One Perfect Day in Mumbai: 10 Essential Stops From Dawn to Dusk

I will never forget my first time emerging from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus into Mumbai proper, taking in a breath and letting it out around me. It was home.

This city doesn’t want you to go slowly; it wants you to keep up. And if you spend just one day in Mumbai, the city is sure to return the favor.

Mumbai has a population of almost 21 million. In this city, a decaying colonial arcade lives side by side with a sleek glass skyscraper, while a fisherman reels in his fishing line on the beach, right alongside businesspeople who scroll on their cell phones just three feet away.

Every nook and cranny in Mumbai has a story to tell. These are the top ten places that tell those stories.

1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus

Perhaps no entry into Mumbai could be more iconic than that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Constructed in 1887, the building itself is an astounding fusion of the Victorian Gothic style with Indian architecture, complete with gargoyles perched on elephants and stained glass. You don’t have to ride a train here to feel its pulse.

2. Kala Ghoda District

Just a few steps from the station’s end, Kala Ghoda is Mumbai’s art quarter and possibly one of the city’s most enchanting neighbourhoods. The district derives its name, which translates to “black horse” in Hindi, from a horse statue of King Edward VII that is no longer there.

You’ll encounter renovated heritage architecture, gallery spaces, and pavement cafés in this lively street.

Drop by the Jehangir Art Gallery and experience the bustling weekend flea market with jewellery, old prints and local food offerings during weekend mornings. You won’t regret spending an hour in the Kala Ghoda area.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

One of India’s best museums is located right in Kala Ghoda’s heart. In the magnificent Indo-Saracenic dome building, you can admire an extensive exhibition of art objects ranging from sculptures to miniature paintings from ancient times to the Mughal era, as well as natural history artifacts.

Get yourself an audio guide when you enter the museum and learn about the stories attached to those objects. Your visit will be greatly enriched by listening to the guided narrative.

4. Marine Drive Walkway

In the morning, walk down the 3.6 kilometres long Marine Drive that snakes along the Arabian Sea. Known to locals as “The Queen’s Necklace,” it shimmers with the glow of its arc-shaped street lights at night.

During the day, this promenade hosts joggers, those practicing yoga, and pairs of lovers with their feet hanging over the seaside wall.

Buy some cutting chai from one of the many kiosks lining the walkway. Take a moment and observe. Here in Mumbai, it is people who breathe life into the streets. Take time out from your itinerary and relax in the same way as the locals do.

5. Mohammed Ali Road

There is no better place than the famous Mohammed Ali Road for experiencing the taste of Mumbai at the heart of its rich and spicy cuisine. Here, the scent of charcoal-infused smoke from roadside food stalls will give you a lasting taste of the unique culture.

Lunch options can include the delicacy of the local nihari, a rich meat stew cooked slowly throughout the day. Other choices include seekh kebabs or the local naan bread from the roadside grill. If unsure, point at whatever other visitors may be ordering.

6. Chor Bazaar

About five minutes from Mohammed Ali Road lies Chor Bazaar, the oldest flea market in Asia. This place offers a treasure trove of antique furniture, vintage Bollywood posters, clocks from the British era, brass candelabras and many other items with an unknown past.

The market derives its name from an event in the Victorian era when Queen Victoria’s violin was stolen and found here. Whether the story is true or not remains a mystery, but each shop owner will be happy to share this story with the same level of credibility. Bargain lightly because they know the value of their items very well.

7. Haji Ali Dargah

Located on an isolated island about 500 meters away from the Worli shoreline, Haji Ali Dargah is undoubtedly the most famous spiritual monument in Mumbai.

This white marble monument comprises a mosque and a shrine of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who was a Sufi saint. You can reach this dargah via a bridge; however, you need to make sure that it is low tide when you plan to visit.

You should not forget to enjoy the journey to the dargah, as vendors offer rose petals and green cloths for sale during the journey.

8. Bandra-Worli Sea Link

In the late afternoon, head to Bandra-Worli Sea Link. The 5.6-kilometres-long cable-stayed bridge links the island city of Mumbai to its western suburbs. Head to the Bandra side and stand by the viewing deck to see the amazing sight of the bridge stretching towards the Arabian Sea.

The late afternoon light transforms the water into shades of golden orange. Every evening, there are local photographers who visit this spot. For those seeking something different, consider getting an experience that involves cruising beneath the bridge at sunset. The views from the water will be spectacular!

9. Bandra West

Bandra is the heart of the creative class in Mumbai. It is where the movie stars, musicians, artists, and professionals hang out to socialise.

The streets around Hill Road and Pali Hill are filled with unique boutiques, art galleries, independent bars, and restaurants. Enjoy the vibrant atmosphere with some live music playing nearby.

Visit one of the rooftop restaurants around the area. There is nothing like eating fresh food in the cool evening breeze overlooking the Arabian Sea. Be sure to choose the butter garlic crab if it is available on the menu.

10. Gateway of India

Mumbai’s day always ends at the Gateway of India, built in 1924 to honor King George V’s visit to India, and it comprises a 26-metre-high basalt arch. It is located on the waterfront of the harbour, and the Arabian Sea extends behind it, while the city sprawls at its base.

The site comes alive at night as it is lit up, and there will be all sorts of street merchants selling their wares as well as couples, families, and even some magicians.

If you are visiting Mumbai by day, make sure that you get a ferry to the island where the Elephanta Caves temples are; they are about an hour away from the city, and they date back to the 5th century AD.

If You Go

Getting There
Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport connects to major cities worldwide, and taxis, auto-rickshaws, and the Metro rail network all run from the terminal into the city center.

Getting Around
The Metro, taxis, and ride-share apps like Ola and Uber are the easiest ways to cover this itinerary, and most of the ten stops sit close enough together that walking fills in the gaps.

Where to Stay

• The Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai sits directly across from the Gateway of India, so this itinerary’s final stop is close enough to walk home from. The 1903 heritage property anchors the Colaba end of the day, putting Kala Ghoda, Marine Drive, and Mohammed Ali Road all within easy reach.
• For travelers who want to end the day already in Bandra West, Taj Lands End sits on the water near Bandra Fort, a short ride from the Hill Road and Pali Hill restaurant scene.

Tours and Experiences

• A morning like this deserves a proper send off to the Elephanta Caves, and this guided half day tour handles the ferry, the toy train, and a guide who walks you through the 5th century rock cut temples.
• For Mohammed Ali Road done right, an evening street food tasting tour puts a local guide between you and the city’s best charcoal grilled kebabs and nihari, so you are not just pointing at what other visitors are ordering.
• If the light off the Bandra-Worli Sea Link has you wanting more, book a sunset sail in Mumbai Harbour for the same golden hour view from the water instead of the viewing deck.

Tides at Haji Ali Dargah
Check the Mumbai tide chart before heading to Haji Ali, since the causeway becomes unpassable at high tide.

Best Time to Visit
October through February brings Mumbai’s coolest, driest weather. Unless the monsoon itself is the draw, plan around June through September.

Useful Links

• Tourism Maharashtra
• Metro Rail Network
• Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

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Author Bio: Nishika Vadodaria is a student trying to travel on a budget, on a time crunch and aiming to help you do the same.

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