Bandra West walking tour: Portuguese history and secrets

Bandra's original villages still stand inside the modern suburb.

A guided walking tour of Bandra West in Mumbai traces the neighborhood's Portuguese colonial history through St. Andrew's Church, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, and the 17th-century fort at Land's End, alongside the original Koli fishing villages that predate the development. The tour runs three hours with a live English-speaking guide and covers both the landmark sites and the quieter corners tourists usually miss.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Bandra's historical sites and villages

• Visit St. Andrew’s Church
• Explore Ranwar village
• See the Koli community village
• Visit Mount Mary Church
• View Bandra-Worli Sea Link from fort remains
• Visit Castella de Aguada (Bandra Fort)

The Experience

If you have a free afternoon in Mumbai and want to move past the obvious, a walking tour of Bandra West puts you on the ground where the neighborhood's two histories collide. St. Andrew's Church, built by Portuguese Jesuits in 1575, sits on the seashore and was the only church in Bandra for over fifty years. From there, the walk moves through Ranwar, the original of the 24 villages that made up Bandra before the British took control in 1661, and into the Koli fishing community still living in the shadow of Bandra's high-rises and boutiques. A guide who knows the neighborhood walks you through what remains visible and what the streets have buried.

The tour reaches the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, a Roman Catholic basilica where the feast of the Virgin Mary draws crowds on the first Sunday after September 8th, then ends at the 17th-century fort remains at Land's End—Castella de Aguada, also called Bandra Fort. The fort was built as a Portuguese watchtower overlooking Mahim Bay; now it frames the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge. The Bandstand Promenade runs along the same stretch, so the walk connects the colonial vantage points with the modern Mumbai skyline. Three hours on foot, no car needed, no separate entry fees to negotiate at each stop.

What’s included

A live English-speaking guide who knows Bandra's history and current neighborhoods; walking access to St. Andrew's Church, Ranwar village, the Koli community settlement, the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, and the 17th-century fort remains at Land's End with views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Mumbai Dream Tours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Bandra's Portuguese heritage and current creative scene on foot with a guide who structures the route and pacing for you.

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Top questions

What is St. Andrew's Church and why does it matter to Bandra's story?

St. Andrew's Church is one of the oldest churches in Mumbai, built by Portuguese Jesuits in 1575 on the Bandra seashore. It was the only church in the suburb until the first quarter of the 17th century, making it a physical anchor of Bandra's Portuguese colonial period.

Are the original Koli villages still visible on this walk?

Yes. Ranwar is the original of the 24 villages that made up Bandra, and the Koli community (Chimbaikars), the first inhabitants of Bandra, can still be found in one of the villages you pass through, even though the neighborhood around them has developed into posh bungalows and high-rises.

What is the 17th-century fort at Land's End, and what can you see from it?

Castella de Aguada, also known as Bandra Fort, is a Portuguese watchtower built in the 17th century at Land's End on the tip of Bandra West. It was strategically positioned to watch over Mahim Bay and now offers a vantage point for viewing the Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge.

How long does the walking tour take, and what should I wear?

The tour runs three hours on foot through Bandra's streets and neighborhoods. Wear comfortable walking shoes and clothes suited to Mumbai's heat and humidity; public transportation options are available nearby if you need a break.

What is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount?

The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, more commonly called Mount Mary Church, is a Roman Catholic basilica in Bandra. The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated here on the first Sunday after September 8th, drawing large crowds to the site.