The current Mumbai is an archipelago of seven islands: Colaba, Little Colaba, Bombay, Mazagaon, Parel, Worli and Mahim. The Kolis, a Marathic fishing community of Dravidian origin, is the first known community to settle there. In the 3rd century BC, under the reign of Ashoka, the islands were integrated into the Maurya Empire. The region became an important centre of Buddhist and Hindu culture, and it was at this time that the Kanheri caves were carved, now in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. From the 2nd century BC to the 9th century AD, several dynasties ruled the islands. The Silharas reigned from 810 to 1260. Raja Bhimdev then made the current Mahim the capital of his kingdom, and encouraged various communities to settle on the islands. The Islamic period of the city began with the coming to power of the Sultanate of Gujarat, and lasted from 1343 to 1534. The islands were ceded to the Portuguese in 1534, via the Treaty of Bassin between the Portuguese viceroy Nuno Da Cunha and Bahadur Shah. The first Portuguese governor reportedly called the peninsula Bom Bahia (good bay), which would be the origin of the city's name. The ruins of the Bandra fort, built by the Portuguese in 1640, are still visible today. It was in 1661 that the British seized the island through the East India Company. In 1782, William Hornby initiated the Hornby Vellard project to unify the seven islands. After the First War of Independence in 1857, when the East India Company was accused of mismanagement, Bombay returned to the control of the British Crown. With the beginning of the American war in 1861 and the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, products exported from Bombay, particularly cotton, became the first post in the colonial economy. The Indian Peninsula's Great Railway also facilitates transport throughout the country. This trade and communication network fostered an accumulation of wealth that was then invested by successive governors at the head of the city in the construction of the Imperial Bombay. Many of Bombay's iconic places, such as the Flora Fountain district and Victoria Station, date from this period. Water development work, including the Malabar Hill Hanging Gardens and lakes, was also completed at that time. The Bombay Municipal Corporation was founded in 1872. However, this facade of a well-governed and improving city was damaged by the plague epidemics of the 1890s. This dichotomy between the symbols of the city's power and prosperity and the living conditions of most of its inhabitants is still visible today. The construction of the Imperial Bombay continued throughout the 20th century. The main monuments of this period are the India Gate, the post office, the town hall (now the Asian Library) and the Prince of Wales Museum. It is in this baroque setting that the Freedom Movement has taken the full measure of the struggle against this secondary development of Indian wealth. Gandhi returned from South Africa and won Bombay on January 12, 1915. After many campaigns in the following years, the end of the British imperial government in India was clearly announced by the "Quit India" declaration of the Indian National Congress on 8 August 1942 in Gowalia Tank Maidan, near Kemp's Corner. India became independent on August 15, 1947. Meanwhile, the birth of Greater Bombay was ratified by an act of the British Parliament in 1945 and one of the largest new city projects in the world was launched in 1976: Navi Mumbai, the twin city, was created to relieve the city's congestion. Today, the city of Mumbai, capital of Maharashtra, is often called "the city of dreams", "the city that never sleeps" and "Maximum City". Located on the west coast of India, with the turbulent Arabian Sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other, it is a vibrant and colourful city. The city was called Bombay for more than four centuries. The origin of this name is obscure, but it is thought to come from the Portuguese expression "bom bahia" which means "the right bay". In the main local languages, the city was referred to as Mumbai, which would come from the local goddess Mumba (mother of Marathi). In 1997, the change of the city's name was confirmed by an act of Parliament, after the victory in the local elections of the Shiv Sena Hindu fundamentalist party.The city, with an estimated population of about 23.5 million, has grown considerably over the past fifty years. The core of the city called "Island City" has the most expensive rents in the country and among the most expensive in the world! As a result, the city has spread both north and east, and is generally spent more than an hour a day going to work. The city's supply of water, electricity and food is a major task, which is reasonably carried out by public bodies. Mumbai is also the financial capital of India: the BSE, or Mumbai Stock Exchange, is the largest in the country; most of the major companies have their headquarters in this city. It is also the most important centre for the arts and the performing arts industry. People come here to make money, selling chapatti on Chowpatty or stolen wallets and used dentures on the roadside. It doesn't matter. Mumbai sleeps at night, but usually late and very little. The period between October and February is the most pleasant time to visit the city, when you can enjoy the blue sky and a cool breeze. From March onwards, the temperature gradually rises and the humidity reaches its saturation point. It is very hot just before the monsoon season in early June. The rains last until September and are a relief for the inhabitants. But when the drainage system fails, everyone has difficulty getting around the city. In September, humidity and temperature begin to drop. Fortunately, Mumbai does not suffer from incessant power cuts, which are common in other parts of the country, and offices and hotels are air-conditioned during the hot months.

What to visit Mumbai?

When to go to Mumbai?

As with all popular destinations, there are disadvantages to coming during the peak tourist months: in December and January, for example, it is difficult to find a cheap hotel room. However, Mumbai attracts visitors from all over the world all year round, so there is no particular season to favor or avoid, except for the monsoon season. The sea temperature is very pleasant all year round, ranging from 25°C to 30°C, and the rainiest months are the three summer months of June, August and July.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

The region of Mumbai does not experience great variations in temperature, it is hot all year round (about 30°C). There is, of course, a dry season from October to May and a wet season from June to September. The southwest monsoon reaches the coast of Kerala in early June and within a few days spreads to Maharashtra and covers the whole country by the end of July. So avoid visiting Mumbai during the monsoon.

Jan.
19° / 29°
Feb.
20° / 30°
Mar.
23° / 31°
Apr.
25° / 32°
May
27° / 33°
June
26° / 32°
Jul.
25° / 30°
Aug.
25° / 30°
Sept.
25° / 30°
Oct.
25° / 32°
Nov.
23° / 32°
Dec.
21° / 31°
Procedures

You can obtain a tourist visa for 3 months on the Indian government's website, which is essential to land in Mumbai and stay there. This e-tourist visa costs 65 €. In addition and of course, you must have a passport valid for at least 6 months after your planned return and which has 3 blank pages.

Health

No vaccinations are required to visit Mumbai, however it is advisable to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Japanese Encephalitis, Malaria, Rabies and Typhoid, especially if you are planning to leave Mumbai. In any case, it is important to be up to date with universal vaccinations if you are living in Mumbai.

How to go to Mumbai? Our advice & tips

Many travel agencies specializing in India offer trips to Mumbai with or without an excursion to Goa. Your stay will be easier if you contact one of these specialists who know the destination well and will be able to book your nights and your tour as close as possible to your interests and your budget, without any bad surprises on the spot. No need to join a group, you can make your stay customized.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

If you are fluent in English and have no particular dependencies or disabilities, you can organize your stay in Mumbai on your own, by booking your accommodations in advance, or on the spot by referring, for example, to the advice of your Petit Futé; you should have no particular worries about staying in this modern and fairly safe city as long as you know how to behave in the difficult neighborhoods.

In Mumbai you have several means of transportation, bus, cab, rickshaw (forbidden in the city center, available in the north of the city). Cabs, which can be recognized by their colors (black and yellow), can carry up to 4 passengers with their luggage and have air conditioning. The city is also criss-crossed by a network of efficient and comfortable buses that make it easy to get around. There is also a subway line.

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Pictures and images Mumbai

Porte de l'Inde. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Le Taj Mahal Palace. Stéphan SZEREMETA
Sur la plage de Mumbai. Stephane106 - iStockphoto
Vache sacrée dans les rues de Bombay. MichalWloch - iStockphoto

Discover Mumbai

When to travel?

As with all popular destinations, there are disadvantages to coming during the peak tourist months: in December and J...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

The region of Mumbai does not experience great variations in temperature, it is hot all year round (about 30°C). The...
Read more about it

Formalities

You can obtain a tourist visa for 3 months on the Indian government's website, which is essential to land in Mumbai a...
Read more about it

Health

No vaccinations are required to visit Mumbai, however it is advisable to get vaccinated against Hepatitis A, Hepatiti...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

If you are fluent in English and have no particular dependencies or disabilities, you can organize your stay in Mumba...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Many travel agencies specializing in India offer trips to Mumbai with or without an excursion to Goa. Your stay will...
Read more about it

Getting around

In Mumbai you have several means of transportation, bus, cab, rickshaw (forbidden in the city center, available in th...
Read more about it

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