10 Best Things to Do and See in Mumbai
Exploring Mumbai on foot is one of the best ways to feel the city’s atmosphere, connect its landmark places and discover its neighbourhoods at a more natural pace.
In this guide, you will find the attractions not to miss when planning a walking route in Mumbai, with simple reference points.
To go further, you can also enjoy a private guided tour in Mumbai. It is a smoother way to connect places, understand details you might miss on your own and enjoy a more human, personal discovery adapted to your trip.
1. Gateway of India, Mumbai
The Gateway of India in Mumbai is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a favorite stop for visitors. Located on the edge of the Arabian Sea, this grand stone arch attracts people for both its monumental architecture and the views it offers of the harbor and the boats nearby. The site is also a lively place for a stroll, often with a vibrant atmosphere, street vendors, and travelers coming to admire the panorama. It is an essential stop to discover Mumbai’s maritime side.
2. Marine Drive
Marine Drive is a famous seaside promenade in Mumbai, offering open views of the Arabian Sea and the city’s coastline. Popular with both locals and visitors, it is ideal for walking, relaxing, and taking in the urban scenery. The waterfront is lined with wide avenues, buildings, and open spaces, making it a pleasant place to explore at different times of day. At sunset and in the evening, the area is especially lively and popular for its unique atmosphere.
3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya in Mumbai is one of the city’s major museums and an ideal place to discover India’s cultural richness. Its varied collections showcase works of art, sculptures, textiles, weapons, miniatures, and ancient artifacts, as well as pieces from Asia and other regions. A visit here lets you explore Indian history, traditions, and craftsmanship in a remarkable architectural setting, appreciated as much for its exhibitions as for its peaceful atmosphere in the heart of the city.
4. Hanging Gardens
The Hanging Gardens of Mumbai offer a pleasant green escape in the heart of the city, with their well-kept lawns, flower beds, and shaded paths ideal for strolling. Set high on Malabar Hill, this spot is prized for its open views over the city and the ocean, as well as its peaceful atmosphere, far from the urban bustle. It is a popular place for both locals and visitors, ideal for relaxing, taking a leisurely walk, or enjoying a refreshing break in the middle of nature.
5. Nehru Science Centre
The Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai is an interactive science museum where visitors discover the fundamentals of science through fun, educational exhibits. The venue features hands-on installations, demonstrations and experiments that invite both children and adults to explore topics such as physics, energy, space, the human body and everyday technology. Highly popular with families and school groups, this center offers a modern, accessible setting for learning through hands-on activities, observation and experimentation.
6. Paradox Museum Mumbai
The Paradox Museum Mumbai is an interactive museum that invites visitors to explore optical illusions, immersive rooms, and playful installations where perception is constantly put to the test. Inside, you will discover surprising settings, mind-bending visual effects, and experiences designed to trick the senses while entertaining both children and adults. This original venue, in the heart of Mumbai, offers a thoroughly modern, photo-friendly visit, ideal for marveling, testing your eye, and enjoying a fun moment with family or friends.
7. Kanheri Caves
The Kanheri Caves, located in Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai, form a vast complex of rock-cut caves carved into basalt. As you explore the site, you’ll discover Buddhist shrines, prayer halls, stupas, sculptures, and ancient inscriptions that bear witness to the site’s monastic life. The atmosphere is peaceful, with stone-cut stairways, shaded galleries, and views over the surrounding vegetation. It is an ideal visit to understand a remarkable religious and historical heritage, set in a surprisingly natural environment.
8. Mahakali Caves
The Mahakali Caves, located in Mumbai, offer a peaceful discovery in the middle of the urban landscape. This site brings together several rock-cut caves carved into the stone, with traces of ancient monastic spaces and small sculpted shrines. As you walk through the site, you can see hand-cut walls, niches, fragments of sculptures, and an archaeological atmosphere that reflects the region’s religious past. The whole site will appeal as much to history lovers as to visitors curious to explore a discreet but characterful place.
9. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
The Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Mumbai is one of the city’s oldest museums and an ideal place to discover its cultural heritage. Housed in an elegant historic building, it features a diverse collection of objects related to art, craftsmanship, everyday life, and local history. Visitors can especially see decorative pieces, models, photographs, and ethnographic objects that shed light on the evolution of Mumbai and its people. Altogether, it offers a calm and enriching visit, appreciated for the quality of its spaces and exhibitions.
10. Banganga Tank
Banganga Tank is a sacred tank in Walkeshwar, South Mumbai, where visitors discover a rare landscape of water, stone and temples. The ghats descend to the reservoir and shape a religious space that still plays an important role in neighborhood life. Around it, shrines, stairways and tightly packed houses create an old setting that contrasts with the modern city nearby. It appeals both for its atmosphere and for what it reveals about Mumbai's spiritual history.
Antony M
During my travels, I looked for guides who spoke my language. This search turned out to be long and tedious. That is why I created MYTOGU (My Tourist Guide): a matching site between tourists and professional tourist guides.
