MUMBAI

1 Bollywood Studio Tour

Step into the glitz and glamour of Bollywood with an immersive studio tour that offers a behind-the-scenes look into the magic of Indian cinema. Witness live shoots for TV with unheard of access to set, and catch a glimpse of some of Bollywood stars in action.

During our tour, we watched the filming of Parineetii, a Bollywood soapy, and stood right behind the director while they shot scenes. This studio tour is like none other out there, making it a must-do for Bollywood fans and movie buffs alike.

2 Elephanta Caves

Elephanta Caves, originally called Gharapuri, is a series of man-made caves carved out of volcanic rock on an island an hour’s ferry ride away from Mumbai. Built in the 7th century, worshippers of Shiva took 150 years over three generations to finish this holy site, remarkable for the vastness of its rooms carved from one rock of hard basalt, and the details of the portrayals of Shiva inside.
 
Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Elephanta Caves also bears the scars of colonial history in Mumbai. In the 16th century, the Portuguese tried to destroy the site, even chiseling away at the temple’s pillars which have since been repaired today. Bullet holes can still be seen left by the Portuguese, and one statue of Shiva still bears a glinting metal bullet. In the 19th century when Britain colonized India, they carved “Windsor” across the chest of a Shiva statue at the temple entrance.
 
Elephanta Caves isn’t just an incredible feat of engineering and artistry, but an enduring testament to India’s struggle against colonialism. Spend half a day here, learning more about Hinduism and Indian history on a tour of Elephanta Caves.

3 Bombay Express Food Tour

Arriving in India’s “Maximum City,” home to over twenty million people, can be overwhelming. The sights, the smells, and the sounds—they have a place in every India travel journey for a reason. India is an experience.

In Mumbai, the honking tuk-tuks race past Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, locals push past each other on their way into the subway, and hot, oily vadas crunch between soft, buttery pav served on the roadside. It’s all a masterful symphony.

We knew we needed a guide to help us navigate Mumbai’s street food scene—to help us speak the language of Mumbai food from Vada Pav to Kheema to Chaat. That’s how we found A Chef’s Tour’s Bombay Express Mumbai food tour.

4 Free Walking Tour of Mumbai

A walking tour is one of the best way to see Mumbai’s famous landmarks like the Gateway of India, The Taj Mahal Palace, Colaba Causeway, and Leopold Cafe. This free walking tour starts in front of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT train station), a UNESCO World Heritage site built in 1887, with a tasting of one of Mumbai’s best street foods—vada pav.

5 High Tea at the Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai

The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai is the epitome of Indian, 5-star luxury. But not everyone can afford to stay at this iconic hotel, which is why visiting for high tea is the next best thing. From delicate sandwiches to decadent pastries, each bite is a culinary masterpiece, and a real taste of the Taj’s legendary grandeur.

With live music to serenade you and sweeping views of the Gateway to India, the Sea Lounge is the perfect place for high tea. The Taj, a 5-star hotel established in 1898, is a world class hotel next to the Gateway to India. Come for high tea in their Sea Lounge and enjoy a buffet of savories, sweets, chaats, coffee, and tea, while serenaded with live music.

If you’re lucky enough to snag a window seat, you’ll have sweeping views of the Gateway to India and boats below. High tea happens every day between 2:00pm and 6:30pm.

6 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Museum)

Delve into the rich history and heritage of Mumbai at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum. Home to a vast collection of artifacts spanning centuries, the museum offers a captivating journey through India’s cultural evolution.

Marvel at exquisite sculptures, intricate paintings, and ancient artifacts that showcase the artistic brilliance of India’s history. With its impressive architecture and diverse exhibits, the museum is a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration for history enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

7 Street Art

Discover the vibrant soul of Mumbai’s streets through its captivating street art scene. Wander through the city’s colorful neighborhoods, where every corner reveals a masterpiece of graffiti, murals, and urban expressions. From poignant social commentary to whimsical bursts of creativity, Mumbai’s street art reflects the culturally-diverse voices and narratives of its residents. Join a guided tour or simply wander at your own pace, allowing the vibrant colors and bold designs to inspire you at every turn.

8 Dharavi

The movie Slumdog Millionaire threw residents of the Dharavi “slum” community into the spotlight. But they have their own story to tell, one of resilience and persistence in one of Asia’s largest “slums”.

Led by Dharavi’s first female guides from this community themselves, this tour is how Dharavi tells their own story, dispelling Slumdog Millionaire myths, the resourcefulness and ingenuity of this incredible community. Explore narrow alleyways and bustling markets, witnessing firsthand the thriving industries and close-knit communities that define Dharavi’s as a community.

9 See a Bollywood movie

The Indian film industry is the largest in the world with 1,500 to 2,000 films made every year in more than 20 languages. Mumbai is the center of India’s Bollywood film industry. (Bollywood is Hindi-speaking, but India also has a Tollywood film industry for Tamil-speakers in southern India). If you haven’t seen a Bollywood or Tollywood film, this should be high on your list! Just like India, Indian films are life at the max—songs, elaborate dance scenes, and comedy even in an action movie.

Regal Cinema is one of Mumbai’s oldest cinemas and the first Art Deco one. Right on Colaba Causeway, it was built in 1933 by Charles Stevens, the son of the architect who designed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). They regularly show Hindi movies with English subtitles and tickets cost as little as 250 INR (about 2.80 USD). When shopping nearby on Colaba Causeway, check with the ticket booth about English subtitles because they don’t advertise this online.

10 Shopping in Mumbai

What’s a trip to India without a little shopping? Indian handicrafts are some of the finest in the world, and Mumbai has plenty of trendy shops and boutiques that celebrate that artistry.

You’ll love walking around Kala Ghoda neighborhood, a trendy neighborhood full of vibrant clothing boutiques and high end fashions like Papa Don’t Preach (high end), and The Jodi Store (boutique).

Many of the shops support Indian artisans from across India, especially in block printing, hand embroidery, and weaving. Also in Kala Ghoda, visit Fabindia for more affordable homeware and clothing. Both Fabindia and Jodi have a collection of handwoven dhurries.

My favorite shop in Mumbai (and India) is Anokhi. They specialize in hand block-printed designs with natural dyes. At their shop near Chowpatty Beach, you can find everything from block-printed women’s clothing to bed quilts to journals. Everything is beautifully designed and high quality.

11 Night street food and markets tour

Just as the sun sets, join this nighttime street food tour to try different chaats on Girgaon Chowpatty like the biggest dosa we’ve ever seen, pav bhaji, and kulfi. Next up, take a classic black and yellow taxi to explore Bhuleshwar Market, and learn about Jain and Hindu temples before Mohammed Ali Road.

On Mohammed Ali Road, dodge taxis, cars, and a tapestry of foot traffic to weave your way to some of the best non-veg eats. Here, we tried baida roti, chicken roll, chicken 65, and bhori mohalla. For the adventurous, you can even try brain pav (like a flavorful brain curry with a soft bun)!

At the end of the night, stop by Taj Ice Cream for scoops they’ve been serving since 1887. It’s the perfect way to spend a night in Mumbai.

12 Girgaon Chowpatty & Marine Drive

“Chowpatty” means beach, and Girgaon Chowpatty is the manmade beach at the end of Marine Drive. In the early the mornings, you’ll find locals going on a run or practicing yoga. Before sunset, couples come for a walk, families rent mats to watch the sunset, and little kids practice cricket.

Chill out in the shade and try delicious chaats at Bhim Singh Cold Filter Pani Puri like of course, pani puri, sev puri, and dhai puri (with yogurt). Each one is just 60 to 70 INR (70 to 80 cents USD), and they are delicious! (This is a safe place to try street food because Bhim Singh uses only filtered water). Hang out to watch the sunset with a kulhad chai in hand—the stall on the beach after the food court serves the best chai!

How to Plan Your Trip to Mumbai

Where to Stay in Mumbai

Staying near the Colaba Causeway will mean you’re in walking distance or a short tuk-tuk ride away from most of Mumbai’s best things to do. For mid-budget stays, Hotel Causeway is right on the Colaba Causeway and just a block from the Gateway of India.

For something more upscale, you’ll love Abode Bombay! It’s a stylish boutique hotel in a 100-year-old building, decorated with local art prints, photographs, and antiques. They even have a mini coffee shop in their lobby (which is how we found them). They have basic rooms starting at 5,000 INR (about 57 USD a night).

For an even more unique experience, you can live in luxury at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel!

How to Get to Mumbai

The best way to visit Mumbai is by train or by plane to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, but you can also take a bus or hire a private taxi. Flying will be the most expensive. You can book trains directly from the IRCTC website, from ixigo, or from 12Go.

How to Get Around Mumbai

The best way to get around is by Uber. If you stay near to the Colaba Causeway in the Fort or Colaba neighborhoods of Mumbai, most attractions will always be within walking distance or a short tuk-tuk ride.

Where to Eat in Mumbai

Delhi Darbar – This is our favorite restaurant in Mumbai! Their mutton briyani and “barbecue platter” of tandoori meats are some of our favorites in India. They also serve big portions, so two people can eat a big meal for about 15 USD or order one dish to share with extra naan.

Soam – Just next to Chowpatty Beach, Soam has homey dishes hard to find elsewhere and street foods. We loved their paanki (250 INR, less than 3 USD), a thin batter cooked between banana leaves, and DIY Pani Puri (230 INR, about 3 USD). Their mango lassis are also delicious! 

Zen Cafe – In a trendy neighborhood full of vibrant clothing boutiques and high end fashions like Papa Don’t Preach, you’ll love walking around Kala Ghoda neighborhood and stopping at Zen Cafe. Try their spiced cappuccino with a sprinkling of tea spices. They also have fresh salads, if you’re craving something different.

Safety in Mumbai

Like the rest of India, unfortunately it’s still not advisable for women to walk alone at night or in secluded areas. For added safety, connect with other female travelers in the Girls Love Travel and Host a Sister Facebook groups. Mumbai is a fairly safe city, but watch out for pickpockets in markets and crowded areas.

Health in Mumbai

Only drink filtered water, not tap. Avoid eating out at unpopular restaurants or street food stalls that are not vetted by other tourists. Avoid eating vegetables and fruits that are cut, not peeled. Brush your teeth with filtered water, not tap. If worse comes to worse, carry Imodium with you along with toilet paper and hand sanitizer, and enjoy India’s incredible food! To quote Anthony Bourdain, “Indian food won’t kill you.”
 
Malaria and dengue fever are still a risk in Mumbai, so make sure to take anti-malaria tablets.

Travel Insurance for India

Whatever you do, don’t travel without travel insurance. Whether it’s sickness, theft, or lost luggage, something WILL go wrong, and travel insurance is your only way of lessening costs!

India Travel Essentials

Traveling comes with a unique set of challenges. To keep your journey happy, healthy, and safe, I recommend traveling with these:

Addalock (Don’t travel to India without this! It’s an added safety lock that works with any door).

Ear plugs and eye mask (For overnight train rides!)

Hand sanitiser and wet wipes (In India, these are a must.)

Reusable water bottle  (Save plastic by investing in a Grayl water purification bottle, which lets you fill up from any water source, anywhere in the world.)

Power bank (There’s not much worse than running out of phone battery and not being able to find your way home.)

International travel adapter (You’ll need at least one of these for all of your trips.)

For a full list of my travel recommendations, click here!