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 corniches, observing busy-bodies take a ‘chai & sutta’ break – this city never ceases to amaze me with its offerings. The curiosity to wander led me to catalogue things to-do in Mumbai which are pocket-friendly and sure to tick things off that’s on your bucket list. For most part these things can be done within as low as INR 500!
Check-out the Different Treks & Trails at Sanjay Gandhi National Park
A protected area right in the middle of the metropolitan 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 be experienced 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
Entry Fee:
Adults: ₹65 per person
Children (below 12 years): ₹30 per person
Senior Citizens: ₹25 per person
Cycling Entry: ₹80
Kanheri Caves Entry Fee: ₹25
Children (below 12 years): ₹30 per person
Senior Citizens: ₹25 per person
Cycling Entry: ₹80
Kanheri Caves Entry Fee: ₹25
Best time to visit:
Between June and March since monsoon starts in June and continues till October at times, post which is winters. Avoid summer months (April & May)
Spend Time in Museums
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya / Prince of Wales Museum
One of the best and well-maintained museums in Mumbai near Fort (Town) this heritage building stands tall, housing around 50,000 exhibits of ancient India and artefacts from foreign lands, this is Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya originally named Prince of Wales Museum of Western India. It holds collection of gold Kushana coins and some breathtaking piece of jewellery.
Entry fee – INR 100
Photo permit – INR 100
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
In case you are a museum enthusiast you must visit this one too which is in Byculla.
Entry fee:
Adults – INR 10 per person (Indians), INR 100 (Foreign national)
Child (6 to 12 years) – INR 5 per child (Indian), INR 50 (Foreign national)
Students (PIO, OCI, NRI with ID) – INR 2 (Indian under 12 years with school groups or valid id), 5 for 13 years and above with school/ college groups or valid id), INR 30 (Foreign national – valid id)
Infant – Free (Indian & Foreign national)
Visiting time – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (All days except Wednesday and Public Holidays). Last ticket sold aat 5:30 pm
Contact: 022 2372 1234
Best time to visit:
Throughout the year.
Watch Flamingos at Sewri Jetty or Thane Creek
An annual sight where thousands of greater and the lesser species of flamingoes congregate at a stretch of 15 to 20 kms between Thane creek to Sweri Jetty in Navi Mumbai between November to 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 am – 10 am
Best time to visit – November to June
Stroll Along Queen’s Necklace
This is where you take a breather from the fast city life. Right in the middle of the city, this place begs you to take a step back and enjoy the moment.
Best time to visit:
Anytime but avoid when the tides are high during monsoon.
Take a Boat-ride from Gateway of India
Entering 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
Best time to visit:
October to March which is winter in Mumbai. Avoid monsoons between June to October During summers you are indulge in evening rides.
Walk Through the Mangroves
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 anthropological 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 broadwalk along with educational exhibits.
Entry Fee:
To be announced
Entry Timing:
To be announced
Best time to visit:
To be announced
Grab A Bite At Historical Eateries
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.
Best time to visit:
Throughout the year.
Book City Walks
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
Best time to visit:
Throughout the year although some walks stop during monsoon and scorching heat.
Step Inside Buddhist Caves
Many might not be aware but Maharashtra has been an important seat of Buddhism and Ajanta & Ellora Caves are a testament of 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 Caves
Kanheri or Krishnagiri Caves is Housed inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) it is a 2000-year old Buddhist Complex with 100 caves.
Entry Fee:
Adults: ₹65 per person (National Park)
Children (below 12 years): ₹30 per person
Senior Citizens: ₹25 per person
Cycling Entry: ₹80
Kanheri Caves Entry Fee: ₹25
Children (below 12 years): ₹30 per person
Senior Citizens: ₹25 per person
Cycling Entry: ₹80
Kanheri Caves Entry Fee: ₹25
Elephanta Caves
Open throughout the year except for Mondays, these are rock-cut caves that were constructed between mid 5th to 6th century and is a UNSECO World Heritage Site. Ferry leaves from the jetty at 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
Entry Fee
INR 40 per person for Indian, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand 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
Meditate at Global Vipassana Pagoda
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.
Visit Haji Ali Dargah
Located in Worli, this dargah houses the mortal remains of Pir Haji Ali.
Entry fee – Free
Visiting time – 9.30 am to 5.30 pm
Best time to visit:
Throughout the year.
Experience Local Markets
A firm believer that local markets are places where culture thrives, the first thing I did when I shifted to Mumbai was scouring them! Be it Nataraj Market at Malad, or Borivali Market or Dadar Market or 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
Best time to visit:
Throughout the year.
Explore the Popular Beaches of Mumbai
And of course, it never costs much to just walk by the beach!
Spend your evenings (or the weekends) at Bandra Band Stand, 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.
Best time to visit:
Throughout the year except for heavy monsoons.
There are so many great ways to spend a day in Mumbai, so the next time you plan your visit to the 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 and cabs. Exploring a city should evoke a sense of excitement and not the dread of expense!
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