Parks in Mumbai include several municipal gardens and green spaces in South Mumbai, including Horniman Circle Garden in Fort and Sagar Upvan near Colaba Bus Station.
Their setting, scale and facilities make it possible to choose a spot for a short pause or a walk through the area. Strand Hotel Colaba is a hotel in Colaba, close to these South Mumbai green spaces.
- Horniman Circle Garden: a 12,021-square-metre municipal garden opposite the Asiatic Society library.
- Sagar Upvan: a 46,000-square-metre garden near Colaba Bus Station, with an 800-metre pathway.
- Colaba Woods Garden: a 31,000-square-metre garden on Prakash Pethe Marg, Cuffe Parade.
- Municipal garden hours: generally 6:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.; access details can vary by site.
Green space close to Colaba
Colaba and nearby South Mumbai have gardens of different sizes and settings. For a garden with a defined walking route, Sagar Upvan is near Colaba Bus Station and includes green mounds, sit-outs, trees and rare botanical species. Mumbai Port Authority describes its pathway as suitable for morning and evening walks.
Colaba Woods Garden is on Prakash Pethe Marg in Cuffe Parade, while Sabina Chandrasekhar Recreation Ground is in Colaba. The BMC Garden Department gives their areas as 31,000 and 12,800 square metres respectively. A Colaba walking route to nearby South Mumbai sights can connect these green spaces with a wider walk through the area.
What is Horniman Circle Garden like?
Horniman Circle Garden is a circular municipal garden in Fort, opposite the Asiatic Society library. Its construction began in 1869 and was completed in 1872.
Mumbai Samachar Marg is the garden’s main access, with subsidiary access from Shahid Bhagat Singh Road. Horniman Circle sits in a historic part of South Mumbai; a heritage walk linking Flora Fountain and Horniman Circle puts it in the context of the surrounding area.
The heritage record describes gates on all four sides, a central fountain and sculpture, lawns, benches, play areas, reading areas and toilets. The garden is about 1.5 km from the hotel.
Where else can you find gardens in South Mumbai?
Sagar Upvan, Colaba Woods Garden and Sabina Chandrasekhar Recreation Ground offer other named green spaces in and around Colaba. Sagar Upvan’s pathway measures 800 metres, while the BMC Garden Department gives the two Colaba gardens’ areas as 31,000 and 12,800 square metres.
Bandstand Cooperage Garden is at the junction of Madam Cama Road and Maharshi Karve Road. The BMC’s garden-and-open-space map is marked as beta, and its information is being refined over time, so use it as a starting point rather than a definitive directory.
When are the gardens open, and what should you check?
BMC’s general opening pattern for municipal gardens, recreation grounds and playgrounds is 6:00 a.m.–12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Entry is free. The municipal guidance also says activities are not permitted in developed gardens and recreation grounds; certain events on municipal playgrounds require prior permission.
Sagar Upvan has its own entry windows: 6:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m. Check the official site before you go, particularly for current opening and access rules; consult the relevant operator’s information for each garden.
FAQs
Which garden is opposite the Asiatic Society library?
Horniman Circle Garden is opposite the Asiatic Society library in Fort. It is a circular garden with gates on all four sides.
Is entry to municipal gardens free?
BMC’s garden guidance says entry to municipal gardens, recreation grounds and playgrounds is free.
Does Sagar Upvan have a walking path?
Yes. Sagar Upvan has an 800-metre pathway, along with green mounds, sit-outs, trees and rare botanical species.