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The best things to do in Mumbai, India

International Traveller
Here’s the best way to spend your time in the old heart of Mumbai, Fort,  from visiting Victorian masterpieces to a date with a Bollywood film and the Gateway of India.

Where to sleep in Mumbai

Taj Mahal Palace Hotel

The iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel has it all: six storeys that combine the Indo-Saracenic style with Victorian Gothic, Romanesque and Edwardian details; topped off with a huge Moorish dome… and that’s just the architecture.

 

Located in a prominent Colaba location overlooking the Arabian Sea and a stone’s throw from the Gateway of India, the hotel – built by Indian industrialist Jamsetji Tata – has been the jewel of the city since it opened its doors in December 1902.

 

It was the first building in the city to be lit by electricity and held the first licensed bar; today you can choose from a number of fine dining options within the hotel.

 

Its grace, charm and luxury has attracted maharajas, dignitaries and celebrities to stay – its 550 rooms and suites includes the Ravi Shankar suite; so called after George Harrison stayed here in 1966 under a pseudonym and studied sitar with the (equally legendary) Pandit Ravi Shankar.

hotel Mumbai stay
The landmark Taj Mahal hotel built in 1903 on the southern shore of Mumbai, Inida.

What to eat in Mumbai

There are 6 local Mumbai favourites you can’t leave without trying.

1. Bhel Puri

Rice with papadi, mango, potato, chutney, sev and onion.

2. Bombay Sandwich

White bread with potato, beetroot, cucumber, tomato, onion and mint chutney.

3. Batata Vada

Potato dumplings with chilli, ginger, turmeric garlic, lime and coriander.

4. Vada Pav

Dumplings added to a bun and accompanied with a fiery sauce.

5. Butter Crab

A simple seaside classic; enjoy a takeaway with oodles of garlic butter.

6. Ragda Pattice

A street food favourite: chickpea stew with pattice of fried potato.

life food mumbai
Baskets of bright orange and yellow marigolds ready to be threaded into garlands for sale at a neighbourhood covered flower market in Mumbai, India.

Festivals to attend in Mumbai

India is a land of festivals and in any given month in Mumbai you might find yourself swept up in colourful celebrations.

Ganesh Chaturthi – 25 August

Celebrating the birth of Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom, preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi begin months ahead in Mumbai where over 6000 Ganesha idols are commissioned every year.

 

At the end of the seven to 10 days’ worth of festivities, thousands of processions come together on Mumbai’s beaches to immerse the idols in the sea; accompanied by music and dancing.

Diwali – from 19 October

India’s five-day-long festival of light, Diwali marks the start of the Hindu New Year and sees diyas (oil lamps) twinkling from inside homes and fireworks lighting up the sky (the most impressive display is at Marine Drive).

 

Take a wander down ‘Lantern lane’ – LJ Road at Matunga-Mahim – after dark and you’ll find a dazzling display of lamps for sale in all conceivable colours and forms.

 

The impromptu market is an attraction in itself.

Kala Ghoda Arts Festival – early february

This is India’s biggest celebration of its many cultures, a month of traditional dance, food and visual arts.

 

Various venues across the city host everything from film to stand-up comedy, book readings and you’ll also find plenty of food stalls.

 

The guided heritage walks are a great way to explore Mumbai’s architecture and urban design that constitutes one of the most crowded cities in the world.

Mumbai, India
Colourful powder and spices for sale

Did you know?

More than 22 million people live in Mumbai and smack bang in the middle of it is the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, where you’ll find leopards, deer, crocodiles and monkeys, as well as ancient Buddhist caves.

 

At 104 square kilometres, it cuts a huge swathe out of the city, forcing commuters to travel around it to get to work.

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Bollywood

Mumbai is famous for being the home of Bollywood, the centre of India’s Hindi film industry that generates more than 1000 movies a year.

 

Full of colourful dance routines the films often include intermissions, given they’re often three-hour epics.

 

Join a Bollywood tour to watch stars getting their make-up done, sets being made and dances being choreographed. For info, visit getyourguide.com.

Vibrant fabrics, fake antiquities to Bollywood posters can all be found at Mumbai's Chor Bazaar at Mutton Street.
Vibrant fabrics, fake antiquities to Bollywood posters can all be found at Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar at Mutton Street.

What to do in Mumbai

1. Gateway Of India

Start your day under the impressive arch of the Gateway of India, finished in 1924 to greet important officials to the country. It was planned to welcome the Emperor and Empress of India, King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, but construction didn’t begin until 1915.

2. Regal Cinema

You can’t come to Mumbai without watching a Bollywood movie surrounded by fans of the genre. All the top films are shown at the Regal Cinema, its Art Deco façade a welcome relief from all the Victorian masterworks.

3. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

Surrounded by palm-tree studded gardens, this museum has that quintessential old-world feel and is full of curiosities, ancient relics and stunning art from the Indian subcontinent.

4. Fashion Street

Pick up a silk scarf at this colourful street market for the rest of your travels around the temples and sights of the city. Practise your bargaining skills as you haggle over everything from saris to Persian-style slippers and jewellery.

5. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Catch a train from this World Heritage Site (pictured top left) just to experience the hustle and bustle and organised chaos of Mumbai. Completed in 1888 it’s a striking Gothic, Victorian edifice.

6. Minara Masjid

Occupying a corner of Mohammed Ali Road, the lanes outside this mosque are also a bustling food market, with stalls operating late into the night. Come here for chicken and quail, the smell of which fills the air from countless tandoors.

 

Want to discover more about Mumbai? Visit our India go-to guide page

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This is why cruising is the best way to see Asia

    Dilvin Yasa Dilvin Yasa
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    Iconic destinations, unforgettable adventures and thrilling onboard adventures; say hello to your next Asia holiday with Royal Caribbean.

    When you want to explore the gleaming skyscrapers of Shanghai and the bars of Singapore, but also embrace centuries-old traditions in Japan before traipsing through the lush jungles of Malaysia, a conundrum presents itself: how do you do it all seamlessly without the stress of flying (or repacking)? Enter, Royal Caribbean.

    With a brand designed around maximising your holiday time, sip cocktails by the pool or watch Broadway-style performances on board as the ship glides effortlessly from one atmospheric port to the next.

    Now that you have Asia at your fingertips with minimal effort, the big question is: which all-inclusive experience (and itinerary) is best for you?

    Japan

    The itinerary

    Spectras Cabaret royal caribbean
    Prepare for a show, on and off the ship.

    The Land of the Rising Sun has never been hotter, and Royal Caribbean has a vast array of unforgettable Japanese itineraries – these range from eight-night adventures to 14-night holidays circumnavigating the country’s islands.

    The eight-night Best of Japan sailing is memory-making perfection, kicking off in Shanghai (Baoshan) on 24 October 2026. Stop at fascinating ports to soak in the sweeping landscapes and seascapes of Saikaiminato, Kyoto, Niigata and Hakodate while enjoying incredible dining and adventurous activities onboard Spectrum of the Seas®. Complete your journey back in Shanghai, ‘the Paris of the East’.

    Port highlights

    mt fuji in japan
    See iconic vistas of Japan.

    Off the ship, hike the dramatic volcanic peaks of Sakaiminato’s Daisen-Oki National Park, explore the iconic temples of Kyoto, enjoy traditionally brewed sake made in Niigata (the birthplace of many quality sake brands), and taste local flavours at Kanemore Red Brick Warehouse, a premier dining and shopping district in Hakodate.

    Don’t miss Royal Caribbean’s Amanohashidate Highlights shore excursion in Kyoto, an exhilarating experience that features a cable car ride up to Kasamatsu Park and includes a visit to Nariaiji Temple, a hillside Buddhist site.

    The ship

    Spectrum Of The Seas in Singapore
    Step on board Spectrum of the Seas®.

    Aboard Spectrum of the Seas®, days at sea are just as action-packed as those on land. Here, 17 dining venues, along with eight bars and lounges, take guests on the ultimate global dining tour. Stop into Sichuan Red, designed specially for this ship, where you can savour a rich tapestry of authentic spices and Asian-influenced flavours. Start with the chef-recommended royal sea cucumber, then move on to a hot and savoury bowl of mapo tofu simmered in a traditional spicy sauce, or authentic pickled radish and duck soup.

    Fancy a little post-dinner entertainment? Talk salsa lessons, or book front row seats to Showgirl, a multisensory spectacular that pays homage to the ultimate siren of the stage. You can also take a visual journey into the exotic cultures of the Far East with The Silk Road at Two70®.

    Kids (and kidults), as always, are well-catered for, with aqua park Splashaway Bay℠ and the largest indoor active space at sea, SeaPlex®, which offers everything from laser tag to bumper cars. Those looking to relax can find peace in the adults-only solarium, as well as a wealth of treatments at Vitality℠ Spa.

    Thailand and Malaysia

    The itinerary

    Izumi Teppanyaki on ovation of the seas royal caribbean
    Sit down to hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki℠.

    Royal Caribbean’s Southeast Asia sailings deliver the perfect fusion of culture, cuisine and coastlines, and the four-night Penang & Phuket cruise is proof that short escapes can still feel spectacularly rich.

    Kick off with Royal Caribbean’s iconic Sail Away Party as Ovation of the Seas® departs from Singapore on 27 February 2026. The itinerary then weaves through two of the region’s most mesmerising destinations: Malaysia’s melting pot of cultures in Penang and Thailand’s sun-soaked island of Phuket.

    Each port stop is layered with history, flavour and natural beauty, while each moment spent onboard Ovation of the Seas® is filled with fun and excitement.

    Port highlights

    iconic ‘James Bond Island’ made famous in The Man with the Golden Gun thailand
    Zoom around the ‘James Bond Island’.

    In Penang’s George Town, a maze of heritage architecture, vibrant murals and street stalls serving sizzling char kway teow and aromatic laksa come together, blending past and present. Visit the Taoist Goddess of Mercy Temple to soak up its peaceful energy, ride the century-old funicular to the forested summit of Penang Hill for panoramic views, and wander Batu Feringhi Beach, where the Andaman Sea laps gently against golden sand. Jet skis? Why not?

    Then it’s north to Phuket, where both adventure and relaxation beckon. Make the most of the local beach scene at Kata Noi and wander up Monkey Hill for sweeping vistas (and mischievous company). Be sure to book Royal Caribbean’s thrilling shore excursion here – you’ll zip along in a three-engine speedboat to the iconic ‘James Bond Island’ made famous in The Man with the Golden Gun. After a day of exploration, you’ll have enough time to enjoy a sunset cocktail on the waterfront before returning to your ship for another unforgettable evening.

    The ship

    Ovation of the Seas®, royal caribbean
    Experience thrills aboard Ovation of the Seas®.

    Of course, life on board Ovation of the Seas® is just as exhilarating as your adventures off it. Sit down to 16 flavoursome finds, from Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver® to theatrical hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki℠.

    Build up an appetite with Royal Caribbean’s iconic onboard activities, from the FlowRider® surf simulator to soaring sky-high on RipCord® by iFLY® and zipping around in bumper cars in SeaPlex®. You can really choose your own adventure.

    End the night with Spectra’s Cabaret at Two70®, a fascinating fusion of music, robotics and light that redefines entertainment at sea.

    The result? A holiday brimming with discovery, indulgence and Royal Caribbean’s signature magic: Asia, perfectly packaged.

    Start planning a cruise around Asia that you’ll never forget at royalcaribbean.com.