The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is a luxury hotel located on the Colaba peninsula in Mumbai. The hotel is one of the most recognized city landmarks. The Taj, as it is often called, was named after the Taj Mahal in Agra.

The Taj was built in 1903 by conglomerate corporation Tata. The architect, Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya D.N. Mirza, designed the Taj in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architectural style.

One of the most iconic features of the Taj is its central floating staircase. It is also noted for being the first hotel in India to have electricity and elevators.

The Taj has hosted famous clientele from around the world. Figures like Lord Mountbatten and Bill Clinton have stayed at the hotel. A number of movies have been shot in and around the hotel. Most recently, Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" was filmed at the Taj.

Visitors who do not book a room at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel can still glimpse the interior by visiting one of the hotel bars, the hotel restaurant or shopping mall. A heritage tour of the hotel is also available.

Many tourists choose to enjoy the view of the Taj from the Gateway of India, which is located nearby.

Built on reclaimed land of the Apollo Bundar, the Gateway of India was constructed to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India in 1911, the first ever by a British Monarch. Later, it became a landing port for British governors and distinguished guests and also the port of exit for the British Empire when the country gained its independence.

Designed by Scotsman George Wittet, the Gateway of India is a perfect example of an Indo-Saracenic style of architecture. With a signature central dome and largely Hindu designs and inscriptions, the monument is simply a gateway to the Indian society and showcases its unity in spite of its cultural diversity. Although the foundations for the building were laid in 1913, work did not start until 1920 due to the time taken for reclamation of the land. Built from yellow basalt sourced from local quarries, the structure was formally inaugurated in 1924.

Boats ferry from this point to the Elephanta Caves or one can just take a luxury boat around the harbor for a couple of hours. The famous Taj Mahal Hotel, which is twenty years older than the Gateway of India stands exactly opposite this monument and is also known for its splendid architecture.

Marine Drive is a promenade that curves around Back Bay. The 2.2 miles (3.6 kilometers) pedestrian path follows Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road from Nariman Point to Chowpatty Beach.

People who wish to walk the entire span of Marine Drive will see numerous fascinating sights along the way. The tree-lined promenade offers easy access to shopping areas, coffee shops, ice cream parlors and sit-down restaurants. Indeed, visitors may wish to plan several hours on this tour so they can stop to take photos, go shopping or grab a bite to eat.

Starting at the Tip of Nariman Point, you have an excellent photo opportunity where, on clear days, you can see the skyscrapers of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea. Other nearby areas of interest include the Nehru Statue, the Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak Samadhi memorial and the Wankhede Stadium.

Marine Drive is lit at night, which allows for easy night-time strolling. These lights also give the promenade its nickname, Queen's Necklace, as the lights along the C-shaped walkway resemble that of a strand of pearls.

One building that just cannot be missed in Mumbai is the High Court. Standing tall in dark brown, this majestic building truly is a representation of authority, law and order. Located just opposite the Rajabai Towers, this impressive structure has an overpowering presence in South Mumbai.

Inaugurated in the mid-19th century, the High Court stands as one of the oldest structures in Mumbai. The construction of the building was completed in the month of November in 1878. Designed by British engineer Col. J.A. Fuller, the layout of the building is said to have been inspired from a German Castle. Boasting a brilliant English Gothic style, the High Court commands a degree of respect like no other in Mumbai.

The Bombay High Court had its first sitting in 1879, and for over a century now, it has stood as a pillar of constitution, law and justice. Although the name of the city changed from Bombay to Mumbai in 1995, as an institution, the court did not follow and is still regarded as the Bombay High Court. With a sanctioned strength of 75 Judges, the Bombay High Court asserts jurisdiction over states of Maharashtra & Goa, and the Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Shopping in Mumbai is at its peak on Fashion Street. Visitors can shop at one of the hundreds of booths that sell clothing, textiles, jewelry and accessories.

The street is famous for bargain-basement deals on all items. Even name-brand clothing is plentiful. One thing shoppers won't find are price tags. With few exceptions, prices are quoted with the expectation of bargaining.

Tourists will also find plenty of food on Fashion Street. They can stop by a street vendor for snacks or pop into a restaurant for a delicious meal of local cuisine.

Fashion is located on Mahatma Gandhi between Cross Maidan and Azad Maidan. It is a quick walk to a number of popular tourist sites like Flora Fountain and Saint Thomas' Cathedral.

The vendors on Fashion Street open their booths daily at 11 AM. They remain open until 8 PM. Those who visit on weekends will share the space with a large number of locals and tourists alike. Good deals can be found no matter when you visit.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in Mumbai was declared a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Site in 2004 and is truly an icon of the city. Located in the Bori Bunder area it is the busiest railway station in India. Its edifice designed by the British architect Frederick William Stevens, was built over a span of 10 years starting in 1878 and was inaugurated on the silver jubilee of Empress Victoria in 1887.

Formerly known as Victoria Terminus, the building was intended to house administrative offices of the Great Indian Peninsula Railway but serves as the headquarters of the Central Railways now. In order to honor the great Maratha warrior, Shivaji, the terminus was renamed as Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus by the Ministry of Railways in 1996. The terminus is used by over 3 million commuters everyday.

The terminus is a perfect blend of Indian and Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture. Pointed arches, turrets anchoring the 4 corner wings, railings of ornamental iron and brass, balustrades for the grand staircases, Neo-Gothic roof in the hall and a central dome with dovetailed ribs are some of the architectural highlights of this historical building.

An interesting symbol of Britain and India in the form of a stone sculpture of a lion and a tiger is seen atop the entrance gate. A symbol of progress is seen in the form of a 4-meter high statue of a female figure holding a spoked wheel in her left hand and a torch in her right, on top of the octagonal ribbed central dome having animal shaped water sprouts.

One of the most fascinating places in Mumbai is the Chor Bazaar. Chor, which literally translates to “thief”, and hence culminates to the thief market, is one of the best places to witness the true essence and flavour of street shopping in Mumbai. Essentially a flea market, it has virtually everything, from a genuine spare part of a Mercedes car to an authentic Ming vase here.

A popular destination for tourists, the Chor Bazaar is where you can literally shop till you drop. Don’t feel shy to haggle shamelessly, for this is one place where you just don’t pay what the salesmen's price. Popular picks at the market are old Bollywood posters, antique junk, spare parts, beautiful clocks, old lamp shades and other trinkets. Dense with shoppers and filled with back to back shops and hawkers, the Chor Bazaar is definitely a place to visit.

Located near the Bhendi Bazzar, in South Mumbai, it is very close to the Crawford Market. Although weekends are a good time to visit the Bazaar, the best time would be Friday, as the sellers replenish their stock. A word of advice - you can also expect many more hopefuls on Fridays, so be prepared for a crowd.

What to buy here: Lampshades.

As you already know, it's all about the atmosphere. Re-create an Indian afternoon and its magic by adding a special touch to your home décor. Or better yet, bring a beautiful Indian lampshade as a gift for your friends and enjoy their soft, romantic light whenever you visit.

This traditional handicraft has been successfully combined with modern creativity, the lampshades are made out of cotton paper, jute and bamboo. Inexpensive but diverse materials, a fairly easy technique and a little imagination are some of the ingredients of their rapid ascent. These lampshades are delicate, sporting versatile structures, whose beauty is often times enhanced by craftsmen with the assistance of cut work, ribbons or hand-made paintings. Jaipur, Delhi and recently Mumbai boast rich traditions of making decorative lampshades, for daily use and special occasions such as festivals and weddings equally.

Dhobi Ghat stands as an open-air laundry facility situated in Mumbai, where skilled workers known as dhobis labor in the open to launder clothing and linens primarily sourced from the city's hotels and hospitals. Its construction dates back to 1890. The facility features rows of exposed concrete wash pens, each equipped with its own heavy-duty washing stone. Reputed as the world's largest outdoor laundry, Dhobi Ghat has gained significant popularity among international tourists.

The Dhobi Kalyan & Audhyogik Vikas Cooperative Society, the leading organization representing these washermen, estimates an annual turnover of approximately Rs 100 crore for the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. Over 7,000 individuals toil for 18 to 20 hours daily, engaging in activities such as beating, scrubbing, dyeing, and bleaching clothes in these concrete wash pens. Subsequently, they hang the garments on ropes to dry, meticulously press them, and distribute them throughout the city. The facility manages to wash over one lakh (100,000) pieces of clothing daily. Some of the more affluent dhobis have transitioned to using large mechanical washing and drying machines.

The dhobis serve clients spanning various sectors, including local laundries, garment retailers, wedding planners, caterers, as well as mid-sized hotels and clubs. Dhobi Ghat made it into the Guinness Book of World Records in 2011 under the category of 'most people hand-washing clothes at a single location.' In 2013, World Records India and World Amazing Records recognized Dhobi Kalyan & Audhyogik Vikas Co-op. Society Ltd. with a World Record Certificate.

Adjacent to Dhobi Ghat lies the Saat Rasta Project, a proposed public space project extending along Bapurao Jagtap Road, linking Jacob Circle to the Mahalaxmi Railway Station. This public space would seamlessly connect to Dhobi Ghat, further enhancing its status as a significant tourist attraction. Dhobi Ghat serves as the residence for the dhobis and their families, numbering around 200 families. This profession has been handed down through generations within these families. Additionally, it's conveniently observable from the Mahalaxmi Railway Station. The optimal times for visiting Dhobi Ghat are early morning and early afternoon. Mornings witness the dhobis actively managing their laundry workload, while the early afternoons offer an ideal opportunity to witness the drying process of the freshly cleaned clothes.