North of Colaba, the Fort neighborhood in Mumbai was developed by the British. After the fort was partially demolished, the neighborhood developed into a busy work district with other things to explore. But the spirit of the original Fort neighborhood remained alive through the forts and museum. So let’s see how to spend a day in Fort, Mumbai and dive into the past to learn of the architectural and historical wonders this locale hides.
Things To Do At Fort, Mumbai
- Visit The Heritage Buildings
- Explore Kala Ghoda
- Shop At The Boutiques
- Visit The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
- Gobble Some Food
- Relax At Horniman Circle Garden
Visit The Heritage Buildings
The British were inspired by Gothic architecture and they left no stone unturned to flaunt this style in Mumbai. No wonder Mumbai’s Fort locale has so many stunning Gothic-style buildings like the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Railway Station and the Municipal Corporation building.
To learn the Fort’s history and have some fun, you can take a fort ride in an open-top jeep where you’ll ride past 100 heritage buildings while hearing stories about each one will surely be an unforgettable day. Or, if walking’s more your thing, you can opt for the guided tours which take you through the Fort district’s rich history step-by-step.
Explore Kala Ghoda
The Kala Ghoda Arts Precinct, located in Mumbai’s Fort neighborhood, is your ultimate hotspot, mainly because of the famous Kala Ghoda Art Festival. You can also explore Jehangir Art Gallery to absorb some wisdom-oozing work of contemporary artists.
For some quirky art in between history lessons, you can visit the Museum Gallery next to the Jehangir Art Gallery. The area is filled with several such galleries boasting history, culture, and art so keep an eye out for them.
Shop At The Boutiques
If you’ve had enough of the history lessons and want a break, head to places like Obataimu for custom-made fashion, Kulture Shop for funky creations by Indian graphic artists, and Fab India for beautiful handwoven textiles.
To give the perfect gifts, visit Artisans that sell exclusive handicrafts and for those with a liking for quirky gifts, The Bombay Store is your stop. And when you’re finally tired from all the shopping stop over at Sancha Tea Boutique—it’s a treat!
Visit The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Fort, Mumbai is all about history blended into today’s aesthetics. So while you can’t fully escape the history, at least have some fun learning it. One such place in Fort that’ll teach you history the fun way is the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.
Inside, you’ll find over 50,000 artifacts, some even dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization. However, there is a small fee to visit the museum– INR 100 for locals and INR 650 for foreigners, with discounts for kids and students. And hey, if you’re into currency, you can visit the Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Museum for a peek into the money world.
Gobble Some Food
Surely just a cup of tea isn’t going to suffice the tummy grumbles that are loud and clear after so much exploration. So let’s head for some tummy-filling food!
The Zoroastrians settled in Bora Bazaar during British rule and set up bakeries and cafes, some of which are still around today. Places like Yazdani Bakery, Britannia & Co, Jimmy Boy, Military Cafe, and Cafe Excelsior are some of the places where you can have authentic and delicious Parsi food.
Relax At Horniman Circle Garden
With the day coming to an end, you certainly must be very tired. The last destination for the 1-day Fort itinerary is the Horniman Circle Garden. A place to relax, let go of the day’s woes and simply breathe. Did you know this garden was earlier known as Bombay Green and was the hub for meetings for cotton and opium traders?
Here, check out the Elphinstone building and guess what architectural style it is, (drumroll) Venetian-Gothic! That’s some obsession the British had. If books are your best friends, you can quietly head to the Asiatic Library across the garden and space out in your world. But ensure you go here early because the books go to sleep after 5.30 pm.
(For all the car nuts, we recommend visiting Horniman Circle Garden on Sunday mornings. Quite a few car enthusiasts bring their vintage vehicles. Great opportunity to click some pictures!).
Summing Up
A day soaked in history, but not a moment of boredom because there’s just so much visual spectacle at Fort, Mumbai. Not to forget, the aesthetics that make it to your Instagram! Spend a day here to know of the Bombay that once was, and the Mumbai that it’s now become.
FAQs
How Do You Spend A Day In South Mumbai?
There are several places you can visit in South Mumbai that’ll take up an entire day to explore. Some of them are:
- Gateway of India
- Shree Siddhivinayak Temple
- Nariman Point
- Colaba
Why Is Fort Mumbai Called Fort?
The locale gets its name from Fort George which was built by the East India Company around the Bombay Castle.
Which Fort Is Best In Mumbai?
Some forts that you can visit in and around Mumbai are:
- Durgadi Fort
- Worli Fort
- Vasai Fort
- Madh Fort
- Prabalgad Fort
Where Did Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Build His Fort?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj built a fort in Pratapgad in Maharashtra. Besides this fort, he built and conquered several other forts.
Which Sea Fort Was Built By Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj?
Sindhudurg Fort is a sea fort that was built by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
