Stories · India
5 days in Mumbai
Not a list: a thread to follow, at your own pace.
Mumbai is earned slowly. This story follows a simple logic: the icons early in the morning, the neighbourhoods when the city wakes up, and evenings left to chance. 5 days, one thread, no stress.
Day 1 · The icons
Early in the morning, head to Shree Babulnath Mandir, Mumbai. It’s the kind of place that makes you go quiet for a moment, even when you thought you knew it all. Unmissable, and for good reason. Travellers give it 4.8 out of 5 (18,000 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
Around noon, it’s Shri Mahalakshmi Devi Temple, Mumbai. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.7 out of 5 across 38,000 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your tickets or go through Tiqets.
Lunch without a plan: the first noisy room you pass is often the right one.
In the afternoon, meet me at Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount (Bandra, Mumbai). You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.7 out of 5 (17,000 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: how to get there · travellers’ reviews.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Mumbai does the rest.
Day 2 · Fresh air
To start, I make my way to Kanheri Caves. This is the breath of the trip. Even one hour changes the day. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (9,063 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, get your tickets in advance or also check Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s Film City View. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your visit, otherwise also check Tiqets.
For lunch, Maharashtra 400065 is full of options: trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
Later, head to Chhota Kashmir Boat Club. Go late in the afternoon: the heat drops, the light softens and the photos take themselves. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
Keep the evening free. Mumbai is a city that tells itself better at night.
Day 3 · Day trip
In the morning, I make my way to Gateway Of India Mumbai. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.6 out of 5 (389,336 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. Practical: the public-transport route, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or compare on Tiqets.
Day 4 · With the family
Early in the morning, it’s Snow Kingdom (Mumbai). The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Everyone goes; everyone is right. 4.7 out of 5 across 51,760 reviews: few places are this unanimous. Practical: how to get there, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or go through Tiqets.
Then, it’s KidZania Mumbai. The kids will still be talking about it weeks later. So will the adults, though they admit it less. Everyone goes; everyone is right. Travellers give it 4.5 out of 5 (17,172 reviews) and I won’t argue with them. To get organised: how to get there; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise also check Tiqets.
At lunchtime, stay around Maharashtra 400086: a noisy room, a dish of the day, and you’ve understood everything.
After lunch, head to Mahajan Forest Park. Bring water, shoes that hold, and no watch. Practical: here is the route by public transport, and if you’d rather skip the queue, book your visit or also check Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Mumbai does the rest.
Day 5 · The icons
In the morning, head to Global Vipassana Pagoda. You’ve seen it a hundred times in pictures; in person it is bigger, closer, more alive. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.6 out of 5 across 23,000 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: here is the route by public transport; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise compare on Tiqets.
Late morning, it’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. 4.5 out of 5 across 96,000 reviews: few places are this unanimous. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line book your tickets, otherwise go through Tiqets.
For lunch, trust the rooms full of locals rather than the menus translated into six languages.
Later, meet me at Elephanta Caves. Take the time to walk all the way around it; the best views are rarely at the entrance. Unmissable, and for good reason. To get organised: the public-transport route; skip-the-line get your tickets in advance, otherwise also check Tiqets.
In the evening, let go: a terrace, a walk, and Mumbai does the rest.
If you’re still hungry
Other places I wish I could have fitted in: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Water Kingdom by EsselWorld, Shree Siddhivinayak Temple, ISKCON Temple, Juhu and Band Stand. Slip them in wherever a day feels light.
My advice
Walk. Then take public transport: that is where you see the city live.
Book the busiest places the day before: queues have ruined more than one morning.
Keep a little local cash: the best addresses are often the least equipped.
Safe travels. And get lost at least once; that is where Mumbai begins.
A Triovol story · written by someone who would go back tomorrow
Opening hours, prices and closures change: a quick look at the venue’s website before you go avoids bad surprises.