Mumbai's Colaba neighborhood, once one of the seven islands that made up Bombay and were under Portuguese control, embodies the cliche of old-world charm. It is situated at the very tip of the small peninsula that makes up Mumbai and is a diverse and vibrant part of the city that is home to busy markets, dynamic art galleries, and ancient structures.
The iconic Gateway of India, one of Mumbai's top attractions and the city's most recognizable monument, is a well-liked starting point for exploring Colaba. The Hindu, Muslim, and Roman triumphal arches were combined in their Indo-Saracenic design by Scottish architect George Wittet, who also created many other iconic Mumbai landmarks.
You can see Colaba from a different angle by taking a boat tour of Mumbai Harbor from the Gateway of India. Regular ferry boats also leave from the Gateway of India for Alibaug and the nearby rock-cut caves on Elephanta Island.
The opulent Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel finished in 1903, and the group's flagship property in India is next to the Gateway of India. The hotel is divided into two wings: the older tower wing, which debuted in 1973, and the hotel's original heritage wing.
Indulge in a great afternoon of high tea in the hotel's Sea Lounge while admiring views of the bay.
Around Colaba, it's interesting to note how Mumbai's architectural styles changed from Gothic to Gothic Revival to Indo-Saracenic to Art Deco.
Conveniently situated on the road behind Colaba Causeway is Holy Name Cathedral, a 1905 Gothic Revival structure.
Further away, in Navy Nagar at Colaba's tip, the Afghan Church, also known as the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, was built in the middle of the nineteenth century to remember the soldiers who lost their lives in the First Afghan War.
One of the most notable examples of Art Deco architecture is the Dhanraj Mahal, which was introduced to India in the 1930s by well-traveled royal families and merchants.
Locals and visitors come to Colaba Causeway's market stalls to purchase souvenirs, cheap junk jewelry, shoes, clothing, and other items.
One of Mumbai's top locations for handicraft shopping is nearby Avante Cottage Craft. Established in 1950, this family-run company stocks products from all over India.
Visit the chic new Clove The Store at Churchill Chambers in Colaba's Art Deco district for designer apparel, home goods, and Ayurvedic wellness brands.
Colaba has a lot to offer food lovers, including a wide variety of cuisines, from fine dining around the world to unusual regional specialties.
On Colaba Causeway, tourists invariably visit Leopold's Cafe and Cafe Mondegar.
Try Havana at the Gordon House Hotel if you're looking for a chic place to eat and drink.
Colaba is fortunate to have a few open-air rooftop restaurants that provide mesmerizing views of the neighborhood. On the Strand Promenade, directly across from the Radio Club, are the Marina Upper Deck at the Sea Palace Hotel and the Bayview Cafe at the Harbour View Hotel. Both locations are great for enjoying a sundowner with a view of the bay.
Koyla offers sumptuous north Indian food and airy shamiana seating a short distance away.
Another choice that offers views of the Taj Mahal Palace hotel and the Arabian Sea is Cloud 9, which is located on the 9th floor of the Godwin Hotel.
Sassoon Docks in Colaba is home to one of Mumbai's largest and oldest wholesale fish markets. One thousand five hundred fishing trawlers currently use the dock.
The action begins when the trawlers arrive to be unloaded at 5 a.m., and it lasts until all the fish is sold at around 9 a.m.While there, look out for the murals on the buildings.
During the 1930s movie industry boom, the public was allowed access to Colaba's Art Deco Regal Cinema, located at the start of Colaba Causeway. It is one of the last single-screen theatres in Mumbai and regularly shows Hindi films.
Duration RequiredMumbai 400005 India
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