Itineraries for Your Trip to Mumbai
2 Days in Mumbai for First Timers
I remember my first visit to Mumbai: Slumdog Millionaire had been recently released and the 1988 film Salaam Bombay was in my mind, too. While these award-winning movies accurately depict aspects of the enormous megacity that is Mumbai, they don’t adequately prepare tourists. In reality, Mumbai is hectic but approachable, glam but laid-back, completely Indian and vibrantly international. With a population of more than 21 million, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Mumbai has a bit of everything; it’s anything you want it to be. So, how should you approach just two days in the maximum city? This itinerary is a good place to start.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a walk along Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach—it's best at sunset.
Mumbai has a tropical climate, so it’s hot and humid year-round but less so between December and April.
Start with a tour of South Mumbai’s highlights to get your bearings. Go it alone if you’re comfortable walking in the heat, or take a tour. Many tours start at the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and continue past the Bombay High Court, the Oval Maidan cricket ground, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly and still often called the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India), and to the Gateway of India. Grab lunch in traveler hub Colaba.
Catch a boat from near the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island in Mumbai Harbour. The roughly hour-long ride lets you cool off in the sea breeze. The island’s Elephanta Caves are a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the seventh century. Take a guided tour to learn more about the site’s history, especially the enigmatic statue of Hindu Lord Shiva with three faces.
After returning to the mainland, head to Marine Drive and Chowpatty Beach right before dusk. The curved city beach is good for watching the sunset with a plate of bhel puri, a local street food favorite. Take an evening tour to see the city’s landmarks lit up beautifully at night.
Start your second day in Mumbai by taking a taxi out to the 15th-century Haji Ali Dargah, a beautiful white Islamic shrine on a promenade curving out into the ocean. Continue to the enormous Dhobi Ghat laundry area nearby, where washermen handwash clothing and bedding in the open. Some guided tours include time at Dharavi, one of the world’s largest slums. If you want to visit, going with a guide is better.
Refuel from all your sightseeing with a cooking class or foodie walking tour. As a coastal South Indian city with residents from all over India, Mumbai has an exciting culinary heritage. Sample Maharashtrian, Gujarati, Punjabi, Tamil, Bengali, and other regional South Asian cuisines all in one city. Sample the best street food by going with a knowledgeable local guide.
Celebrate your last night in Mumbai by enjoying India’s glitziest nightlife. South Mumbai, Andheri West, and Versova are hot spots for nightlife. You might even see some Bollywood starlets out and about. To avoid getting lost, take an organized bar crawl, a great way to experience the local nightlife and make new friends.