Flights to Mumbai (BOM)

Pulsating with life and brimming with culture, Mumbai is a famously enchanting port city on India’s west coast.

Mumbai is renowned for its relentlessly energetic streets, lively outdoor bazaars and endless list of attractions - not to mention Bollywood, India’s internationally known film industry.

The iconic Gateway of India is an ideal starting point for exploring Mumbai. This glorious arch-monument overlooks the Arabian Sea and serves as a popular gathering point for locals and tourists, making it a perfect first taste of the city’s ambience.

Less than a mile inland, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is an equally impressive structure flanked by palm trees and characterised by its majestic domed roof. This museum boasts terracotta figurines from the Indus Valley, an art section with 11th-century palm leaf manuscripts and a fine selection of historic armour and weaponry.

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is nearby too, a colossal railway station so beautiful it has earned UNESCO World Heritage status. Catch a train from here, even if it’s purely to see its glorious blend of Victorian, Hindu and Islamic architecture, presented in a series of domes, spires and stained glass.

A ferry trip will take you to another striking yet vastly different UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island. The site offers a surreal flashback to an ancient time, with structures, sculptures and carvings, dating back to as early as the second century, scattered amongst rock-cut caves.

For those seeking retail therapy, Crawford Market, Mumbai’s oldest and largest, is another bombardment on the senses. Sidestep through a myriad of stalls selling everything from fruit and vegetables to clothes and crafts.

No trip to Mumbai would be complete without a visit to Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Featuring a beautiful mix of native plants and animals, alongside 2,400-year-old Kanheri caves, it’s the perfect contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.

At the end of the day, head to the famous Marine Drive promenade to see the sun set over the city skyline, bathing Chowpatty Beach and the waters of Back Bay in a warm orange glow.

When night falls, it’s the perfect time to source one of Mumbai’s famous snacks. Vada pav is among the city’s most popular light bites, featuring a tasty, deep-fried potato dumpling in a bread bun. For an equally delectable side, try bhelpuri, a crispy puffed rice tossed with a mixture of chutneys.