Mumbai—formerly Bombay—grew from a chain of seven islands into India’s financial and film capital, a city where Gothic Revival train stations sit beside shiny towers and fishing villages. The British-era Gateway of India, Marine Drive’s curve of lights, and the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus are just the starting points.

Beyond the skyline, Mumbai is a feast: Parsi cafés, coastal seafood, Gujarati thalis, and street food legends like vada pav and pav bhaji. Neighborhoods such as Colaba, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Bandra, and Juhu each offer distinct moods—from gallery clusters to seaside promenades and film studios.

Practical notes: November–March is ideal; June–September brings heavy monsoon showers. Use Uber/Ola, the expanding Metro, or kaali-peeli taxis; local trains are fast but crowded at rush hour. Dress modestly for temples and dargahs, carry small bills for markets, and book popular restaurants and tours in advance.

Mumbai

Mumbai mixes Victorian-Gothic facades with Art Deco apartments and contemporary glass, all humming to the rhythm of local trains and film sets. You’ll trace trading and textile histories at CSMVS and Bhau Daji Lad Museum, then step into living heritage at Dhobi Ghat and Banganga Tank.

• Top sights: Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (UNESCO), CSMVS Museum, Haji Ali Dargah, Bandra Fort, Mount Mary Basilica, Banganga Tank.
• Iconic experiences: Ferry to Elephanta Caves, Bollywood studio tour, South Mumbai heritage walk, sunset at Girgaon Chowpatty, Bandra street art.
• Where to eat: Trishna (coastal seafood), Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (thali), Swati Snacks (regional fast-casual), The Table and Americano (modern global), Bademiya (late-night kebabs), Prithvi Café (Juhu), Gajalee (Malvani seafood), Masque or Ekaa (tasting menus).
• Cafés and coffee: Subko (Bandra), Blue Tokai (multiple), Dope Coffee (Kala Ghoda), Kyani & Co. (Parsi bakery-café).
• Nightlife: Aer (rooftop), The Dome, Harbour Bar (at the Taj), Bonobo, Toto’s Garage.

Getting there: Fly into Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM). Compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Typical nonstop domestic flights (e.g., Delhi–Mumbai) take ~2 hours ($35–$120); international one-stops (e.g., US/Europe) vary 14–20 hours and up.

Trains (within India): Fast intercity trains connect Pune (~3–3.5 hrs) and Nashik (~3 hrs). Search schedules and fares on Trip.com Trains.

Where to stay: Browse apartments on VRBO Mumbai or hotels on Hotels.com Mumbai. Handpicked favorites: The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai (iconic heritage, Colaba), The Oberoi, Mumbai (Nariman Point, Arabian Sea views), Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach (sunsets and sand), Hotel Residency Fort (value in Fort), Hotel Residency Andheri (near airport/metros), and The Westin Mumbai Garden City (Goregaon, handy for film studios).

Day 1: Arrival, Colaba Stroll, and the “Queen’s Necklace”

Morning: Fly into BOM and transfer to your hotel. If you arrive early, refresh with specialty coffee and croissants at Dope Coffee in Kala Ghoda or a brun maska and chai at Kyani & Co. to set the tone.

Afternoon: Ease in with a Colaba and Kala Ghoda wander: Gateway of India, the Taj’s grand façade, and art-filled lanes. Pop into CSMVS Museum if time permits for Indus Valley to contemporary India in a beautiful Indo-Saracenic building.

Evening: Catch sunset along Marine Drive, nicknamed the “Queen’s Necklace” when its lamps glow at night. Dinner options: Trishna for butter-garlic crab and neer dosa; The Table for farm-to-fork small plates; or Bademiya behind the Taj for seekh kebabs under the stars. Nightcap at Harbour Bar or The Dome with skyline views.

Day 2: Classic South Mumbai with a Guided City Tour

Morning: Fuel up at Subko (Bandra or Colaba outpost) for pour-overs and cardamom buns. Set out on a guided overview that hits the essentials while decoding history and neighborhoods.

Afternoon: Join this acclaimed city circuit to cover Gateway of India, CST (UNESCO), Dhobi Ghat, Mani Bhavan (Gandhi), and Crawford Market with insider commentary. Expect ~6–7 hours, from ~$30–$80 depending on group/private options.

Highlights of Mumbai Sightseeing Tour: TRAVELLERS CHOICE AWARDED

Evening: Explore Kala Ghoda’s galleries and design stores, then sit down to a Gujarati thali feast at Shree Thaker Bhojanalay (rotating vegetables, kadhi, farsan, sweets). For a late gelato or an old-school pint, swing by Café Mondegar on Colaba Causeway.

Day 3: Elephanta Caves and Old-World Colaba

Morning: After breakfast at Blue Tokai (Kala Ghoda), walk to the Gateway of India for the ferry to Elephanta Island (roughly 1 hour; ferries generally start mid-morning; sea can be choppy in monsoon). Bring small cash; there’s a short toy-train or uphill walk to the cave complex.

Afternoon: Explore the 5th–8th century basalt caves and the awe-inspiring Trimurti relief. Expect ~5–6 hours round-trip. Return to Colaba and browse Colaba Causeway for textiles, brassware, and souvenirs; haggle politely.

Elephanta Caves & Island Guided Private Tour

Evening: Dine casual at Bademiya (mutton boti, roomali roti) or go refined at Ekaa (ingredient-driven tasting menu). Stroll the art-deco sweep of Oval Maidan and Rajabai Clock Tower lit up after dark.

Day 4: Museums, Sacred Shrines, and Sunset Street Eats

Morning: Visit Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Byculla—Mumbai’s oldest museum, gorgeously restored with Victorian tiles and dioramas of the city’s growth. Swing by Chor Bazaar for vintage Bollywood posters, gramophones, and knickknacks.

Afternoon: Head to Walkeshwar’s Banganga Tank, a serene 12th-century step-tank bordered by shrines. Time your visit to Haji Ali Dargah for safe tides; the causeway walk with sea on both sides is unforgettable.

Evening: Join locals at Girgaon Chowpatty for pav bhaji, bhel puri, and kulfi; choose clean, busy stalls. For sit-down dinner, book The Bombay Canteen (playful regional plates) or Swati Snacks for panki, khichu, and handvo done right.

Day 5: Bandra Vibes and a Bollywood Studio Experience

Morning: Coffee and cardamom cruffins at Subko, then a Bandra street-art walk through Chapel Road and Waroda Road. Visit Mount Mary Basilica and watch the surf roll at Bandra Fort with views of the Bandra–Worli Sea Link.

Afternoon: Go behind the scenes of India’s film industry with an insider tour led by a working professional. Expect backlot sets, sound stages, and choreography breaks; most tours last 4–5 hours, transport included.

Best Bollywood Tour with Rahil Khan (Transport Included)

Evening: Sunset on Juhu Beach with coconut water and chaat. Dinner picks: Gajalee (bombil fry, crab sukkha), Prithvi Café (budget-friendly, leafy courtyard), or seaside tables at Novotel Juhu’s Sampan or The Square. Post-dinner drinks at Bonobo or the neighborhood institution Toto’s Garage.

Day 6: Markets, Rail Rhythms, and a Street Food Odyssey

Morning: If you’re up for it, start early with a DIY peek at Dadar flower market or Sassoon Docks fish market (closed one day a week; go with a guide if you prefer). Otherwise, brunch at Americano (Kala Ghoda) for wood-fired eggs and fresh salads.

Afternoon: Shop Linking Road (Bandra) for fashion bargains and Hill Road for indie labels. Rest up for a food-filled evening—you’ll want an appetite.

Evening: Join a guided street food tour for tastings that might include pani puri, kebabs, dosa, kulfi, and Irani café classics, often hopping between neighborhoods by local train. Expect 12–15+ bites over ~3–4 hours.

Bombay Express Mumbai Food Tour with 15+ Tastings

After, toast the skyline at Aer with a coriander-gin highball, or take a slow walk on Marine Drive to digest.

Day 7: Green Mumbai, Kanheri Caves, and Departure

Morning: Escape north to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (Borivali). Hire the park bus/van or a rickshaw to reach Kanheri Caves—Buddhist monastic cells and chaitya halls carved into black rock, with inscriptions dating over 1,500 years. On the way back, stop in Matunga for a classic South Indian breakfast at Café Madras (idli, medu vada, filter coffee).

Afternoon: Pack up and transfer to the airport or onward train. If you have a spare hour, pick up artisanal chocolate at Subko or spices at Crawford Market for edible souvenirs.

Evening: If your flight is late, a final wander along Worli Sea Face or a relaxed dinner at The Table or The Bombay Canteen makes a fitting farewell.

Where to book your stay: Compare and reserve at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, The Oberoi, Mumbai, Novotel Mumbai Juhu Beach, Hotel Residency Fort, Hotel Residency Andheri, or The Westin Mumbai Garden City. For more options, browse Hotels.com Mumbai or VRBO Mumbai.

How to get here and around: Book flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. For Indian rail connections, see Trip.com Trains. Within the city, rely on Uber/Ola, the Metro (contactless cards), and prepaid airport taxis; avoid rush-hour trains unless you’re comfortable with crowds.

Seven days in Mumbai reveal a city of contrasts: ancient cave temples and cutting-edge cuisine, colonial arcades and Bollywood sound stages, sea breezes and market bustle. With smart pacing, great eats, and a few well-chosen tours, you’ll leave with stories that linger like the glow of Marine Drive at night.