Run part of the marathon route and refuel with freshly-caught seafood.
Located on India’s Western coast, Mumbai is both the heart of the Bollywood film industry and the country’s economic hub. The densely populated city—the nation’s largest—is a place of sensory overload, with bustling, overcrowded streets and a plethora of sights, sounds, and smells at every corner. But, there are pockets of serenity to be found in yoga classes and art galleries around the locale. The Indian spring celebration of Holi, also called The Festival of Colors, will take place on March 20 and 21. In Mumbai, multiple locations will host events, many including rituals and prayers in addition to massive color fights where revelers throw multi-hued powder.
Here’s what to see, eat, and do in Mumbai.
Where to stay
With (relatively) walkable streets and a surplus of shops, restaurants, and cultural activities, South Mumbai is the most visitor-friendly area. Stay at Abode Bombay in Colaba, the historical epicenter. The chic, locally-inspired décor includes handmade Art Deco floor tiling and restored Indian vintage furniture.
Previously relegated to suburban status, the neighborhood of Bandra has become a hip destination for Mumbai’s younger generation, thanks to recent years of urban sprawl. Book a room at Le Sutra, which bills itself as “the world’s first Indian art hotel,” and features three floors of themed rooms, each decorated in a different style.