Mumbai is the commercial capital of India and a hot tourist spot as well. With its vibrant culture and a freewheeling spirit, the charm of being in Mumbai is ever captivating and alluring. Mumbai has a plethora of hot tourist spots which you can cherish for all times. And the city has similar excursion hunts that make it all the more favored tourist spot.

Mumbai offers a wide range of excursion joints that make your trip here exciting and thrilling. Here are some of the prime tourists spots around Mumbai that come high on priority list of any serious tourist in quest for fun and exploration.

Marve - Manori - Gorai :
These are the popular spots of Mumbai's fun lovers. Marve is a lovely little fishiing village. It has some beautiful bungalows. Low hills along the beach offer extraordinary views of sunrise and sunset. Gorai and Manori, a little further away, are more crowded with travellers and are famous for all night beach parties.

Bassein :
Bassein used to be a place for ship-building in the beginning of the 17th century. It was here that the Marathas besieged the Portuguese in 1739 AD. The ruins of the Portuguese Fort still stand almost hidden by bruswood and palm groves. An hour from Bassein are the Vajreshwari temple and Akoli hot springs and Ganeshpliri with the Sadgurunatyanand Maharaj Samadhi Mandir.

About 10 km from here lies The NALASOPARA VILLAGE, the capital of the Konkan from 1500 BC to 1300 AD. Many Buddhist relics were discovered here. Nalasopara is believed to have been Gautama Buddha's birthplace in a previous life.

Mandawa - Kihim :
Easily accessible by ferry from Mumbai, Kihim near Mandawa is a beautiful, untrodden beach. On a clear day one can enjoy a long breathtaking view right up to The Gateway of India.

Titwala :
(75 km) A pilgrim spot sacred twice over - for its Mahaganesha temple and the temple of Shri Vithoba. Another facinating temple is the one at Ambarnath, dating back to Ilth century built in the 'Hemadpanti' style. Titwala can be reached by local trains from Mumbai.

Murud - Janjira : (165 km)
This place is easily accessible by road from Mumbai. Formerly the capital town of the Siddis of Jangira, who built here their palaces, lying in ruins battered on all the four sides by the sea waves, its strong 40 ft. high walls are still standing intact. This the only impregnable fort on the 720 km Maharashtra coastline. Murud is today popular for its alluring beach, whispering caesarean coconut and betal palms and an ancient fort. On a hillock is the shrine of Lord Dattatrya, the three heads representing Brahma, Vishnu and Maheshwara. The 300 year old fort of Jangira is an architectural marvel, once upon a time considered to be impregnable.

Shriwardhan - Harihareshwar : (200 km)
These places are easily accessible by road from Mumbai. The State transport as well as private buses ply regularly from Mumbai. Gentle winds, soft sands and inciting waters makes Shriwardhan and Harihareshwar irresistible to beach lovers. The adventurers can even take a small boat to the north side of the bay and explore the land of Teshwas' where they originally resided. The town Harihareshwar is known for tranquil and picturesque beach and is also famous for the temple of Harihareshwar. Private as well as State transport operated buses are easily available from Mumbai and Pune.

Velneshwar : (370 km)
Around Konkan area (Accessible by road), North of Shastri river lies the idyllic village of Valneshwar. The quiet coconut-fringed beach offers an ideal opportunity for swimming. There is an old Shiva temple in the environs which is often frequented by pilgrims. Mahashivratri fair is held once a year in March. Private as well as State transport operated buses are easily available from Mumbai and Pune.

Ganapatipule : (375 km)
Around Konkan area (Accessible by road) this sun-kissed beach and lush green of GanpatipuIe inevitably draws tourist back, year after year. The added attraction is a 400 year old temple which houses the Swayambhoo Ganapati. Privates as well as State transport buses are easily available from Mumbai and Pune.

Vijaydurg Sindhudurg : (510 km from Mumbai)
Once naval bases, Viajydurg and Sindhudurg bear testimony to Maharashtra's martial supremacy during Shivaji's reign. Vijaydurg or fort of victory was strengthened around 17'hh century, by Shivaji to whom it owes its finest features-the triple line of walls, the numerous towers and the massive interior buildings.

Vengurla - Malvan : (514 km from Mumbai)
Further south to Sindhudurg lies Venguria with its long stretch of white sands and hills covered by cashew, coconut, jackfruit and mango groves. The twon has two well-known temples Shri Devi Sateiri and Rameshwar Mandir.

Karnala Bird Sanctuary : (60 km)
sanctuary is located just outside near new Mumbai, Pa Goa highway. In winter, Karnala is visited by several migratory birds, mostly woodland species which come in from their breeding grounds in Himalayas. Some travel shorter distances from peninsular India and from there to the nearby western ghats. Established as a sanctuary in the year 1971 the sanctuary houses 140 species.

Lonavala -Khandala - Karla :
Lonavala-khandala are charming hills on the western slopes of the Sahyadri hills and lie in between Mumbai and Pune, easily approachable by road from both the nieces being 200 km awav. Its clean crisp air greets you as you wind your way up the steep ghats, leaving the humidity, heat and dust behind. Both Lonavala and Khandala offer breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls during the monsoon and the surrounding mountains of plains spread out to the horizon far below.

Karla :
12 km from Lonavala boasts one of the best-preserved caves dating back to 160 BC. The construction of this cave temple started during the Hinayana period of Buddhism. Regular bus services are Available from Mumbai and Pune. Accommodation is available for the visitors at MTD guest house.

Matheran : (100 km)
An easy escape from Mumbai offers a well deserved holiday. Travelling to Matheran by a tiny narrow guage toy train, one of the last mini trains in the world, from Mumbai via Neral is an experience by itself. This *Car free* eco-friendly hill station situated at 803 meters above sea level offers salubrious climate, an unpolluted atmosphere with no vehicular traffic. Matheran offers facinating landscapes through thickets and woods. The Heart Point offers beautiful view of Mumbai at night. The Porcupine Point and Louise Point, Chaelotte Lake with panthers. Caves and Paymaster Park are places of interest in Matheran. The main bazzar offers a variety of items such as cane and leather articles, hats, chappals etc. A wide range of accommodation is available.

Mahabaleshwar : (320 km)
The summer capital of Bombay Presidency during the days of the British, it is a mountain top plateau often covered with a light morning mist. Elphinstone, Babbington, Bombay, Kate's and numerous other points offer panoramic views of the plains below. Short distance away are Chinaman's and Dhobi, Lingamala waterfalls. Veena Lake, the focal point of Mahabaleshwar has boating and fishing facilities. About 24 km from Mahabaleshwar is FORT PRATAPGAD, Shivaji's most impressive fort perched on the summit of the hill, was built to control three strategic passes-Rodtondi, Poladpr and Par. PANCHGANI or 'FIVE HILLS' is on the way to Mahabaleshwar. It has the Raj stamp all over it which is evident in the architecture of the old British buildings, the Parsi bungalows and the boarding schools that have been around for over a country. It is a delight to canter through the thickly wooded walkways to explore the area, catching glimpses of the Krishna river winding its way through the ravines, hundred of metres below. Kamalgad fort is easily accessible on foot or on horseback.

Dahanu and Bordi : (145 km)
Dahanu is approachable conveniently by train or by road. Dahanu is a quite seaside town with a sprawling, uncluttered beach. The Dahanu-Bordi stretch is 17 km long. This once barren landthrived under Irani settlers, an earthy people. Dahanu is lined with fruit orchards and is famous for its CHIKOOS. Easily Accessible from Dahanu is UDWADA- the 'MECCA OF THE PARSIS' - with large beautiful temple which houses their sacred fire. It is an amazing fact but this holy fire has been kept buring for almost 1000 years.