If Indian cities were people, would you be friends with them?

Have you ever wondered how Mumbai would dress up or what Delhi’s accent would sound like if they were actual people? Or what a day in the life of Goa would look like? Read the blog to find out!

If Indian cities were people, would you be friends with them?
DESTINATIONS

By Purva Mhatre

24 Feb, 2025

5 Minutes read

“Tereko pata hai, best sunset kaha dikhega? Marine Drive pe!" Mumbai said, taking a bite of his Vada pav. "First of all, it's ‘Tumhe,’ not ‘Tereko,’” Pune corrected. "And the best sunset? Obviously from Sinhagad!" Bir laughed and added, "Why not watch it from the sky? Let’s go paragliding!” Udaipur had a different suggestion. "Arre, the best sunset is by the lake, with Rajasthani folk music.” Delhi said, "Arrey, sunset chhodo, road trip le lo pahadon pe!" "Then come to my place," Chakrata replied. Goa had more opinions, "Sunset by the beach is the best. And if you want mountains, I’ve got that too.”

This isn’t just a casual conversation, it’s Indian cities talking! Ever wondered what they’d be like if they were people? How do they talk? How do they introduce themselves? We imagined them for you!

Read the blog and let us know if you’d like us to cover more cities.
 

Mumbai

You’ll always find him running, for the local train, the bus, his dreams, Vada pav or simply because he’s used to it now. No matter what, he never stops. When you meet him, he'll first tell you, “Arrey bhau, jaldi kar, train miss ho jayegi!” He’s a corporate guy in his mid 30s, always on the move, measuring distance in time. He loves Vada pav, but don’t you dare say, “Tu bas vada pav hi khata hai!” He has a bit of a space problem, whether it’s at home or on his phone. His gallery is packed with pictures of Mumbai’s pretty lanes and sunsets at Marine Drive. And his house has as little space as locals during rush hour.

Mumbai beach

He knows 101 places to catch the perfect sunset in the city

Pune

If sarcasm had a degree, he’d have a double PhD. He’s the type to correct your Marathi, even if you didn’t ask for it. He doesn’t rush and why should he? Afternoon naps are a must. You’ll find him at Vaishali, sipping chai and offering gyaan about why Mumbaikars need to ‘just chill, yaar.’ A guy who knows every traffic rule by heart, but when it comes to which one to follow, that’s up to him.

Puneri pati

This is what is written near his house entrance (CreditsCredits- @puneri_patya_official) 

Varanasi

"Ka haal ba? badhiya?" If you love stories, you will love him. A guy who will welcome you with Banarsi paan, dressed in a simple kurta and chappals, and has thousands of stories to tell. He speaks in slow, thoughtful tones, with every word carrying the wisdom of old sages. He loves his Chai in kulhads, believes in fate, and has a story for everything. He talks about life and death as if they’re old friends, reminding you that everything, in the end, dissolves into the river.

varanasi sage

His voice is a little deep; it feels like you are listening to a podcast

Fort Kochi

Remember that effortlessly pretty girl from your college? Fort Kochi is her. This girl romanticizes everything because she knows about everything; fashion, art, literature, history, politics, EVERYTHING. You’ll find her in a flowy cotton dress, silver jhumkas, swinging as she walks through narrow streets. She cycles through quiet lanes lined with old colonial houses, stops by a bookstore, and spends her afternoon by the sea, lost in a book.

Fort kochi lanes

Imagine her walking through these lanes

Amritsar

He’s got the perfect mix of strength and heart. His mornings start with desi ghee wale Parathe and a glass of lassi, and his day ends at the gym. He wears fitted T-shirts that show off his biceps but rocks a kurta-pajama at family gatherings. He can talk about protein shakes and Golden Temple ki langar wali roti with the same passion. His love for food is unmatched—whether it’s lassi, crispy Amritsari kulche, or Tandoori chicken. He loves everything, bas extra makhan add kar dena! But beyond the food, his heart lies in seva, including serving langar at the Gurudwara—because for him, true strength is in kindness.

Golden temple

He finds peace near the Golden Temple

Bir & Billing

Brothers from different mothers, both always come together. Ek par ek free types. The calm, collected guys who are always found chilling with a cup of Chai. And let’s be honest, every girl is secretly crushing on them. When it comes to paragliding, they’re the first to jump. They seem like they have no worries—because they don’t. Their day revolves around the wind, the mountains, and chasing the perfect sunsets.

Paragliding in Bir

That's both of them, enjoying their time

Chakrata

The guy who wakes up before sunrise and disappears into the mountains. He’s always up for an adventure. You won’t find him sitting still. He loves the quiet, the mountain air, and the sound of leaves. At night, he sits by the fire under a sky full of stars, lost in his thoughts. He loves to dip into waterfalls and is dressed in cargo pants and rugged boots, always prepared for an unexpected journey.

Sunrise from Chakrata

Chasing sunrises from the mountains

Delhi

"Tu jaanta nahi mera baap kaun hai?" He’s that friend who walks into a room and owns it. He thrives in chaos, navigating traffic like a pro and talking his way out of any situation. One moment, he’s closing a business deal over a luxury coffee in Khan Market; the next, he’s haggling like a king in Chandni Chowk. He’s street-smart, fashion-forward, and always a step ahead of trends. Love or hate him but you can’t ignore him, because he is DELHI.

Delhi

His city can be chaotic, but he knows some peaceful places for a perfect date

Kasar Devi

She’s the girl who meditates at sunrise and discusses life, the universe, and everything over chai. She wears long skirts, carries a journal, and has an aura that makes you want to sit and listen to her stories all day.

Kasol

"Zindagi simple hai, bas vibe sahi honi chahiye." He doesn’t believe in alarms or schedules. He lives in oversized hoodies, baggy pants, and worn-out sneakers. He can make Maggie in a hundred different ways, and his playlist is full of indie and trance music. His plans? "Bas flow ke saath jaa raha hoon bro."

Rishikesh  

"Sahi aur galat ka chakkar chhodo, bas jeene ka tareeka seekho." He’s the calm guy who practices yoga at sunrise and enjoys river rafting by noon. A spiritual guru with a wild side, he’s always ready for deep conversations and spontaneous adventures.

Ganga Aarti

Him, lost in the Ganga Aarti

Shimla

"Main toh hamesha thodi old-school rahoongi, samjha?" She is a girl jiske peeche saare ladke pagal hai. She’s the graceful beauty who never follows trends but instead sets them. Preferring cozy cafes over clubs, handwritten notes over texts, and long walks in the pine forests.

Shimla

Walk along with her through these pretty lanes

Lucknow

He’s all about elegance, poetic, and dressed in well-fitted kurtas with a hint of ittar. He speaks Urdu like a love language, making even the simplest words sound like poetry. The ultimate gentleman who speaks in tehzeeb and writes shayari. Whether it’s Kebabs or compliments, he serves everything with nazaakat.

Bangalore 

"Macha, let’s get filter coffee and brainstorm startup ideas!" He’s a tech guy who refuses to be just another “corporate guy.” Balancing South Indian traditions with a modern outlook, he can do a PowerPoint presentation and make dosas with the same skill. Sometimes bright and full of energy, sometimes unexpectedly cloudy, making you cancel all plans at the last minute. But no matter what, he’s always got a comforting vibe.

Bangalore

Oh, we forgot to tell you—he is crazyyy about movies!  

Coorg

"Coffee is my blood type, and the hills are my home." She wakes up to misty mornings and the smell of fresh coffee beans. Independent, strong-willed, and rooted in her culture, she wears traditional Coorgi sarees when necessary. She loves slow mornings and deep conversations.

Girl reading a book

A book and a cup of coffee are all she needs

Goa

She smells like salt water and freedom, always tanned and glowing. Goa is the cool chick who knows all the secret beaches, rolls her eyes at tourists, and can switch between Konkani, English, and Hindi in one sentence. She doesn’t live by the clock; she lives by the tides. She’ll convince you to skip work for a spontaneous road trip, but she’ll also sit with you under a full moon, listening to your deepest thoughts.

Goa

She lives for high tides and sunsets 

Gokarna 

Goa’s sister and Shimla’s friend. She’s the free-spirited girl who ditched the city for quiet beaches. Lives in oversized shirts, flowy skirts, and anklets that jingle as she walks. She’s got salt in her hair, a journal full of poetry, and a playlist of only indie music. Preferring deep conversations under starlit skies over loud parties, she’s the kind of friend who disappears for weeks, lost in a beach town somewhere.

Gokarna

She is lost in her own self

Munnar

Coorg’s distant cousin, she’s never in a rush—never was, never will be. She likes to take her time. She wakes up early, runs, does her skincare, and sips on fresh tea. She takes care of herself, inside and out. You’ll find her in flowy cotton dresses, a book in one hand, tea in the other. She’s not one for loud parties, she’d rather have deep talks under the stars.

Munnar

She has the prettiest backdoors

Jaipur  

"Maharaja hoon main, attitude toh laazmi hai!" A man who walks with elegance and talks with authority. Always well-dressed, his fashion sense is as royal as his city. He’s at home or on the polo field, riding flawlessly, often surrounded by people. He enjoys both, whether it’s a fancy meal or a simple kachori from an old shop.

Jaisalmer

"Ret ka har zarra kahani sunayega, sunne ki fursat hai?" She is timeless, graceful, and full of stories. A quiet girl who knows every secret of the desert. She doesn’t speak much, but when she does, her words have weight. She carries herself like a queen, always dressed beautifully, with jewelry that shines, just like her.

Jodhpur

"Suno, mai bas naam se hi royal nahi hoon, attitude bhi lajawab hai!" She’s unapologetically herself, strong, ambitious, and rooted in tradition. She starts her day with Lassi from Mishrilal and ends it watching the sunset at Mehrangarh. Walking through the blue lanes of the city, she finds beauty in simplicity—whether it's a plate of dal baati churma or a humble bowl of Mirchi vada. Fluent in Marwari, she believes in hard work, but when it comes to pride, usme koi samjhauta nahi!

Ahmedabad 

"Kem cho? Majama toh hamesha!" She’s full of life, energy, and a love for good food. A foodie at heart, she knows the best spots for Fafda Jalebi and Khakra. She dances like there’s no tomorrow during Navratri and never turns down a dance floor. Whether it's business or dandiya, she’s got the moves.

Kite festival

She will defeat you in the Kite Festival

Udaipur 

"Pyar bhi ek art hai, aur main artist hoon." The type of guy who writes poetry but never shares it online. He believes in old-school love, and candlelit dinners, and will write poetry on the riverside. A dreamer and deep thinker, he’s the person who will make you fall in love with history. He speaks slowly, and takes you on walks around the lakes, sharing forgotten tales of the kings and queens who once ruled.

Kolkata

"Kajrari aankhen, aur aankhon mein kajal—jaise pyaar ho jaaye."

She’s the kind of girl who can make you fall in love with her but also break it. She loves poetry and knows all about history. Wrapped in a cotton saree and a big red bindi on her forehead, she’s passionate about what she wants in life. She enjoys cooking and eating, speaks slowly, and thinks deeply. An old-school romantic at heart, she reads Tagore, sips chai from a clay cup, and can debate politics like a pro. With a great taste in music, you might find her playing the sitar in the evening.

Durga puja

Doesn't she look beautiful?

 Hyderabad

"Aadab miyan! tension nakko lo! Pehle chai peeyenge, phir baat karenge." He’s the guy who switches effortlessly between old-world charm and modern hustle. He’s got the funniest and sweetest accent in the group. In the morning, he leads a tech meeting, throwing in a Hyderabadi miyaan here and there, and by evening, he’s feasting on biryani, arguing about whether Paradise or Shadab serves the best. He tells stories of grand Nawabi history while keeping up with the latest gadgets.

Would you like to be friends with them? If so, pack your bags and meet them. Don’t worry about the accommodations; The Hosteller has you covered.

Volunteer with us and experience the true essence of backpacker life. Join the nomad network. Get up go.
 

What to do now?

The Hosteller Blog
The Hosteller Blog

Want to explore? Book your stay here.

Join our community of 600K+ travel lovers here.

Do your travel adventure for free! Become a member today, sign up here.

Destinations