Best Things To Do in Mumbai

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

In the city you can take a guided street tour to learn about its history; get an insight 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 visit 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 along the way.

This is an activity you can do on your own, or you can hire a private tour of Mumbai with a local guide and transport. Whichever option you choose, you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse of the city's must-see sights.

Among some of the destinations you'll see along this tour, the following are often highlights:

• 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 masterpiece combining English, Arabic and Hindu architecture.
• The Marine Drive, a wide promenade with good views of the Arabian Sea.

Useful Information

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

Visiting the Dharavi neighbour hood is another of the things to do during your stay in Mumbai. It is a vibrant slum, where you will have the opportunity to get a glimpse 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 alleyways of this community, observing the important commercial activity of its inhabitants as you go. You will find all kinds of local artisans making clay decorations, leather footwear and backpacks, garments, traditional sweets, etc.

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

Useful information

• Price: The self-guided tour is free. The guided tour costs around €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 Mumbai's most challenging communities.

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'll be able to see some of the films, meet artists and much more.

To experience the world of cinema, you'll need to connect with a Bollywood tour, as it is not self-access. Once you're with the guide, you'll be taken inside the studio: sound recording room, film sets, make-up room, special effects and costume workshops, among others.

With the Bollywood tour in Mumbai, you'll also get to talk to some local actors about their experience in the industry. Afterwards, your 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 be introduced to the amazing world of Indian cinema.

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

There are several foodie hotspots in the city. Such is the case of Mohammed Ali Street, known for its street food stalls. Also, Bhendi Bazaa and the restaurants on Chowpatty Beach, just off Marine Drive. You can get up close and explore on your own or connect with a food tour of the city.

Whichever way you choose to embark on this culinary tour of Bombay, you will have a truly sensory experience with the flavours and aromas of traditional food: VadaPav, a bun filled with a ball of mashed crisps; mughlai; meat with gravy and spices; falooda, a local dessert of noodles with chia and milk, etc.

Useful information

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

The Elephanta Caves is an impressive tourist destination, which you must incorporate in your itinerary of things to see and do in Mumbai. Take a trip 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-metre 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 a very popular tourist adventure that is usually done through organised activities, which include a guide and transfers to the site. Therefore, you should be careful to book the Elephanta Caves tour in advance.

Useful information

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

If you like two-wheeled adventures, then you won't be indifferent to the idea of a bike ride in Mumbai. You will 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 will explore the city in a different and fun way, discovering places such as:

• The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus; this is the city's railway station, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Bombay Panjrapole; a place of animal care, which houses cows, chickens, stray dogs, goats, donkeys, among others.
• 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 book a bike tour of Bombay This way, you'll be able to understand the history of the city and each place you see, 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 as you tour it on two wheels.

Another must-see destination in Mumbai 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 by this monumental shrine, 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 centimetres high, is made of 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). There is 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.
• Opening hours: daily from 5.30am to 10pm.
• Advantage: You will connect with Hindu culture and spirituality.

Enjoy Mumbai' s nightlife at any time of the year. Head to Bandra, one of the city's liveliest neighbourhoods, and discover its bars, cafes and clubs. You'll have a different time with laughter and music.

There are many options in Bandra . Popular venues 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 party late into the night.

And, if you prefer a quiet night out, Bandra is home to stylish cafés that tend to stay open late. This is the case of Theobroma, Pali Village Café, etc. At any of them you can try a delicious pastry accompanied by a frothy coffee or tea.

Useful information

• Admission: free.
• Opening hours: from 16:00 to approximately 02:00 (opening hours may vary depending on the bar or café).
• Advantage: you'll have a great time discovering the city's lively nightlife in one of its trendiest neighbourhoods.

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 housed 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 the 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 focusing on the Indian leader's teachings.

Useful information

• Admission: about €2 per person.
• Opening hours: every day of the week from 9.30am to 5.30pm. 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 head to the Marine Drive for a stroll at your own pace and watch the magical sunset over the city. You will experience a moment of tranquillity where the scenic beauty of the Arabian Sea meets city life.

The Bombay promenade is quite wide, so you can take your time to stroll along the promenade. Along the promenade, you'll be surrounded by dozens of palm trees lining the path, and you'll find several green areas where you can stop to observe the surroundings and the locals, who are usually out exercising and relaxing.

You'll be amazed by the panoramic view of the sea at sunset: a melting pot of warm colours reflected in the water as the sun slowly sinks into the horizon. On the other hand, the impressive architecture of the city can be seen 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 the one seen during the day.

Useful information

• Admission: Access to the Marie Drive is free.
• Opening hours: The promenade is open all day.
• Advantage: You will be able to watch the magical sunset over the city in a peaceful atmosphere that invites you to relax.