How to Enjoy Mumbai in 48 Hours

In forty-eight hours, just how much of Mumbai can you enjoy?

The city of Mumbai is one of the most popular cities in India. It is known for its beautifully-constructed buildings and temples, wonderful sights, many districts and mouth watering cuisine. It’s also where the Bollywood industry flourishes and as a result has even more sights to see that are frequently mentioned in Indian popular culture.

Mumbai is often included on many must see lists on traveler and tourists sites, and rightfully so. Exploring and enjoying India’s largest city can take days, but with the right guide, some quick moving and a bit of luck you can get a significant portion of the cities major attractions completed in 48 hours.

To start with, since time is short, it’s best to find an accommodation close to the airport. This will save you precious time taken to reach your accommodation from airport. Also a place close to airport will ensure you can dash to the airport quickly when it’s time to fly back again.

If you want to avoid flocks of tourists, you can start your adventure in the suburban area of Mumbai. Most tourists would always choose the most popular sites of the countries they visited. However, visiting the the suburbs could bring you closer to the country’s culture without the hassle of a crowded tourist site. Andheri would be a good start. You can hit off your tour by visiting Kondivite Caves a group of 19 rock cut monuments built between 1st and 6th century BC. These caves were built to serve as Buddhist monasteries. After this peaceful start, you can hop off to Bandra to get a feel of the city’s hustle and bustle.

Bandra is located in the Western part of Mumbai, overlooking the Arabian Sea. To start your day, you could take a walk at the Bandstand Promenade, a hangout spot in Bandra. Enjoy taking a walk along the sea or having an early morning jog. At the end of the road is Bandra Fort, also known as Castella de Aguada. From here, you can see the Bandra-Worli Sea Link, a bridge connecting Bandra to Worli.

Located in the same neighborhood is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, also known as Mount Mary Church. Every September, the church celebrates the birthday of Virgin Mary. Bandra Fair, a week-long fair, then follows. Expect to see a lot of stalls selling local products and religious artifacts during this time.

If you’re looking for a place to satisfy your shopping needs, drop by Linking Road. Here, you can get great bargains and great fashion finds. If you’re craving for a swim, take a dip in Juhu Beach. Located near the northern part of Bandra, it is a popular destination for film shooting and tourists. For a spot of quite you can drop by the famous ISKCON temple located very close to Juhu Beach.

After a hectic first day, it’s time to wake up to refreshed morning and fuel up for another awesome day! A yummy breakfast in bed with some warm coffee should set you up for the day. You can dedicate the second day to exploring southern Mumbai.

If you’re interested in museums, visit Jehangir Art Gallery. They are open every day from 11 AM to 7 PM and there is no entrance fee. Here, you will see masterpieces from Indian artists from traditional artworks to contemporary pieces.

If shopping in Linking Road isn’t enough, try Colaba Causeway. Also known as Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, this bazaar street is known for its fashion finds and food stalls. Afterwards, you can drop by the famous Gateway of India, an architectural piece made during the 20th century.

Between all the visits, don’t forget to fuel up! Head on over to Colaba to visit Leopold café and enjoy an assortment of American and Indian dishes. The cafe is also popular for its retro-inspired murals and decorations.

End your day by watching the sunset in Nariman Point, formerly known as the city’s business center. Then, take a drive along the Marine Drive, a C-shaped boulevard approximately 4 km long. During the night, this boulevard transforms into the ‘Queen’s Necklace,’ thanks to the city lights illuminating the area near the Back Bay.

There are still a lot more places to visit in Mumbai that a mere 48 hours will not be able to cover. However, planning trips ahead of time will make the limited time more enjoyable and worth it.

Author's Bio: Lysha works at Lalco Residency - Hotel Apartments In Mumbai and she loves her job. Helping clients and monitoring the progress of business strategies along with her leadership skills makes her perfect suit for Hospitality services. You can catch-up with Lysha at Lalco Residency in Mumbai.