Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is a triumphal arch on the Apollo Bunder waterfront in Colaba, Mumbai, designed by the Scottish architect George Wittet in the Indo-Saracenic style and completed in 1924. The Gateway of India was built to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder in December 1911, the first visit of a reigning British monarch to India.

The foundation stone was laid in 1913, and the arch, about 26 metres high, was built of yellow basalt and reinforced concrete on reclaimed land, blending Hindu and Islamic motifs with a Roman triumphal form. In a closing irony, the last British troops to leave India, the First Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry, marched through the Gateway of India in February 1948. Today it is Mumbai's most recognisable landmark and the departure point for ferries across the harbour. The Taj Mahal Palace hotel, opened in 1903, stands directly opposite, and the forecourt fills with families, photographers and balloon sellers every evening.

What to see

• The central arch and its four turrets, with carved jali screens in Gujarati style
• The harbour view, with sailing boats, naval ships and ferries to Elephanta Island
• The statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on horseback, facing the arch
• The old wing of the Taj Mahal Palace hotel across the road
• The Gateway of India lit up at night

What to wear

There is no dress code at the Gateway of India; light, breathable cotton is best for Mumbai's heat and humidity. Carry an umbrella or light rain jacket from June to September, when the monsoon is heavy. Comfortable shoes help if you walk on to Colaba. Maharashtra's traditional dress for women is the nauvari, a nine-yard saree draped between the legs, and for men a white kurta with a pheta, a bright saffron turban worn at weddings and festivals.

Local food to try

Mumbai is one of India's great street food cities. Around the Gateway of India and Colaba you can try vada pav, a spiced potato fritter in a bun, pav bhaji, bhelpuri and cutting chai, a half glass of sweet tea. Bademiya, the kebab stall behind the Taj hotel, has served rolls and grilled meat since the 1940s and is a Colaba institution, largely halal. Leopold Cafe and Cafe Mondegar on Colaba Causeway serve Indian and continental dishes. For vegetarians, Gujarati and Udupi restaurants are easy to find nearby.

Good to know

• Best time: November to February; early morning or after sunset, when it is cooler
• Forecourt open at all hours, though access can be restricted for security or events
• Free to visit; ferry tickets to Elephanta Island are sold separately at the jetty
• Allow 30 to 45 minutes, longer if taking a harbour cruise
• In Colaba, South Mumbai; about 30 km from the international airport
• Expect security checks at the forecourt entrance

Nearby places

Ferries from the Gateway of India cross to the Elephanta Caves in about an hour. On foot, Colaba Causeway is a few minutes away, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Marine Drive are a short taxi ride north. For a day out of the city, the hill town of Lonavala in the Sahyadri range is about 85 km away by road.