Quick Summary
- Photograph the Gateway of India at sunrise
- Admire the UNESCO-listed CST Station
- Explore the vibrant Crawford Market
- Walk through the Kala Ghoda Art District
- Stroll the legendary Marine Drive promenade
- Feast on street food at Girgaon Chowpatty
- Explore trendy Bandra and Bandstand Promenade
- Watch sunset at Juhu Beach
- Take an eye-opening Dharavi walking tour
Two days in Mumbai is the ideal introduction to India's maximum city. It gives you enough time to explore the colonial grandeur of South Mumbai on Day 1 and discover the modern, trendy side of the city in Bandra and the western suburbs on Day 2 — all without feeling rushed.
Day 1 focuses on the historic southern peninsula: the Gateway of India, the UNESCO-listed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, the bustling Crawford Market, the artsy Kala Ghoda district, and the legendary Marine Drive ending at Girgaon Chowpatty Beach. Day 2 heads north to Bandra — Mumbai's coolest neighborhood — with its Portuguese-era fort, Mount Mary Basilica, Bandstand Promenade, and the city's best shopping on Linking Road, before finishing at Juhu Beach. An optional Dharavi walking tour adds depth and perspective to your understanding of this incredible city.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Explore the best of South Mumbai from the Gateway of India to the UNESCO-listed CST Station, through vibrant markets and the Kala Ghoda Art District, finishing with a sunset walk on Marine Drive and street food at Girgaon Chowpatty.
Gateway of India
Start Day 1 at the Gateway of India. Arrive early at 7:30 AM for crowd-free photos of the basalt arch with the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in the background. Walk along the harbour promenade and optionally peek inside the Taj lobby.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Early morning (7-8 AM) or sunset
Nearby Food
- Taj Mahal Palace Sea Lounge
- Leopold Cafe
- Colaba street vendors
Pro Tips
- Morning golden hour light makes for the best photographs
- Have cutting chai and vada pav from the nearby street stalls for breakfast
Gateway of India
Apollo Bunder, Colaba, Mumbai 400001
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
Take a taxi north to Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's most beautiful railway stations. Admire the Victorian Gothic Revival architecture with its ornate stone carvings, turrets, stained glass, and central dome. Photograph the exterior from DN Road for the best angle.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours (heritage gallery 3-5 PM)
- Entry: Indians Free (exterior), Foreigners Free (exterior)
- Best Time: Morning for photography with good light
Nearby Food
- Ideal Corner
- Yazdani Bakery
- Britannia & Co
Pro Tips
- The station is a working terminus — stay alert around the platforms
- Stop at Yazdani Bakery nearby for the city's best bun maska and chai
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Crawford Market (Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai)
Walk 10 minutes north to Crawford Market, Mumbai's most historic marketplace. Wander through the spice section with its towering pyramids of turmeric and chili, browse the fruit section, and look for the stone reliefs designed by Rudyard Kipling's father on the exterior.
Details
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM (Closed: Sunday)
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Morning (10-12 PM) for fresh produce and fewer crowds
Nearby Food
- Badshah Cold Drinks
- Rajasthan Lassi Corner
Pro Tips
- Closed on Sundays — plan accordingly
- Try Badshah Cold Drinks nearby for famous falooda (₹80-120)
Crawford Market (Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Mandai)
Dhobi Talao, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Mumbai 400001
Kala Ghoda Art District
Head south to the Kala Ghoda Art District for Mumbai's cultural heartbeat. Browse the free exhibitions at Jehangir Art Gallery, admire the David Sassoon Library's architecture, and explore independent galleries and boutiques. Stop for a coffee at Kala Ghoda Cafe before continuing.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Galleries typically 11 AM - 7 PM
- Entry: Indians Free (most galleries), Foreigners Free (most galleries)
- Best Time: Late morning to afternoon
Nearby Food
- Kala Ghoda Cafe
- The Table
- Pantry
Pro Tips
- Most galleries are free — just walk in
- Britannia & Co nearby serves legendary berry pulao (₹350-600) — worth the detour for lunch
Kala Ghoda Art District
Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai 400001
Marine Drive
After lunch, walk or take a taxi to the southern end of Marine Drive at Nariman Point. Walk the full 3.6 km promenade northward toward Girgaon Chowpatty, enjoying the Art Deco architecture, sea views, and coconut water from beach vendors.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Late afternoon for the walk, sunset for photography
Nearby Food
- Pizza By The Bay
- Not Just Jazz By The Bay
Pro Tips
- Carry water and sunscreen — there is no shade on the promenade
- The walk takes 45 minutes at a comfortable pace
Marine Drive
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Marine Drive, Mumbai 400020
Girgaon Chowpatty Beach
End Day 1 at Girgaon Chowpatty Beach for Mumbai's most iconic street food experience. Try bhel puri, pav bhaji, sev puri, and kulfi falooda while watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea. This is quintessential Mumbai — the perfect way to close your first day.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours (food stalls 4 PM - midnight)
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Late afternoon to evening (4-8 PM)
Nearby Food
- Bhel puri stalls
- Pav bhaji vendors
- Kulfi falooda carts
Pro Tips
- Budget ₹150-250 for a full street food feast
- The beach is for eating and walking, not swimming
Girgaon Chowpatty Beach
Girgaon Chowpatty, Marine Drive, Mumbai 400007
Where to Eat
Colaba Street Stalls / Yazdani Bakery
Street food / Iranian bakery
₹50-200
Try: Vada Pav, Cutting Chai, Bun Maska
Britannia & Co
Parsi-Iranian cuisine
₹300-600
Try: Berry Pulao, Dhansak, Raspberry Soda
Girgaon Chowpatty Street Food
Street food
₹100-300
Try: Bhel Puri, Pav Bhaji, Kulfi Falooda
Discover Mumbai's modern side: explore trendy Bandra with its Portuguese heritage, walk Bandstand Promenade, shop on Linking Road, watch sunset at Juhu Beach, and optionally take a Dharavi walking tour for an eye-opening perspective on the city.
Bandra Fort (Castella de Aguada)
Start Day 2 at Bandra Fort (Castella de Aguada), a ruined Portuguese fort from 1640 perched above the Arabian Sea. Enjoy panoramic views of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link and the coastline. The morning light is perfect for photography.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Sunrise or sunset
Nearby Food
- Bandstand cafes
- Carter Road restaurants
Pro Tips
- The fort is free and opens at 7 AM
- Combine with a walk south along Bandstand Promenade
Bandra Fort (Castella de Aguada)
Bandstand, Land's End, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Mount Mary Basilica
Walk or take a short taxi ride to Mount Mary Basilica, a beautiful 18th-century Roman Catholic church on a Bandra hilltop. Explore the Gothic-style interior with its stained glass windows, buy candles from the vendors lining the steps, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM - 9:00 PM
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Morning for quiet contemplation
Nearby Food
- Mount Mary Road stalls
- Hill Road eateries
Pro Tips
- Dress modestly to enter the church
- The steps up to the basilica are steep but short
Mount Mary Basilica
Mount Mary Road, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Bandstand Promenade
Walk the scenic Bandstand Promenade along the rocky Bandra coastline. Pass by Shah Rukh Khan's famous mansion "Mannat" — you will spot it by the crowds of fans taking photos outside. Enjoy the sea views and watch the waves crash against the rocks.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Morning or evening
Nearby Food
- Bandstand area cafes
- Street food vendors (evening)
Pro Tips
- The promenade is 1.2 km — flat and easy walking
- Shah Rukh Khan's house "Mannat" is at the southern end near the amphitheater
Bandstand Promenade
Bandstand, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Linking Road Shopping
Head to Linking Road for Bandra's best street shopping. Browse the stalls for trendy clothing, bags, shoes, and accessories at bargain prices. Stop at the legendary Elco Pani Puri Center for what many consider Mumbai's best pani puri. Continue to Hill Road for more shops and boutiques.
Details
- Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Late morning or evening
Nearby Food
- Elco Pani Puri
- Candies
- Smoke House Deli
Pro Tips
- Bargain aggressively — final price should be 40-50% of the asking price
- Try Elco Pani Puri — it is a Mumbai institution
Linking Road Shopping
Linking Road, Bandra West, Mumbai 400050
Dharavi Walking Tour
Take an optional Dharavi walking tour for one of Mumbai's most eye-opening experiences. Led by local guides from organizations like Reality Tours, you will see leather workshops, pottery kilns, recycling centers, and the thriving micro-industries that generate over $1 billion annually. Photography is restricted in residential areas out of respect.
Details
- Hours: Monday to Saturday, Tours at 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM (Closed: Sunday)
- Entry: Indians ₹600, Foreigners ₹900
- Best Time: Afternoon (3 PM tour)
Nearby Food
- Local chai stalls within Dharavi
Pro Tips
- Book in advance through Reality Tours & Travel
- Wear closed-toe shoes and carry water
Dharavi Walking Tour
Dharavi, Mumbai 400017
Juhu Beach
End Day 2 at Juhu Beach for sunset, street food, and people-watching. Watch the sun dip into the Arabian Sea while eating pav bhaji (₹60-120) and Chinese bhel (₹40-80) from the beach stalls. The atmosphere at sunset — with families, cricket games, and kite flyers — is peak Mumbai.
Details
- Hours: Daily, Open 24 hours (food stalls 4 PM - midnight)
- Entry: Indians Free, Foreigners Free
- Best Time: Sunset (5:30-7 PM)
Nearby Food
- Beach stall pav bhaji
- Chinese bhel vendors
- Gola (crushed ice) carts
Pro Tips
- The beach is for eating and sunset, not swimming
- Try the gola (flavored crushed ice) for ₹20-40
Juhu Beach
Juhu Beach, Juhu, Mumbai 400049
Where to Eat
Bandra Cafes / Street Food
Cafe breakfast or street food
₹100-400
Try: Egg Bhurji Pav, Filter Coffee, Akuri on Toast
Elco Pani Puri / Lucky Biryani
Street food / Biryani
₹100-350
Try: Pani Puri, Chicken Biryani, Ragda Pattice
Juhu Beach Street Food
Beach street food
₹100-300
Try: Pav Bhaji, Chinese Bhel, Gola
Pro Tips for Your Trip
Start Early in South Mumbai
Begin Day 1 by 7:30 AM at Gateway of India. South Mumbai's monuments are best in morning light, and the crowds build significantly after 10 AM. Early starts also help you avoid the midday heat.
Use Ola/Uber Between Neighborhoods
Ola and Uber are the most convenient transport between South Mumbai and Bandra. Budget ₹200-400 per ride. The local trains are faster during rush hour but extremely crowded. Avoid taxis without meters.
Carry Cash for Street Food and Markets
Most street food stalls, market vendors, and auto-rickshaws are cash-only. Carry ₹1,000-2,000 in small denominations. UPI payments (Google Pay, PhonePe) are increasingly accepted but not universal.
Book Dharavi Tour in Advance
Dharavi walking tours through Reality Tours & Travel sell out 2-3 days ahead, especially during peak season. Book online at realitytoursandtravel.com. The 3 PM afternoon slot is less hot.
Stay Hydrated in Mumbai's Humidity
Mumbai is humid year-round, even in winter. Carry a water bottle, drink coconut water from street vendors (₹30-50), and take breaks in air-conditioned cafes during the hottest part of the day.
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Mumbai Itinerary Team
A team of Mumbai travel experts and long-term residents passionate about sharing the best of India's maximum city. With over a decade of combined experience exploring every neighborhood from Colaba to Borivali, we know Mumbai inside out.
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