21 Best Things To Do In Mumbai (Bombay) India

Welcome to Mumbai – India’s City of Dreams

Mumbai, or Bombay, is India’s answer to Hollywood – a city of dreams and also a city of contrasts. A city of rich and poor, inspiration and desperation, modern and traditional, glamour and squalor, old and new.

Mumbai is one of the most fascinating cities to explore in India and is an essential stop on any India itinerary. It’s India’s financial capital and biggest city by population and there are plenty of interesting places to visit and things to do in Mumbai.

Why I Love Mumbai

Mumbai is a place that even after visiting many times, I still find endlessly fascinating. My first visit to Mumbai, and to India, was a complete culture shock but this city has grown to be my favourite metropolis in India.

I love this crazily captivating, buzzing, inspiring, ambitious, city of dreams. Crowded Mumbai is a beautiful mess, among the grand, crumbling colonial buildings and the slums and shacks I feel so alive in Mumbai. 

I live in Goa and spend a lot of time in Mumbai as I have friends living there – so if you’re thinking of visiting Mumbai, here are my favorite things to do in Mumbai – I hope that you will see it’s really worth visiting and will love this city as much as I do!

21 Best Things To Do in Mumbai

1. The Gateway of India

Mumbai’s landmark – the Gateway of India

One of the most iconic and famous sights in Mumbai is the Gateway of India. Situated at Apollo Bunder overlooking the Arabian Sea this monument was built during the British Raj in India.

Interestingly the Gateway of India was constructed to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary in Mumbai in 1911. Later, it became a symbolic exit point when the British left in 1947, marking the end of colonial rule and independence for India.

The Gateway of India should be first on your list of things to do in Mumbai not just because it’s Bombay’s most famous landmark – it’s a good starting point for exploring nearby Colaba and the place where boats leave to Elephanta Island.

The Mumbai Walking Tour finishes here after taking you through the most interesting and historic parts of the city – it’s the best introduction to Mumbai.

2. Taj Palace Hotel

While at the Gateway of India escape the crowds and check out the grand Taj Palace Hotel. It’s another iconic Mumbai landmark that dates back to 1903. Interestingly it was commissioned by Jamsetji Tata after he was denied entry to a European-owned hotel, so decided to build one of the grandest hotels in the world.

If you have the budget it’s well worth splashing out to stay here – it’s definitely the best heritage hotel in Mumbai. Check prices, availability and book it on Booking.com.

Even if you can’t afford to stay, you can still pop in to check out the impressive architecture and soak up the olde world atmosphere by having afternoon tea.

3. Elephanta Island

The best things to do in Mumbai is taking a trip out to visit Elephanta Island. Located in Mumbai’s harbor, Elephant Island is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Elephanta Caves.

Elephanta’s Caves date back to the 5th to 7th centuries and consist of intricately carved ancient rock cut cave temples and huge sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The boat ride from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island is a fun and refreshing experience in it’s self. If you are heading back on the boat at sunset you’ll enjoy some stunning views of the sun setting over Mumbai’s skyline in the distance.

You can take a guided tour to Elephanta Island. You’ll get picked up from your hotel and taken on the boat over to the island where the guide will explain all about history and significance of the caves and sculptures.

4. Heritage Walking Tour

Take a heritage walking tour or just wander around and explore the Fort and Colaba area – the most historic part of Mumbai. Learn about the citys history, see the interesting architectural styles of the crumbling but beautiful colonial buildings, relics of the British Empire.

Explore the area around Flora Fountain, and The Mumbai High Court and University of Mumbai to see the most colonial architecture. See St Thomas Cathedral, watch people playing cricket or talking an evening stroll and check out the cafes and art galleries in Kala Ghoda.

Then head down to Colaba Causeway, check out the bazaars. If you have read Shantaram then you’ll have to have a drink in Leopold’s Cafe.

5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

The most stunning example of colonial architecture has to be the majestic, UNESCO listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known at Victoria Terminus. This Gothic Victorian railways station is one of Mumbai’s famous landmarks and one of the busiest train stations in the world – be ready to fight your way onto the local trains during rush hour! Riding the Mumbai local trains is a unique and exciting experience.

If you are planning to explore other places in India by rail then your journey will probably start here. Make sure you book Indian train tickets well in advance as they sell out. The easiest place to book train tickets from overseas is on 12GoAsia – otherwise it can be difficult without a local Indian phone number.

6. See the Dabbawallahs

A unique thing to see in Mumbai is the amazing Dabbawallahs. On weekdays you can witness these traditional food delivery men collecting tiffins and transporting them on the crowded commuter trains to deliver over 200,000 home cooked lunches downtown every day. You can see how this ingenious system works in this video.

7. Act in a Bollywood Movie

Mumbai is home to the Bollywood Film Industry and sometimes foreigners are asked to be extras in movies. Hang around Colaba and you may be asked to make your acting debut in a Bollywood Movie!

8. Chowpatty Beach

Another one of the essential things to do in Mumbai is to end the day by joining the masses to try street food like pav bhaji, pani puri and kulfi on Chowpatty Beach, people watch and take in the beautiful big red sunsets. 

You have to be careful with food in India, especially street food. To ensure your safety you can join a street food tour where you will get taken to all the best places. It’s a fun and tasty way to explore the city and it’s culture through it’s food.

9. Dharavi Slum

Mumbai is a city of contrasts, home to some of the richest and poorest in India and to understand the city (and India) you need to understand both sides.

Dharavai Slum is one of the biggest slums in the world. Whether you’ve watched Slumdog Millionaire or not visiting Dharavi Slum is one of the best things to do in Mumbai.

You can only visit with a guided tour and can’t take photos but I found it changed my perceptions on poverty and was actually really inspiring. Read more about my experience visiting Dharavi Slum here.

This guided tour of Dharavi is the only one with a female guide from the neighbourhood. You’ll get picked up from your hotel and have a guided walking tour around the slum seeing the workshops, markets, and schools and meeting some of the people who live there. Profits go back into the community as well.

10. Haji Ali Mosque

If the causeway is dry and the tide is not too high, pay a visit to the island like Haji Ali Mosque. A serene spot that seems to float on the water just off the coast.

11. Dhobi Ghat

Contrasts between modern skyscrapers and laundry done the traditional way at Dhobi Ghat

See laundry done the traditional way at Dhobi Ghat (a good viewing point is from the bridge just outside Mahalaxmi station)

12. Crawford Market

There’s plenty of modern malls in Mumbai and trendy modern boutiques and cafes in areas like Bandra. But if you want a more traditional shopping experience explore the markets and bazaars around historic Crawford Market.

13. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum

Mumbai is home to quite a few interesting museums. One of the best is The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (formerly called the Prince of Wales Museum). It’s Mumbai biggest and best art and history museum and located in a heritage building not far from the Gateway of India.

14. National Gallery of Modern Art and the Jehangir Art Gallery

If art is more your thing then check out the National gallery of Modern Art and the free Jehangir Art Gallery – pick up some bargains from aspiring artists for sale outside.

15. Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum

Learn more about the city of Mumbai in the beautiful heritage building of the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum or learn more about Gandhi and the Indian independence movements at the free Mani Bhavan Museum.

16. Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Get a breath of fresh air in the largest park in the world locating with the city’s limits –  the Sanjay Gandhi National Park where you can hike, explore caves, lakes and waterfalls and spot birdlife and animals on a safari.

17. Global Vipassana Pagoda

And if the city is all too much for you then help meditation find your inner peace in the golden Global Vipassana Pagoda which is so big it can hold 8,000 people.

18. Malabar Hill

See how the other side live by heading over to Malabar Hill – one of the fanciest Bombay neighbourhoods. Check out the Hanging Gardens, watch pilgrims bathing in Banganga tank and take in great views over Chowpatty.

19. Marine Drive

Take a evening stroll along Marine Drive also known as the ‘Queens Necklace’ and catch the refreshing sea air with the Mumbaikers.

20. Eros Cinema

Catch a Bollywood movie at the art deco style, historic Eros Cinema by Churchgate Station

21. Aer Bar (Four Seasons Hotel)

For something a bit swish, enjoy a cocktail with a view at Aer Bar at the Four Seasons Mumbai Hotel.

Tours of Mumbai

There’s a lot to see in Mumbai but it’s quite a crowded and congested city. You can use public transport to visit most of these places but it can be confusing to navigate and overcrowded.

The easiest way to get around and see the most of Mumbai is with a private driver or by taking a guided tour. This way you also have a local guide who can explain more about the city. There’s plenty of tours to choose from on Viator and Get Your Guide where you can read reviews so you know you’ll have a good experience and avoid any scams.

If it’s your first time in India, or you are just visiting for a few days, I recommended taking a private Mumbai sightseeing tour like this one which will you take you to all the highlights in just one day.

If you’d prefer to get more under the skin the city and travel by public transport but don’t want to go it alone this Real Mumbai Life Tour will have you riding the local trains with the Dabbawallahs, eating the street food, haggling at the flower market and includes a tour of Dhobi Ghat and Dharavi Slum.

Where to Stay in Mumbai

Mumbai is one of the more expensive cities in India and its worth doing some research into the best areas to stay in. For first time visitors interested in history and culture it’s best to stay in the Colaba or Fort area in South Mumbai.

If you like old world luxury stay in the Taj Mahal Palace. If you have a smaller budget then the Residency Hotel Fort is a good mid range choice. Consider the Elphinstone Hotel if you are looking for a decent budget hotel in Mumbai (they are hard to find!)

If you want to see the more modern, trendy side to Mumbai and be close to modern shopping malls, nightlife and the airport stay Bandra, Juhu Beach or Andheri. The Leela Mumbai is a tropical oasis in the midst of the city near the airport while the Taj Lands End is in a great location on the seafront at Bandra bandstand.

Mumbai is a city full of dreams but also full of contrasts so whatever you are looking for – you’ll be able to find it here. just enjoy the street life and explore this buzzing city you’ll have an interesting time for sure.

If you haven’t yet decided to where to stay in this megacity check out my post on The Best Places to Stay in Mumbai or if you’re on a budget the Best Backpacker Hostels in Mumbai.

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What is your favourite thing to do in Mumbai? Do you have any more tips?

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