Best Things To Do in Mumbai

India's most populous city, Mumbai is a destination with a remarkable contrast between the traditional and the modern. The impressive skyscrapers of the financial district, the narrow alleys of the Dharavi slum, the markets, the monumental temples and the natural spaces offer a broad cultural experience.

In the city you can take a guided tour of its streets to learn about its history; delve into the Indian film industry by visiting Bollywood; connect with local religious traditions at the Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. You can also go to the Gandhi Museum, stroll along Marine Drive and even explore the Elephanta Caves near the city.

Your visit to Mumbai couldn't start any better with a stroll through the bustling streets of this city, known for being the most populous in India. You will be introduced to its fascinating history and local culture, while discovering its temples, monuments and natural spaces.

This is an activity that you can do on your own, or hire a private tour of Bombay with a local guide and transportation. Whichever option you choose, you will have the opportunity to take a look at the must-see places in the city.

Among some of the destinations you will see along this tour, the following are usually highlighted:

• India Gate, built in 1911 and considered a symbol of Bombay.
• Gandhi House, where the Indian political leader spent the last years of his life.
• The Taj Mahal Hotel, an architectural work that combines English, Arabic and Hindu architecture.
• The Marine Drive, a wide promenade with good panoramic views of the Arabian Sea.

Useful information

• Price: the activity on your own is free. And, if you take the private tour of Bombay, the cost can start from 32€ per person.
• Duration: the tour on your own has no time limit. The guided activity usually lasts from 2 to 9 hours, depending on the selected route.
• Advantage: you will have a quick look at the main attractions of the city.

Visiting the Dharavi neighborhood is another thing you can do during your stay in Mumbai. It is a vibrant slum, where you will have the opportunity to get into the daily life of its inhabitants and discover a different side of the city.

This tour of the Dharavi slum in Mumbai will take you through the narrow alleys of this community observing the important commercial activity developed by its inhabitants. You will find all kinds of local artisans making clay decorations, leather shoes and backpacks, garments, traditional sweets, etc.

You will also find workshops for recycling paper, textiles, plastic and other materials used to make useful products. You can do all this experience on your own, but it is best to book a tour of the Dharavi slum, as it will be easier to interact with the locals and learn about the history of the place, thanks to the company of a guide.

Useful information about Dharavi

• Price: The self-guided tour is free. The guided tour costs about 29€ per person.
• Duration: if you go on your own there is no time limit. The guided tour lasts a little over 2 hours.
• Advantage: you will get to know the fascinating economic activity of one of the most challenging communities in Bombay.

The Bollywood film studio is a popular attraction in Mumbai. Visit this magical place during your stay in the city and delve into the history of India's largest film industry. You will be able to see some films, meet artists and much more.

To enjoy this experience through the world of cinema, you will have to connect with a Bollywood tour, as it is not accessible on your own. Once you are with the guide, you will go inside the studio: the sound recording room, the film sets, the make-up room, the special effects and costume workshops, among others.

With the Bollywood tour in Bombay you will also talk to some local actors about their experience in the industry. Afterwards, the guide will take you to the Bollywood Museum. There, you'll see interactive exhibits on the history, evolution and impact of Indian cinema, photo exhibits, film screenings and much more.

Useful Information

• Price: about 98€ per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.
• Advantage: you will enter the amazing world of Indian cinema.

Mumbai has a rich gastronomic culture that reflects its identity and that you can discover by taking a tour of its restaurants and street food stalls. You can try dishes such as vada pav, fried bombil, gulab jamun, among other traditional food delicacies.

In the city you will find several outstanding areas in terms of food. Such is the case of Mohammed Ali Street, known for its street food stalls. Also, Bhendi Bazaa and the restaurants of Chowpatty Beach, next to Marine Drive. You can get up close and explore on your own or connect with a food tour of the city.

Whatever your choice to embark on this culinary tour of Mumbai, you will have a true sensory experience with the flavors and aromas of traditional food: the VadaPav, a bun filled with a ball of mashed potato chips; the mughlai; meat with gravy and spices; the falooda, a local dessert of noodles with chia and milk, and so on.

Useful information

• Price: on your own you must pay for the food consumed at each place. If you join a tour the cost is about 40€ per person and you get tastings.
• Duration: at your own pace (no time limit). In a tour, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.
• Advantage: you will delight your palate with the flavors of the local cuisine.

The Elephanta Caves is an impressive tourist destination, which you should incorporate into your itinerary of things to see and do in Mumbai. Embark on an excursion to this important 5th century archaeological site and be amazed by its history, sculptures dedicated to Hindu gods and rock art.

The main attraction of the Elephanta Caves tour is the main temple or Cave One. There you will see a 7-meter high statue of the god Shiva in his Mahesh Murthy form, i.e. the head of the deity shows his three faces: as creator, preserver and destroyer. You can also access other caves with reliefs representative of Hindu mythology and the cult of Shiva.

This is an adventure of great tourist demand that is usually done through organized activities, which incorporate a guide and transfers to the site. Therefore, you should be careful and book the Elephanta Caves excursion in advance.

Useful information

• Price: approximately 94€ per person.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Advantage: you will get to know an important archaeological site from the 5th century, dedicated to the god Shiva.

If you like adventures on two wheels, then you won't be indifferent to the idea of taking a bike ride in Bombay. You'll get a different perspective of the city as you pedal through its vibrant streets steeped in history, culture and tradition.

Throughout this bike tour of Mumbai, you'll explore the city in a different and fun way, discovering as you go, places like:

• The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus; this is the city's railway station, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Bombay Panjrapole; a place of animal care, which houses cows, chickens, stray dogs, goats, donkeys, among others.
• The Mumba Devi Temple; dedicated to the deity Mumbā, who is the local incarnation of Deví (Mother Goddess).

This type of experience is usually done in the company of a local guide, so you can hire a bike tour of Bombay. This way, you will be able to understand the history of the city and each place sighted, thanks to the expert's commentary.

Useful information

• Price: from 39€ per person.
• Duration: about 3 hours 45 minutes.
• Advantage: you will see a different perspective of the city while touring it on two wheels.

Another must-see destination in Bombay is the Shree Siddhivinayak temple. This is a place of worship to Lord Ganesha, the well-known elephant-headed god with a human body, belonging to the Hindu pantheon. There, you can connect with Indian culture and spirituality, as well as marvel at the architecture.

Upon arrival you will be amazed with this monumental sanctuary, whose main attraction is a statue of Ganesha seated in lotus position and accompanied by Riddhi and Siddhi (goddesses of abundance and prosperity). The idol, about 76 centimeters high, was built in black stone and is decorated with gold.

Along your tour of the temple you will also see some carvings on the doors and columns with images of Ashtavinayak (the eight manifestations of Ganesha). Also, a pavilion for devotees seeking Darshan (divine vision) at a distance from the deity and another area with a fire pit where you can leave an offering in devotion to Ganesha.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Hours: daily from 5:30 am to 10:00 pm.
• Advantage: you will connect with Hindu culture and spirituality.

Enjoy the nightlife of Bombay is a good plan at any time of the year. Come to Bandra, one of the liveliest neighborhoods of the city and discover its bars, cafes and clubs. You will spend a different time between laughter and music.

In Bandra you will find many options. Popular places such as Hakkasan, Kismet, among others, offer live music by DJs or local bands, a variety of creative cocktails and refreshing craft beer. You can dance and have fun until late at night.

And, if you prefer to have a quiet night, in Bandra you will find elegant cafes that are usually open until late. Such is the case of Theobroma, Pali Village Café, etc. In any of them you can try a delicious pastry accompanied by a frothy coffee or tea.

Useful Information

• Admission: free.
• Hours: from 16:00 to 02:00 hours, approximately (hours may vary depending on the bar or cafe).
• Advantage: you will have a great time discovering the lively nightlife of the city in one of its trendiest neighborhoods.

A significant place to see in Mumbai is the Gandhi Mani Bhavan Museum, dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. You will learn about the life and work of this famous Indian leader, activist and philosopher through a series of exhibits preserved in his former home, where he lived from 1917 to 1934.

During the tour of this house-museum you will get a glimpse of Gandhi's daily life. You will see an impressive collection of photographs, personal objects and documents, as well as a series of projections, in which you will learn about his history, philosophy and his main campaigns.

In the museum you will have the opportunity to take a look at Gandhi's bedroom and living room, where he used to meet with his followers to plan his political actions. In addition, there is the library area, with books and documents focused on the teachings of the Indian leader.

Useful information

• Admission: about 2€ per person.
• Hours: every day of the week from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Closed on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.
• Benefit: you will learn about Gandhi's principles of peace and non-violence and how this influenced both India and the world.

After a long day of exploring Mumbai, you can stroll down Marine Drive for a walk at your own pace and watch the magical sunset over the city. You will experience a moment of tranquility where the scenic beauty of the Arabian Sea combines with city life.

The Bombay Marine Drive is quite wide, so you can take your time walking along it. Along the promenade you will be surrounded by dozens of palm trees lining the path, you will find several green areas where you can stop to observe the environment and the locals, who are usually exercising and relaxing.

You will be amazed by the panoramic view of the sea at sunset: a melting pot of warm colors reflected in the water as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon. On the other hand, the impressive architecture of the city that you will see in the distance. Buildings such as the skyscrapers of the financial district, the Wankhede Stadium among others, begin to turn on the lights of their facades providing a different perspective to that appreciated in the day.

Useful information

• Admission: Access to the Marie Drive is free.
• Hours: The promenade is open all day.
• Advantage: you will contemplate the magical sunset of the city in a quiet atmosphere that invites you to relax.