Mumbai is a somewhat overlooked destination for travelers to India. However, if you are interested in exploring modern culture, fine cuisine and, why not, India’s colonial heritage, Mumbai is the ideal destination. I tell you what to see in Mumbai in one day to discover the most advanced city in India.
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One-day tour of Bombay
If you are only in Bombay for a day, you should stay in Colaba and visit the neighborhoods of Kala Ghoda, Fort and Malabar Hills. There you will find the main historical attractions and a good representation of the best stores, cafés and restaurants in the city.
That is what the mumbaikars call SoBo (for South Bombay), one of the areas where the richest people of the city live. There is a guided tour that you can book at this link. If you go on your own, you cannot miss these destinations.
Morning in Colaba and the Gateway of India
This neighborhood, full of art galleries, fashionable stores and restaurants, is the cultural center of Mumbai. It is a perfect place to stroll and enjoy the lively life of the city. In addition, you can walk along the coastline and appreciate the changing scenery as the tide rises and falls.
Start at this impressive monument that was built in 1924 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to India. It is a popular place to take pictures and enjoy the sea views. Next door is the famous hotel, The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower.
You can continue along Causeway Market and pop in for a coffee or beer at Café Mondegar or Leopold Café.
Afternoon in the Fort district
Fort has some of the most impressive buildings in Bombay. For this reason, its British colonial architecture has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with art deco.
Start your walking tour of the Fort at the CST station. This impressive train station, built in the 19th century, is a magnificent example of Victorian architecture.
Other buildings in British Bombay include the University of Bombay, the Rajabai clock tower or the High Court building around the Oval Maidan.
You can spend the afternoon in Kala Ghoda, a neighborhood named after the sculpture of a black horse at its entrance. It is another place to lose yourself among chic cafés and restaurants, designer stores and also special places like the Bombay Synagogue or the beautiful Kitab Khana bookstore.
Marine Drive and Chowpatty beach at sunset
If you like to walk, you cannot miss this great promenade that leads to the foot of the Malabar Hills. Many locals come here to watch the sunset and get together with friends. The atmosphere is especially lively in the evenings.
Malabar Hills is a small hill at the end of the bay where the richest families of the city live and where the mysterious Towers of Silence of the Parsees are located, the place where they expose the bodies of their dead. Don’t get excited because these gardens are closed to the public.
Something else?
All these sights can be done on foot. Other places that are usually included in a day visit to Bombay are Gandhi’s house and the Mahalaxmi public wash houses, but I recommend that, if you can, leave them for a second day in the city.
- Mani Bhawan: Gandhi owned no property, but this was his landmark in Bombay until 1934. Here he met with Congress politicians and humble people from all castes and walks of life. It is a beautiful historic house for those who want to know more about this symbol of Indian independence.
- Dhobi Ghat at Mahalaxmi: These open-air laundries surrounded by large buildings concentrate the city’s laundry business. The dimension of this place is overwhelming. You can see it from a lookout point or you can hire a tour or pay a laundry guide to tell you how it works and take you inside the alleys.
Excursions around Mumbai
If you have more time in Bombay, you can check the Mumbai tour in two days. You also have the option to make excursions around Bombay. Some ideas are:
- Excursion to the Elephanta caves, an island with temples carved into the rock.
- Bicycle tour of the main monuments of Bombay.
- Excursion to Kanheri caves in Borivali neighbourhood.
- Bollywood Tour and live show, the iconic cinema industry of India.
In this article, I have summarized all the must-see places in Mumbai and things to do in the economic capital of India.
Where to stay in Mumbai
I have a whole article about the best neighborhoods to stay in Bombay and the hotels I like the most, however, to shorten it I leave you three options that can work for your visit to Bombay.
The three hotels are in Colaba-Fort because it seems to me that staying in this peninsula you will be able to visit the city in one day in a more comfortable way. By the way, accommodation in Bombay is more expensive than in other places in India, especially if you want to stay in SoBo.
- Hotel Suba Palace is located very close to the Gateway of India, in the heart of Colaba. It is a typical Indian 3-star hotel, correct, with good service, but without much charm. A practical option for location and comfort. It is around $150 per night.
- Residency Hotel in Fort is a viable option with good service near the CST station. The price for a double room is around $100.
- For about $60 a night for two people, you have the Elphinstone Hotel, with small but adequate rooms 500 meters from Crawford Market.
Normally in all Indian cities I always recommend Bloom hotels for budget travelers. In Bombay you have the Bloom Boutique Bandra, in one of the liveliest neighborhoods of the city, but it is further away from the area of interest.
Map of the tour of Mumbai in one day
Here is the route I propose, along with the location of some restaurants, hotels and other places of interest.
Do you want to plan a trip to Mumbai on your own?
These are some tools to help you prepare for your travel to India from home. It’s just about time to start planning your next holidays.
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. This post contains some affiliate links.
These links allow you to follow my recommendations and book them, and provide a little commission. Thus, you help keep this travel blog ad-free at no extra cost to you.
Travel safe!
Leave your questions about Mumbai in the comment section below, and I will get back to you. If you already have your trip planned, I hope it will be an incredible experience. Have a safe trip.
