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Elegant Mumbai, the largest city in India and capital of Mahrashtra state, is a beautiful city of seven islands overlooking the Konkan coastline. Formally known as Bombay, Mumbai is now home to 17 million people, making it one of the largest cities in the world. This city thrives on fashion and commerce as it is also home to Bollywood, the India version of Hollywood, which symbolizes the whole culture of the city. Mumbai also has a lot of boats and commerce, being one of India’s predominant port cities. This eclectic city has tons to do and even more to see. Make this a spring break destination and you’re sure to have a great time!

Mumbai Pictures

Things to do in Mumbai

Mumbai has so many things to do, with a lot of the attractions right in the city. However, most outdoorsy activities are found outside the city limits due to lack of space. One of the biggest attractions right now is the “Slum Tour”, by Reality Tours and Travel. These are walk-through tours of Dharivi, Asia’s largest slum, Dobi Ghat, the largest open air laundry in the world, and the red light district. They are very safe and powerful experiences, with many of the proceeds going to charity. Mumbai is also usually the first stop for Western pop and rock stars doing a European tour. These include famous acts like U2 and Pantera and are known to be very safe. Mumbai also has great Harbour Cruises that usually leave every 30 minutes daily. Cruises are a great way to relax while seeing all the shipping and exporting that Mumbai is known for. Mumbai also has many great festivals held throughout the year. These include Mumbai Festival, Banganga Festival, and Ramadan Festival. Yoga is huge in India, and Mumbai has some of the best places in the world. Check out the Yoga Institute where you can study from some of the best teachers in the world.

Nightlife in Mumbai

Mumbai has some of the most ‘lax attitudes on drinking, as you can find tons of bars and alcohol everywhere, not to mention great clubs! Be sure to hit up Poison, one of India’s best clubs, noted for it’s great Bollywood music, pretty girls, and cheap drinks. Mumbai also has some great coffee shops like Cafe Coffee Day and Barista. They serve great coffee with a really chill atmosphere.

Dining in Mumbai

Aside from fast food and big name chains, Mumbai has a lot of good, authentic Indian cuisine. Some great traditional Indian food includes Vada Pav, a mashed potato patty sandwhiched in between two breads, Pav Bhaji, mashed vegetables cooked in spices, Bhel Puri, puffed rice with spices and chutneys, and Pani Puri, puri filled with tasty sauces. A word of caution though, only get Pani Puri from big places, not street vendors as it is not always the cleanest. These tasty foods can be found all around the city.

Shopping in Mumbai

Credit cards are used in most of Mumbai, although you need cash to pay small side shops and vendors. There are ATMs throughout the city so make sure you have cash transferred beforehand. Rupees is the Indian unit of money. Chor bazaar, which literally translates to “Thief Market”, is located at the Grant Road station on the Western Line and features street vendors selling a wide array of items for very cheap. Colaba Causeway is anther great tourist shop, located very close to the Gateway of India. You can find many authentic Indian souvenirs, antiques, carpets, and chandeliers. Also be sure to hit up Crawford Market, located within 10 minutes walking distance from the Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus. It has tons of shops selling imported items like food, cosmetics, and household gift items.

Mumbai travel tips

• Outside of major tourist places, stay away from raw foods.
• Smog can be very bad and unhealthy, especially during the dry season.
• Do not display 500 and 1000 rupee notes in public.