Mumbai 3 Days Itinerary: How to Spend Your Time Perfectly

Mumbai – if London and India had a baby! That’s how I experienced the city. It is very cosmopolitan and modern, with skyscrapers and beautiful Victorian buildings dominating the architecture (its London side). On the other hand, it is in its soul Indian. It is chaotic, lively, colourful and diverse. It’s a clash of rich and poor. My 2-week journey through India started in Mumbai and I am so glad I visited it, even though it is not on the tourist radar, especially not for the first time visitors. In this blog post, I am bringing you a Mumbai 3 days itinerary, so you can have a perfect time there.

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How to Get to Mumbai

It is actually pretty easy to get to Mumbai from any worldwide destination. There are direct flights or with one stopover from cities like London, New York, Tokyo, Dubai to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, one of the busiest airports in Asia.

If you’re travelling from South or Southeast Asia, or within India, you can fly some really low-budget flights to Mumbai.

💡The customs and border control in Mumbai (and India in general) is the worst I have ever experienced so far! Once we landed, got out of the plane (after a 10h long flight from London!) and went to the border control to get our visa checked and passport stamped, we waited in the queue for 2 HOURS! Sadly, the bureaucracy system in India is terrible and non-functional. There were only 2 border control workers (police officers I think) checking the documents and all of a sudden one just left, so we were left with one! It was such a negative experience, especially as I didn’t expect it, so prepare mentally for it. Unfortunately, if you’re not Indian, there’s not much you can do for that matter. Just arm yourself with a lot of patience.

Okay, so now that you finally passed the passport control, there are 2 best ways to get from Mumbai Airport to your hotel. You can get an Uber ride once you get out of the building (make sure you have the e(sim) card ready).

You can also get a pre-ordered private transfer that will be waiting for you.

How to Get Around Mumbai

While you can use the public transport in Mumbai, it is not something I would recommend. Firstly, it can be really crowded on trains and buses, and it’s not really the safest option, especially not for female travellers.

The best and easiest way to get around Mumbai is with Uber. The rides are cheap, convenient, and you can track where you’re going.

Also, if you’re staying in the touristy areas, then most of the attractions are easy to explore on foot, which is my top recommendation.

Where to Stay in Mumbai

Personally, the best area to stay in Mumbai is Colaba where most of the attractions are and the best hotels. If you stay in this district, it will be so easy to walk around Mumbai with minimal to no usage of the public transport. Plus, it is the safest area for sure.

Second district I recommend is Nariman Point, which is a beautiful modern downtown area by the Arabian sea, where you’d find Marine Drive (the best beach side of Mumbai). It is also safe to stay in this area, and it is only a 30 minute walking distance from Colaba, which means you can walk a lot and explore on foot too.

📖 Read my Is It Worth Staying at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai? A Complete Review blog post.

When to Visit Mumbai

The best time to visit Mumbai is from October to February, when the daytime temperatures are 23-32 C (73-89 F), which is perfectly enjoyable for sightseeing. It’s also dry during that period which is a big plus! Obviously, this is also the most popular time to be in Mumbai, though tourists don’t really go there as much as they visit other parts, like Golden Triangle and Goa, so it won’t be as busy as in those other places.

Definitely avoid the monsoon season which runs from June to September because the rainfall tends to get really heavy and you may not be able to explore Mumbai at all.

How Many Days in Mumbai is Ideal

While Mumbai is an interesting city to visit, it does not offer that many historical, cultural and nature activities like some other places in India. Therefore, depending on your personal interests, you would need 2-3 full days in Mumbai, though 3 days is better. That way you’re not rushed and you can explore it in more depth and do some day trips too! Which is exactly what we will cover in this Mumbai 3 Days Itinerary.

📖 Planning a trip to India? Check my How to Spend 2 Weeks in India: India Travel Guide blog post.

Day 1 in Mumbai

On your first day in Mumbai (considering it’s the first full one) you will explore the main sites of Mumbai and the best things to do there.

Gateway of India

Gateway of India is the most famous sight in Mumbai and definitely the most monumental and historic one. It’s actually an arch-monument that was completed in 1924 and erected to commemorate the landing of George V for his coronation as the Emperor of India in December 1911.

⭐️ FUN FACT: King George V was the first British monarch ever to visit India!

It is obvious to conclude that this will be the most touristy place in Mumbai that both locals and tourists love. While it can get busy there, it was still not overcrowded and you could enjoy it properly.

Sadly, this part of Mumbai, alongside some others, was a subject of terrorist attack in 2008. However, today it is one of the safest areas in the city because of the rigorous security systems which were implemented after the attack.

For example, even though this is an open-space area, you need to pass the security scan before you can enjoy the landmark and take some photos. Personally, these types of security measures are comforting to me and I don’t find them intimidating.

Taj Mahal Palace

Next to Gateway of India, you will find the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. I put it on the list of things to do in Mumbai because it is more than a hotel, it is a landmark with an interesting history too! Actually, it is such an important sight of Mumbai, that I dedicated one whole day to it!

As per my suggestion, you should spend your day 3 of this Mumbai itinerary just enjoying everything this hotel has to offer (like I did!). Therefore, more about Taj Mahal Palace Hotel later, but when you’re visiting Gateway of India, admiring the hotel from the outside will be inevitable.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum

Or easier to remember as the Prince of Wales Museum, it’s a must-have location to visit in Mumbai!

If you’ve read some of my blogs before, my about page or you’re following me on Instagram, you know I’m a geeky museum person! That’s why my blog is dedicated mainly to culture travel.

Therefore, if you’re like me and love visiting museums to learn more about the history and culture of a place you’re visiting, Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum is a perfect place to do it.

I especially loved the collection of ancient sculptures. Plus, the building itself is gorgeous from the inside, and especially from the outside, so at least check the outdoor grounds.

🫶 If you’re not feeling comfortable exploring Mumbai on your own and/or you would like to learn more about each sight from a local guide, I recommend this highly rated guided tour.

Flora Fountain

Flora Fountain was built in 1864 and it depicts the Roman goddess Flora. It’s one of the busiest crossroads in Mumbai where you can experience the local crazy drives by observing it. But what I love about this place is that it offers a 360 degree view of some of the most beautiful buildings in Mumbai.

All these buildings were built during the Victorian reign of Mumbai and this is the part of the city that reminds me of London a lot.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Train Station

You may think what is interesting to see at the train station, but trust me, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is well worth stopping by (and it’s anyway on the route you’d be doing if you’re following this exact itinerary).

It’s such a wonderful train station, with impressive architecture both outside and inside. It reminds me of St Pancras in London, but with an Indian twist.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus was completed in 1887, the year marking 50 years of Queen Victoria’s rule.

Crawford Market

Crawford Market is the best known market in Mumbai, and also the busiest one.

Do note that you are not allowed to visit the market on your own, there’s even a walled disclosure that you can only enter with a certified local guide. Don’t worry, there are plenty of them roaming around and targeting tourists like yourself, usually they’re dressed in white and will show you a certificate that they are THE guide you need by yourself.

I never really understood why you need a guide, but it is not a scam, apparently. You don’t need to pay them, but they will expect a tip, so make sure you give them something.

🫶 If you’d rather explore it on an already organised tour, I recommend this one again.

Marine Drive

For finishing your first day in Mumbai, I recommend you to get to Girgaon Chowpatty Beach at Marine Drive and watch the sunset and the local life.

Just don’t expect it to be too relaxing because you’re in India and that means that people will be coming to you to take selfies. At first it was fun, but near the end it became too overwhelming, especially for me as so many local women and kids came for selfies, that we had to leave the beach.

P. S. You can soak up your feet into the sea, but the water is dirty for swimming + it is not custom for women to swim at the beach, especially not in bikinis, so leave that for your hotel pool.

📖 Visiting India as a woman? Read my Essential Tips for Visiting India as a Female Traveller blog post.

Day 2 in Mumbai

On your second day in Mumbai, I recommend you to take a day trip and explore the area around Mumbai.

Elephanta Caves

Surely, the best day trip you can do from Mumbai is visiting Elephanta Caves.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also called the ‘City of Caves’ located on an island in the Sea of Oman close to Mumbai. Some caves were carved about 1500 years ago, so it’s a pretty impressive place to visit.

Lonavala Hill and Karla & Bhaja Caves

Another great day trip idea from Mumbai is Lonavala Hill and Karla & Bhaja Caves.

Lonavala is famous for its outstanding natural beauty full of green valleys and breathtaking views. Close to it are the remarkable Karla & Bhaja Caves, which are Buddhist caves more than 2500 years old.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park & Kanheri Caves

And lastly, one of the top day trips you can do is visiting Sanjay Gandhi National Park & Kanheri Caves.

If one thing is certain, there are many great cave temples around Mumbai. In this guided tour you get to visit Kanheri Caves that are 2400 years old together with Sanjay Gandhi National Park, a protected area. 

Day 3 in Mumbai

After 2 active days in Mumbai, day 3 would be more relaxing, especially the second half because you’d check into Taj Mahal Palace and enjoy what this hotel has to offer until you go to sleep.

Even if you’re not staying at Taj Mahal Palace, I still recommend you to chillax a bit.

Morning Activities

Because check-ins start from 2 pm usually, you can do some interesting activities in the morning, depending on your preferences. However, do note that you can also use the swimming outdoor area before the official check-in time (and while you’re waiting to check-in), you just need to have confirmation that you’re staying there. Obviously, you can only use the swimming pool on the actual day of your reservation because it’s for guests-only. That way you can enjoy the hotel all day unless you’d really love to do some of the activities below.

Dharavi Slum Tour

If you would love to see the other side of Mumbai and learn how people live in the most harsh conditions you can imagine, I recommend you to take a guided tour to Dharavi slum.

Dharavi slum is considered to be the most densely populated slum in the world with 1,000,000 people living there in an area of just over 2.39 square km (0.92 square mi)!

Street Food Tour

On the other hand, if you’d love to have a pure hedonistic day in Mumbai, then you can also go on a guided street food tour! I DO NOT recommend at all doing this alone because you don’t want to risk catching a Delhi belly! Local guides know which street food vendors serve the best and most hygiene (hygiene is relevant word here) food. That way you can experience the local cuisine without risking food poisoning.

📖 On that note, check my 5 Essential Tips for Surviving India – Top Things to Know blog post.

Cooking Class

If you’re like me and the idea of street food in India doesn’t sound too compelling to you, then joining a cooking class is probably a better idea! You still get to taste delicious Indian food with the locals, but you also learn how to make it yourself. Win-win!

Colaba Market & Leopold Cafe

Or you can explore Colaba Market (smaller version of Crawford and no guide needed!) on your own.

What I recommend you to include somewhere on this Mumbai 3 days itinerary is to eat and have drinks at least once at Leopold Cafe! It was opened in the 19th century, so it’s a pretty historical food place to visit. It is famous with tourists and locals alike.

Sadly, it was also a place of 2008 terrorist attacks, so today there’s a security guard in front of the entrance who will scan you to check you don’t have any weapons with you. Honestly, I didn’t mind it all, on the contrary, I felt more safe with this approach. The food is really delicious there and it’s perfectly fine to have a pint of beer too! It’s a progressive modern, yet historical place you really have to visit at least once (I went twice!). It is very close to the Taj Mahal Palace and Gateway of India.

Afternoon at Taj Mahal Palace Hotel

I already mentioned that Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai is more than a hotel, it is such an iconic landmark of Mumbai!

King George V and Queen Mary were one of the very first famous people to stay there, and were later followed by: The Beatles, Mick Jagger, Alfred Hitchcock, the Dalai Lama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and even Neil Armstrong!

On the walls in the common areas you can see who of the famous people have stayed there. It was built in 1903 and stands opposite to the Gateway of India.

It has 9 restaurants, including popular ones like Wasabi by Morimoto – make sure to reserve a table in advance because it gets booked up! We stayed at Taj Mahal Palace on Valentine’s Day, so the hotel organised a barbecue in the outside area with live jazz music. It was perfect!

The hotel rooms have Indian-inspired decor and come with modern amenities like a TV and minibar. There’s also a 24-hour butler service (I felt like Kevin from Home Alone Lost in New York while staying there) and the staff was really, really friendly.

The hotel also offers luxury experiences like the Taj Salon, a landscaped pool, and high-end shopping with brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior. 

And do you want to hear the best part? It is super affordable to stay there! We paid £372 for 1 night with breakfast included. Considering this is a luxury 5 star hotel and one of the most famous in India, this was not expensive at all.

📖 For a more comprehensive overview, check my Is It Worth Staying at the Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai? A Complete Review blog post.

✅ BOOK YOUR STAY AT TAJ MAHAL PALACE

Is Mumbai Worth Visiting

While Mumbai is not my favourite place in India, it is surely an interesting place to visit.

It is diverse, modern yet traditional, progressive yet chaotic. It’s a perfect place to start your trip to India, especially for a first-time visitor. A travel to India is one that you won’t ever forget, and Mumbai is a perfect intro to this chaotic, yet colourful world on the South Asian subcontinent.

Therefore, Mumbai is definitely well worth visiting.

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