Things to Visit in Mumbai: Bollywood, Markets, and Colonial Grandeur
Experience the best of Mumbai from its colonial landmarks and bustling street markets to Bollywood studios and legendary street food. Covers historic sites, neighborhoods, food, culture, and day trips.
This 26-meter basalt arch was built in 1924 to commemorate a royal visit and is Mumbai's most recognizable monument. The early morning hours before 8 AM offer the best photos without crowds. The arch faces the harbor and is the departure point for ferries to Elephanta Island.
Tour the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
This UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic railway station is still a working terminus serving over 3 million commuters daily. The exterior features gargoyles, stained glass, and carved stone. The best time to photograph the facade is in early morning light. Entry to the heritage wing requires advance booking.
Explore the Elephanta Caves by ferry
A one-hour ferry ride from the Gateway of India takes you to Elephanta Island, home to rock-cut Hindu temples dating to the 5th-8th century. The main cave houses a 6-meter three-headed Shiva sculpture. Round-trip ferry tickets cost 200 INR and cave entry is 40 INR for Indian residents, 600 INR for foreign visitors.
Walk along Marine Drive at sunset
This 3.6-km seafront promenade curves along Back Bay and is nicknamed the Queen's Necklace for its string of streetlights at night. The concrete sea wall is Mumbai's communal living room where locals gather at all hours. Sunset views facing west over the Arabian Sea are best from the Nariman Point end.
Neighborhoods and Markets
Bargain at Crawford Market for fresh produce and spices
This 1869 market building with Norman Gothic architecture houses Mumbai's wholesale fresh produce, spice, and pet market. The stone reliefs above the entrance were designed by Rudyard Kipling's father. Go in the morning for the freshest selection and liveliest atmosphere.
Explore the Chor Bazaar flea market
Mumbai's famed thieves' market sells antiques, vintage furniture, Bollywood posters, brass fittings, and curiosities across a maze of narrow lanes. Friday is the busiest day with the widest selection. Haggling is essential and starting at 30-40% of the asking price is reasonable.
Walk through the Art Deco district along Oval Maidan
Mumbai has the world's second-largest concentration of Art Deco buildings after Miami. The stretch along Marine Drive and around Oval Maidan features pastel-colored apartment blocks from the 1930s. The cricket games on Oval Maidan with the Art Deco and Gothic buildings as a backdrop is quintessentially Mumbai.
Visit Dharavi, one of Asia's largest slums
Guided walking tours led by local residents show the thriving informal economy, including pottery workshops, leather tanning, recycling operations, and textile work. Tours cost 600-1,000 INR per person and all photography guidelines should be strictly followed. This is a working neighborhood, not a tourist attraction.
Street Food Trail
Eat vada pav, Mumbai's signature street burger
A deep-fried spiced potato dumpling sandwiched in a soft bread roll with chutneys and a fried green chili. This is Mumbai's most iconic street food, costing just 15-30 INR from roadside carts. The ones near Dadar station are considered among the best in the city.
Try pav bhaji at Juhu Beach
A thick, spiced vegetable curry served with buttered bread rolls is one of Mumbai's most beloved dishes. Juhu Beach vendors serve it sizzling on a griddle for 80-150 INR. The beach itself comes alive in the evening with families, food carts, and carnival rides.
Sample bhel puri and sev puri at Chowpatty Beach
These chaat snacks made from puffed rice, crunchy noodles, chutneys, and chopped vegetables are Mumbai's beach snack tradition. Chowpatty Beach vendors have been perfecting these for decades. Plates cost 30-60 INR. Watching the vendor assemble each plate is part of the experience.
Eat at a classic Irani cafe
These Zoroastrian-run cafes have been Mumbai institutions since the early 1900s. They serve bun maska with chai tea, Parsi berry pulao, and dhansak curry. Many have original wooden furniture and marble tables. The ones near Flora Fountain and Crawford Market are the most atmospheric.
Take a guided street food tour
Walking tours through neighborhoods like Mohammed Ali Road, Girgaon Chowpatty, or Colaba cover 6-10 food stops over 3 hours. Tours cost 1,500-3,000 INR per person and reach vendors you would never find independently. Evening tours during Ramadan season on Mohammed Ali Road are particularly special.
Culture and Entertainment
Tour a Bollywood film studio
Film City in Goregaon is where many Bollywood movies are shot. Guided tours visit standing sets and explain the filmmaking process. Tours cost 700-1,500 INR and run about 2-3 hours. Book through official operators to ensure access to active sets.
Visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum
Mumbai's premier museum houses Mughal-era arms, jade, textiles, and miniature paintings in a beautiful Indo-Saracenic building surrounded by gardens. The natural history and sculpture galleries are highlights. Entry is 85 INR for residents and 650 INR for foreign visitors.
Watch the dabbawalas deliver lunch boxes at Churchgate station
Every working day, 5,000 dabbawalas collect 200,000 homemade lunch boxes from homes across the city and deliver them to offices using an ingenious color-coded system with a 99.99% accuracy rate. The best place to see the sorting process is Churchgate station between 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM.
Catch live music at a Colaba or Bandra venue
Mumbai has a thriving live music scene spanning jazz, indie rock, classical Indian, and electronic music. Colaba and Bandra are the main nightlife neighborhoods with bars and clubs hosting live acts most evenings. Cover charges range from free to 500-1,000 INR depending on the act.
Day Trips
Visit the Kanheri Caves in Sanjay Gandhi National Park
These 109 Buddhist rock-cut caves date from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE and are carved into a basalt hillside. The park itself has a small population of leopards and a toy train. Entry to the park is 65 INR and the caves are a 2-km walk uphill from the entrance.
Escape to Alibaug beach town by ferry
A 90-minute ferry ride from the Gateway of India reaches this coastal town with quieter beaches, Portuguese-era forts, and fresh seafood restaurants. The Kolaba Fort is accessible on foot at low tide. Alibaug makes for a relaxing overnight escape from Mumbai's intensity.
Take a train to Lonavala hill station
This popular hill retreat 2 hours from Mumbai by train sits in the Western Ghats at 620 meters. The Karla and Bhaja Buddhist caves, Rajmachi Fort trek, and Bushy Dam viewpoints are the main draws. During monsoon season from June to September, the surrounding hills turn emerald green with waterfalls everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Mumbai?
Three to five days covers the major landmarks, markets, food experiences, and one day trip. Spend one day on the colonial landmarks and waterfront, one day exploring markets and neighborhoods, one day on food tours and Bollywood, and extra days for Elephanta Caves or escaping to Alibaug. Two days is enough for a highlights-only visit.
What is the best time to visit Mumbai?
November through February is the most comfortable with temperatures around 20-32 degrees Celsius and dry skies. March through May gets extremely hot and humid. The monsoon from June through September transforms the city with dramatic rainfall, but flooding can disrupt transport. The monsoon season has its own beauty and is when Mumbai's famous beach snack culture is at its peak.
Is Mumbai safe for tourists?
Mumbai is generally one of the safest major cities in India for tourists. Petty theft on crowded trains and in markets is the main risk, so keep valuables secured. Women should exercise standard caution, especially on local trains during off-peak hours. Avoid walking alone in unfamiliar neighborhoods after dark. The tourist areas of Colaba, Fort, and Bandra are well-trafficked and safe.
How do you get around Mumbai?
The local train network is the backbone of Mumbai transport, carrying 7.5 million passengers daily. First-class tickets offer more space and cost about 10x regular fare. Auto-rickshaws are available in the suburbs but not allowed in South Mumbai. Ride-hailing apps work well for car rides. The newer Metro lines serve the western suburbs. Black-and-yellow taxis are metered and affordable for shorter trips.