feel right.

Waste

There are various garbage containers and garbage trucks assigned for convenient and easy disposal of waste by the locals. These containers and trucks are emptied regularly, and the waste is sorted into degradable and non-degradable items. Many organizations and N.G.O.s are trying to spread awareness regarding the need for changing habits of waste disposal.

Work and Study Abroad

Mumbai city is one of the best cities to build your career as it offers unlimited opportunities in every field imaginable. If you want to work in Mumbai, there are many M.N.C.s and organizations with foreign owners. You can apply for a job at these companies and opt for Mumbai as your working place preference. Suppose you want to study in Mumbai city. In that case, you can visit and apply for education in various colleges and universities that accept international students or participate in the student exchange program.

Exchange Student

There are many colleges and universities in Mumbai that are part of the student exchange program. This program helps students study and learn about the culture and history of different countries. Here are some top-rated colleges and universities in Mumbai that you can apply for in the student exchange program for studying abroad.

Narsee Monjee College of College of Commerce and Economics

Indian Institute of Technology Bombay

National Institute of Industrial Engineering

Tata Institute of Social Sciences

Xavier Institute of Engineering

Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Technology

Au Pair

Au Pairing is a popular way of living amongst the lower-income groups, especially Dharavi slum areas. It is a concept where a foreign couple or an individual offers to help out a family in a different country in managing their household, finances, and education of their children. An au pair receives some monetary incentives that they can use according to their needs to help.

Volunteering

Several volunteering organizations in Mumbai indulge in activities to spread awareness regarding various issues in society, such as human rights, violence against women and children, rapes, animal protection, proper waste disposal, etc. These organizations play a significant role in helping society grow into a better one. Here are some influential organizations in Mumbai that are involved in volunteering activities;

ConnectFor

Sounds of Silence

Young Volunteers Organization

Child Rights and You

Make-A-Wish Foundation of India

Indian Red Cross Society

Teach For India

PETA India

As a tourist, you need to participate in these organizations' volunteering activities to get deep insights into the local communities' significant problems. By doing so, you can offer your valuable help and play your role as a responsible tourist.