India Things To Do

The focal point of this Old Goa church is the three-tiered marble tomb of St. Francis Xavier, a patron saint of Goa, whose body goes on display every 10 years.

Attend the daily mass conducted in English, Konkani, and Portuguese at this 1514 Panjim church, where travelers from Lisbon came to give thanks for their safe journey.

Many companies offer half-day boat cruises that include dolphin sightings, lunch, and drinks. John’s Boat Tours, a local operator along Candolim Beach, even promises a “no dolphin, no pay” guarantee.

Sample everything from cloves to nutmeg at one of central Goa’s many spice farms; most visits include a lunch buffet.

Head to the historic domed Prince of Wales Museum in Kala Ghoda, a small section of Colaba that’s akin to New York’s Museum Mile.

Built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, this iconic waterfront basalt arch was once the first sight visitors beheld. Nowadays, it’s the place to catch a ferry to the Elephanta Caves.

Stroll down from Opera House to Nariman Point along this sea-facing path (parallel to Chowpatty Beach) where locals come to relax, rejuvenate and reflect while looking out into the horizon.

This 500-year-old mosque, located offshore (about 500 yards into the Arabian sea) with a paved walkway connecting it to the mainland, invites people of all faiths to pay homage to wealthy merchant Haji Ali, who built it.

One of the city’s hottest addresses, the who’s who of Mumbai live in posh bungalows along this paved seaside stretch where you soak in the sun as waves crash against large boulders.

Needing no introduction, this classic monument – a whitewashed mausoleum with gem-encrusted walls that took 22 years to complete – was built in the name of love by Mughal king Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz.