Mumbai Travel Forum

How much time would you recommend spending in Mumbai as a tourist?

There's a special on Kenya Airways to fly to Mumbai, and we basically want to take a handful of days there, but is 3 enough or is a longer stay like 5 or 6 days necessary?

Please don't say we need a month in Mumbai or 3 months to see all of India - we can spend only a handful of days in Mumbai only. We know India is a big country and that there are many, many more places to see elsewhere in the country, but we're doing only Mumbai this time.

We don't need to spend days and days shopping, and we get bored sitting in cafes and eating all the time. So we can pack a lot into each day and move around a lot.

I'm sure there will be plenty of Mumbaikars that disagree with me, but I would recommend the three-day visit if you are only stopping in Bombay. The city is not generally seen as a tourist destination--there are less historical and big-draw sites there than in other cities. Bombay does have a pretty neat downtown that you can walk around, but a few days there would let you see that, plus the beach/island areas that also draw tourists. A lot of the city is a vast, sprawling place that doesn't have a huge amount of character or nice architecture, unfortunately.

I am not trying to slam Mumbai--it's a really interesting city, but I think it's one of those places that is better to live in than visit. Getting to know little neighborhood places and find the hidden gems, of which there are many, would take a lifetime.

There is GREAT food to be had in Bombay, so definitely do your research on that and make the most of your stay!

Totally agree with TravelMad - 3 days is plenty!

Hi,
I think 2 days are much more enough in mumbai. You can explore mumbai in 2 days of time also enjoy food like pav bhaji, biryani, paani puri, vada pav, masala dosa and more.
Milind

I would also say 3 days will be enough to see the important sites without having to rush like mad
The Lonely Planet walking tour is a great way to get orientated and see most of central Mumbai.
Don’t miss Elephant Island
Details of both are on my India page under things to see / do
If you need further info then please feel free to drop me a line
Happy Travels
Rob

There are lots of places to visit in Mumbai and nearby too if you have the time. So depending on what you wish to do and where you wish to go you can easily spend three days in Mumbai city and enjoy the city sights like Flora Fountain, Town Hall, St. Thomas's Cathedral, Horniman Circle Gardens, Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus building (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Chowpatty Beach (for the local snacks and kulfi), Hanging Gardens, Banganga Tank, Mani Bhavan (Mahatma Gandhi's residence and Museum), Chatrapati Shivaji Museum, Jehangir Art Gallery, National Centre for Performing Arts, National Gallery of Modern Art, Colaba Causeway, Gateway of India, Marine Drive Promenade, Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Elephanta Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Kanheri Caves, Haji Ali Tomb (in the middle of the sea), Dhobi Ghat (Open Air Public Laundry) and many other places and monuments that will catch your fancy.

Places like Aurangabad for the world famous Ajanta and Ellora Caves (UNESCO World Heritage Sites) besides some other excellent monuments and sites like Daulatabad Fort, Khuldabad (Emperor Aurangzeb's tomb), Bibi Ka Makbara (poor man's Taj Mahal), Pan Chakki (water mill), Grishneshwar Temple (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in India), Aurangabad Caves, Himroo Saree Weaving Workshops are worth seeing. Nearby is the world's second largest Meteoritic Crater at Lonar which is a beautiful site totally different from most places in India. Nearer Mumbai you can go to the Elephanta Caves on an island an hour away from Apollo Bunder and the Kanheri Caves at Borivali in the only city that houses a National Park within the city limits. If you love beaches then go on a hour long catamaran ride across to the mainland at Murud and Nagaon which is accessible from the Mandva Jetty near Alibaug. The Janjira Fort in the middle of the sea near Murud is worth going by sailboat for an enjoyable evening. The fresh sea food catch is worth having in these small villages with homestays that also have the best beaches near Mumbai. Travel to Aurangabad for about three to four days (one day each at Ajanta and Ellora caves at least) and a couple of days for the Alibag - Murud - Janjira - Nagaon trip.

Cheers,
Aadil.