Tour operator
Reality Tours & Travel
An award-winning social enterprise running Dharavi tours, street food walks, bicycle tours and local transport tours, with most profits funding community projects.
Bombay Heritage Walks
Walking tours of Mumbai's heritage precincts, organised since 1999 by city architects Abha Bahl and Brinda Gaitonde Nayak to raise awareness of the city's architecture.
At a glance
- Type
- Architecture and heritage walks
- Area
- South Mumbai, Mumbai, India
- Official site
- bombayheritagewalks.com
Good to know
- Architect-led walks
Why we recommend it
Bombay Heritage Walks is a group that has organised walking tours of Mumbai's heritage precincts since April 1999. It was founded by two city architects, Abha Bahl and Brinda Gaitonde Nayak, and its aim is to raise awareness of Mumbai's architecture and heritage monuments, connecting the city's past with its present. Over more than 25 years, it has introduced residents and visitors to the buildings that define the older city.
The walks are aimed at people who want to understand buildings rather than simply see them. South Mumbai is an ideal setting: the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco ensembles of the city are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and within a short distance you can see Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Indo-Saracenic museum of George Wittet, the art district of Kala Ghoda, with its synagogue, libraries and colleges, and the Art Deco apartment blocks of Marine Drive. With architects behind the programme, the focus is on styles, materials, history and the people who built and used these places.
The walks suit architecture and history enthusiasts, students and travellers who prefer depth to speed, as well as residents who want to learn more about their own city. They are less suited to young children, who may find a detailed architectural walk long. Expect to be on your feet for a couple of hours, often in the heat, so wear comfortable shoes, carry water and a hat, and bring a camera.
The website does not publish a fixed list of walks or meeting points, so contact the group through its website to find out which walks are coming up and to arrange a private walk for a group. It is sensible to plan ahead during the cooler months from October to March, when walking is most comfortable and demand is highest.
A heritage walk is a good way to start a stay in Mumbai, as it gives you the context to enjoy the rest of the city on your own. After a walk around the Fort, you can return to visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya or the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, eat at Jimmy Boy or Britannia and Co., and finish with a stroll along Marine Drive at sunset.
Bombay Heritage Walks FAQs
Who runs Bombay Heritage Walks?
It was founded by the city architects Abha Bahl and Brinda Gaitonde Nayak.
How long has it been running?
It has organised walks since April 1999.
What is the aim of the walks?
To raise awareness of Mumbai's architecture and heritage monuments.
Where do the walks go?
They explore the city's heritage precincts.
Are the walks suitable for children?
They are best for older children and adults interested in architecture.
What should you bring?
Comfortable shoes, water, a hat and a camera.
How do you book?
Contact the group through its website to find out about upcoming and private walks.
When is the best time of year for a walk?
The cooler months from October to March.