Mumbai, formerly Bombay, is also called “sapno ka seher”, the city of dreams. It is a metropolitan city with many different people.
Be it a dreamer, laborer, gangster, top film industry celebrities, and ofcourse, vada pav lovers.
Mumbai lives in contrast: the most expensive houses and the biggest slums, people earning millions and others just surviving the day. The urban city that never sleeps and surprising tropical forests.
Mumbai doesn’t just have big buildings and busy traffic. Mumbai’s heart lies in street corners, old buildings, small cafes, sea-facing promenades, and markets.
Among those who are always in a rush are some who seek solace in a big city like Mumbai.
Here’s a guideline to help you reach the heart of Mumbai. Buckle up; whether you’re arriving on a Goa-to-Mumbai flight for a weekend break or planning a longer stay, this guide will help you with the 12 top things to do in Mumbai.
Best Things To Do In Mumbai:
Here are some of the places that make Mumbai feel like Mumbai and not like any other destination to travel. These experiences will make you feel you belong here:
1. Walk Through Mumbai’s Colonial Heart
Everyone will suggest you visit the Gateway of India, but before that, slow down and have a walk through South Mumbai to feel the essence.
Start at Flora Fountain, walk past St Thomas Cathedral, and continue towards the famous Asiatic Society building.
Honestly, this is the place where you will understand that Mumbai wasn’t built overnight. Every corner has a story to tell.
2. Look Around For The Parsi And Irani Cafe
Now, keep walking through the gali (lanes) of South Mumbai; you’d come across the fire temple and iconic Parsian cafes.
These cafes are hidden in lanes, and you will definitely be out of the wifi zones here. Jimmy Boy, Kyani & Co, and Yazdani Bakery will make you stop and wonder if it’s the smell of the food, or you’re really hungry.
3. Visit Gilbert Hill
Let’s be real, geology in mumbai; not in your bucket list, right?
But Gilbert Hill is one of those places that will subtly surprise you. The massive rock formation in Andheri, somewhat 66 million years old, makes it one og the world’s monolithic basalt hills.
And I’ll be honest, you will be standing on something that is even older than dinosaurs, whereas the chaos of Mumbai around you continues.
4. Explore Bandra Beyond The Cafés
Whenever you step into Bandra, people will want you to flee to cafes, but that is certainly not the only place to visit.
Another by-lane cafe, along with the Parci, is the Portuguese-style homes, beautiful street art, and old churches.
I would rather be lost in the lanes of Bandra than follow Google Maps.
5. Watch The City Wake Up At Marine Drive
Almost everyone will drag you to Marine Drive in the evening with one Kulfi in hand. I would suggest paying a visit at sunrise instead.
Come when the city is still calm, when the joggers are out, and uncles are discussing life over cutting chai.
This is the time when Mumbai feels a little different than any other part of the day.
6. Take Some Time To Admire The Neo-Gothic Architecture
Bole to, these forts are recognized as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. If you are into literature, these Victorian buildings will steal your heart.
Oval Maidan is the only place where Victorian heritage and Art Deco stand face to face.
The easiest way to be there is to take a train to Churchgate. It is a 2-2.5-hour walk at a relaxed pace. Bombay High Court, Rajabai Clock Tower, CSMT and Elphinstone College are your spots.
7. Spend A Few Hours At Sassoon Docks
If you want to see a more authentic side of Mumbai, head to Sassoon Docks to see the Koli people out for work. They are the original inhabitants of Aamchi Mumbai.
Fishing boats arrive throughout the day, workers sort the catch, and colorful murals add character to the surrounding area. I mean, isn’t this the exact essence of the sea?
8. Take A Ferry To Elephanta Caves
As Arijit Singh sang, “Safar khoobsurat hai manzil se bhi,” that definitely fits the ferry ride to the Elephanta Caves. Many visitors focus only on the caves themselves, but the ferry journey is part of the experience.
Hop on the ferry from the Gateway of India to the caves and slowly witness the skyline and buildings fade from your sight.
Take ample amount of time to feel the centuries-old rock-cut cave. I can bet it is fascinating.
9. Discover Mumbai Through Its Food
“Bhau ek cutting chai dena” is a phrase I would want you to learn once you step into the streets of Mumbai.
Mumbai’s food culture goes far beyond restaurant recommendations. Grab a vada pav from a busy local stall. Order pav bhaji at a long-standing eatery. Finish the evening with kulfi or gola by the beach.
And the best part is, different neighborhoods have their own favorites, which makes exploring through food especially rewarding.
10. Escape The Crowds At Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Believe me or not, there is a tropical forest in between these urban buildings.
Finding a national park inside a city isn’t something you expect. Yet that’s exactly what you’ll find in Mumbai.
If you need an escape button from traffic, noise, and busy streets, spend a few hours exploring Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The greenery, trails, and forest will, for a moment, make you forget that you are standing in one of the busiest cities in India.
11. Watch The Sunset From Malabar Hill
After running around Mumbai, if you want to hit the pause button, come to Malabar Hill.
Look around and try finding a spot near the hanging gardens; watch the sun slowly defeated by the horizon of the Arabian Sea.
12. End Your Day At Juhu Beach
No, Juhu Beach is definitely not the cleanest beach, but that’s not a point.
I’ll be honest, people come here for the vibe. That reminds me of Ishan Avasti wandering by himself with a gola in his hand on Juhu Beach (Taare Zameen Par).
You’ll find families catching the evening breeze, kids flying kites, and local street food stalls working overtime. Grab a plate of spicy pav bhaji or a tangy bhel puri, take a walk along the shore, and just watch the city breathe.
Plan Your Journey Before You Arrive
Aamchi Mumbai will teach you 2 things: people here are always in a hurry, and the traffic almost never is.
If you are stepping off a Goa to Mumbai flight, map out your accommodation before you touch down. Depending on the hour, the drive from the airport can either be a quick cruise or a lesson in patience.
A few travel tips that always comes handy:
- Check-in online whenever you can: Save time by skipping the airport check-in desks. Since most airlines open their check-in window 48 hours before departure, I suggest you complete your web check-in to secure your boarding pass.
- Know your timelines: While domestic flights are straightforward, international flight check-in usually requires a 3-hour head start.
- Audit your luggage: Nobody likes spending extra time at the check-in counter; review the policy prior to packing to save time and money!
Stay Ahead of the Schedule
Flight times fluctuate. Before you leave for the terminal, check your flight status or view it live on your phone. If you are flying with the national carrier, you can track Air India flight updates, check your flight PNR status, or monitor the broader flight schedule right from their app.
The same logic applies when you are leaving the city. Taking a minute to verify your flight time before heading to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport saves you from sitting in terminal lounges longer than you need to.
Plan Your Trip NOW!
Mumbai is one of the cities that grows on you. You surely would visit the landmark that goes unsaid, but the real magic is when the tunes and the people make you visit places you did not plan for.
The best experiences often come from mixing the famous attractions with neighborhood walks, local food, historic streets, and places that don’t always appear in traditional travel guides.
And it is great if you slow down; Mumbai is already in enough rush. So if this is your first visit or fifth, there is always something new to experience here, but a few things that never change- bhau ki cutting chai, aur akka Mumbai ka favorite vada pav.
Related
