Marine Drive is also known as the Queen’s Necklace. It is amongst the easily recognizable location of Mumbai. Marine Drive is also the best spot for watching sunsets and taking a leisurely walk. For the Mumbaikars, this place is the best hangout spot. For tourists, it is also the best location. So, when you get out of the hotels, visit this place to catch the splendid views.
History of Marine Drive
Generally, Marine Drive was meant to be something other than a tourist place or a recreation spot. This location was the result of a failed reclamation project. Back in 1919, the Backbay reclamation was initiated by the Britishers in Bombay. The goal was to connect Nariman Point with Malabar Hill through the best and most beautiful promenade, connecting the offices, apartments, and public squares to resemble the Oxbridge quads.
By 1920, it was clear that the project was planned illy. Although the project initially launched to reclaim the 1500 acres of area, a much smaller area was reclaimed due to flaws in the planning.
After some decades, the road then saw several establishments of iconic buildings showing the Art Deco Style. The buildings near Marine Drive became home to several famous and rich personalities in the city, even the Bollywood stars such as Suraiya and Nargis.
Where is Marine Drive
The intercontinental marine drive is situated in South Mumbai overlooking the Arabian Sea. The road is over 3 km long. Bhagojisheth Keer and Pallonji Mistry made this road.
How to reach Marine Drive?
If you want to make a trip to Mumbai, visit Marine Drive. If you are wondering how to get to this place, the best option would be to take the local train from the 3 nearest stations such as Marine Lines, Churchgate, and Charni Road. The beach is located at just a walking distance from the location.
Mumbai’s local train is amongst the busiest transport. The nearest stations are the Churchgate railway station and Marine Lines Railway Station. Both stations are about 1 Km away, and you can easily walk down to Marine Drive.
Things to do at Marine Drive
The scenic beauty and perfectly lined palm trees provide their visitors with the best sunset and an enthralling view. There are many things you can do at Marine Drive, such as the experience marine drive night view and many other things as listed below:
- Go For Evening Walks
It is the best location for an evening stroll. The view of the Arabian Sea and the soothing and cold breezes hugging your body with a wide range of restaurants and eateries to experience will make any bad day brighter. When in Mumbai, visit this place for a peaceful walk with your friends or loved ones.
In the northern part of the Queen’s Necklace are the ancient seafronts known as Girgaon Chowpatty Beach, which is known for its street food and bazaars. Countless salesmen walk across the beach and sell different items, especially on Sunday evenings. You can eat delicious snacks in the food stalls such as Bhail Puri, Paav Bhaji, and many more to curb hunger.
Places to visit near Marine Drive
Marine Drive Mumbai is more than just a beach or bridge. There are many places where you can visit near the location, such as:
- Rajabai Clock Tower
This clock tower is known for being the oldest clock tower in Mumbai. This tower is about 280 feet tall, with the best architecture. It took almost a year to complete the construction of the Rajabai Clock Tower. It is a fully functional location with Mumbai University Library.
It is amongst the top-rated tourist locations in Mumbai. The primary attractions of the monument are the luscious gardens, great architecture, and stunning light show.
The Gateway Of India is a uniquely designed landmark in India. The design and monument mark the nation’s chief ports and are essential tourism spots. The gateway was built in 1924, although the construction of the monument began in 1914 to honour the visit of Queen Mary and King George V.
Marine Drive Timing
You can visit this place whenever you want to since there isn’t any specific time, and it is open for free. So you can go there for a stroll or sit there for hours to see the beautiful sunrise or sunset and enjoy the breeze.
Hotels Near by:
There are several hotels near by the location, such as:
- The Westin Mumbai Garden City.
- Hotel Marine Plaza.
- Trident Hotel.
- The Oberoi Mumbai.
- Hotel Residency Fort.
- Sea Green South Hotel.
- Taj Mahal Tower.
- Chateau Windsor Hotel.
Restaurants and Cafes near by:
There are many Café Near by, such as:
- Long and Short – Hotel InterContinental.
- Crystal Restaurant.
- New Yorker.
- Pizza By The Bay.
- The Dome.
- Mocking Bird Café Bar.