Despite our love for Mumbai, it can be an overwhelming city for many visitors. Mumbai, also known as ‘Bombay,’ can be chaotic, charming, crazy, and outright frustrating in a single day.

The nucleus of progressive India attracts thousands of tourists worldwide every day. Some people visit Mumbai as a tourist, while others come to fulfill their dreams.

This bustling, crowded Metropolitan hub is full of surprises. It’s one of those cities where you can stroll by the ocean, enjoy delicious food, party in 5-star hotels, rub shoulders with celebrities, and visit a national park within a day.

It is a vast and constantly changing city, so we don’t profess that you know everything about it. If you’re traveling to Mumbai for the first time, consider this post as a starting point for exploration. It’s highly recommended to obtain your visa before traveling to Mumbai also. Find details below about the e-Visa requirements.

Things You Should Learn About Mumbai

Planning to make your first trip to Mumbai? Here are some tips that can make your stay in Mumbai better:

#1. Make sure to make bookings in advance

It is always advisable to make bookings in advance while traveling to Mumbai. As the city attracts thousands of visitors every day, it might get difficult for you to get a lovely room/property at the last minute. We know last-minute bookings can get overwhelming for you, but you can always trust these online hotel booking services – Oyo and Treebo to get a roof over your head. Also, don’t forget to check online reviews of the place you’re going to book to avoid any trouble.

#2. Best time to visit

Mumbai has a tropical, wet, and dry climate all around the year. The dry season is clear and muggy; the wet season is windy and oppressive. The tropical location and coastal nature ensure that temperature won’t fluctuate throughout the year. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 66°F to 92°F and is rarely below 60°F or above 97°F. So, the best time to visit Mumbai is around mid-October till February, when the weather is ideal.

#3. Some great places for shopaholics

If you’re a shopaholic, Mumbai is the best place for you. Whether you like to shop in a mall or any traditional Indian market, this city offers everything. The street markets in Mumbai are great places to shop for inexpensive things, including clothes, Jewellery, décor items, or whatever you like. And, if you want to visit one of the oldest and busiest shopping spots in Mumbai, you can always explore Colaba Causeway. We’re sure this place can spoil you with its wide range of options at amazing deals. Some of the other markets that you can visit in Mumbai are:

Mangaldas Market to buy décor items for your home.
Hill Road Market is a replica of Delhi’s Sarojni market. You can buy all the beautiful and fashionable things here.
Chor Bazaar to buy antiques and vintage instruments, like speakers, guitars, typewriters, and other musical instruments.
Crawford Market is famous for gifts, party supplies stock, cosmetics, Chinese crockery, itar, flowers, toys, and stationery.

#4. Some tourist destinations to visit

Mumbai has many historical landmarks and cultural sites with a wide range of museums, religious attractions, and high-end architecture, thus making it a perfect tourist destination. We recommend you not to miss visiting the iconic places of Mumbai like the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Haji Ali Dargah, the Gateway of India, and Juhu Beach. Mumbai is also home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the Elephanta Caves, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and the city’s distinctive ensemble of Victorian and Art Deco buildings designed in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Some other places you shouldn’t miss out in Mumbai:

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
Nariman Point
Marine Drive & the “Queen’s Necklace”
Shri Siddhivanayak Temple
Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount
Sanjay Gandhi National Park

#5.Secret eat streets in Mumbai

Mumbai is known for its delicious food, including Akuri on toast,Mumbai’s scrambled eggs, Baida roti, South Indian tiffin (idlis and vadas), Batata vada, Butter chicken,Varan bhaat, The Bombay sandwich, Bheja fry, etc. Apart from all these, Mumbai is also known for its street food like Vada Pav, Grilled Corn, Paani Puri, Sev Batata Puri, Chinese Bhel, Bhelpuri, and Pav Bhaji. So, once you visit Mumbai, don’t forget to try these yummy dishes.

Here are some recommended places where you can enjoy these delicacies:

Bun Maska and Mava Samosa of Mervan’s at Grant Road
Chinese food at Mama Mia in Bandra West
Seekh Kebabs and buttery Paranthas at Farid in Jogeshwari West
Pizza dosa at Arvind in Vile Parle West
Chinese bhel at Raju Chinese in New Marine Lines
Tandoori delicacies at Jai Jawan in Bandra West

#6. Watch out for no-selfie zones

India has a high mortality rate due to selfie photos. So, the government has declared over 15 non-selfie zones in the city that never sleeps to prevent mishaps. Before you decide to frame your shot and click away, be sure that it’s safe. Look out for signage, and if you see a ban in place, don’t ignore it. It’s there for a reason.

#7. Learn the language

Marathi is the official language of Mumbai. People coming from other countries and states may face some language barriers. However, most Mumbaikers understand at least some of either language – Hindi and English, or blend of both. So, if you’re visiting popular tourist places, you should be able to get by speaking only English. However, it goes a long way with a local if you can say a few words in the official language. So always look for a guide who knows the local language well to help you explore Mumbai.

#8. Avoid currency exchange at the airport or at local banks

Since many international tourists visit Mumbai every day, there is always a huge demand for foreign currency. Undoubtedly, you can easily exchange currency at the airport, local money exchangers, and banks. But, this is something we don’t recommend as such places charge higher convenience fees. You can always opt for online forex platforms like BookMyForex to avoid the high conversion rates. BookMyForex is the world’s first and the largest online marketplace for Currency Exchange that gives you a fair chance to convert foreign currency online at live rates and get forex delivered at your doorstep.

#9. Enthralling Nightlife in Mumbai

Mumbai has one of the best and most happening nightlives in the country. Rightly referred to as ‘The City That Never Sleeps,’Mumbai holds fabulous parties and leaves everyone amazed. So, if you’re staying here for a weekend, go club-hopping at night.Some of the best nightclubs and discotheques turning in the most exclusive parties in Mumbai are Tryst, Drop, XXO, Kitty Su Mumbai, Hoppipola, Dome, and more.

#10. Bollywood in Mumbai

Mumbai, known as the City of Dreams, is the prime center of the Hindi Film Industry, better known as Bollywood. People come to Mumbai to fulfill their dreams. Once you visit Mumbai, visit Film city to feel the vibe of the Bollywood industry.

We’re sure these travel tips will help you have a great time in the most glamorous city of India. There are attractions, nightlife, and food, making Mumbai quite a hyped place.

So now, when you plan to visit Mumbai, make sure to enjoy the best sights of this metropolitan city, and don’t forget to visit BookMyForex for currency exchange!

Tips For The Best Traveling Experience In Mumbai