Notorious for being expensive, Mumbai offers a lot more than just pocket-ripping cafes and pubs. For those who want to immerse themselves in the culture of this coastal city, there is a lot to check out without draining your savings. After having lived here for more than a decade, randomly walking through unknown alleys, sitting at random stalls, visiting Gregorian or Anglican Churches, breezing through local markets, promenading on cornices, observing busybodies take a ‘chai & sutta’ break – this city never ceases to amaze me with its offerings. The curiosity to wander led me to catalogue budget things to do in Mumbai that are pocket-friendly and sure to tick things off that’s on your bucket list. For the most part, these things can be done for as low as INR 500!

A protected area right in the middle of the metropolitan area of Mumbai that’s not only a biodiversity haven of birds, insects, reptiles, and mammals but is frequented by naturalists and birders. 

There are five major trails that one can experience under the guidance of naturalists, guides, and tour agencies. All the trails require special permits from the Forest Department as they form part of the core areas

1. Shilonda Trail: takes 35 – 40 minutes, best time to visit – monsoon and winters

2. Malad Trail: takes 35 – 40 minutes, best time to visit – monsoon and winters

3. Kanheri Caves (Lower): takes 45 – 60 minutes, can be visited throughout the year

4. Gaimukh Trail (Highest Peak trail / Upper Kanheri trail): takes 3-4 hrs, best time to visit – monsoon and winters

5. Nagla Block Trail: takes 2 – 2.5 hrs, can be visited throughout the year

INR 103 for adults
INR 50 for children
Carrying a camera requires an additional INR 259 fee.

The tickets for entry and all atrractions can be booked through SGNP’s official site.

Between June and March, since the monsoon starts in June and continues till October at times, post which is winter. Avoid summer months (April & May) which can be excruciating for a hike.

If you are an avid reader as well as a nature lover, then Mumbaikars can become a member of Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) Reads.

Museums are cornerstones of every city’s cultural identity, preserving every step of its evolutionary journey. A city without a museum is a body without a soul. They don’t just store objects, but collective memories that built civilization over time. Mumbai is no exception. Heritage buildings holding their precious cargo, whispering tales of their resilience, like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, in Fort, that houses more than 70,000 exhibits and was once a military hospital during World War I, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, the oldest museum in Mumbai, located in Byculla or The Museum of Paradoxes that promises incredibly quirky images.

An annual sight where thousands of greater and lesser species of flamingoes congregate at a stretch of 15 to 20 kms between Thane Creek and Sweri Jetty in Navi Mumbai between November and June, creating a pink cover.

Fee to book a boat ride at Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary – INR 530 (as of March 2025)

Time of the Day – before and after high tide. Early morning between 6 a.m. and 10 am

November to June

Walking along the promenade never gets old, especially on weekends when residents gather on the corniche, chatting, eating, and listening to the waves crashing against boulders.

Anytime, but avoid when the tides are high during the monsoon.

Entering the Gateway of India is free; however, the boat-ride services are charged.

Fee for boat ride – Starts from INR 70/ pax for a 30-min boat ride

October to March, which is winter in Mumbai. Avoid monsoons between June and October. During the summer, you indulge in evening rides.

A recent green space in Gorai is set to open on the 1st of May 2025, which will allow ecological enthusiasts to survey the intertidal ecosystem up close and personal. Mumbai, which has lost around 40% of its mangroves to encroachment and other anthropogenic activities, is being protected by the Mangrove Cell of the Maharashtra Forest Department by creating awareness among the population. Amping up the initiative, Gorai Mangrove Park is to open soon, featuring a 740-metre wooden boardwalk along with educational exhibits.

Mumbai is known for some of the most iconic eateries, and among them are Yazdani Bakery, Shree Thaker Bhojanalay, Kala Ghoda Cafe, Leopold Cafe and so on.

Throughout the year.

For those who are unaware, there are a lot of groups that take you around the city for an immersive experience. Some of my personal favorites are Marine Life of Mumbai, Go Hallu Hallu, Khaki Tours, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Art Deco and No Footprints.

Throughout the year, some walks stop during the monsoon and scorching heat.

Many might not be aware, but Maharashtra has been an important seat of Buddhism and the Ajanta & Ellora Caves are a testament to that fact. Besides Aurangabad (renamed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar recently), Mumbai also boasts of the presence of Buddhist caves that is open for public visitation.

Kanheri or Krishnagiri is housed inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). It is a 2000-year-old Buddhist Complex with 100 caves.

Adults: INR 65 per person (National Park)
Children (below 12 years): INR 30 per person
Senior Citizens: INR 25 per person
Cycling Entry: INR 80
Kanheri Caves Entry Fee: INR 25

Open throughout the year except for Mondays, these are rock-cut caves that were constructed between the mid-5th and 6th centuries and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The ferry leaves from the jetty at the Gateway of India. The first ferry leaves at 9 am and the last one at 2 pm. Elephanta is open from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm

INR 40 per person for Indian, Afghan, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Maldivian, Myanmar, Nepali, Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and Thai citizens

INR 600 per person for other foreign citizens

INR 10 per person for Village entry

INR 10 per person for Toy Train ride

No fee for Still Camera

INR 25 for Video Camera

Contact – 022 2204 4040

Situated in Borivali, near Essel World, it has the world’s largest dome standing without any supporting pillars and resembles the Shwedagon Pagoda of Myanmar.

Entry fee – Free

Best time to visit:

Throughout the year.

Besides Haji Ali Dargah which is famous for its foundations being in the middle of the sea where the mortal remains of Pir Haji Ali rests. There are other places of worship that brings a certain sense if calm like Afghan Church, This is not the only Located in Worli, this dargah houses the

A firm believer that local markets are places where culture thrives, the first thing I did when I shifted to Mumbai was to scour them! Be it Nataraj Market at Malad, or Borivali, Dadar, Crawford, and Mangaldas Market.

And if you want a peep into the fish-mongering Koli culture, then a drive to these markets at dawn is sure to fill your senses! The madness starts around 2 am so the earlier you go, the better.

• Sassoon Docks
• BhauchaDhakka or Ferry Wharf
• Khar Danda Fish Market
• Malad Fish Market
• Crawford Fish Market

Throughout the year.

And of course, it never costs anything to walk on the beach (as long as you control the temptation to try a plate of misal, vada pao or pav bhaji!).

Spend your evenings (or the weekends) at Bandra Bandstand, Versova beach, Aksa beach, Marve beach, Manori beach, Velankanni beach, etc.

And also lesser-known ones like Suruchi beach, Bena beach, Rangaon beach, Bhuigaon beach in Vasai and beyond.

Throughout the year, except for heavy monsoons.

There are so many great ways to spend a day in Mumbai, yet I hear people complaining – there’s nothing much to do except the cafes which keep creeping up like mushrooms. so the next time you plan your visit to this city that never sleeps, you know what activities you can indulge in. Also, all the places are well connected and are easily accessible either by autos, trains, metros, buses, or cabs. Exploring a city should evoke a sense of excitement and not the dread of expense!