For many years, the first sight a 20th-century traveller would gain of the Jewel in the Crown was Mumbai’s Gateway to India. Here, perched on the ocean, the triumphal arch ushered you to a future of unrivalled riches or a tricky bout of malaria. What was once Bombay is now a throbbing city of more than 5 million, stuffed with attractions and replete with the vivid smells and tastes of India.
A walk through the streets of Mumbai is a veritable feast for the senses. It combines the hubbub of modern life with the sights and sounds of centuries old tradition. On many corners, you’ll encounter colonial architecture rubbing shoulders with gleaming office blocks while a sleek motor speeds past. All of this is mingles with dhobi washermen knee-deep in laundry and water and dabbawalas delivering thousands of packed lunches by hand.
The British Raj knew how to commemorate a moment in a monument. The Gateway, built to welcome King George V and Queen Mary in the 1920s, is now the place to begin your tour of Mumbai. Whether you arrive by boat or turn up in a taxi, the Gateway symbolises a transition. From its elegant arch roads lead to a range of attractions and the chaotic circus of hawkers and performers set the scene for life on the city streets.
If you want to spice up your trip, look no further than one of Mumbai’s teeming market places. This is the city of the colourful, quirky street stall. There are dozens to choose from, but some of the best include the Chor Bazaar’s alleyways of antique shops and the Colaba Causeway with its ranks of affordable footwear and bright clothes. Mumbai’s spice capital resides in Crawford Market which combines colonial chic with an aromatic array of scents.
With dance routines to rival Busby Berkeley and storylines oozing with melodrama, Mumbai’s Bollywood film industry rakes in the rupees year after year. Pitch up at the impressive Eros Cinema and you can catch a show, or alternatively why not take a tour of Film City. This bustling set churns out films with sequin-fuelled alacrity. If you’re really lucky you could even become an extra.
After a day amid the sizzling heat and teeming crowds of Mumbai, simply head for the sands and seashore to relax. Close to the Gateway of India you’ll find Juhu and Marine Drive Chowpatty Beaches. These are favourite haunts for locals and travellers alike. As the sun sinks below the horizon, round off the day Indian style with some street food in the shape of roast corn, puri and bhajis.
During your stay in Mumbai, its worth marvelling at the impact the Raj had on Indian culture. This is never more evident than in the monumental buildings which established the right to rule the Jewel in the Crown. For a taste of a bygone age, check out the Gothic Prince of Wales Museum in the Kala Ghoda art precinct, the Bombay High Court and the gardens in Horniman Circle.
+5.30 Hours GMT
Passports must be valid for 6 months beyond your stay.
You need a Visa to visit India (HCI London).
Highest Average: 30°
Lowest Average: 18°
Sign up for the latest cricket news and tours
