Mumbai—formerly Bombay—rose from seven islands to become India’s financial engine and cultural nerve center. Portuguese and British chapters left Indo-European architecture; Parsis brought Irani cafés; migrants gave it cinema and spice. Today, the city radiates energy: dabbawalas racing tiffins, ferries bound for ancient caves, and the Arabian Sea sparkling along Marine Drive.

Expect contrasts at every turn: the Victorian-Gothic splendor of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the ornate Haji Ali Dargah floating at high tide, and hip design stores in Kala Ghoda. Food is a headline act—vada pav at street carts, seafood feasts in Fort, modern Indian tasting menus in former mills, and sunset kulfi on the promenade.

Practical notes: traffic peaks morning and evening; plan buffers. The monsoon (June–September) brings glorious drama and occasional delays—carry a light rain jacket and waterproof footwear. Dress modestly for temples and mosques, carry small bills for markets, and always drink bottled water.

Mumbai

India’s most cinematic city rewards curiosity. Mornings glow golden at the Gateway of India; afternoons drift through galleries and bazaars; nights flood with cricket cheers, sea breezes, and the neon hum of Bollywood dreams.

• Don’t miss: Gateway of India, Elephanta Caves, Marine Drive, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), Dhobi Ghat, Haji Ali, Siddhivinayak Temple, Bandra Fort, Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
• Eat like a local: vada pav at Ashok Vada Pav (Dadar), pani puri at Elco (Bandra), seafood at Trishna (Fort), vegetarian thali at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (Kalbadevi), late-night kebabs at Bademiya (Colaba).
• Neighborhood vibes: Colaba/Fort (heritage, museums), Kala Ghoda (art/design), Bandra (street art, cafés, boutiques), Juhu (beach sunsets), Lower Parel (restored mills, dining).

How to get there: Fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). Compare fares on Kiwi.com and Trip.com. Sample durations: Delhi–Mumbai ~2h; Dubai–Mumbai ~3h; Singapore–Mumbai ~5h; New York (one-stop) ~16–20h. Intercity trains to/from Mumbai are also searchable on Trip.com (Trains).

Where to stay: For sea views and heritage, Colaba/Fort is ideal; for cafés and nightlife, consider Bandra; for beach downtime, Juhu; for business and dining hubs, Lower Parel/BKC.

• The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (iconic harbor views, steps from the Gateway).
• The Oberoi, Mumbai (sleek luxury on Marine Drive’s “Queen’s Necklace”).
• Hotel Residency Fort (excellent value near CST and Kala Ghoda).
• Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach (sunsets, sand, and proximity to Juhu’s dining scene).
• Hotel Residency Andheri (airport-convenient base in the suburbs).
• The Westin Mumbai Garden City (spacious rooms with suburban skyline views).
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com or apartment-style options on VRBO.

Day 1: Arrival, Colaba Icons, and Marine Drive Sunset

Morning: Fly into BOM; aim for a midday landing so you can catch golden hour on the waterfront. Book flights via Kiwi.com or Trip.com. From the airport, a pre-paid taxi/Uber to Colaba is ~60–90 minutes depending on traffic (quicker via Bandra–Worli Sea Link).

Afternoon: Check in, then stroll to the Gateway of India—a 1924 basalt arch celebrating King George V’s visit and the nexus of harbor life. Pop into the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) for exquisite sculptures and miniature paintings. Coffee break at Kala Ghoda Cafe (artsy vibe, excellent cold brew and avocado toast) or Subko in Colaba (micro-lot Indian coffees, cardamom-laced pastries).

Evening: For dinner, choose Trishna (crab in butter pepper garlic; Mangalorean seafood classics) or Bademiya behind the Taj (late-night seekh kebabs, roomali roti theatrics). Walk off dinner along Marine Drive—the “Queen’s Necklace” whose lights arc over Back Bay. Grab a slab of K. Rustom & Co. ice cream sandwich near Churchgate if you fancy something sweet.

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

Unpack Mumbai’s layers with this expertly guided combination of ancient rock-cut art and urban landmarks:

Mumbai City Sightseeing with Elephanta Caves Full Day Tour — hotel pickup, ferry to Elephanta Island, Shiva-centric cave temples (don’t miss the three-faced Trimurti), plus a curated city circuit that often includes Dhobi Ghat, Mani Bhavan (Gandhi’s base in Bombay), CST, and Crawford Market.

Tip: Wear comfortable shoes for cave steps; bring small notes for the ferry and market snacks. If you’re peckish on the island, keep it simple (fresh coconut, bhutta/roasted corn). Back in town, celebrate with dinner at The Table (global small plates, lively bar) or Mahesh Lunch Home (butter garlic prawns, solkadhi) before turning in.

Day 3: Museums, Markets, and Mumbai by Night

Morning: Start at CSMVS if you missed it yesterday, then swing through Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum (Victorian industrial arts, beautifully restored). Breakfast picks: Kyani & Co. (Irani bun maska and chai), or Bombay Coffee House (eggs Kejriwal, a Mumbai classic of fried egg over cheese-chili toast).

Afternoon: Wander the Kala Ghoda arts district—peek into indie galleries and design stores—then dive into Crawford Market (fruits, spices) and nearby Chor Bazaar (vintage finds, brassware). Lunch at Swati Snacks (panki, handvo, and stellar chaats) or Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (unlimited Gujarati thali; go hungry).

Evening: See the city light up on a guided after-dark ramble: Mumbai By Night: Lights & Luminance (3–4 hours across heritage facades, Marine Drive glow, and breezy viewpoints).

Post-tour bites: swing by Sardar Refreshments (legendary pav bhaji near Tardeo) or grab late kulfi at Badshah near Crawford Market.

Day 4: Bandra, Bollywood, and Beachy Juhu

Morning: Explore Bandra: murals along Chapel Road and Waroda Road, views from Bandra Fort over the Sea Link, and boutique hopping on Hill Road. Brunch at Subko (sourdough, single-origin coffee), Smoke House Deli (reliable classics), or the beloved Candies (canteen-style salads, puffs, paninis).

Afternoon: Go behind the scenes with a true insider: Best Bollywood Tour with Rahil Khan—an industry expert-led visit to a working studio. You’ll learn about song sequences, set design, and the industry’s quirky history.

Evening: Head to Juhu Beach for sunset and people-watching. Dinner options: Gajalee (Malvani seafood; try bombil fry), Prithvi Cafe (lush courtyard; pair with a play at Prithvi Theatre if tickets align), or O Pedro in BKC (Goan-inspired plates, bebinca for dessert). Nightcap with skyline views at Aer (Worli).

If you prefer a guided food crawl tonight, consider Mumbai Street Food & Night Markets for pani puri, kebabs, and kulfi at local-favorite stalls.

Day 5: Sacred Sights, Last-Minute Shopping, Departure

Morning: Start early at Siddhivinayak Temple (seek blessings from Mumbai’s beloved Ganesha) and continue to the seaside Haji Ali Dargah, reached by a causeway at low tide—its white domes gleam against the sea. Coffee and a light bite at Sea Lounge (vintage charm) or Blue Tokai (specialty pour-overs).

Afternoon: Squeeze in last-minute shopping along Colaba Causeway—block-print textiles, leather sandals, and quirky art. Early lunch at Leopold Cafe (Bombay club vibe, beer towers, chili chicken) or a farewell thali at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay. Aim to leave for the airport 3–3.5 hours before your flight (traffic + security buffers). For a smooth ride, book this Private Transfer to BOM.

Evening: Departure day—if your flight is late, stroll Horniman Circle or grab a final bun maska and chai. Promise yourself you’ll be back for Kanheri Caves in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a monsoon trek, or a cricket match at Wankhede.

Optional Add-Ons and Alternatives

• Dharavi with context: For travelers keen to learn about resilience and enterprise in Asia’s largest informal settlement, consider a Dharavi walking tour led by local female guides. Engage respectfully; photography rules apply.
• Hill-station escape: If you have an extra day, the Lonavala day tour trades sea breeze for misty ghats and waterfalls (especially lush in monsoon).

Where to Book, at a Glance

• Flights/Trains: Kiwi.com, Trip.com (Flights), Trip.com (Trains)
• Hotels/Apartments: Hotels.com: Mumbai, VRBO: Mumbai
• Tours/Transfers: Viator picks embedded above for Elephanta, Mumbai-by-night, street food, Bollywood, and airport transfer.

Insider Getting-Around Tips: Mumbai Metro is expanding quickly; Lines 2A/7 relieve the western suburbs. Local trains are fast but packed at rush hour—try non-peak times for the quintessential ride. Black-yellow cabs are metered; UPI/digital payments are widely accepted; keep small notes for street eats.

In Case of Rain (Monsoon): Swap outdoor time for museums (CSMVS, NGMA), cafés (Subko, Kala Ghoda Cafe), and covered bazaars (Crawford). Carry a compact umbrella and quick-dry clothing.

In five days you’ll have traced Mumbai’s arc from ancient cave temples to contemporary cinema, from spice-scented markets to moonlit promenades. The city rewards return visits—there’s always another neighborhood, another cricket cheer, another thali waiting to be savored.