48 Hours in Mumbai
The old city on day one, the sea and the suburbs on day two
- Duration
- 2 days
- Theme
- First visit
- Budget
- ₹6,000–12,000 per person over two days
- Best for
- Weekend visitors, Couples, Anyone with a long layover
Two days lets you do Mumbai properly: the colonial south with its museums and Gothic streets, then a boat to the Elephanta caves, the shrine in the sea at Haji Ali, the great open-air laundry, and an evening on Bandra's seafront. Day one is on foot; day two is boat, taxi and promenade. Both end at the water, which is the right way to end a day here.
Day 1
Gateway of India: Gateway of India
The starting point of every Mumbai visit, best early.
Breakfast on the Causeway: Bayview Cafe
Sea view breakfast, then a browse through the Colaba Causeway stalls as they open.
CSMVS Museum: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
The Prince of Wales Museum, as everyone still calls it. Don't skip the miniatures.
Lunch at Mahesh Lunch Home: Mahesh Lunch Home
Mangalorean seafood in the Fort, no-frills, very good, very Mumbai. Gassi and neer dosa.
Kala Ghoda and Flora Fountain: Kala Ghoda Art District
The art district and the Victorian core: Jehangir Art Gallery, Rampart Row, then Flora Fountain and the High Court.
CSMT: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT)
The station at its busiest and most photogenic.
Marine Drive sunset: Marine Drive
Nariman Point to Chowpatty on foot, roasted peanuts in hand.
Dinner at Ziya: Ziya Restaurant
Refined North Indian at the Oberoi, with Marine Drive glittering below.
Day 2
Ferry to Elephanta Caves: Elephanta Caves
The first boat from the Gateway jetty. An hour across the harbour, 120 steps up, and the Trimurti in the cool of the main cave. Back on the noon ferry.
Lunch at Copper Chimney: Copper Chimney
The reliable Worli classic for a proper North Indian lunch after the caves.
Haji Ali Dargah: Haji Ali Dargah
Walk the causeway out to the shrine in the bay. Time it for low tide. A glass of fresh juice at Haji Ali Juice Centre on the way back.
Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat: Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat
The open-air laundry from the station bridge. Late afternoon is quieter than morning but the lines of washing are still up.
Bandstand Promenade and Bandra Fort: Bandstand Promenade
Cross the Bandra–Worli Sea Link by taxi, then walk Bandstand to the fort for the sunset view back across the bridge.
Dinner at Seefah: Seefah
Thai and Japanese food on Hill Road in Ranwar, one of Bandra's old village lanes, with a bar. Order the crab fried rice and the mango sticky rice. A relaxed end to two days.
Before you go
- Stay in South Mumbai (Colaba, Fort or Churchgate), both days start there
- Book the Elephanta ferry for the first departure; the caves are closed on Mondays, so plan day two accordingly
- Check tide times for Haji Ali the night before, the causeway floods at high tide
- Day two's taxi legs are long; Uber or a hired car for the afternoon saves an hour