Mazgaon & Byculla

Mazgaon and Byculla together form one of Mumbai’s most historic quarters, where colonial landmarks, diverse communities, and hidden cultural enclaves meet. Mazgaon, once a sleepy fishing village, became home to the city’s East Indian Catholic community, whose Portuguese-style homes in Matharpacady Village still preserve old-world charm. It is also dotted with churches, docks, and quaint bylanes that feel far removed from the city’s chaos.

Just north of Mazgaon lies Byculla, once the heart of Bombay’s 19th-century expansion. Today it is a neighborhood of contrasts: from the grand Byculla Zoo and Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, to bustling markets, busy flyovers, and fading mill-era structures. Byculla was also home to Bombay’s first elite residences, Parsi mansions, and clubs, many of which still stand in quiet corners.

For visitors, Mazgaon and Byculla offer a fascinating mix of heritage, faith, and living history — from East Indian village houses and ornate churches to colonial museums and leafy gardens.

Why to go there:

Theme: Heritage • Street Life • Seafront • Art

USP: Colaba is Mumbai in a nutshell — the Gateway of India, bustling bazaars, iconic cafés, and vibrant art galleries, all set along the Arabian Sea.

  • Matharpacady Village (Mazgaon) – A hidden gem of Portuguese-style cottages and quiet lanes, home to Mumbai’s East Indian Catholic community.

  • St. Anne’s Church (Mazgaon) – One of Mumbai’s oldest churches, dating back to the 19th century.

  • Dockyards & Mazgaon Pier – Glimpses of old Bombay’s maritime connections.

  • Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum (Byculla) – Mumbai’s oldest museum, with stunning Indo-Saracenic architecture and rare city artefacts.

  • Byculla Zoo (Jijamata Udyan) – Historic 19th-century botanical gardens and zoo, recently renovated with new animal enclosures.

  • Gloria Church – Gloria Church is a historic 1911 landmark in Byculla, known for its Gothic architecture, stained glass windows and serene charm — a quiet slice of Mumbai’s heritage.
  • Hasnabad Dargah- Hasnabad Dargah is a revered Sufi shrine in Mumbai, known for its peaceful atmosphere, intricate architecture, and as a spiritual hub where devotees gather to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Places to Eat and Drink:
Mazgaon & Byculla have few drinking options. For bars or nightlife, head to nearby Fort or Lower Parel, both short cab rides away.

To help you experience the neighbourhood seamlessly, we’ve curated a must-do checklist presented through an interactive Google Map. Simply click the link to open it. The map legend features all key landmarks with brief descriptions, along with suggested walking and driving routes to make exploring the area effortless and enjoyable.

Pro tip: Download the M-Indicator app for real-time train timings and platform updates and check the train map to see the nearest train line from where you are.

Download Link-  For Apple users   For Android users 

Byculla (Central Line) or Dockyard Road (Harbour Line). Refer to the Local Train Map

  • If the nearest station from where you are is on the western line and doesn’t have a harbour line then buy a Local Train Ticket to Byculla (Central Line) via Dadar (this is the only station where Western and Central Line meets) and if the nearest station to you has a harbour line then buy a ticket to Dockyard Road (Harbour Line).

     Tip: Always buy a return ticket valid until midnight.


  • From Byculla or Dockyard Road → Both the areas are a short cab ride away
     From Byculla Station: 5–10 minute walk to Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Zoo, and mills area.
    From Dockyard Road: 10-minute walk into Mazgaon lanes and Matharpacady Village.

Arrive in Mazgaon & Byculla
 Step into one of Mumbai’s most historic districts — where museums, churches, villages, and gardens tell the layered story of Bombay’s evolution.