Things to Do in Mumbai

Discover 16 activities and experiences in Mumbai, India — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.

Mumbai, India 16 activities
  1. Slum tours

    The Dharavi slum is a breathtaking, overwhelming experience at the heart of this part of Mumbai, with a massive recycling industry, ultra-dense housing, and both poverty and wealth existing in close proximity. Seeing the slum firsthand is safer and easier under the auspices of a professional guide such as Fahim Vora, based in Dharavi. The longer tours are only slightly more expensive and worth the extra time, traveling through the slum's factories, bakeries, dwellings and schools, and interacting with local residents. Call to book or book online.

    Shop No: 5, Ground floor, 154 Dharavi Main Road, Dharavi, Mumbai-17.
    Three times daily, tours range from 1-3.5 hours
    ₹350 for a short tour, ₹500 for a 3.5 hour tour
    More info
  2. Join for Heritage walks

    organized by two architects, these walks take you around various historic and architecturally significant areas of the city. Walks are organized on the third Sunday of every month (with a break from June through August for the monsoons) and the route varies each time. The walks last around 120 min. ₹2500 minimum for maximum 5 people and ₹500 for every additional person. (''Discounted rates for students and the physically challenged'').

    More info
  3. Elephanta Festival

    (March) Organized by Maharashtra Tourism, the festival of music and dance at Elephanta Caves has in the past festivals have seen performances by renowned artists like Alarmel Valli, Sanjeev Abhyankar, and Ananda Shankar and traditional Koli dances as well as traditional food. 7PM-10PM (Ferries start at 4PM), ₹300 per day (includes to and from journey by ferry from Gateway of India to Elephanta Island)

    More info
  4. Essel World

    It is an amusement park. - There are 34 major rides not to include the coin operated games & a mini club. There are over 30,000 specimens in their botanical gardens and 79 rides and slides & Essel World attracts almost 1.8 million visitors each year. +phone=+91 22 6528 0305

    Global Pagoda Road, Gorai Creek, western coast of Borivali
    Essel World ₹800, Water Kingdom ₹900, combined ticket ₹1200. discounted tickets also
    More info
  5. Chembur Gymkhana

    For members only. 79 ft. x 45 ft. Swimming Pool, Two cafeterias by different contractors, Gymnasium, Tennis Courts, Indoor Badminton, Has 62,957 sq.ft(1.445 acre) ground used for cricket and seasonal wedding parties.

    16th Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400 071
  6. Kala Ghoda Festival

    The arts and crafts festival is held in the last week of Jan or first week of Feb annually in the historic precinct of Kala ghoda in Mumbai.

    More info
  7. Acres Lifestyle Club

    For non-members also. Activities like Bowling, Pool, Video Games etc at their gaming arcade. They also have go-karting, cricket etc

    411-B, Hemu Kalani Marg,
  8. Gorai Beach

    On holidays the beach is full of visitors and localities. Plenty of accommodation options are also available at Gorai beach

    Western end of Borivali
    More info
  9. Prabodhankar Thackrey Auditorium

    Where a variety of Dramas, Plays are Scheduled (In Gujarati, Hindi, Marathi & also in some south Indian languages).

    Sodawala lane, Borivali
  10. Banganga Festival

    (Jan) The musical festival is organized by Maharashtra Tourism (MTDC) annually at Banganga Tank on Malabar Hill.

    More info
  11. Veer Savarkar Udayan Garden

    an ideal place for all which have facilities like jogging track, boating area, kids play garden, skating etc

    Borivali
  12. Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Olympic Swimming Pool

    In addition to swimming, canteen and gymkhana facility is available

    Swatantrya Veer Sawarkar Marg (स्वातंत्र्य वीर सावरकर मार्ग), Shivaji Park, Dadar.
  13. Bombay Presidency Golf Club Limited

    There are two golf clubs in Mumbai; this is the more famous one.

    Dr. Choitram Gidwani Road, Chembur, Mumbai 400 074
  14. Water Kingdom

    One largest of the Asian water amusement parks

    Water Kingdom R900
    More info
  15. Jhansi Ki Rani Garden

    Also here the Lakshmibai Udyaan Pond

    ~102, Link road, Eksar Village, Eksar, Borivali
  16. Five Gardens

    Take a walk in the mornings.

Exploring Mumbai: A Traveler's Guide to Activities

Mumbai rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 16 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Mumbai and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.

The most rewarding way to experience Mumbai's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Mumbai has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.

When planning what to do in Mumbai, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Mumbai's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 16 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.

How to Get the Most from Mumbai's Activities

Timing matters in Mumbai. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.

Budget-conscious travelers will find that Mumbai has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Mumbai is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.

For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Mumbai offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Mumbai coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.

Activities for Different Travel Styles

Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Mumbai's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Mumbai's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.

The 16 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.

Connecting with Travelers in Mumbai

One of the best things about traveling to Mumbai is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Mumbai right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.

Download Nomax before your trip to Mumbai to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Mumbai often extends to your next destination too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Mumbai?

Mumbai offers 16+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include Slum tours, Join for Heritage walks, Elephanta Festival, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.

Are there free things to do in Mumbai?

Yes — Mumbai has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.

How do I meet other travelers while exploring Mumbai?

Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Mumbai. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Mumbai use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.

What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Mumbai?

Mumbai has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.

Explore Mumbai with fellow travelers

Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Mumbai right now. Free forever.

Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.