Mumbai is India's financial capital and the capital of Maharashtra state, a peninsula city of colonial Gothic architecture, Bollywood studios, and one of the world's busiest commuter rail networks. The Gateway of India and the Arabian Sea promenade of Marine Drive frame a city where fishing villages, glass office towers, and the largest film industry on earth sit within a few kilometres of each other.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Mumbai.
-
1
Gateway of India
A basalt archway built in 1924 overlooking the Arabian Sea, commemorating the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India.
Tip: Visit at sunrise or after 6 PM to avoid the heat and crowds · Keep valuables secure as the area gets crowded with vendors and tourists · Elephanta Caves ferry tickets can be purchased at the jetty counter directly · Combine the visit with a walk through Colaba Causeway market nearby
-
2
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST/VT)
A UNESCO World Heritage Victorian Gothic railway terminus completed in 1888, still in daily operation and one of Mumbai's finest architectural landmarks.
Tip: Photography of the exterior is permitted; interior photography rules can vary and are enforced by station police · Avoid rush hours (8-10 AM and 6-8 PM) if entering the station, as it is extremely crowded · View from across the street for the best full-facade photo · Security checks are in place at station entrances
-
3
Elephanta Caves
A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring rock-cut cave temples dating to the 5th-8th centuries, dedicated primarily to Lord Shiva.
Tip: Buy ferry tickets at the counter near Gateway of India; last return ferry is typically around 5:30-6:00 PM · Wear comfortable shoes as there are around 120 steps to climb from the pier to the caves · Watch belongings carefully, as monkeys on the island can grab food and bags · Carry water and a hat; there is little shade on the climb · The site is closed on Mondays
-
4
Marine Drive
A 3.6 km curved boulevard along the Arabian Sea coastline, nicknamed the 'Queen's Necklace' for the string of lights visible at night.
Tip: Visit around sunset (roughly 6:00-7:00 PM) for the best light and atmosphere · Wear comfortable shoes for walking the full stretch · Combine with a walk through the Art Deco district's buildings · Street food stalls appear in the evening near Chowpatty end
-
5
Haji Ali Dargah
A white marble mosque and tomb built on an islet in the Arabian Sea, connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway walkable only at low tide.
Tip: Check tide timings before visiting; the causeway floods at high tide and access is closed · Dress modestly; a head covering is advisable, especially for women · Remove shoes before stepping onto the causeway and mosque area · Fridays and religious holidays are extremely crowded
-
6
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
Formerly the Prince of Wales Museum, this Indo-Saracenic building houses extensive collections of Indian art, sculpture, and natural history.
Tip: Buy tickets online in advance to skip queues during peak season · Allow at least two hours to see the main galleries · Combine with a walk through the Kala Ghoda art precinct and Jehangir Art Gallery nearby · Photography may require an additional camera fee
-
7
Sanjay Gandhi National Park & Kanheri Caves
A large protected forest within city limits featuring leopards, lakes, and the ancient rock-cut Kanheri Caves dating back over 2,000 years.
Tip: Wear sturdy shoes for the walk or cycle to Kanheri Caves, roughly 6 km from the main gate · Buses run periodically from the park entrance to the caves for those who prefer not to walk · Carry water and sun protection, as there is limited shade on the caves route · Kanheri Caves are closed on Mondays
-
8
Bandra-Worli Sea Link Viewing Point
A cable-stayed bridge spanning Mahim Bay, connecting Bandra to Worli, popular as a photography subject especially when lit up at night.
Tip: Pedestrians cannot walk on the bridge itself; view it from Bandra Bandstand or Worli Sea Face promenades · Evening visits offer the best lighting for photographs · Combine with a visit to Mount Mary Church or Bandra Fort nearby · Traffic can be heavy on approach roads during peak hours
-
9
Siddhivinayak Temple
A revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, originally built in 1801 and among the wealthiest and most-visited temples in Mumbai.
Tip: Avoid Tuesdays unless prepared for very long queues, as it is the most auspicious day for Ganesha worship · Dress modestly; shoes must be removed and stored before entering · Security checks are mandatory; avoid carrying bags if possible · Early morning visits (around 5:30-7:00 AM) tend to have shorter lines
-
10
Crawford Market (Mahatma Jotiba Phule Market)
A historic covered market built in 1869, known for fruit, spices, pets, and household goods, with a Norman-Gothic exterior designed with input from Rudyard Kipling's father.
Tip: Bargaining is expected and common practice at most stalls · The market is closed on Sundays · Keep an eye on belongings in the crowded, narrow aisles · The pet section can be distressing for animal welfare-conscious visitors; it is optional to skip
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Gateway of India
Basalt triumphal arch of 1924 facing the Arabian Sea at Apollo Bandar
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
UNESCO-listed Victorian Gothic railway terminus completed in 1888
Marine Drive
Art Deco seafront promenade curving around Back Bay, the Queen's Necklace
Bandra-Worli Sea Link
Cable-stayed bridge across Mahim Bay and the city's modern engineering emblem
Rajabai Clock Tower
85-metre Venetian Gothic tower rising over the Mumbai University Fort campus
Museums
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
The city's principal museum, with Indus Valley finds, Mughal miniatures and Gandhara sculpture
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum
Restored 1872 Palladian museum devoted to the history and crafts of Bombay
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya
Gandhi's Bombay residence from 1917 to 1934, now a museum and research library
Jehangir Art Gallery
Kala Ghoda gallery that has anchored Indian contemporary art since 1952
Nehru Science Centre
India's largest interactive science centre, in Worli
Nature
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
104 square kilometres of forest, leopards and lakes inside the city limits
Hanging Gardens and Kamala Nehru Park
Terraced hilltop gardens on Malabar Hill overlooking Back Bay
Sewri Mudflats and Flamingo Point
Tidal flats on the eastern harbour that host thousands of migratory flamingos each winter
Powai Lake
Artificial lake of 1891 ringed by a promenade and the IIT Bombay campus
Aarey Milk Colony
Green belt of forest tracks, dairy pastures and tribal hamlets in the northern suburbs
Cultural
Elephanta Caves
UNESCO rock-cut Shaiva cave temples on an island an hour by ferry from Colaba
Haji Ali Dargah
White marble shrine and mosque reached by a tidal causeway into Worli Bay
Siddhivinayak Temple
Mumbai's most visited Ganesh temple, in Prabhadevi
Banganga Tank
Sacred water tank of 1127 surrounded by temples and ghats on Malabar Hill
Global Vipassana Pagoda
Burmese-inspired golden dome at Gorai housing a pillarless meditation hall
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most museums open 10AM-6PM and close one day a week, CSMVS on no fixed day but Dr. Bhau Daji Lad on Wednesdays and Sanjay Gandhi National Park on Mondays; temples, promenades and markets open far earlier, often from 5AM, and monuments such as the Gateway of India and Marine Drive are accessible at any hour
- Fees
- Many of Mumbai's landmarks are free, including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Haji Ali Dargah and Siddhivinayak Temple; museums charge INR 100-700 (approx USD 1.05-7.38) with the higher tier applying to foreign nationals, Elephanta Caves costs INR 600 (approx USD 6.33) for foreigners plus a ferry fare of about INR 240 (approx USD 2.53) return, and Sanjay Gandhi National Park entry is INR 85 (approx USD 0.90)
- Best Times
- November to February brings dry, mild weather and is the peak season for sightseeing; March to May turns hot and humid, and the June-September monsoon suspends Elephanta ferries and makes outdoor sites difficult, though it is the greenest and cheapest period
- Booking
- Elephanta ferry tickets are sold at the Gateway of India jetty on the day and cannot usefully be reserved ahead, while museum tickets for CSMVS and Dr. Bhau Daji Lad can be bought online or at the counter; heritage walks around the Fort precinct and Khotachiwadi are run by local heritage trusts and fill quickly in the November-February season
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Suburban trains are the fastest way to cross the city, but first-class tickets and off-peak travel outside 8AM-11AM and 5PM-9PM make the experience far more comfortable
Ride-hailing apps and metered black-and-yellow taxis are cheap and plentiful, while auto-rickshaws are barred from most of South Mumbai below Bandra
Temples and dargahs require shoes to be removed and shoulders and knees covered, and many prohibit leather items and photography inside the sanctum
Elephanta Caves close on Mondays and ferries stop during the monsoon, so the island needs to be planned around the calendar rather than added on impulse
South Mumbai's landmarks between Colaba, Fort and Marine Drive sit within a walkable few kilometres, making a single day on foot far more efficient than crossing the city repeatedly
Carrying small denomination rupee notes helps at markets, ferry counters and temple shoe stands, where card payment and change are often unavailable
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed to see Mumbai's main attractions?
Three full days covers South Mumbai's colonial core, a half-day trip to Elephanta Caves and the temples and suburbs to the north; two days is enough for the essential landmarks alone
When is the best time of year to visit Mumbai's attractions?
November to February offers dry weather and temperatures around 20-32C, the only period when outdoor sightseeing, ferries and coastal walks are reliably comfortable
Are Mumbai's major attractions free to enter?
Many are, including the Gateway of India, Marine Drive, Haji Ali Dargah, Siddhivinayak Temple, Banganga Tank and the Hanging Gardens; museums, Elephanta Caves and Sanjay Gandhi National Park charge modest fees
How do visitors reach Elephanta Caves?
Ferries leave the Gateway of India jetty roughly every 30 minutes from about 9AM to 2:30PM, take around an hour each way, and do not run on Mondays or during the monsoon