WHERE TO STAY IN MUMBAI FOR TOURISTS

If you are interested in where to stay in Mumbai, you may also be interested in where to stay in New Delhi, where to stay in Jaipur and where to stay in Goa.

South Mumbai, the best area to stay in Mumbai

South Mumbai is undoubtedly one of the best areas in Mumbai to stay because there is quality ambiance attributed to its cultural spots like its museums, galleries, and creative spaces, as well as its historical features like gothic, precolonial and Indo-Saracenic architecture. The locals are liberal-minded, the weather balmy. There are colourful street-markets and  the enigmatic beauty of the whole place is beguiling.

Despite the location being top-rated, it warmly welcomes everyone (including budgeting backpackers) like family and friends.

Extremely friendly to tourists, South Mumbai (South Bombay) is popularly known as SOBO. From the farthest bay area of Colaba’s Navy Nagar to the length of the beautiful Marine Drive and Girgaum Chowpatty. From Haji Ali Dargah and the spectacular Worli sea-face to the bustling and crowded flower market of Dadar railway station, SOBO has a strong heart beat.

Hotels in South Mumbai

Churchgate

(sightseeing, business, weekend, solo travelers, exotic food, family)

Churchgate is a name attributed to the first railway station of the western line in Mumbai. It sees millions of commuters traveling to and fro to their destinations.

Termed khau gallis (street food sellers), there is one area at Nariman point near the World Trade Centre and another attached to Oval Maidan, nearby Churchgate station. Whether you try roadside pasta, or world-famous vada pav, the mouth-watering chaats like paani puri and sev puri, these delicious- smelling tiny stalls are all over Churchgate.

From Churchgate, you can take a boat ride in the Arabian sea while spending some time watching the arches of the Gateway of India as dusk falls. An early morning ride to Elephanta caves will indeed be a fascinating experience.

Hotels in Churchgate

Fort

(architectural design, sightseeing, young adults, nightlife, 1 day excursion)

Stepping out of CSMT railway station is a treat when you see the architecture and domes of the Municipal Corporation building. As you move forward towards Churchgate, you will reach Fort, a vast junction of roads that has several commercial and official buildings.

Check out the ancient artifacts at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalay (formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum) whilst taking a stroll and seeing the Gothic buildings of Elphinstone College, David Sassoon Library, and Flora Fountain in Fort. The roads and walkways are sheltered by old Banyan and peepal trees.

This area also hosts many off-beat clubhouses, cafes, and restaurants where you can spend your leisure time, dance to original scores and have a great night singing at a Karaoke bar!

Hotels in Fort

Marine Drive

(sightseeing, leisure, beauty, fitness, nightlife,  day excursion)

Marine Drive is a long, well maintained and beautiful curving shoreline, fringed by the Arabian sea. Ar night, when all the lamps are lit, it looks like a shimmering necklace and therefore it has the nickname “Queen's necklace”.

Take a walk or jog along the promenade or maybe you just sit there and watch the sun as it sets behind the huge bungalow named 'Raj Bhavan', which is the Governor's residence.

You will find many restaurants serving international cuisine in the road that links Churchgate to Marine Drive. You can enjoy a good meal in any of them.

Hotels in Marine Drive

Colaba

(Old local, local cafes, solo backpackers, family, 2 day excursion)

This is the southernmost tip of Mumbai and has a naval  port called Colaba. Being a historic area, the same families have lived there for generations.

Colaba Causeway is a lively shopping street, where you can buy from trendy chappals (footwear), gorgeous outfits and terrific accessories - all at cheap prices. Indulging in good shopping, requires one to learn the art of bargaining and to be aware of the 'going rates'.

Explore the contemporary art galleries - including NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art), and wander through the delightful lanes of this pre-colonial location that still has the character of the old times.

Hotels in Colaba

Other neighbourhoods to stay in Mumbai

Juhu

(tourists, a month, beach, celebrities)

Juhu is another good place to stay , as it is most famous for its long sandy beach that sits along the shore. Even though it isn’t the cleanest of beaches, it is still a great place to come and watch all the different things that are going on.

There are also numerous places of religion located in the neighbourhood including churches and temples with the most popular one being the Iskcon temple as it is set in four acres of grounds and is one of the most stunning buildings that attracts thousands of people every day.

Juhu is one of the wealthiest areas of the city and you will see lots of luxurious mansions that are mainly owned by Bollywood celebrities. Juhu is home to many restaurants, bars and hotels. Many tend to be more expensive than in other districts of Mumbai.

Hotels in Juhu

Bandra

(seafront, celebrities, couples)

This suburb is another goodarea to stay  as there are many things to see and do, Bandra is situated on the sea front to the west of the city and, like Juhu, is also home to many Bollywood celebrities.

There are various religious places including churches and temples as well as the remains of a Fort, which was built back in 1640 by the Portuguese. There are gardens, parks, cinemas, shopping malls and entertainment complexes as well as chances to meet many local people as you stroll around.

Hotels in Bandra

Powai

(nightlife, family, business, restaurants, 1 day excursion)

Located on the shores of  Powai Lake, with the hills of Vikhroli Parksite to the south-east,  this is an attractive and upbeat location. Powai has a collection of mansions and well-kept natural surroundings. The lake is home to crocodiles, that can be spotted from the shore plus sunbirds, kingfishers and many others.

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Having safe environs, the nightlife of this location is one to not be missed. The area is perfect for families to spend time, couples to walk hand-in-hand along the lake shore.

The locale of Powai is so fresh and friendly that one feels like staying in Colaba.

Hotels in Powai

Gorai

(family, solo backpackers, leisure and entertainment)

Gorai is situated in the northern suburbs of Mumbai. It has a very traditional local life and has a fishing community. Here, a family or a solo backpacker can spend an entire day visiting entertainment venues like Esselworld and Water Kingdom. Children are bound to have exhilarating moments enjoying adventurous rides. A boat ride from the Gorai port is fun.

If you are looking forward to learning mindfulness; one can spend half a day at Global Vipassana Pagoda. This tall spired-building with golden painted Pagoda teaches a meditation technique of Vipassana discovered by Gautam Buddha.

Moreover, Gorai beach and the other local beaches of Marve and Aksa are the perfect places to relax with your friends while savoring the excellent fish cuisine.

Bandra is blessed with a large assortment of hotels, restaurants, clubs and pubs, which appeal to all budgets.

Hotels in Gorai