Mumbai—formerly Bombay—is India’s financial capital and its most cinematic city: a peninsula of art-deco bays, colonial-era facades, and neon-lit neighborhoods that rarely sleep. From the 17th-century Portuguese and British era to post-independence India, the city’s layered past shows up in its Gothic train stations, Parsi cafés, and spirited bazaars.

Expect contrasts at every turn: dabbawalas delivering thousands of tiffins with clockwork precision, fishermen hauling nets beside glassy skyscrapers, and centuries-old cave temples a ferry ride away. The best way to experience it is to move with the city—ride the sea breeze on Marine Drive, hop markets by foot, and punctuate your days with stellar seafood and spice-forward snacks.

Practical notes: winter (Nov–Feb) is mild and ideal; monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings dramatic downpours—carry a light rain jacket and plan buffer time. Use app cabs (Uber/Ola), prepaid taxis, and the suburban trains/metro for longer hops. Dress modestly for temples and carry small bills for markets and tips.

Mumbai

India’s “City of Dreams” mixes heritage with hustle: the Indo-Saracenic dome of CSMVS museum, the Gothic revival splendor of CSMT station, and pastel art-deco along the Queen’s Necklace. Culinary Mumbai spans Parsi bakeries, coastal Malvani kitchens, and contemporary fine dining that ranks among India’s best.

Top sights include the Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Dhobi Ghat, Haji Ali Dargah, Mani Bhavan (Gandhi’s Mumbai home), and Banganga Tank in Walkeshwar. Neighborhoods to savor: Fort and Kala Ghoda for culture, Colaba for boutiques and cafés, Bandra for street art and indie roasters, and Juhu for the beach and theater cafés.

• Stay: Browse great stays on The Oberoi, Mumbai (sea-view elegance on Marine Drive), The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (iconic heritage by the Gateway), Hotel Residency Fort (value stay in the heritage district), Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach (sunsets by the shore), Hotel Residency Andheri (airport access), or The Westin Mumbai Garden City (north Mumbai comfort). Explore more on Hotels.com or apartments on VRBO.
• Getting in: Fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical domestic one-ways from Delhi/Bengaluru run ~$40–120; international fares vary widely by season.
• Airport transfers: App cabs to South Mumbai take 60–90 minutes depending on traffic (≈INR 700–1,200). Metro and suburban trains connect efficiently in the suburbs; for first-timers with luggage, taxis are easiest.

Day 1: Colaba, Kala Ghoda, and Marine Drive

Morning: Arrival. Check in and refresh. If you’re early, grab a light bite at Kyani & Co. (Parsi bakery classics like bun maska and akuri on toast) or Kala Ghoda Café (waffles, cold-brew, and a quiet art-space vibe) near the galleries.

Afternoon: Start at the Gateway of India, then stroll to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) for world-class art and antiquities. Wander Kala Ghoda: peek into David Sassoon Library’s reading room, browse design stores, and admire heritage facades.

Evening: Sunset along Marine Drive, the “Queen’s Necklace,” with soft-serve on the promenade or a coconut water. Dinner picks: Trishna (butter garlic crab and Mangalorean seafood), The Table (global small plates, seasonally led), or casual Leopold Café (biryani, beer, and Bombay nostalgia). Nightcap at Harbour Bar in the Taj—Mumbai’s first licensed lounge, known for its Prohibition-era cocktails.

Day 2: Classic Mumbai Highlights by Guided Tour

Morning: Fuel up at Subko (Bandra or Colaba; single-origin pour-overs and inventive viennoiserie). Then join a comprehensive city tour to cover big hitters without the transit stress.

Suggested tour: Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour: TRAVELLERS CHOICE AWARDED. Expect stops like Dhobi Ghat (the open-air laundry), CSMT (Victorian Gothic station), Crawford Market, and dabbawala hotspots. Hotel pickup typically around 8–9 am; durations vary 5–7 hours.

Afternoon: Break for lunch at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (legendary Gujarati thali—rotating vegetables, farsan, and sweets) or Swati Snacks (panki, sabudana khichdi, and seasonal specials). If the tour ends near Fort, pop into Bombay Sweet Shop treats counter in town pop-ups or a local mithai store for souvenirs.

Evening: Sunset at Worli Sea Face as the Bandra–Worli Sea Link lights up. Dine at Masque (tasting menu with hyper-local produce) for a splurge, or Gajalee (try tandoori pomfret and solkadhi) for a classic coastal feast. For drinks, Woodside Inn (Colaba) pours craft beers and thin-crust pizzas in a warm pubby space.

Day 3: Elephanta Caves and the Arabian Sea

Morning: Head to the Gateway jetty for the ferry to Elephanta Island (boats usually start ~9 am; ~1 hour each way). Carved between the 5th–8th centuries, the basalt caves showcase awe-inspiring Shaivite iconography—don’t miss the three-faced Maheshmurti.

Suggested tour: Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour for historical context, timed ferries, and easy navigation.

Afternoon: Back in Colaba, lunch at Bademiya (seekh rolls and bhuna by the smoke-plumed grills) or Britalian Kitchen in Kala Ghoda for light, seasonal plates. Browse Colaba Causeway for trinkets, cotton wear, and artisanal décor—bargain politely.

Evening: Consider a curated night tour to see the city glitter:

Mumbai By Night: Lights & Luminance covers illuminated landmarks, breezy promenades, and nighttime viewpoints with easy transfers.

Dinner in South Mumbai: Khyber (slow-cooked North Indian in an art-filled dining room) or Café Mondegar (jukebox vibes and beer). For dessert, grab a mango or sitaphal ice cream at a neighborhood Naturals outlet.

Day 4: Bandra, Markets, and a Foodie Finale (Departure Day)

Morning: Begin in Bandra with coffee at Koinonia Coffee Roasters or Blue Tokai (both roast in-house). Wander Chapel Road and Perry Cross Road for street art and pastel bungalows, then climb to Bandra Fort for Sea Link views.

Afternoon: Early lunch options: O Pedro (Goan comfort: poee breads, recheado prawns, bebinca) or Pali Village Café (rustic-chic, handmade pastas). If you’re in North Mumbai, try Prithvi Café in Juhu for keema pav and cutting chai under trees. Airport-bound? Budget 2–2.5 hours from South Mumbai in peak traffic.

Evening: If time allows before your flight, squeeze in a final bite: Pancham Puriwala near CSMT (since 1848; crisp puris and sabzi) or Bombay Sweet Shop gift boxes to go. For one last deep dive into street flavors, consider:

Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings—a guided ramble through chaats, jalebis, and regional snacks.

Practical Tips, Getting Around, and Add-Ons

• Getting around: App cabs are simplest. For a local experience, ride the Western Line suburban train between Churchgate–Bandra/Andheri outside rush hour. The metro network eases east–west commutes in the suburbs.
• Money & etiquette: ATMs are common; carry small notes for markets. Tip ~10% at sit-down restaurants if service isn’t included.
• What to wear: Light cottons; a scarf for temples; comfortable walking shoes. During monsoon, non-slip footwear and a compact umbrella.
• Optional tours: Interested in social entrepreneurship and resilience? Consider a sensitive, guide-led visit such as Dharavi slum tour in Mumbai by Female tour guides of the slum to learn about small-scale industries and community life first-hand.

Flights in and out: compare schedules and prices on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. If you plan Indian rail extensions later (e.g., Pune or Goa), check Trip.com Trains.

Where to stay by vibe:

• Iconic & central: The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (history, views, classic service), The Oberoi, Mumbai (sleek rooms facing the Arabian Sea).
• Beachside: Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach (sunset strolls, Juhu eateries).
• Value & location: Hotel Residency Fort (walk to museums and markets), Hotel Residency Andheri (airport access).
• Suburban comfort: The Westin Mumbai Garden City (green views, north Mumbai base).
• Browse more options on Hotels.com and apartments on VRBO.

In four days, you’ll touch Mumbai’s greatest hits—forts and ferries, heritage avenues and hungry lanes—yet still leave with reasons to return. Whether you came for the food, the sea breeze, or the stories, Mumbai has a way of sending you home with all three packed into your carry-on.