Mumbai, India’s cinematic and commercial capital, began as seven islands of fishermen and traders. Portuguese and British eras left Gothic spires, grand railway stations, and art deco curves—now set against glassy towers and film studios. You’ll feel its rhythm in the clatter of local trains, the swift ballet of dabbawalas, and the sunset hush along Marine Drive.

Beyond the big sights, Mumbai is a food city: Irani cafés that survived a century, seafood shacks perfecting Malvani heat, Parsi kitchens serving sweet-sour berry pulao, and carts frying pav bhaji and vada pav until midnight. Markets brim with spices and vintage Bollywood posters; galleries in Kala Ghoda and mills-turned-arts-districts keep the culture electric.

Practical notes: October–March is best; June–September is monsoon. Dress modestly for temples and mosques; ask before photographing people. Use rideshares and the Mumbai Metro; auto-rickshaws don’t run in South Mumbai. Carry small bills for street snacks, and always drink bottled or filtered water.

Mumbai

Welcome to a city of contrasts: colonial facades face contemporary design, sea breezes meet monsoon perfume, and every neighborhood has a distinct mood—from Colaba’s seaside promenades to Bandra’s street art and Juhu’s film-world cafés.

• Top sights: Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), Dhobi Ghat, Mani Bhavan (Gandhi), Haji Ali (check tides), Kala Ghoda art district, Marine Drive and Chowpatty.
• Nature & history: Elephanta Caves (UNESCO, closed Mondays), Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the Kanheri Caves if you crave greenery.
• Neighborhood vibes: Colaba and Fort for heritage walks; Bandra for indie boutiques, murals, and cafés; BKC for buzzy modern dining.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai — Icon on the harbor with legendary service and views of the Gateway.
• The Oberoi, Mumbai — Sleek bay-facing rooms and refined dining on Marine Drive.
• Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach — Sunset cocktails on the sand; convenient for Bollywood studios.
• Hotel Residency Fort — Value stay near CST and Kala Ghoda.
• Hotel Residency Andheri — Practical base for airport/studio access.
• The Westin Mumbai Garden City — Spacious suburban serenity with a pool and skyline views.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Mumbai | VRBO: Mumbai apartments

Getting to Mumbai (BOM): Most visitors fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. From Delhi, flights are ~2 hours (often USD 40–120); from Goa, ~1–1.5 hours (USD 30–90). If you’re flying to/from Europe, also check Omio flights (Europe routes).

Train option (for the adventurous): Overnight trains from Delhi or Udaipur take ~15–18 hours; bookable on Trip.com trains. At the airport, rideshares to South Mumbai take 60–90 minutes off-peak (USD 12–20); allow extra time in rush hours.

Day 1: Colaba Icons, Kala Ghoda Culture, and Marine Drive Sunset

Morning: Travel and check-in. If you arrive early, revive with a flat white and eggs at Kala Ghoda Café or a pistachio bun and Irani chai at Kyani & Co. in Marine Lines—both beloved, old-school Mumbai starts.

Afternoon: Walk the harborfront: linger at the Gateway of India, admire the domes of the Taj Mahal Palace, then meander up Colaba Causeway for handicrafts and vintage film posters. Pop into the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly Prince of Wales Museum) for sculpture and miniatures, and swing by the David Sassoon Library’s garden if you crave a quiet moment.

Evening: Watch the city glow from Marine Drive’s Queen’s Necklace. Grab pav bhaji and bhel at Girgaum Chowpatty or sit-down seafood at Trishna (butter garlic crab) or Mahesh Lunch Home (Mangalorean classics). Nightcap ideas: a coastal cocktail at Dome (InterContinental) or a cold fresh-fruit cream at Bachelorr’s on Marine Drive.

Day 2: Heritage, Markets, and a Night of Street Food

Morning: Fuel up at The Pantry in Kala Ghoda (sourdough toasts, good coffee) or an idli-dosa combo at Café Madras in Matunga if you’re up for a pilgrimage. Then join an expert-led city overview to cover a lot in one sweep:

Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour: TRAVELLERS CHOICE AWARDED

This flexible tour typically hits CST’s Gothic grandeur, the open-air laundry ballet at Dhobi Ghat, Dabbawalas in action (weekdays), Mani Bhavan (Gandhi), Hanging Gardens, and Crawford Market. Expect 5–7 hours with hotel pickup available.

Afternoon: Lunch on Parsi comfort at Jimmy Boy (berry pulao, salli boti) or a Gujarati thali feast at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay. Browse Kala Ghoda’s galleries and design shops; coffee pit stop at Subko (if you’re in Colaba or Bandra, their micro-roastery shines).

Evening: Taste Mumbai after dark on a guided snack safari:

Mumbai Street Food & Night Markets

Hop local transport to Chowpatty and beyond with a guide who knows which vendors excel at pani puri, pav bhaji, kebabs, and kulfi. Great for first-timers wary of navigating alone; come hungry.

Day 3: Elephanta Caves in the Morning, Bollywood Behind the Scenes

Morning: Sail to a UNESCO site carved into basalt hills on an island in Mumbai Harbour (closed Mondays). Skip the ticket lines and go with a guide who brings the mythology alive:

All inclusive Elephanta Caves Guided Tour

Depart near the Gateway of India around 9:00 a.m.; the ferry ride is ~1 hour each way. Highlights include the massive three-headed Trimurti relief and pillared halls. Wear comfy shoes and bring water; monkeys may be curious.

Afternoon: Back on the mainland, lunch on seafood thalis at Highway Gomantak (home-style Goan/Malvani) or try Swati Snacks for pan-Indian vegetarian favorites (panki, sev puri, dal dhokli). Then go behind the camera with an industry insider:

Best Bollywood Tour with Rahil Khan (Transport Included)

Peek into a working studio, observe live shoots if schedules align, and learn how dance, music, and editing shape India’s most influential art form. It’s a fun, eye-opening contrast to the morning’s ancient carvings.

Evening: Head to Bandra. Stroll Chapel Road’s murals and Mount Mary Basilica. Dinner ideas: The Bombay Canteen (regional Indian reimagined) or Pali Village Café (candlelit European-Indian plates). For a casual scene, try Veronica’s for stuffed breads and Subko coffee, then wander to Bandstand for wave-splashed views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link.

Day 4: Temples, Souvenirs, and a Seaside Farewell (Departure Day)

Morning: Start early at Siddhivinayak Temple (respect attire and queues), then swing by Dhobi Ghat’s lookout for last photos of the open-air laundry in motion. Breakfast on quintessential Maharashtrian bites at Aaswad in Dadar (misal pav, sabudana vada) or enjoy a quick brun maska and akuri at Sassanian Boulangerie.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping: Colaba Causeway for crafts, or Chor Bazaar for antiques and film memorabilia. If time allows, the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum near Byculla is a gem of industrial-era design and city history. Transfer to the airport with a generous buffer; Mumbai traffic is a character in its own right.

Evening: If your flight is later, squeeze in a breezy walk along Worli Sea Face or a relaxed coastal lunch at O Pedro in BKC (Goan-inspired plates) before you say goodbye.

Optional Add-On (Swap into Day 2 or 3 if you prefer): Focused Neighborhood Tour

If you want a shorter city sampler instead of a full-day overview, this compact, customizable option hits the headliners with a local expert and hotel pickup:

Private Sightseeing Tour of Mumbai's Iconic Sights

Then use the freed-up half-day to dive deep into one neighborhood—Kala Ghoda galleries, or Bandra’s indie boutiques and cafés.

Local dining cheat sheet (save for later):

• Breakfast/Coffee: Kala Ghoda Café; Subko (espresso + viennoiserie); Kyani & Co. (Irani brun maska); Le15 Café (French-Indian bakes).
• Casual lunches: Swati Snacks (vegetarian), Jimmy Boy (Parsi), Ideal Corner (Parsi daily specials), Highway Gomantak (seafood thali).
• Dinner highlights: Trishna (seafood), The Bombay Canteen (seasonal Indian), Masque (contemporary tasting menus), O Pedro (Goan, BKC), Khyber (North Indian art-filled rooms).
• Late-night bites: Bademiya (kebabs behind the Taj), Juhu Beach stalls (ragda pattice, gola), Naturals Ice Cream (seasonal fruit flavors).

Good-to-know: Elephanta Caves are closed on Mondays. Haji Ali’s causeway floods at high tide—check timings. Many museums close or shorten hours on certain Mondays/holidays. Keep small notes for stalls; digital payments are widely accepted in restaurants and stores.

For flights and trains, compare routes and times: Trip.com flights, Kiwi.com, Trip.com trains, and if flying to/from Europe, Omio flights. For stays, browse Hotels.com Mumbai or VRBO Mumbai.

In four days, you’ll have traced Mumbai’s arc from ancient cave temples to the bright lights of Bollywood, with detours for thalis, kebabs, and seaside sunsets. It’s the kind of city that lingers—on your palate, in your photo roll, and in the way you feel crowds and tides moving in time.