Mumbai is often introduced through its greatest hits—the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Bollywood, and buzzing local trains. But scratch the surface, and you’ll find another side of the city: quieter, more soulful, and full of secrets even many locals don’t know.
For the traveler who prefers backstreets over tourist traps and stories over selfies, here’s your guide to Mumbai’s best-kept secrets.
1. Banganga Tank – A Sacred Oasis in Malabar Hill
Nestled among colonial bungalows and skyscrapers, the Banganga Tank is a serene, 12th-century water tank surrounded by temples, narrow lanes, and wooden homes with brass bells. It’s a living heritage site where you can watch locals performing rituals, meditating, or just washing clothes.
📍 Nearest Station: Charni Road
📝 Pro Tip: Walk via Walkeshwar Road for beautiful sea views on the way.
2. Sassoon Docks – Urban Art Meets Fishing Heritage
This 140-year-old fishing dock is raw, chaotic, and deeply human. Home to the Koli fishing community, it buzzes with early morning auctions. Recently, the St+art India Foundation has transformed it into a street art haven with vibrant murals, installations, and graffiti.
📍 Nearest Station: Churchgate + cab
🕓 Best Time: Before 9 AM for the fish market; after 3 PM for the art
🎨 Don’t Miss: The colossal octopus mural and warehouse installations
3. Maharashtra Nature Park – A Forest in Dharavi
A former landfill turned green oasis, this 37-acre park is packed with over 300 species of plants and birds. It’s a peaceful, photogenic escape from the traffic—ideal for a walk, some birdwatching, or just breathing.
🎟️ Entry Fee: Nominal
📷 Good For: Nature lovers, photographers, and families
🗓️ Best Time: Weekdays for quieter trails
4. Golfa Devi Temple, Worli Koliwada – Goddess of the Sea
This humble seaside temple is sacred to the Koli fishing community. The idol of Golfa Devi is said to protect fishermen at sea. During high tide, the waves crash dramatically against the rocks nearby—making it both spiritual and cinematic.
📍 Nearby: Worli Fort & an unbeatable Sealink view from an unusual angle
💡 Local Tip: Visit around sunset for incredible light
5. Sewri Jetty – Flamingos in the City
Each winter (Dec–Mar), thousands of migratory flamingos descend on the Sewri mudflats, creating a surreal scene—pink birds against oil rigs and cargo ships. A must-see for bird lovers and photographers.
🕐 Best Time: Early morning or dusk during low tide
🧭 What to Bring: Binoculars + closed shoes
📍 Location: Sewri East, near the jetty road
6. Versova-Girgaon Boat Ride – A Forgotten Ferry Route
Skip the Sea Link traffic and float down the coast on this seasonal ferry. With waves, wind, and seagulls overhead, this 40-minute journey offers a peaceful, panoramic view of the city.
🎟️ Tickets: On the spot (~₹40–₹70)
📍 Start Point: Versova Jetty
🗓️ Runs: Non-monsoon months (Oct–May)
7. Chhota Kashmir – A Mini Hill Station in Goregaon
A tiny gem in Aarey Colony, this garden and boating lake offers paddleboats, shady trees, and pure 90s nostalgia. It’s a charming weekend escape without leaving the city.
📍 How to Reach: Auto or cab from Goregaon Station
🧺 Good For: Picnics, family outingTools
8. Gloria Church – A Gothic Marvel in Byculla
With stained glass windows, red bricks, and soaring arches, Gloria Church feels like a slice of Europe in the heart of Byculla. It’s peaceful, photogenic, and often empty—unless it’s Christmas.
📍 Nearest Station: Byculla
🎬 Claim to Fame: Featured in Rockstar (2011)
🕊️ Best For: Quiet moments, photography, and architecture lovers
Mumbai, One Secret at a Time
The best stories in Mumbai aren’t always found in guidebooks. They echo through fishing villages, whisper through temple bells, and get painted across the walls of aging docks. Exploring them gives you a deeper, more intimate understanding of the city’s soul.
And wherever your trail takes you—from old tanks to flamingo coasts—Mony makes paying effortless. Just scan and go.