13 Famous Places to Visit in Mumbai for First-Timers
There are so many amazing places to visit in Mumbai! If it’s your first time visiting the big city, also known as the financial capital of India and home of Bollywood, these are the top places you can’t miss!
Mumbai is one of India’s most famous cities and is on the western coast. It’s a top destination for travelers and there’s a lot of places to visit in Mumbai that will make your trip worthwhile!
This list features iconic landmarks like the Taj Hotel and Gateway of India, popular beaches where you can take in views of the Arabian Sea, important historical sights, famous eateries, and more! If you’re a tourist come to experience the city, these are all of the top places to visit in Mumbai!
I lived in Mumbai for over 6 years and of course I’m probably a bit biased, but it’s my favorite city in India! This post covers the most popular spots for tourists, but if you’re looking to get a closer look at life here, check out these 15 unique things to do in Mumbai. It’s honestly a city that never sleeps and always has a million different things going on, so you’ll never get bored!
This post is all about the best places to visit in Mumbai.
Places to Visit in Mumbai
#1 Gateway of India
The Gateway of India is one of the most iconic places to visit in Mumbai! It’s a port in South Mumbai that was built in the early 1900’s for prominent British visitors arriving by boat to the city. It’s a spot that holds a lot of history!
It also offers beautiful views of the Arabian Sea, with nearby boats and the famous Taj Hotel that make the sight picturesque. You can take a small boat from the Gateway of India to other popular spots like Alibaug or the Elephanta Caves, or even just enjoy a boat ride to enjoy views of the city skyline.
Going to the Gateway of India is free, but you have to go through security to get there. It’s a great place to get a picture and appreciate the views!
#2 Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is directly next to the Gateway of India and is another of the most iconic places to visit in Mumbai. It’s a luxurious and historic hotel that opened in 1903 and is known to be one of the finest hotels in India.
The hotel is famous for its stunning architecture and high-class amenities. It’s played a huge role in the city’s history and many political leaders and celebrities from around the world have stayed there.
As a tourist, you can go inside the hotel and walk around. You have to go through security but once you’re inside it’s breathtaking. I don’t actually know if tourists are technically allowed if you’re not staying there, but I have gone several times with friends and family who visited and never had any issue or been questioned.
Inside the hotel there are expensive cafes and restaurants along with high-end shops. They also have pictures and artifacts from prominent visitors who have stayed in the past. It’s really stunning just to look around, even the bathrooms are impressive!
#3 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (previously known as the Prince of Wales Museum)
This is a famous art and history museum also located in South Mumbai. It’s famous for its rich collection and beautiful architecture. It’s a beautiful campus full of greenery and the entire space is very well designed and maintained.
The museum has a huge range of Indian artworks, artifacts, and historical objects. You can spend several hours exploring the different exhibits and galleries!
The museum is open from 10:15 am to 6:00 pm and costs 700 INR ($9 USD) for foreigners. It’s cheaper for locals and children under 15.
#4 Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
The Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum is also near Nariman Point and is where Mahatma Gandhi lived while in Mumbai. It’s been turned into a museum that showcases the history of his life. It has a lot of very interesting artifacts and photographs from his life.
This is a great stop for travelers interested in learning more about Gandhi and his role in India’s struggle for Independence. You’ll learn a lot of history here and the museum is nicely organized, although it’s quite small and the building is very old (so don’t expect AC).
The museum is open from 9:30am – 6pm daily and only costs 20 INR (25 cents USD).
#5 Marine Drive
Marine drive is a popular place to go for a walk or hang out by the Arabian Sea. It’s a walkway that lines the coast in South Mumbai and is also known as the Queen’s Necklace because of its curved shape. If you Google ‘Mumbai’ and see a picture of people by the sea, chances are that it’s Marine Drive!
This is the perfect place to go to watch the sunset and enjoy the views of the city. It’s always buzzing and full of locals hanging out. There are a lot of nice restaurants and cool buildings along the way as well!
Marine Drive starts from Chowpatty Beach, which is a popular sandy beach (but not for swimming). It stretches about 5km and ends at Nariman Point, which is another well-known spot for views of the city and sea.
#6 Chor Bazaar
Chor Bazaar is one of the largest markets in India and is one of the most unique places to visit in Mumbai! Prepare to be overwhelmed by the amount of shops and various things you’ll encounter along the small streets.
It’s famous for having a lot of interesting antiques and unique artifacts. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, it’s fun to just walk around to see things and experience it. “Chor” means thief in Marathi (the local language), and many of the old items that end up in the market have been stolen at some point in the past.
If you do plan to buy something, there’s a 100% chance the sellers will give you outrageous prices being a foreigner – always bargain! Expect that they will be telling you probably double the price compared to what they would tell a local.
#7 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (previously called Victoria Terminus)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) is a major historic railway station in South Mumbai that still functions today. It was completed in 1888 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The station is huge and what makes it so famous is the architecture. It’s beautiful with intricate carvings and stained glass windows. You can appreciate it from the outside or stroll through the busy station for a closer look. Once you see it, you’ll understand why it is such an iconic landmark!
#8 Bandra-Worli Sea Link
This is not so much a destination in itself, but you should definitely travel across it as you see all of these places to visit in Mumbai! The Sea Link is a stunning cable bridge that connects the southern part of the city (Worli) to another famous area (Bandra).
The bridge has become an iconic symbol of Mumbai and is also a quick way to travel in the city while avoiding some of the infamous traffic. Only 4-wheeled vehicles are allowed on the bridge (you can’t walk or go on a motorcycle). Still, you can enjoy the stunning views as you cross it in a taxi or see it from a distance!
#9 Carter Road, Bandra
South Mumbai (where the above places like the Gateway and Taj are) and Bandra West are the most popular areas for tourists. For a comparison to NYC, you could say South Mumbai is the Manhattan of Mumbai and Bandra is Brooklyn.
Carter Road is the main walkway along the coast in Bandra that is always buzzing! You can go for a stroll and watch the sunset. You might also find some people playing music or dressed up in costumes along the walkway. The area also has a lot of great cafes and restaurants.
#10 Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount (AKA Mount Mary Church)
Mount Mary Church is in Bandra West and is one of the most famous Catholic churches in Mumbai. It’s built on top of a hill that overlooks the Arabian Sea and is famous for its architecture and great location. There is also a famous festival that happens here every year known as the Bandra Fair.
This is a popular sight for tourists because it offers great views, the building is beautiful and the neighborhood is full of cute cafes!
#11 Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Mumbai! It is a sandy beach (unlike most of the other popular beaches which are promenades) and it’s always lively. It’s known for its street food and beautiful views of the sea. While you’re there, try out some of the most famous foods in Mumbai!
Walk along Juhu beach and enjoy the sunset! The atmosphere is fun and you’ll see a lot of locals playing soccer or walking along the shores. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of sight-seeing and there’s a lot of nice restaurants in the Juhu area.
#12 Sanjay Gandhi National Park
While Mumbai is non-stop honking and commotion, Sanjay Gandhi National Park is one of the only places to visit in Mumbai that will make you feel like you’re not in the city! It’s a huge, lush green park in the northern part of the city.
The park is a vital natural reserve and home to a huge variety of animals and plants. One of the best and most famous parts to visit are the Kanheri caves. It’s an area full of ancient rock-cut caves and Buddhist sculptures that date back to the 1st century BC. If you’re going to the park, I’d recommend going to the caves!
The park is huge and there are also trails for trekking. I’d recommend getting a private taxi to take you around the park as it’s too big to try to walk the whole area, and a driver can drop you off to the different areas you want to see.
#13 Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre
The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) recently opened in March 2023 and is absolutely stunning! It’s in BKC, which is an upcoming area in Mumbai and very different from other parts of the city.
The cultural center is huge and is beautifully designed. You can appreciate the intricate details and artworks by walking around the center. I’d also recommend getting tickets to see a show or art exhibit.
They have a lot of cultural events like traditional Indian dances and music performances. They also started showing Broadway shows and the theater is phenomenal!
These are the most popular places to visit in Mumbai! There are also some great malls to do shopping and buy souvenirs, and there are HUNDREDS of great food places throughout the city! For more tips on navigating the city and advice to plan your trip, check out these 17 things to know before you travel to Mumbai.
This post was all about the best places to visit in Mumbai.
