Once a scatter of seven islands, Mumbai grew under Portuguese and then British rule into India’s financial capital and a teeming port city on the Arabian Sea. The name honors the goddess Mumba Devi; today the city is a blend of Art Deco facades, colonial-era railway palaces, and glass towers home to Bollywood and banking.

Expect a city of irresistible contrasts: sunrise fish auctions and midnight rooftop lounges, UNESCO-listed caves carved from basalt and contemporary galleries in Fort and Kala Ghoda. Food ranges from Parsi berry pulao and buttery pav bhaji to tasting menus that rank among India’s most innovative.

Best time to visit is October–March; June–September brings the dramatic monsoon. Use rideshares or the metro at peak times, carry a scarf for temples, and drink bottled water. For flights and trains to Mumbai, compare options on Trip.com Flights, Kiwi.com, and Trip.com Trains (for intra-India rail).

Mumbai

India’s “City of Dreams” dazzles with the Gateway of India, Marine Drive’s necklace of lights, and cinematic neighborhoods from Colaba to Bandra. It’s a city to walk, nibble, and watch—preferably at sunrise and sunset, when the sea breeze puts on a show.

• Top sights: Gateway of India, CSMVS Museum, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (UNESCO), Haji Ali Dargah, Dhobi Ghat, Elephanta Caves (UNESCO), Marine Drive.
• Neighborhoods to target: Colaba/Fort for history and galleries, Kala Ghoda for cafes and boutiques, Bandra for street art and nightlife, Worli for sea views and dining.
• Where to stay: Search apartments and villas on VRBO Mumbai or compare hotels on Hotels.com Mumbai. First-timers love Colaba (walkable sights) or Fort/Kala Ghoda (heritage + cafes). Bandra works for restaurants and nightlife.
• Getting in/out: Fly into BOM (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport). From Delhi, flights ~2 hr; from Goa ~1 hr 15 min; fares often $40–$120 one-way if booked early via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Intercity trains (e.g., Pune ~3–4 hr, Nashik ~3 hr) can be searched on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Colaba Welcome, Arabian Sea Breezes

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check in near Colaba or Fort. Start at the Gateway of India and the grand facade of the Taj Mahal Palace across the road. Wander up to Kala Ghoda for galleries and design shops. Coffee at Kala Ghoda Cafe (heritage bungalow, excellent cold brew) or Subko Colaba (single-origin coffees and inventive pastries).

Evening: Dinner at The Table (global plates—green pea risotto, roasted chicken—set in a chic Colaba townhouse) or Trishna (Keralan-style seafood; must-try butter garlic crab and neer dosa). Nightcap with a Marine Drive view at Dome (InterContinental) or classic cocktails at the Harbour Bar inside the Taj.

Day 2: The Best of Bombay—Guided City Highlights (Full-Day Tour)

See the essentials efficiently on the Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour: TRAVELLERS CHOICE AWARDED. Expect Gateway of India, the CSMT railway palace, Dhobi Ghat (largest open-air laundry), Crawford Market, Mani Bhavan (Gandhi’s base), and Marine Drive—often with stops to watch the famed dabbawalas at work.

After the tour, feast on a vegetarian thali at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (unlimited Gujarati specialties served on gleaming thalis) or Mughlai grills at Khyber near Kala Ghoda. If you still have energy, stroll Marine Drive’s “Queen’s Necklace.”

Day 3: Fort Heritage, Museums, and Marine Drive Sunset

Morning: Breakfast at Kyani & Co. (Irani bakery—bun maska, akuri on toast) or Blue Tokai (Fort) for pour-overs. Visit CSMVS Museum (art, sculpture, and Indus Valley artifacts), then admire Asiatic Library steps, Horniman Circle, and Flora Fountain.

Afternoon: Lunch at Swati Snacks (panki chitney, sev puri, handvo) or Americano (modern comfort fare; excellent pastas) in Fort. Swing by Dhobi Ghat viewpoint and the sea-lashed Haji Ali Dargah (check tide times; modest attire, shoes off at the shrine).

Evening: Golden hour on Marine Drive. Dinner at Ekaa (creative Indian tasting menu; book ahead) or Goan plates at O Pedro in BKC (prawn balchão, poi breads). Rooftop drink at Asilo (Lower Parel) with skyline views.

Day 4: Elephanta Caves—Temples in Basalt, Island Air

Morning: From the Gateway, take the ferry (~1 hr) to Elephanta Island. To go deeper, book the Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour for history of the 5th–8th century Shiva cave-temples—don’t miss the towering three-headed Maheshmurti.

Afternoon: Return to Colaba for a late lunch: Bademiya (seekh rolls, bhuna chicken) or Delhi Darbar (butter chicken, biryani). Browse Colaba Causeway for cotton kurtas, jewelry, and leather sandals; bargain with a smile.

Evening: Craft beers and pizza at Woodside Inn Colaba, or keep it elegant with Parsi classics at Ideal Corner (sali boti, mutton dhansak) in Fort.

Day 5: Bandra—Street Art, Boutiques, and Sunset on the Promenade

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Subko (Bandra) or the nostalgic multi-level Candies. Visit Mount Mary Church, then wander Chapel Road and bylanes for murals and old bungalows. Snack stop at Elco (legendary pani puri—made with mineral water) on Hill Road.

Afternoon: Shop along Linking Road (street stalls) and Pali Village boutiques. Lunch at Pali Village Cafe (rustic European plates) or Veronica’s (Bandra deli for sandwiches like the tuna melt and peppery egg keema). Coffee recharge at Blue Tokai Bandra.

Evening: Sunset walk at Carter Road or Juhu Beach. For dinner, book Izumi (top-tier ramen and sushi) or Olive Bar & Kitchen (Mediterranean courtyard; weekends buzz). If you fancy a cocktail, try Bonobo (terrace bar with DJs).

Day 6: Lights, Camera, Action—Inside Bollywood (Tour Day)

Spend the day on the Best Bollywood Tour with Rahil Khan (Transport Included), led by an industry insider. You’ll visit a working studio, peek into set design, sound stages, and post-production, and, schedules permitting, watch a live shoot or dance rehearsal.

After your film immersion, celebrate with coastal Maharashtrian seafood at Gajalee (try the tandoori pomfret and sol kadi) or Mahesh Lunch Home (Mangalorean curries and neer dosa). Dessert: seasonal fruit ice creams at Naturals.

Day 7: Mumbai by Dawn, Markets & Temples—Then Departure

Morning: Set the alarm for the acclaimed The Original Mumbai by Dawn—a revealing look at the flower and fish markets, newspaper sorting, and the city’s behind-the-scenes lifelines.

Afternoon: Brunch on Parsi comfort food at Kyani & Co. or head to Fort for Ideal Corner. Last-minute shopping at Crawford Market (spices, sweets), Chor Bazaar (vintage finds), or The Bombay Store (quality souvenirs). Transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight—leave generous time for traffic.

Evening: In transit.

Where to Stay: Neighborhoods & Booking Links

• Colaba/Fort: Walk to Gateway, galleries, and museums; ideal for first visits.
• Bandra: Cafes, nightlife, boutique shopping; 30–90 minutes to South Mumbai depending on traffic.
• Worli/Lower Parel: Central business, rooftop bars, quick hops both north and south.

Browse apartments and heritage stays on VRBO Mumbai and compare hotel deals on Hotels.com Mumbai. For airport transfers, use app cabs or a prepaid counter; within the city, metro lines and local trains help avoid rush-hour jams.

Getting There & Around

• Flights: Compare routes to BOM on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. Domestic hops (Delhi–Mumbai ~2:05; Bengaluru–Mumbai ~1:40) are frequent.
• Trains: For trips pairing Mumbai with Pune, Nashik, or Goa, check Trip.com Trains. Book AC chair or sleeper for comfort.
• Within Mumbai: Uber/Ola and iconic black–yellow cabs; Mumbai Metro (Lines 1/2A/7 cover north–west corridors); suburban trains for speed if you’re comfortable. Expect Colaba–Bandra rides of 45–90 minutes depending on traffic.

In seven days you’ll have tasted Mumbai’s markets at dawn, ferried to ancient Elephanta Caves, walked its stately Fort district, and watched Bollywood’s dream factory at work. The city lingers—in the salt in the air, the glow of Marine Drive, and the flavors you’ll crave long after wheels up.