Mumbai Must See tour: Gateway of India, Fort & Marine Drive

Four hours through Mumbai's colonial past and art deco present

A four-hour guided tour of Mumbai covers the city's layered history across nine stops: the Gateway of India on the Arabian Sea, the Fort district's Victorian Gothic buildings, Marine Drive's art deco seafront, and the Hanging Gardens overlooking Malabar Hill. An English-speaking guide leads the route in an air-conditioned vehicle, moving through the architecture that marks Mumbai's time under Portuguese, British and indigenous rule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Gateway of India15m
2. Marine Drive10m
3. Hanging Gardens20m
4. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum30m · entry included
5. Bombay High Courtpassing by
6. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus10m

Explore Mumbai's iconic landmarks

• Visit Gateway of India
• See Nariman Point business district
• Walk along Marine Drive
• Explore Hanging Gardens
• View Tower of Silence from outside
• Observe Dhobi Ghat laundry
• Tour Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
• Pass by Gothic university buildings
• Pass by Bombay High Court
• Visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

The experience

The tour starts at the Gateway of India, the monument on the waterfront at Apollo Bunder that overlooks the Arabian Sea and anchors South Mumbai. From there, the route moves into the Fort district, where the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (a Victorian Gothic Revival building that blends British and Indian architectural themes) stands as the city's railway heart. Nearby, the Bombay High Court, a Gothic revival structure, and the university administration buildings with their 280-foot clocktower sit on 14 acres of the same colonial-era precinct.

Marine Drive comes next, the promenade built in art deco style and often compared to Miami's seafront. The street runs along the Arabian Sea and connects to Nariman Point, Mumbai's business district, where high-rise offices and art deco apartment blocks line the waterfront. Sunset drinks at sea-facing bars here are common, and the National Centre for the Performing Arts and Piramal Art Gallery sit in this area. The Hanging Gardens, built in 1881 over one of Bombay's main water reservoirs, offer a view across the city from Malabar Hill.

The itinerary also passes the Dhobi Ghat, an open-air washing laundry visible from a bridge, and includes Mani Bhavan, the museum and historical building where Mahatma Gandhi based his political activities in Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. The Tower of Silence, a 55-acre Parsee funeral ground on Malabar Hill, is part of the route as well. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group throughout, and each traveler receives one bottle of water.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned vehicle throughout the tour.
• one bottle of water per traveler.
• English-speaking guide leading the full route.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Be The Local Tours and Travel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a guided group tour covering Mumbai's major landmarks (the Fort's colonial architecture, Art Deco seafront, and layered history of Muslim, Portuguese, and British influence) in a single four-hour outing.

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Top questions

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Gateway of India and why is it called the Taj Mahal of Mumbai?

The Gateway of India is a monument on the waterfront at Apollo Bunder in South Mumbai overlooking the Arabian Sea. It's the city's top tourist attraction and earned the nickname "Taj Mahal of Mumbai" because of its architectural prominence and significance as a landmark marking the city's entrance from the sea.

What makes Marine Drive different from the rest of Mumbai's streets?

Marine Drive was built in art deco style and designed to represent the architectural beauty of the land, earning it comparison to Miami's seafront. The promenade is lined with art deco buildings, offices, apartment blocks and cinemas, and runs along the Arabian Sea with bars and restaurants facing the water.

What is the Dhobi Ghat and where do you see it on this tour?

The Dhobi Ghat is an open-air washing laundry where dhobi (washermen) work. You view it from a bridge during the tour, giving a look at this working part of the city that still operates as it has for generations.

Why was Mani Bhavan important to Mahatma Gandhi?

Mani Bhavan served as the focal point of Gandhi's political activities in Mumbai between 1917 and 1934. The museum and historical building preserve this period of his life and work in the city.

What architectural styles does the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus blend?

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus, is an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture blended with themes from Indian traditional architecture, representing the cultural layering of Mumbai's colonial history.