Discover the Hidden Gems of Bandra on an Engaging Walking Tour
Description
Bandra West is often referred to as the “Queen of the Suburbs” in Mumbai. The lure of international influences and liberal attitudes has drawn droves of celebrities, models, musicians, hipsters, and ex-pats to this multi-faceted neighborhood. In turn, a steady stream of stylish new restaurants, bars, and boutiques has opened to cater to their cosmopolitan lifestyle. Bandra West incorporates both the neighborhood’s history and current trends. An ideal walking tour for those who want to Explore Bandra’s Portuguese past – from forts and churches to Indo-Portuguese Catholic villages – along with glimpses of history from other periods as well.
Tour Options
Itinerary
St. Andrew’s Church is one of the oldest churches in Mumbai. It was originally built by Portuguese Jesuits in 1575. It stands on the seashore of the Bandra suburb of Mumbai and was the only church there till the first quarter of the 17th century.
Ranwar is the original of the 24 pakhadis, or villages, that made up Bandra. When the Britishers took Bombay away from the Portuguese in 1661, they did not obtain control immediately.
Unlike its fortunate brother Ranwar, this village is a far cry from the development or the artsy scene Bandra is famous for. Although it is in the vicinity of Bandstand with its posh bungalows and high-rise buildings, this village is unkempt and uncared for. The few original inhabitants of Bandra or Mumbai in general, the Koli community (Chimbaikars) can be still found here.
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount, more commonly known as Mount Mary Church, is a Roman Catholic Basilica located in Bandra, Mumbai The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated here on the first Sunday after 8 September, the birthday of the Virgin Mary
Tucked away on the tip of Bandra West are the remains of a 17th-century fort that was built by the Portuguese as a watchtower. It was strategically located to look out over Mahim Bay but now provides an excellent vantage point for viewing the landmark Bandra-Worli Sea Link bridge.
Castella de Aguada, also known as the Bandra Fort, is a fort located in Bandra, Mumbai. "Castella" is a misspelling for Portuguese "Castelo", although it seems its Portuguese builders actually called it Forte de Bandorá. It is located at Land's End in Bandra
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(46)
A recommendation when you want a (first) view of Bandra. We took this tour with Ruchita to have a first glimpse of Bandra. Now we know where to go for a drink, a nice view or a good strawl through the neighbourhood. Ruchita was very friendly, funny and was very hospitable.
Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We’re really happy to hear that the Bandra walking tour gave you a great first glimpse of the neighborhood and helped you discover where to go next for drinks, views, and relaxed strolls. Ruchita will be delighted to know that you enjoyed her friendly, funny, and hospitable approach — that local warmth is exactly what we aim to share through our walks. Bandra truly has many layers, and we’re glad this tour helped you feel oriented and inspired to explore more. Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to see you again on another walk or tour soon! Warm regards, Mumbai Dream Tours Team
Nice to walk in an for us unknown area, get lovely help from guide Roshita to find the spots and places to be seen. A view of how big Bombay is and how much to explore!
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed discovering Bandra with Roshita. It’s a pleasure to know that walking through a lesser-known area gave you a fresh perspective on how vast and diverse Mumbai truly is. Roshita will be very happy to hear your kind words—she loves helping guests uncover hidden spots and making the walk both relaxed and engaging. We’re glad she could guide you to places worth seeing and help you feel comfortable exploring a new neighborhood. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to show you even more of Mumbai’s many layers on your next visit!
Wonderful walking tour of two of the villages in Bandra with Krishna. She is an excellent story teller and has an engaging personality which made the tour a lot of fun, in spite of the Mumbai heat!
We’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed exploring Bandra’s charming villages with Krishna! Her storytelling and engaging personality truly bring the history of the area to life. We admire your enthusiasm for the tour, even in the Mumbai heat! Thank you for your kind words—we truly appreciate them. We’d love to welcome you on another tour in the future!
We took a walking tour around Bandra, Mumbai. Our great guide Krishna showed us beautiful places off the beaten track and shared some fascinating stories about Bandra and the whole of Mumbai. We had a great time, learned a lot, and saw some beautiful sights. 100% recommend!
We truly appreciate your kind words and are so glad you enjoyed the Bandra walking tour! It’s wonderful to hear that Krishna made the experience special by showcasing the hidden gems of this vibrant neighborhood. Bandra has such a rich history and charm, and we’re delighted that you had a great time exploring it with us. Thank you for your recommendation! We hope to welcome you on another tour in the future.
Krishna was a fantastic guide, and did a wonderful job showing us the beautiful area of Bandra, teaching us all about its complex history along the way. Timing of 4pm was also great, as it was the perfect temperature and mood, with the sun setting. Highly recommend!
Thank you for your fantastic review! We’re so happy to hear that you had a great time exploring Bandra with Krishna. It truly is a special neighborhood, and we’re glad you enjoyed its beauty and history at the perfect time of day. Sunset in Bandra does create a magical atmosphere! We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future.
Sanika has an excellent knowledge of the area and the history which made the tour very enjoyable. Sanika is a very personable and friendly person. We are thankful
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring Bandra’s churches and villages with Sanika! Her deep knowledge and friendly nature truly make the experience special. Thank you for your kind words—we truly appreciate them. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share Mumbai’s rich history with you and hope to welcome you on another tour in the future!
It was a really nice tour. We got to learn so much about the hidden history of Bandra thanks to our guide, Sanika. She helped us understand more about the nuances that have defined Mumbai. Would definitely recommend someone to try it out.
We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed discovering Bandra’s hidden history with Sanika! It’s always our goal to share the rich and nuanced stories that have shaped Mumbai, and we’re so glad you found the tour insightful. Thank you for your kind words and recommendation—we truly appreciate it! We hope to welcome you on another journey through Mumbai’s fascinating heritage in the future.
Sanika was a friendly, happy and obviously well-informed guide. She always seemed to know more than was required - which we got to know when we asked her questions. And we asked her many. Instead of telling us to 'shut up and listen', she was delighted, and after answering our questions, said "I've never had anyone asking me so many questions. I really love this. "! She also seemed socially aware and a fighter for the underdog. Her love for the Kohli fisherfolk was touching, especially when they waved out to her, chatted with her, and even asked us to come there again at Christmas time, to see their Christmas tree made of fishing nets. A memorable experience indeed. Congratulations! 😊
Thank you so much for your kind words and for making the tour such a memorable experience for me as well! Your curiosity and enthusiasm made it an absolute joy to share Bandra’s history and stories with you. I truly believe that history and culture come alive through conversation, and I’m so glad you enjoyed asking questions as much as I enjoyed answering them! The Koli fisherfolk are an integral part of Mumbai’s heritage, and it always warms my heart to see their traditions being appreciated. I do hope you’ll take them up on their invitation and visit again during Christmas—it’s truly a sight to behold! Wishing you many more wonderful adventures, and I’d love to welcome you back to Bandra anytime! 😊✨
Despite having lived in Bombay most of my life, I am unfortunately not very well-versed with it's history. I opted for this tour along with my husband and 12 year old son to understand more about the heritage of one of my favourite areas in the city i.e. Bandra. It was a great experience. Sanika, our guide, did a remarkable job of explaining the history of Bandra and told us lots of trivia about the area. She patiently answered questions, guided us through the bylanes of Bandra and took pictures whenever wé requested. My son, who was not interested in joining at all since he presumed it would be boring, had a really great time. He is in fact,looking forward to joining in for more such tours, as am I.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! It’s always special to guide fellow Mumbaikars through the hidden stories of the city, and I’m so glad you, your husband, and especially your son enjoyed the experience! Bandra has such a rich and vibrant history, and I’m thrilled that it left a lasting impression. I’d love to welcome you on more such explorations in the future! 😊
Excellent tour! Sanika was very knowledgeable about the history of Mumbai and Bandra. We enjoyed the tour and learned a lot. Would highly recommend.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed the tour and found it informative. Bandra has such a fascinating history, and it was a pleasure sharing it with you. Hope to see you on another Mumbai adventure soon! 😊
