20 Best Things to do in Mumbai: The “City of Dreams”

Whether you’re a history buff, a Bollywood fan, or a beach bum, this incredible city of dreams has something for everyone. So, grab your comfy shoes and get ready to explore, because we’re about to unveil the 20 best things to do in Mumbai that will make your trip unforgettable!

1. Sunday Morning at Marine Drive

Rise and shine to the vibrant Mumbai! Reach Marine Drive early morning and see how the city goes under complete transformation. You will see many people jogging, or stretching or exercising. Watch talented dancers showcasing their moves, singers belting out their tunes, and local artists showcasing their skills. Who knows, you might catch a glimpse of some social media influencers too!

You can also have a chai with the view from a local vendor or go to an old Irani cafe for a hearty breakfast.

Do not forget to capture a great picture of this Queen’s Necklace as your backdrop.

2. Watch Sunset from a Beach

Not just a sunrise, but you can watch a stunning sunset on Mumbai beaches! There are so many beaches in mumbai that offer a great sunset landscape. Mumbai is blessed with a huge coastal line that offers unique sunset experiences.

At Juhu Beach, you might see playful dolphins or people practicing yoga on the sand. Bandra Bandstand offers a more urban vibe, with couples enjoying a romantic stroll against the backdrop of the setting sun.

But, what is so different about watching sunset from Mumbai Beaches? These beaches become a landscape straight out of the painting. Silhouettes of children playing in the sand or couples strolling hand-in-hand add a human touch to the majestic display. While you enjoy this, do not forget to taste the street food- bhel, sev puri, peanuts, etc!

3. Heritage Walk in the City

Mumbai is a great deal of a history! Ig you are someone who is interested to know it’s rich heritage, you must go for these Heritage walks. There are many companies that offer Heritage walks, but Bombay Heritage Walks is the most famous one! (unsponsored) These walks are a great way to learn about Mumbai’s rich history and culture, and to see a side of the city that most tourists miss.

The guides of these walks share amazing stories about Mumbai’s culture, architecture and history. You can choose from a variety of walks such as- Kala Ghoda Heritage walk (art & culture), Fort walk (historical building like Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Jahangir Art Gallery, Cht. Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, etc), Mumbai Street Food walk (street food exploration).

Duration: around 2-3 hours

Cost: around INR 500- 1000 per person.

Other companies that offer Mumbai Heritage walks-

• Thrillophillia (starting from INR 799 per person)
• Treks and Trails (starting from INR 899 per person)

4. Mumbai Darshan: City Tour from the Open Deck Bus

This is undoubtedly one of the cheapest and the most enjoyable things to do in Mumbai. Imagine sitting in a open deck bus and enjoying bustling streets of Mumbai along with its iconic landmarks and historical buildings, shopping streets, food streets, etc.

Where: You will see these buses standing at CSMT Museum near Regal Cinema or at Gateway of India. You can book these tours in the morning when the heat is bearable or at the golden hour or in the evening when the city illuminates.

There are many routes these buses cover such as South Mumbai Route, South Mumbai and Bollywood, Night Tours, etc.

Cost: Around INR 150-180 onwards per person

Duration: Around 2 hours

5. Boat Ride in the Arabian Sea

A boat ride in the Arabian Sea is the best way to enjoy Mumbai’s coastline. It offers stunning views of The Taj Palace Hotel and the Gateway of India. Several companies offer various packages, including sunset cruises, harbor tours, and even yacht rentals for private events. You can plan an event like birthdays, anniversary, proposals, etc on the private yatchs.

I advise you to go for sunset rides as it offers the best views of the sunset in the city.

The packages offer various experiences like, sailing, decorations, food, champagne, etc. depending on the package you choose. Here are a few companies that offer harbor boaating experiences-

• Yacht Ride in Mumbai for Couples (Seabird)
• Speed Boat Ride In Mumbai by Thrillophillia
• Boat Booking India

Duration: Around 2 hours

Cost– Around INR 4000 onwards

6. Go Street Shopping!- Colaba Causeway, Fashion Street, Pali Hill, Linking Road, Crawford Market

These are the famous Mumbai markets for street shopping. Colaba Causeway is a vibrant street where you will clothes, souvenirs, jewelry, and trinkets. It is known for trendy fashion finds at affordable prices, handcrafted souvenirs, and a great vibe.

Fashion street is known for fashionable clothing and accessories at bargain prices. You will find trendy clothes, shoes, bags, and accessories, primarily targeted at young people.

At Pali Hill you will find upscale designer boutiques and chic stores along a charming and leafy street. Linking road is known for trendy clothes, shoes, bags, etc. There are seperate sections for each product type. You can bargain a great deal here.

At Crawford Market, you will find everything from fresh produce to electronics at affordable rate. It is one of the biggest markets in Mumbai. There are alleys dedicated to each product. There is a scope to bargain here also.

7. Explore Museums- CSM Vastu Sangrahalaya, Bhau Daji Lad Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Nehru Science Centre

Mumbai has a rich history and it reflects through its museums. Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya has a huge collection of artifacts from all around the world and across India. If you are ever in Mumbai, you must visit this museum. It is totally worth it!

Bhau Daji Lad museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Mumbai. It has a collection of over 70,000 artifacts, including archaeological finds, paintings, sculptures, and textiles.

National Gallery of Modern Art has a collection of modern and contemporary Indian art. The collection includes works by some of India’s most famous artists, such as M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, and Akbar Padamsee.

If you are someone who loves space, you should visit Nehru Science center. It offers a variety of shows on astronomy and space exploration, and also has a library and a museum.

8. Go for Dharavi Slum Tour

Dharavi is one of the largest slums in Asia with an anual turnover about $500 M to $1 B. Dharavi is a challenging place to live but the residents are engaged into many small businesses from leather to pottery, you naame it! If you want to take aa glimpse of their lifestyle, you must opt for the Slum Tour offered by many companies.

Be sure to dress modestly, communicate properly and respect their privacy. These tours typically cover, workshops, residence and recycling units, etc. Some tour operators share the part of their profits to NGOs in this area.

Find your Dharavi Slum Tour here->

• Dharavi Slum Tour by Viator– INR 1900 pp/ 2.5 hours approx
• Mumbai: Dharavi Slum Slumdog Millionaire Tour with a Local– INR 750 PP/ 2.5 hours approx

9. Enjoy Bollywood Tour

Mumbai is the heart and soul of Bollywood- the biggest film industry in India! Bollywood is famous for its song-and-dance routines, dramatic plotlines, and iconic stars. A Bollywood tour in Mumbai is a great way to peek behind the scenes of this magical world and experience the glitz, glamour, and history of Indian cinema.

You can take studio tours to see set building, costume making or even a glimpse of a star! Some of the famous studios are Film City, SJ Studios, and Mehboob Studio.

Also, there are a few theme parks with the decorum of iconic movies, songs, dances, etc.

Find your Bollywood Tour in Mumbai here->

• Mumbai Film City Tours
• Bollywood Tour
• Bollywood Studio Experiential Tour Mumbai

10. Explore Mumbai’s Iconic Street Food

Mumbai is knows for its iconic street food for its flavours and for how much affordable it is! An average human being can live in this city by spending just 70-80 rs on food daily or even lesser than that!

If you are in Mumbai, you must try Mumbai’s iconic Vada Pav, Dabeli, Bhel, Pav Bhaji, etc, which is easily available on any street corner. If you are a non-vegetarian, then you should visit Mohammad Ali Road in the month of Ramzan. From Kebabs to sweets, you will get everything here; so delicious that the taste will linger in your mouth for months!

Famous Vada Pav shops in Mumbai->

• Ashok Vada Pav, near Kirti College, Dadar
• Gajanan Vada Pav
• KunjVihar Vada Pav
• Aaram Vada Pav, Capital Cinema building, opposite CST station

11. Experience Old- World Dining at Irani Cafes

Irani cafes were started by Zoroastrian immgrants from Iran, a century ago! Going to these old cafes are like stepping back into the history. These cafes offer a delicious cuisine, strong milky Irani tea and have a old-world ambiance! They offer one-of-a-kind dining experience that you will not find anywhere else.

Take a nice stroll around Marine Drive in the morning and head to one these cafes for a scrumptious breakfast.

Here are a few of the most iconic Irani cafes in Mumbai->

• Kyani & Co
• Britannia & Co
• Yazdani Bakery
• Cafe Irani Chaii

12. Eat at Mumbai’s Iconic cafes and restaurants- Prithvi Cafe, Leopold Cafe, The Taj, The Oberois

Prithvi Cafe is a cozy cafe with an energetic lit-up setting that offers light cafe fare and desserts, plus an outdoor garden with hanging lanterns. It is the best place to hangout with friends or a date!

Leopold cafe is in the operation since 1871, always filled with people and offers Indian, Chinese, and European cuisine. It was featured in the novel-Shantaram and was also a target of an unfortunate 26/11 Mumbai Terrorist Attack!

For a luxurious dining experience, head to The Taj Palace hotel or The Oberois hotel. With the opulent ambience and the stunning views, it makes it a special occasion kind of place.

13. Enjoy Mumbai’s Night Life

Mumbai is the city that never sleeps. It is also one of the safest cities in India for solo travelers and females too! It is known for its night life. You can head to any of the clubs in the town area for a nice, relaxed clubbing night with good music and a great collenction of drinks.

A few clubs you can savor a couple of drinks are-

• Kitty Su– Near airport
• Social pub chain (known for one of a kind interior themes) (in every part of the city)
• Tryst (High Street Phoenix Mall, Lower Parel)

P.S: This content does not promote alcohol consumption by any means. The legal age to drink in Mumbai is 21 years.)

14. Explore Mumbai’s Iconic Festivals!

Mumbai is a city that celebrates art, artists and art enthusiasts. It comes alive with the art festivals throughout the year that celebrate art, culture, and theatre. Here are a few festivals that you should visit->

• Kala Ghoda Arts Festival–
  This anual festival is Asia’s largest multidisciplinary street arts festival.
  Where?: Kala Ghoda Area, South Mumbai
  When?: nine-days festival usually held in the first week of February.
  What to Expect?: events, including visual arts exhibitions, live performances, workshops, film screenings, and children’s activities
• Urban Art Festival-
  This festival is a celebration of street art and graffiti, showcasing the works of talented local and international artists.
  Where?: Various locations around the city, often in public spaces
  When?: Usually held in the winter months
  What to Expect?: open-air art galleries, street art and craft
• Prithvi Theatre Festival-
  Where?: Prthvi Theatre, Juhu
  When?: November
  What to Expect?: plays in various languages, staged by both professional and amateur theatre groups.

Explore NMACC- Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre

The NMACC focuses on Indian culture and arts with a focus on both traditional and contemporary forms. It offers a variety of theatres with the capacity of maximum 2000 pax. a four-storey art house for exhibitions, a studio theatre for intimate performances, and a convertible pavilion space for various art presentations.

You can attend events, shows, concerts here and also take a closer look to the grand interiors of this centre.

Experience Mumbai’s Spiritual Heart- Siddhivinayak temple, Babulnath, Mount Mary, Haji Ali dargah

Mumbai houses people of different faiths and its heart beats with a strong spiritual pulse. The Siddhivinayak temple is an auspicious Hindu Temple that is visited by many devotees from across India. The black stone idol of Ganesha is said to be particularly powerful.

Another 200 years old Hindu temple- Babulnath at Grant road comes alive especially on Monday evenings for a grand arti that you must not miss! It starts at 8:30 PM and ends around 10 PM. It is one of the greatest spiritual experience where hundreds of people offer prayers in a unison!

The Mount Mary Basilica is a Roman Catholic church perched on a hill in Bandra is a landmark and a place of worship for Christians in Mumbai. You should visit this church in Christmas at the time of Mount Mary Fair!

The Haji Ali Dargah is a beautiful white marble mausoleum located on a small islet off the coast of Worli is a revered pilgrimage site for Muslims. Dedicated to the Sufi saint Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, the dargah attracts people of all faiths seeking blessings and spiritual solace.

Take a ride of Mumbai’s Life Line- The Mumbai Local

The Mumbai local is a lifeline of its citizens and is always a controversial attraction of the city. Millions of citizens travel daily through the crowds and is the best way of intercity-transport. If you want to experience this local, make sure you are not traveling in office hours, because it is almost impossible for a newbie to sustain in that crowd.

Travel in the afternoon after 12pm and go for the first class compartment for lesser crowds. Use UTS app for tickets and to avoid long queues at the platform. Travel with someone who knows the local train network well to avoid getting lost.

If you want to explore Mumbai by the public transport, Maha Mumbai Metro is the best and convenient and the fastest way to do it. Along with the Mumbai Local, exploring Mumbai Metro is one of the thrilling things to do in Mumbai to understand a Mumbaikar’s daily, paced life!

Read Also- 101 About Mumbai Metro: Explore Mumbai Hassle-Free

101 About Mumbai Metro: Explore Mumbai’s Best Transit

Experience Unique Festivals in Mumbai

Mumbai’s spirit lies in its religious festivals. Mumbaikars celebrate each festival with much enthusiasm and excitement. Attending these festivals is one of the best things to do in Mumbai. The Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, Dahi Handi, Gudhipadwa, Ramzan feasts, Mount Mary Fairs, etc are the important festivals that make the city alive on the streets.

Apart from this, there are many food festivals showcasing rich food cultures of specific communities such as- Mango festivals, Koli Mahotsav, Konkan Mahotsav, etc. People dress in their traditional attires and proudly show their rich cultural background.

You can take part in the celebrations by just being here. Be sure to respect the devotees, traditions and culture. Dress modestly.

9 Best Indian Festivals in 2024- Part 1

Explore Attractions Near Mumbai- Elephanta Caves, Kanheri Caves, Ambernath Shiv Temple

If you are someone who likes to take a peak at the history and architecture, Mumbai is for you. It has everything from mountains, caves to beaches! You can take a boat ride to Gharapuri Island to visit 7th-century Elephanta cave temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.

Another location is the beautiful Kanheri caves which is the collection of rock cut temples, Buddhist Shrines, paintings and 109 entrances. You can trek up to these caves. It is one of the best way to spend in Mumbai. These caves are located in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, offering a beautiful natural landscape. You can also reach up by hiring cycles.

The Ambareshwar Temple at Ambernath is another temple that is worth visiting. It is an elaborately carved stone temple built in the 11th century, with a sunken sanctuary.

Candlelight Concert at Royal Opera House

Don’t know where to take your other half on a date? This is the answer. Go attend a Candlelight concert at Royal Opera House and thank us later! The combination of the historic venue, candlelit ambiance, and unexpected musical selections creates an intimate and memorable experience. Don’t just imagine this. Go book tickets for these concerts here!

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to do in Mumbai

What are the things to do in Mumbai with kids?

Explore amusement parks like Essel World or Imagica, educational fun at Nehru Planetarium or Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya museum, or see a play at Prithvi Theatre. Enjoy iconic street food or visit Irani cafes for a unique experience.

What are the things to do in Mumbai for couples?

Marine Drive sunset, Candlelight Concert, dinner at a historic cafe like Leopold Cafe, enjoy live music at The Quarter, dance the night away at Kitty Su nightclub, relax at a pub like Social.

What are the things to do in Mumbai at Night?

Go for clubbing in any of the night clubs, relax at a cozy pub, walk at Marine Drive, go for a fine dine dinner, go for cafe hopping, catch a live performance!

What are the things to do in Mumbai in one day?

• See the Gateway of India,
• Explore the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus,
• Enjoy a delicious meal at an Irani cafe,
• See a performance at the Prithvi Theatre,
• Go for clubbing!

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