Photo spot in Mumbai
Marine Drive
Mumbai, Maharashtra
The sweeping seafront promenade known as the 'Queen's Necklace' for its curve of lights, backed by Art-Deco buildings.
Best time
Sunset, when the sun drops into the sea in front of you; just after dark, when the street lights come on and make the Queen's Necklace.
Best angle
Walk to the Nariman Point end and take a long photo up the curve towards Malabar Hill, with the sea wall leading your eye into the frame.
Entry fee
Free
Opening hours
Open 24 hours
Crowd level
High
Best outfit colors
Overview
Best time to visit Marine Drive
Sunset, when the sun drops into the sea in front of you; just after dark, when the street lights come on and make the Queen's Necklace. Crowds here are typically high. Arrive a little early to claim your angle and catch the softest light before the day tips over.
Poses & angles
Photo tips for Marine Drive
Walk to the Nariman Point end and take a long photo up the curve towards Malabar Hill, with the sea wall leading your eye into the frame. Work a few of the pose ideas below, shoot wide for context and tight for detail, and give yourself a couple of extra minutes to get the frame right.
Seated on the sea-wall (tetrapods)
Walking the promenade at golden hour
Outfit guide
What to wear at Marine Drive
For photos at Marine Drive, white, denim and coral work beautifully — they stand out against the setting without fighting it. Pick one hero colour and keep the rest of the look calm so you stay the subject of the frame.
Best outfit colors for photos
Trending wear for this spot
Modern, camera-ready looks picked for Marine Drive.
Traditional wear for this spot
Timeless, cultural outfits worn across Mumbai.
Eat nearby
Food near Marine Drive
Round out the visit with something to eat. Look for bhel puri and pav bhaji nearby, or settle in at one of the 1 restaurants close by.
Special dishes to try
Restaurants & food places nearby
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Good to know
Local tips
Arrive about half an hour before sunset to find a spot on the sea wall.
Stay off the tetrapods below the wall, especially at high tide and in the monsoon.
Walk the full curve from Nariman Point to Chowpatty; it takes about 45 minutes.
Eat bhel puri at the Girgaon Chowpatty stalls at the northern end.
Go early in the morning if you want to walk or jog without the evening crowd.
Cross the road only at signals, as traffic moves fast along the drive.
Carry water on summer evenings, as the sea breeze does not cut the humidity much.
The city's promenade
Marine Drive is a sea front road and promenade of about 3 km that curves along Back Bay from Nariman Point in the south to Girgaon Chowpatty at the foot of Malabar Hill. It was built on reclaimed land and completed around 1940. At night its street lights trace a curve that people call the Queen's Necklace, best seen from higher ground.
Art Deco on the sea front
The row of apartment blocks facing the sea dates mostly from the 1930s and 1940s. Look for rounded balconies, stepped towers, curved corners and names such as Keval Mahal and Zaver Mahal on the façades. Together with the Oval Maidan and the Gothic buildings behind it, the area has been part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2018.
How people use it
Early in the morning Marine Drive belongs to walkers and joggers. By evening, families, couples and office workers sit on the long sea wall to watch the sunset, and the traffic streams past behind them. Girgaon Chowpatty, at the northern end, has food stalls for bhel puri and pav bhaji, and it is the main place for Ganesh immersions.
In the monsoon
On high tides in the monsoon, waves break over the sea wall and crowds gather to watch. The concrete tetrapods below the wall are slippery, and people have been pulled into the sea from them. Police announce high-tide warnings; follow them and stay on the promenade.
Getting there
Churchgate and Marine Lines stations on the Western line are both a short walk away. CSMT is about 2 km east, and the Gateway of India about 3 km south.
Questions
Marine Drive — FAQ
What is the best time to visit Marine Drive?
Sunset, when the sun drops into the sea in front of you; just after dark, when the street lights come on and make the Queen's Necklace. Walk to the Nariman Point end and take a long photo up the curve towards Malabar Hill, with the sea wall leading your eye into the frame.
Is there an entry fee at Marine Drive?
Entry to Marine Drive is free.
What are the opening hours of Marine Drive?
Marine Drive is open 24 hours.
What should I wear at Marine Drive?
White, denim and coral photograph especially well here. Explore the trending and traditional outfit ideas on this page for full looks.
How crowded does Marine Drive get?
Crowd levels are typically high. To miss the busiest window: sunset, when the sun drops into the sea in front of you; just after dark, when the street lights come on and make the Queen's Necklace.
What food should I try near Marine Drive?
Try bhel puri and pav bhaji, available at nearby restaurants.
Why is Marine Drive called the Queen's Necklace?
Because at night its curved line of street lights looks like a string of pearls when seen from above, for example from Malabar Hill.
How long is Marine Drive?
About 3 km, from Nariman Point at the southern end to Girgaon Chowpatty at the northern end. Walking the whole curve takes around 45 minutes.
Is it safe to sit on the tetrapods at Marine Drive?
No. The concrete blocks are slippery and waves can reach them without warning, especially at high tide and in the monsoon. People have drowned after falling from them. Sit on the sea wall instead.
Can you swim at Marine Drive or Chowpatty?
No. There is no swimming beach on Marine Drive, and the water at Girgaon Chowpatty is not safe or clean for swimming. The beach is for walking, food and watching the sunset.