Built across seven islands and reclaimed land, Mumbai’s streets are filled with energy, with colonial-era monuments dotted around amongst the bustling markets and ancient temples.
You could easily spend a month exploring this coastal city, but for those who are looking to make the most of their Mumbai holiday (however long it may be), be sure to stick to our list of things to do in the city.
Mumbai is a city rich in history and visiting its museums is one of the best ways to uncover its past. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, the city’s very first museum which originally opened as the Victoria & Albert in 1872, is a great place to start to get a snapshot of Mumbai’s history while the magnificent Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, which documents the history of the country, contains around 50,000 exhibits spotlighting ancient India.
Located at the waterfront on the shore of the Arabian Sea, The Gateway of India was built in the early 20th century to commemorate the landing of King Emperor George V – the first British monarch to visit India – and is now a symbolic ceremonial entrance to India for important colonial personnel. Another great tourist attraction in Mumbai is the Chhatrapati Sivaji Maharaj Terminus: a historic train station so beautiful that it was awarded Unesco World Heritage status.
Mumbai’s thriving food scene is sure to tantalise your tastebuds. Start the day with misal pav: a humble street food consisting of misal (a spicy gravy-like substance), topped with chivda (potatoes) and sev (onions, lemon and coriander), served with a deliciously buttery pav (bread roll). Continue by sampling the city’s many chaats, and to finish, enjoy a sabudana vada with a hot chai - this sweet fritter made from tapioca pearls and peanuts is a local favourite.
The Khala Ghoda quarter is filled with some wonderful Mumbai landmarks, such as the National Gallery of Modern Art, Jehangir Art Gallery and The Arts Trust – Institute of Contemporary Indian Art. The National Gallery of Modern Art’s collection of paintings, sculptures and other artworks focus on both Indian and international artists, while the Jehangir Art Gallery and Arts Trust - Institute of Contemporary Indian Art spotlights contemporary Indian art.
One of the best ways to soak up the energetic atmosphere of the city is at its many shops and markets. Colaba Causeway is one of Mumbai’s top attractions: a vibrant shopping street that promises for an atmospheric stroll, where you’ll find everything from lavish saris and glistening jutti slippers to budget souvenirs. The colourful neighbourhood of Kalbedevi is known for its glistening gem bazaars and the vibrant fabric Mangaldas Market. Bartering is the norm in this part of town, so be sure to brush up on your haggling skills before you arrive.
Vibrant colours and aromas of delicious Indian cuisine fill the space around you at the energetic food markets of Mumbai. Watch fast-paced seafood auctions at the centuries-old Sassoon Docks (the first wet dock to be constructed in then-Bombay), peruse rows upon rows of fruits and vegetables at the ornate Victorian-era Crawford Market, and browse some of the city’s favourite street food dishes at Girgaum Chowpatty – a sensory overload.
Bhuleshwar is a maze-like neighbourhood, filled with ancient temples and mosques. The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Mandir is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shri Ganesh (a pan-Hindu god) with a statue of Ganesha at its heart. Set beside the water is Shree Malhalakshmi Temple: an abode of peace and calm that offers unobstructed views of the Haji Ali Sea. And another top Mumbai attraction is Babulnath temple: its location on a hillock is said to be an earthly approximation of Shiva’s heavenly abode on Mount Kailash.
One of the top things to do in Mumbai is take a sunset stroll along Chowpatty Beach. As the sun sets on the city, locals and visitors alike descend upon the popular beach to watch the sky transform into a fiery haze of burnt oranges and warm pastel hues. Look out for street food vendors selling delicious snacks such as bhel puri (a spiced mix of puffed rice, chickpea noodles, chopped tomatoes and onions) and vada pav.
Once you’ve had your fill of tourist attractions in Mumbai, escape to Elephanta Island on a scenic hour-long ferry, which offers passengers breathtaking views of Mumbai’s waterfront landmarks. The temples on Elephanta Island are a Unesco World Heritage Site, believed to have been carved between 450 and 750AD. The main cave contains an awe-inspiring 6-metre-high triple-headed Trimuti (meaning ‘three forms’ in Sanskrit).
A short train ride from Mumbai are the Buddhist Kanheri Caves. Nestled in the peaceful Sanjay Gandhi National Park, most of these caves (dating from the 2nd to 9th century AD), were used by monks for accommodation and meditation during the rainy season. The caves offer an insight into the rise and decline of Buddhism over the years, and some later excavations revealed superb sculptures and decorative art.
