25 Best Things to Do in Mumbai

By VI Staff on September 5, 2018

Known as one of the largest, wealthiest, and most visited cities in India, Mumbai is home to nearly 20 million people. Due to its unique seaside location, Mumbai has expanded to fill seven surrounding islands, and it has grown into one of the most important trading hubs in the world. Mumbai is a prime destination for understanding modern Indian culture. Filled with entertainment, festivals, authentic cuisine, and historically significant places, Mumbai is sure to have something to offer travelers of all ages.

1.Bandra-Worli Sea Link

Bandra-Worli Sea Link, also known as Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, is a prominent steel bridge that joins two main neighborhoods in the city of Mumbai. The $240 million bridge was completed in 2010, and the bridge's eight-lane highway has been found to reduce travel time between Bandra and Worli from an hour to 30 minutes.

For travelers, the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is an excellent spot for viewing dramatic sunrises and sunsets over Mumbai. There is no footpath across the bridge for pedestrians, and stopping for photographs is prohibited. However, there are nearby restaurants that look out onto great views of the area.

2.Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (CSMVS) was once known as the Prince of Wales Museum. Housed in an incredibly ornate building and celebrated by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage Conservation site, CSMVS is home to world-class art exhibits and impactful educational/outreach programs.

Some of the museum's must-see items include a jewelry box dating back to the Mughal Empire times, Buddhist relics from ancient Tibet, and illustrated manuscripts from Ancient Persia. In total, the museum houses 60,000 authentic art pieces. CSMVS also contains exhibits and activities geared toward young visitors and school groups.

3.Chowpatty Beach

Chowpatty Beach is the most famous stretch of shoreline in Mumbai. The wide golden-sand beach is easily accessible from Andheri, Vile Parle and Santa Cruz West railway stations. Since trained guards patrol the beach, it is a safe place for children and tourists.

Nearby vendors sell all kinds of Indian foods and treats, and there is plenty of space on the beach for taking long walks and relaxing. Guests can enjoy expansive views of Mumbai's skyline while soaking in an unobstructed sunrise or sunset. The beach also sits close Marine Drive, one of the most famous roads in Mumbai.

4.Grand Mumbai Tours

Grand Mumbai Tours is a full-service tour operator that offers day trips and private trips to attractions in and around Mumbai. During the tours, visitors can enjoy all sorts of experiences, including city sights and sounds, nature, temples, markets, caves, and prominent historical sites.

The company offers specialty tours for solo women travelers and groups, and participants can organize their own itineraries and choose well-trained English-speaking guides to accompany them. Grand Mumbai Tours has been awarded the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for three years in a row, and it is recognized as one of the best tour operators in the city.

5.Reality Tours and Travel - Day Tours

Reality Tours and Travel organizes unique cultural experiences in Mumbai, Delhi, South India, and Rajasthan. In Mumbai, visitors can choice from all types of different activities while getting a firsthand look at the city. The company offers city tours, public transport tours, village tours, slum tours, and more.

Specialty tours for Mumbai include a midnight bicycle ride through the city, a Holi Party and Dharavi Tour, and a Ramadan Tour. Interested in giving back to local communities, Reality Tours and Travel donates a significant percentage of its profits to villages, schools, hospitals, small businesses, and other institutions. The organization also has a volunteer program for tourists who want to get involved in helping locals.

6.Bollywood Tours

Bollywood Tours gives visitors a chance to get a behind-the-scenes glance at India's famous film industry. Known for its bright costumes and elaborate dance/song ensembles, Bollywood films are popular among both Indian and non-Indian audiences. During the Bollywood Tour, visitors get to see the sets of upcoming movies and television shows.

Following the set visits, tourists are treated to a traditional Indian buffet. To finish off the night, there is an optional visit to one of Mumbai's most trendy nightclubs. In addition to the Bollywood set tour, Bollywood Tours offers a range of interesting culture experiences, including visits to slums and spa/shopping packages.

7.Churchgate

Churchgate, alternatively known as Veer Nariman Street, is home to several major banking, church, and education institutions, and it has also been dubbed a “shopper's paradise.” The site contains a stately white building with numerous minarets and windows.

The impressive building structure is often used as a backdrop for Indian movies and television shows. Churchgate derives its name from the nearby Churchgate Station and St. Thomas Church. Thanks to its central location in South Mumbai, the building is easily reachable by train, bus, or taxi.

8.Crawford Market

Famous even in the days of the British Raj, Crawford Market is also known as the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market. The sprawling outdoor shopping center, located in the middle of Mumbai, is the perfect spot for picking up Indian souvenirs and foods.

Produce and vegetables are main staples at the market, but there are also stalls that offer Indian sweets, cosmetics, packaged goods, dry goods, and spices. One end of the market is devoted to pets. Dogs, cats, birds, and fish are among the animals sold in the Crawford Market.

9.Dhobi Ghat

Dubbed the laundry slum, Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat is famous for being one of the largest hand washing facilities in the world. The slum derives its name from dhobi, a term for Indian laundrymen who collect and wash linens, and ghat, a word for an Indian open-air Laundromat.

More than 730 dhobis and their families live and work in the slum. Collectively, men, women, and children in the slum handle upwards of a million garments each day. Dhobi Ghat is easily recognizable from afar because of the lines of clothing hanging out to dry at all times of the day.

10.Gateway of India

The Gateway of India is an impressive arch that sits roughly 2.5 kilometers away from Churchgate and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminal. Built in 1924, the Gateway of India overlooks the Mumbai Harbor. It serves as a reminder of the power of the British Raj.

It was originally built to commemorate a historic trip that King George V and Queen Mary took to Mumbai. Highly popular among tourists, the 83-foot-tall monument is surrounded by food vendors and souvenir stalls. The Gateway of India is open to visitors at most times of the day all throughout the year.

11.Mumbai Magic - Private Tours

Mumbai Magic is one of the top-rated tour providers in Mumbai. The company offers walking tours, boat trips, and car tours in and around Mumbai. Mumbai Magic's package tours include all sorts of activities and sites, but travelers can also design custom tours to include special stops at museums, art galleries, religious/cultural/historical sites, beaches, markets, natural attractions, slums, villages, and more. As one of the most well established tour agencies in the country, Mumbai Magic has specialty tours for nearly twenty different cities. Mumbai Magic also offers itineraries for remote parts of India upon request.

12.Haji Ali Darg

Haji Ali Darg is known as one of the most popular religious sites in Mumbai. Located 500 yards offshore in the Arabian Sea, Haji Ali Darg is a beautiful domed building that houses the remains of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a prominent Muslim saint.

In addition to his tomb, the complex contains a mosque for Muslim worshipers. It is estimated that ten to fifteen thousand people visit the complex each day to pay their respects to the revered saint and to spend time in the mosque. Haji Ali Darg is connected to the mainland by a wide walking bridge, so it is easily accessible to everyone. Men, women, and children are all allowed to visit Haji Ali Darg regardless of religious affiliation.

13.Hanging Gardens

The Hanging Gardens are a beautiful seaside tourist attraction that dates back to 1880. Alternatively known as the Pherozeshah Mehta Garden, the Hanging Gardens feature all sorts of ornate plants, trees, and shrubs.

The well-maintained gardens are built on a reservoir of fresh water that is used to hydrate nearby communities. At the Hanging Gardens, tourists enjoy viewing all of the interesting plants and shrubs, taking photographs of the seaside and walking/jogging along the wide trails.

14.Hare Krishna Mandir - Iskcon temple

Hare Krishna Land, also called ISKCON Juhu, is located next door to Juhu Beach. The four-acre complex contains one of India's most prominent Hindu temples. At the time of its construction in 1978, locals were surprised at the prospect of having a grand structure in such a remote area. Now the site is considered a spiritual retreat for people from all walks of life.

Visitors seeking guidance on relationships, finances, work, and other concerns travel to the temple for relaxation and inspiration. The complex is home to a marble temple, a large auditorium, a restaurant, and two seven-story guesthouses for overnight visitors.

15.Kamala Nehru Park

Kamala Nehru Park is located on top of Malabar Hill in Mumbai. Named after Jawaharlal Nehru's wife, the 4,000 square foot park is the perfect place for seeing amazing angles of Mumbai city. The park is particularly popular among kids because of its fun atmosphere.

The grounds are well maintained and filled with diverse kinds of flowers, shrubs, and trees. The main attraction within Kamala Nehru Park is the Old Woman's Shoe, which comes from the nursery rhyme about the woman who lived in a boot. The park is easily accessible by car or train.

16.Kanheri Caves

The Kanheri Caves are an ideal place for escaping the noise and pollution of Mumbai city. Located in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Kanheri Caves are known as the “lungs of Mumbai” because of their pleasant location.

The unique caves are hailed as the oldest cave formations in all of India. With more than 100 different entrances, a trip to the Kanheri Caves can easily fill a day or two. There are more than 30 paintings of Buddha inside the caves and there is a monastery where visitors can learn about the life of a monk. A spacious prayer hall can also be found within the cave system. Outside of the caves, guests can participate in adventure sports like rappelling and trekking.

17.Mahalakshmi Racecourse

An elite racing organization known as the Royal Western Turf Club owns the Mahalakshmi Racecourse. Viewed as one of the greatest racing circuits in Asia, the Mahalakshmi course got its start as a flat marshy racing area more than 100 years ago.

The most famous modern event at the racecourse is the Indian Derby, which takes place on the first Sunday of February each year. Primarily attended by India's high-class citizens, the Derby draws international attention. Outside of the racetrack, there are several upscale restaurants and bars that are open to the public.

18.Mani Bhavan

Mani Bhavan is an unassuming two-story building located on Laburnum Road. This old building is iconic because of its connection to Mahatma Gandhi. The prominent leader and influencer often stayed at Mani Bhavan while developing non-violent strategies for societal change and while conferring with local leadership.

Mani Bhavan also served as a refuge for Gandhi when he was in poor health. Gandhi participated in fasts at Mani Bhavan, held important meetings at the building, and spent a significant amount of time studying and meditating there. Today, the building holds more than 40,000 books as well as a robust collection of artifacts from Mahatma Gandhi's life.

19.Marine Drive

Centrally located in South Mumbai, Marine Drive is a favorite spot among tourists who want to see gorgeous views of the Arabian Sea. Marine Drive boasts plenty of space for walking, jogging, and sightseeing. At the north end of the road, visitors can enjoy Chowpatty Beach and the affluent neighborhood of Walkeshwar.

Since the three-kilometer road is home to some of the most coveted real estate in Mumbai, a walk along Marine Drive promises great views of high-rises, resorts, and upscale restaurants. Tourists will also find lots of shops and food stalls along the way.

20.Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park is known for being a peaceful oasis in the middle of one of India's most hectic cities. Surrounded on three sides by homes and high rises, the park holds an incredible amount of unique flora and fauna.

The 1,300+ plant species that are found in the park grow at a rapid rate because of Mumbai's heavy rains. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is also home to several fascinating animals, including leopards and Bengal tigers. Multiple types of reptiles, snakes, and mammals can be found within park boundaries. Because of its beauty and uniqueness, Sanjay Gandhi National Park sees more than two million visitors each year.

21.Shree Siddhivinayak

Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple is located in downtown Mumbai. This two century-old temple boasts soaring towers, ornate windows, and stunning idols. The temple is open to foreign visitors who wish to receive darshan, a term for viewing images of Hindu deities.

Tourists can book their darshan online and then visit the temple in person or receive their darshan via the Shree Siddhivinayak website. The temple is regularly used for special religious ceremonies and celebrations, and crowds of worshipers visit this sacred site everyday. Visitors can learn more about the temple and Hindu beliefs by viewing the Shree Siddhiviniayak website.

22.Taj Mahal Hotel

The Taj Mahal Hotel Group operates five high-end hotels in Mumbai. One of the group's most noteworthy hotels in the city is the Taj Mahal Palace, a stunning dome-topped estate in Colaba, South Mumbai. The building is hailed as Mumbai's first seaside landmark. Built in 1903, the Taj Mahal Palace offers dramatic views of the Arabian Sea.

Rooms in the hotel are luxurious with marble bathrooms and unbeatable views. Shared amenities at the hotel include a spa, a salon, an outdoor pool, and a 24-hour fitness center. There are also five fine restaurants on the property and numerous bars and lounges.

23.Victoria Terminus

The Victoria Terminus, now known as the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, stands as a prime example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India. British architect F.W. Stevens designed the station. Construction on the site began in 1878 and lasted for more than 10 years.

Once completed, its stone dome, tall turrets, and graceful arches became a symbol for the blending of British and Indian culture. In addition to its aesthetic value, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is a railway hub for intercity travel in Mumbai. More than three million rail commuters pass through the station every day.

24.Elephanta Island and Caves

Located in the Sea of Oman, Elephanta Island and the Elephanta Island Caves are easily reachable to travelers in Western India. Home to all kinds of archaeological remains, Elephanta Island holds evidence of civilization that dates back to the 2nd century BC.

The Elephanta Caves, believed to be hewn from the rock in the 5th and 6th centuries AD, contain various religious artifacts and images. One of the most prominent fixtures is a 7-meter statue that represents the three sides of the god Shiva. There are also detailed representations of seven other religious figures. All of the Elephanta caves are carefully managed and preserved by the Indian Archaeological Society.