Mumbai—formerly Bombay—rose from a scatter of fishing islands to become India’s financial capital and its most cinematic city. Portuguese, British, and indigenous influences shaped its Gothic spires, Parsi cafes, and bustling bazaars. The result is a coastal metropolis where centuries-old temples share space with glass towers and film sets.

Expect dazzling contrasts: sunrise prayers at Haji Ali Dargah, lunch at a century-old Irani bakery, and a neon-lit cruise along Marine Drive by night. Highlights include the Gateway of India, UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Elephanta’s rock-cut caves, the creative energy of Bandra, and the entrepreneurial heartbeat of Dharavi.

Practical notes: The best weather is October–March; June–September brings the monsoon. Use rideshares or the expanding Metro (Lines 1, 2A, 7) and avoid suburban trains at rush hour. Drink bottled water, carry a UPI-capable payment app, and dress modestly for sacred sites. Mumbai’s cuisine is a headline act—come hungry.

Mumbai

India’s “Maximum City” rewards curiosity. Wander Colaba’s colonial arcades, admire Kala Ghoda’s art galleries, and time sunset for Marine Drive’s Art Deco arc. In Bandra, mural-lined lanes and indie coffee roasters meet seaside promenades. Food is a journey too: Parsi berry pulao, Gujarati thali, coastal Malvani seafood, and late-night kebabs.

• Top sights: Gateway of India, Marine Drive & Chowpatty Beach, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST), Dhobi Ghat, Haji Ali Dargah, Banganga Tank, Mani Bhavan, ISKCON Juhu, Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
• Neighborhoods to explore: Colaba, Kala Ghoda/Fort, Girgaon, Bandra, Juhu, Lower Parel.
• Food experiences: Irani bakeries (Yazdani, Kyani & Co), Gujarati thali (Shree Thaker Bhojanalay), seafood institutions (Trishna, Mahesh Lunch Home, Gajalee), modern Indian (The Bombay Canteen, Masque), iconic cafés (Leopold, Café Mondegar), street treats (pani puri, pav bhaji, bhelpuri).

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Iconic luxury on the harbor: The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (Colaba) – heritage grandeur, pool, and postcard views of the Gateway of India.
• Bayfront elegance: The Oberoi, Mumbai (Marine Drive) – ocean-facing rooms, serene spa, and refined dining.
• Beachside vibes: Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach – steps from Juhu sands and Bollywood-haunt cafés.
• Business-friendly value: The Westin Mumbai Garden City (Goregaon) – near Film City and the Western Express Highway.
• Mid-range in the heritage core: Hotel Residency Fort (Fort) – walk to CST, Kala Ghoda, and museums.
• Budget-friendly airport access: Hotel Residency Andheri – convenient for early flights and suburban explorations.
• Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Mumbai | VRBO: Mumbai apartments

Getting to and around Mumbai:

• International/domestic flights to BOM: search fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Typical nonstop times: Dubai ~3h, Singapore ~5.5h; one-stop from London ~10–12h, New York ~16–20h. Roundtrips often range ~US$450–900 depending on season.
• Indian Railways to/from other cities: check Trip.com Trains.
• Airport to South Mumbai: 60–90 minutes by taxi/app cab (typical ₹700–1,100). Metro Lines 2A/7 connect the western suburbs; Metro Line 1 serves the east–west corridor. Avoid peak-hour suburban trains if carrying luggage.

Day 1: Arrive, Colaba Stroll, and Marine Drive by Night

Afternoon: Land at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and check in. If you’re in South Mumbai, start with a gentle loop around Colaba: browse Colaba Causeway’s stalls for cotton kurtas and brass trinkets, then step onto the Apollo Bunder promenade to gaze at the basalt arches of the Gateway of India. For a caffeine fix, try coffee and brun maska at Leopold Cafe or an affogato at The Pantry (Kala Ghoda).

Evening: Dine early at The Table (global small plates; don’t miss the truffle fries) or Khyber (North Indian tandoori plates amid oil paintings). Afterwards, see the city glow on a guided night tour:

• Mumbai By Night: Lights & Luminance – A 3–4 hour spin past the Queen’s Necklace, CST’s lit-up Gothic façade, and Haji Ali’s causeway. Expect hotel pickup, photo stops, and stories about colonial-era architecture. Typical price: ~US$25–50 per person.

Post-tour, linger on Marine Drive with a K. Rustom ice-cream sandwich (nostalgic wafers) or a fruit cream at Bachelorr’s near Chowpatty. If you prefer a quiet drink, Aer (Worli) pairs skyline views with well-made classics.

Day 2: Elephanta Caves + City Highlights (Full-Day Tour)

Spend the day unraveling two eras of Mumbai on a single, efficient booking:

• Mumbai City Sightseeing with Elephanta Caves Full Day Tour – Begin with a boat ride from the Gateway to Elephanta Island (about 1 hour each way). Explore UNESCO-listed rock-cut temples (5th–7th century), including the famed three-faced Shiva relief. Back in town, your guide hits Dhobi Ghat, CST’s UNESCO grandeur, and Fort’s historic lanes. Hotel pickup/driver included; typical duration ~8–9 hours; around US$45–90 depending on inclusions. Note: Elephanta is closed Mondays—your guide will swap sequencing if needed.

Food tips today: Fuel up early at Yazdani Bakery (Irani chai, khari biscuits), ask your guide for a quick thali stop (Swati Snacks for Gujarati classics, or Shree Thaker Bhojanalay’s sumptuous thali), and cap the evening with coastal seafood at Trishna (butter pepper garlic crab) or Mahesh Lunch Home (Koliwada prawns, neer dosa).

Day 3: Heritage Bazaars, Thali Lunch, and Dharavi with Local Guides

Morning: Start at CST to admire its floral stonework and starry ceilings. Walk to Crawford Market (Jyotiba Phule Mandai) for spice mounds and stained-glass light, then hop to Chor Bazaar’s antique troves. Swing by Mani Bhavan, where Gandhi strategized the freedom movement. Coffee break at Kala Ghoda Café or Subko (Bandra/Kala Ghoda) for meticulously roasted pours.

Afternoon: Sit down for a vegetarian feast at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (reservations recommended; rotating thali showcasing seasonal Gujarati dishes). Then meet female guides from Dharavi for an insightful walk that focuses on enterprise, recycling ecosystems, and community life:

• Dharavi slum tour in Mumbai by Female tour guides of the slum – Expect ~2–2.5 hours on foot through small-scale industries and residential lanes. Photography rules are explained respectfully. Typical price: ~US$15–35 per person. Wear closed shoes and stay hydrated.

Evening: For dinner, choose Britannia & Co (classic Parsi berry pulao and salli boti), or head to Bohri Mohalla for melt-in-the-mouth kebabs—end with hand-churned ice cream at Taj Ice Cream. Prefer sit-down? Americano (Kala Ghoda) does superb seasonal plates and house-made pastas. Nightcap at Bonobo (Bandra) for indie tunes and a terrace vibe.

Day 4: Bandra & Juhu, Then an Insider Bollywood Studio Tour

Morning: Explore Bandra’s graffiti-splashed Chapel Road and seafront Bandstand. Breakfast at Veronica’s (Bandra) for iconic sandwiches and filter coffee, or Kyani & Co (Marine Lines) for keema pav and mava cakes. If you fancy temples, pause at the serene ISKCON Juhu complex.

Afternoon: Go behind the scenes of India’s film industry:

• Best Bollywood Tour with Rahil Khan (Transport Included) – Led by an industry insider, visit a working studio, peek into set design, sound stages, and sometimes catch a live shoot. Includes transport and lunch; typically ~5–6 hours; around US$70–120 depending on group size and access.

Evening: Wind down on Juhu Beach with coconut water and chaat (try sev puri or ragda pattice). For dinner, Gajalee (Vile Parle/Bandra) serves stellar Malvani fare—bombil fry, tandoori surmai, sol kadhi. Alternatively, book The Bombay Canteen (Lower Parel) for inventive regional Indian and a strong cocktail program.

Day 5: Old-World Walks, Museums, and Last Bites (Departure Day)

Morning: If you’re an early riser, watch the action at Sassoon Docks, then step into the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya for miniature paintings, sculpture, and maritime history. Another serene option is Banganga Tank in Walkeshwar—an ancient spring-fed pool ringed by shrines.

Afternoon: Brunch before departure: try Café Mondegar (retro jukebox, beer, eggs Kejriwal) or Kala Ghoda’s Sequel for wholesome bowls and cold-pressed juices. Pick up last-minute goodies at Crawford Market (spices, tea) or Princes Street (Khau Galli farsan). Plan 1.5–2 hours for the airport in daytime traffic; more at peak hours.

Evening: Departure day. If you have a late flight, a sunset stride along Marine Drive is a fitting farewell—Mumbai’s “Queen’s Necklace” flickers to life as the sky turns violet.

Optional swaps and add-ons (time permitting): Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Kanheri Caves (forest hike + ancient Buddhist caves), Haji Ali Dargah at low tide, Prithvi Theatre (intimate plays; café for cutting chai), or a coastal day trip to Lonavala in the Western Ghats for waterfalls and misty viewpoints in monsoon season.

Daily dining cheat sheet:

• Coffee/breakfast: Yazdani Bakery, Kyani & Co, Subko, Blue Tokai, Kala Ghoda Café, Veronica’s.
• Lunch: Swati Snacks, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Britannia & Co, Mahesh Lunch Home.
• Dinner: Trishna, Gajalee, The Table, The Bombay Canteen, O Pedro, Americano.
• Late-night: Bademiya (Colaba kebabs), K. Rustom ice-cream sandwiches, Bachelorr’s fruit creams.

Good to know: Carry small notes for tips and taxis; most places accept cards/UPI. Shoes off and shoulders covered at temples; ask before photographing people. Street food is safest at busy, high-turnover stalls; request bottled water with the seal intact. Monsoon showers can stall traffic—pad your schedule.

Summary: In five days, you’ll trace Mumbai’s arc from ancient cave temples to Gothic railway cathedrals, from cottage industries to Bollywood backlots. Expect big flavors, sea breezes, and a city that hums from sunrise prayers to midnight snacks—an urban symphony you’ll want to replay.