A Short Stay in Mumbai: Impressions & Practical Advice for Travelers
Mumbai Mumbai is one of those places you hear a lot about even before getting there — usually words like chaotic, crowded, vibrant, and nonstop come up. All true, but they come with a unique feeling, a different color — chaotic in Mumbai is different from chaotic in New York City. You have to personally experience it to get the distinction. Formerly known as Bombay, the city has a history shaped by colonialism, trade, migration, and constant reinvention. It started as seven separate islands, gradually connected by land reclamation, and became a key port under British rule. Today, it's not only the capital of the state of Maharashtra but also the financial and entertainment hub of India — home to Bollywood, stock exchanges, tech startups, slums, skyscrapers, and just about everything in between. As of now, Mumbai has a population of over 20 million people, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the world. It’s a city where space is limited, time moves fast, and peop...