Quick answer: Nariman Point is South Mumbai’s business district at the southern end of Marine Drive, built on land reclaimed from Back Bay and named after the Bombay politician Khurshed Framji Nariman. Visitors come for the sea views, the evening walk along the promenade towards the “Queen’s Necklace”, and nearby landmarks such as the National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA). It is a public area with no entry fee and no closing time.
Nariman Point at a glance
| Detail | What to know |
|---|---|
| Location | Southern tip of the Mumbai peninsula, at the end of Marine Drive; Churchgate to the north, Colaba to the east |
| What it is | Business district on reclaimed land, with offices, hotels and the NCPA |
| Entry fee | None; public streets and seafront |
| Timings | Open all the time; evenings are busiest on the seafront |
| Best time to visit | October to March, around sunset |
| Time needed | 1 to 2 hours, longer if combined with Marine Drive |
| Nearest stations | Churchgate (Western line); Vidhan Bhavan and Churchgate (Metro Line 3) |
History of Nariman Point
Land from the sea
Nariman Point did not exist as dry land a century ago. It is an extension of the Back Bay Reclamation, the scheme to fill in part of Back Bay on Mumbai’s western shore. By 1929, four blocks covering about 440 acres had been reclaimed, and those northern blocks became the Art Deco area between the Oval Maidan and Marine Drive. The scheme was revived in 1958 to reclaim further blocks at the southern end. By 1970, roughly 91 hectares of a proposed 222 hectares had been reclaimed. After public criticism, the state government froze further reclamation on 1 December 1978.
Who was Nariman?
The district is named after Khurshed Framji Nariman (1883 to 1948), known as Veer Nariman, a Parsi lawyer and Indian National Congress leader who served as Mayor of Bombay from 1935 to 1936. He first came to public notice in 1928 for exposing the finances of the Back Bay Reclamation scheme. Veer Nariman Road, near Horniman Circle, is also named after him. The older version of this article said Nariman, as a municipal corporator, proposed reclaiming this stretch around 1940, using debris from across the city as fill; that account is widely repeated, but we could not confirm the details in a reliable source.
A business district
From the 1970s onward, high-rise office blocks, hotels and the NCPA rose on the new land. Nariman Point became one of India’s best-known office addresses, home for many years to the Air India headquarters, among others. In 2006 it was ranked among the ten most expensive office locations in the world, though it slipped well down those rankings in the following years as business shifted to newer districts further north.
On 26 November 2008, the Trident and Oberoi hotels at Nariman Point were among the targets of the Mumbai terror attacks.
Things to do at Nariman Point
- Walk the seafront. The promenade at the end of Marine Drive is popular for morning walks and jogs and for watching the sun set over the Arabian Sea.
- See the Queen’s Necklace. After dark, the curve of streetlights along Marine Drive is said to look like a string of pearls when seen from a height, which gave the road its nickname.
- Catch a performance at the NCPA. The National Centre for the Performing Arts, at the tip of Nariman Point, was inaugurated in 1969 and has several theatres for music, dance and drama. Check its programme in advance.
- Look at the skyline. The office towers, hotels and the curve of the bay make a well-known view of South Mumbai, especially in the evening.
- Eat nearby. Hotels and restaurants around Nariman Point and Churchgate range from upmarket dining to quick snacks. The old version of this article recommended named restaurants; we could not confirm that they still operate, so they have been removed.
Best time to visit
October to March is the most comfortable season, with lower humidity. Evenings are the most atmospheric, as the lights come on along Marine Drive. During the monsoon (roughly June to September) the sea is rough and waves can splash over the sea wall on high-tide days, so follow police instructions and keep away from the edge.
How to reach Nariman Point
- Suburban rail: Churchgate, the southern terminus of the Western line, is the nearest suburban station. From there you can walk along Marine Drive or take a short taxi ride.
- Metro: Mumbai Metro Line 3 (the Aqua Line) has stations at Vidhan Bhavan and Churchgate, close to Nariman Point.
- By road: Taxis, app cabs and BEST buses serve Nariman Point. Weekday office hours are the busiest times on the roads.
- From outside Mumbai: Long-distance trains arrive at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mumbai Central, both a short taxi ride from Nariman Point.
Places to visit near Nariman Point
- Marine Drive, the seafront promenade that begins at Nariman Point and curves north to Girgaon.
- Girgaon Chowpatty, the beach at the far end of Marine Drive, known for evening snacks.
- Churchgate, with its Art Deco buildings, the Oval Maidan and Wankhede Stadium nearby.
- The Jehangir Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda, with free entry to its exhibitions.
- The Gateway of India and Colaba Causeway, a short drive away in Colaba.
The old version of this article recommended the Taraporewala Aquarium on Marine Drive. The aquarium has been closed since the Covid-19 period and is due to be rebuilt, so do not plan a visit; see our Taraporewala Aquarium update for its status.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Nariman Point?
It is named after Khurshed Framji Nariman (Veer Nariman), a Congress leader and Mayor of Bombay in 1935 to 1936, who was known for exposing problems in the Back Bay Reclamation scheme.
Is there an entry fee or closing time at Nariman Point?
No. Nariman Point is a public area, open at all hours with no entry fee.
Is Nariman Point reclaimed land?
Yes. It is an extension of the Back Bay Reclamation. Much of the southern reclamation took place after the scheme was revived in 1958, before the state government froze further reclamation in 1978.
What is the nearest railway station to Nariman Point?
Churchgate on the Western line. Metro Line 3 also has stations at Vidhan Bhavan and Churchgate.
What is the best time to visit Nariman Point?
Evenings between October and March, when the weather is pleasant and the Marine Drive lights come on.
History and travel details in this guide were checked in October 2026 against published histories of Nariman Point, the Back Bay Reclamation and Khurshed Nariman. Follow local advisories on the seafront during the monsoon.
