People sitting along a sea wall with a sandy beach and seaside views, enjoying a sunset at the picturesque Marine Drive in Mumbai, India. You can see some iconic buildings in Mumbai and the South Mumbai skyline in the background.

Discover 25 Free Things To Do In Mumbai (+5 That Are As Good As Free)

ByMelissa Kruse Hours Posted on

Are you looking for free things to do in Mumbai? I’ve got you covered!

They say the best things in life are free. That is true even in Mumbai, one of the most expensive, yet affordable cities in the world.

If you only have a couple days in Mumbai, my recommendations for the top things to do in Mumbai includes a mix of free and paid activities. But if you’re looking to save some bucks, or just spend some time as a local, then read on for the best free things to do (plus a few bonus inexpensive activities that I call ‘as good as free.’)

Free Things To Do In Mumbai

Mumbai is a city that never sleeps and there is always a buzz here. So, there are many free things to enjoy. Mumbai is large with heavy traffic. So, the list below has been categorized by area:

Free Things To Do In South Mumbai

South Mumbai comprises the original 7 islands that were first connected by causeways. It is the region south of Bandra and encompasses the richest parts of the city.

1. Get lost in the Victorian charm of Ballard Estate / Fort

This charming area, nestled next to the port in Bombay will transport you back into Victorian Bombay, with its colonial European architecture. This is where Mumbai originally grew from and is still a bustling business district.

A pro tip for a walk around Ballard Estate is to do it on a Saturday or Sunday evening when there are no office workers around and you can truly take in the architecture and the many intense ‘gully Cricket’ matches being played, taking advantage of the break in traffic.

Top sights to walk by here include The Port House, Grand Hotel, Port Trust War Memorial and the Grand Government Mint. Make your way to the nearby Flora Fountain in Fort or Kala Ghoda to people watch, enjoy some food, and continue exploring Victorian Bombay. While you can very easily walk these areas on your own, if you’d like to learn more about the history of the area, you could opt for this group walking tour of Fort and Colaba.

People playing street Cricket in the historic Ballard Estate neighborhood in Mumbai. You can see colonial style buildings lining the street as well.

2. Walk Along Marine Drive & Admire Art Deco Architecture

By far the most famous road in Mumbai, the Marine Drive, also called the Queen’s Necklace in South Mumbai is a bustling snapshot of Mumbai itself. Very close to two large local train stations, Marine Drive is used by workers to pass the time as they wait for the evening train rush to subside, college students, joggers and lovers. With a platform to sit on by the sea, this is also a perfect spot to people watch.

You can learn about the architectural history of Mumbai through plaques on the ground along the 2.3 mile walk, which has 94 historic buildings showcasing the Art Deco style of architecture. Start at Nariman Point and walk to Chowpatty or the other way.

There are many other popular Mumbai landmarks along Marine Drive including the world famous Wankhede and Brabourne Cricket Stadiums, The Oberoi Hotel, Air India Building, Pizza by The Bay, K Rustom’s ice cream, Marine Plaza Hotel, Nariman Point and many more.

People sitting along a sea wall with a sandy beach and seaside views, enjoying a sunset at the picturesque Marine Drive in Mumbai, India. You can see some iconic buildings in Mumbai and the South Mumbai skyline in the background.

3. Visit The Gateway Of India

The Gateway of India is the most popular monument in the city, a royal seaside arch completed in 1924 by the British to commemorate the landing of King George V in Mumbai, who was the first British monarch to visit India.

In the posh Colaba neighborhood at the southernmost tip of Mumbai, this monument is right opposite the grand Taj Mahal Palace & Hotel in Mumbai.

A view of the Gateway of India arch by the Arabian Sea from the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai. There is a crowd of people gathered by the seaside arch across the street with a view of the ornate hotel on the right.

4. Marvel at the architecture of the Taj Mahal Palace & Hotel

Right by the Gateway of India is the grandest and most recognizable landmark of Mumbai, the Taj Mahal Palace & Hotel. Built in 1903 by Jamsetji Tata (of the Tata group) as a symbol of defiance towards the British, who wouldn’t allow Indians into upscale hotels and clubs. A fun fact of this beautiful building is that it was built backwards due to a mistake by the construction contractors!

The structure stands as a representation of the pride and resilience of the people of Mumbai. It was also one of the sites terrorists attacked during the horrendous three day long 26/11 terrorist attacks in 2008, also referred to as India’s 9/11. I would absolutely recommend going inside for a meal or high tea, but even observing the spectacular facade of the palace wing from outside it will leave your mesmerized! The hotel also has a historian that conducts tours of the property.

A view of the historic, ornate Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Colaba Mumbai from a boat in the sea. There are people along the promenade with the hotel in the background.

5. Visit Dhobi Ghat

Did you know that Mumbai is home to the largest open air laundry in the world, employing over 7000 people or dhobis? The long rows of clothes and the sound of wet clothes smashing into stone make this a unique audio-visual experience. While there are tours that take you into the dhobi ghat itself, there is a viewing platform right next to the Mahalaxmi railway station that you can visit for free.

Laundry drying outside at Dhobi Ghat, a top thing to see in Mumbai

6. Gaze at  the historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus or Mumbai CST is a spectacular example of Victorian, Gothic architecture that was brought to India through the 1800s. Built in 1878, it serves as the largest train station in Mumbai, with Mumbai’s 2 of 3 suburban lines and a large outstation terminus.

The facade of the building will keep you occupied and you can take a walk inside to marvel at its tall, highly decorated pillars and halls along with the crowds of the daily morning or evening rush hours. Opposite the terminus is the Mumbai’s Municipal Body (BMC) Headquarters which is also a beautiful gothic building.

A view of the gothic BMC (Municipal Body) Headquarters on the left with the historic Mumbai CST station in the background on the right on a clear, blue sky day.
The gothic BMC (Municipal Body) Headquarters on the left with the historic Mumbai CST station in the background on the right.

7. Take A Walk In The Hanging Gardens

The Hanging Gardens are beautiful terraced gardens, built atop a water tank, that was originally built to supply water to the adjoining Malabar Hill area. The highest point in South Mumbai, it provides views of South Mumbai, including the Marine Drive or Queen’s Necklace.

8. Walk to the Haji Ali Dargah – a mosque in the sea

The beautiful Haji Ali Dargah, that was opened in 1431, is one of the oldest monuments within the modern confines of Mumbai. Open to Muslims and non-Muslims, it is a monument and a tomb for Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a Sufi saint. Built in the sea, connected by a path that floods during the high tide, it is a spectacular example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Today, you can also see the criss-crossing of the Mumbai coastal road, a symbol of the city moving into the 21st Century.

A sunset view of the Haji Ali Mosque in Mumbai, India. There is a mosque in the sea with a walking platform that runs through the sea towards it. The shot is taken at low tide and there is a boat along with coastal rocks that can be seen.

9. Explore Bangaga Ghat – the only Hindu Pilgrimage site in Mumbai

Banganga ghat is a temple tank which has existed at least since the 12th Century and is considered the only Hindu pilgrim site in Mumbai. The old step well tank, with the juxtaposition of South Mumbai’s skyscrapers is quite a dramatic sight!

10. Visit the Worli Fort & fishing village

This fort, which is now within the confines of the Worli fishing village, was built by the British in the 1600s to fortify Bombay after taking over from the Portuguese. Just off the Bandra-Worli sea link on the Worli side, this fort and the village have spectacular sea views, which include views of the Sea Link and South Mumbai. While you can walk in here on your own, there are also tours you could opt for that will make navigation inside the narrow village lanes easier.

11. Colaba Causeway

As mentioned earlier, Mumbai is a set of 7 islands that the British connected through 7 causeways. Colaba causeway is the most famous of these causeways in the posh, architecturally wonderful Colaba neighborhood. Right by the Gateway of India and the Taj Hotel, you can walk the causeway while visiting those landmarks.

It offers some amazing food at some of the most famous cafes and restaurants in Mumbai (Leopold, Mondegar, Ling’s Pavillion, Delhi Darbar etc) along with street side stalls selling clothes, jewelry, antiques amongst other items.

12. Explore the roadside book stalls in Fort

If you’re a reader and a lover of books, this experience is like no other. Walk to fashion street from Flora Fountain and you’ll see the footpaths lined with roadside book stalls. While these books are pirated, the number of books and buzz will showcase how much Indians cherish education and books, even if through piracy. You can find old classics and the most recent best sellers here!

Street side book stalls with piles of books under a blue tarp in the historic Fort district of Mumbai. There are book sellers by the stall and you can also a typical gothic structure in South Mumbai.

13. Visit Crawford Market

This impressive, gothic structure was completed in 1869 and is still an old style market with small stores selling everything from spices, toys, poultry, dry fruits, clothes, jewelry and many other items. Crawford Market and the whole area around it is perfect to see how India mixes the old with the new, the chaos of two centuries ago with the infrastructure of today.

14. Mahim Causeway

A very different causeway from the one in Colaba, Mahim causeway offers you a glimpse into the cultural diversity of Mumbai. You can walk into the village by the causeway which has a famous mosque and the area also has some great street side food. You can catch spectacular sea views from the nearby Mahim Beach.

A view of the Banra-Worli sea bridge in Mumbai at sunset. The sun is just behind the bridge and there is an orange glow in the sky.
A view of the sea link from Mahim Beach

15. Sassoon Docks

The oldest docks in the city, these were built in 1875 on the southern edge of Colaba and are one of the few docks still open to the public. This also doubles up as Mumbai’s largest fish market. So, brace yourself for some smells if you wander here!

16. Check out the how the billionaires of Bombay live in Malabar Hill

While more than half of Mumbai comprises slum settlements, did you know it is amongst the top 10 most expensive real estate cities in the world and home to the most expensive home in the world!

Built at over $2B, Antilia, the residence of Mukesh Ambani, owner of Reliance Industries, is the richest person in Asia and currently the 11th richest in the world. The home has a ratio of 100 staff per resident (600:1). The Malabar Hill area and Altamount Road have many ethereal bungalows and modern buildings to be amazed by that house India’s richest and most powerful.

Other honorary mentions for South Mumbai include the Asiatic Library, streets of Kala Ghoda, Horniman Circle, Fashion Street, Dadar Parsi Colony, Afghan Church, Muhammad Ali Road during Ramadan, the Cuffe Parade fishing village, Mahalaxmi race course and the famous Siddhivinayak Temple.

Free Things To Do In Bandra & Western Suburbs

If South Mumbai is the Manhattan, Bandra is the Brooklyn of Mumbai, a perfect mix of residential and commercial. It is my favorite neighborhood in the city!

17. Walk The Historic Lanes Of Bandra

A proxy of the melting pot and the story of Bombay itself, Bandra is a collection of what used to be 25 fishing villages, taken over and framed by the Portuguese since 1540. It is littered with bohemian cafes, always has a buzz with students and corporate workers abound, beautiful murals, historic architecture, enchanting churches and hills where the well to do of the city reside in swanky apartment complexes, overlooking the sea. The Ranwar village and Chapel road would be two areas to definitely walk through.

Due to the crazy traffic, tiny roads and extreme overpopulation in this island city, I wouldn’t generally consider it walkable. However, Bandra is the most walkable neighborhood in Mumbai. If you’re looking for a walkable area to explore, check out my list of where to enjoy a walk in Mumbai.

Bollywood murals on Chapel Road, a good place to walk in Mumbai.

18. Visit Bandra Fort

Bandra fort or Castella de Aguada is a fortification structure built along the rocky coastline of Bandra in the 1600s by the Portugese to fortify Mumbai. It is at the Southern end of the popular Bandstand sea promenade in Bandra. The fort offers stunning views of the Bandra-Worli sea bridge and sunset vistas over the ocean.

View of the Sea Link during sunset from Bandra Fort, a top thing to do in Mumbai

19. Walk up to Mount Mary via The Steps of Mount Mary

From Bandstand, a popular seaside promenade in Bandra, start walking up the hill to the 18th Century Basilica of the Lady of the Mount, lovingly called Mount Mary. You will walk through some charming streets and a beautifully decorated steps leading up to the church. There are sea views to savor atop Mount Mary too!

The stone built Mount Mary Basilica in Mumbai, Bandra which is a church from the 1600s. It is built with black stone and the picture shows two church towers and candles burning outside on a stall.

20. Marvel at the rapidly evolving skyline of Mumbai from Bandra Reclamation

Mumbai is by far the tallest city in India, with land at a premium and buildings all over the overcrowded metropolis being rapidly redeveloped into skyscrapers. There are over 200 sky scrapers in India and this number will more than double by 2030. Mumbai is the fastest vertically growing city in the world and will add the highest number of skyscrapers anywhere in the world over the next decade.

Bandra Reclamation is a beautiful, reclaimed promenade by an old coastal village with views of the South Mumbai skyline and the Sea Link Bridge. The views of the coastal village juxtaposed against the modernity of Mumbai’s skyscrapers and sea bridges perfectly encapsulates the essence of Mumbai and India itself!

An evening view of the Mumbai skyline over the bay. You can see the well lit Bandra-Worli sea link spread across the bay with sky scrapers on the left. There are ominous clouds hanging over the bay.

21. Joggers Park and Carter Road Promenade

Bandra has some beautiful promenades and seaside parks. Check out Carter Road or the Joggers Park next door for a pleasant evening stroll with seaside views or the Bandstand promenade mentioned earlier.

Other honorary mentions in the Western Suburbs would be a walk at Juhu Beach, Gilbert Hill – an ancient monolith column of vertical basalt rock which is one of two structures of the kind in the world, the Powai lake promenade, Lokhandwala market, Bandra Linking Road Shopping street and St. Andrew’s church in Bandra.

Free Things To Do All Around Mumbai

Mumbai is large and the traffic means you spend hours commuting. Good thing there are some free things you can do all over the city.

22. Check Out The Chowpattys (Beaches)

All beaches in Mumbai are called ‘chowpatty’, which is an anglicized version of a Marathi word. Mumbai has famous chowpattys, with many stalls serving snacks, delicious meals, kulfi (Indian ice creams) and golas (icees) along its long coastline. Its a popular evening escape for the cities residents, to cool off and recharge.

The most popular chowpattys are the Girgaum Chowpatty at the northern edge of Marine Drive and Juhu Chowpatty in the Western Suburbs which are usually open till around 1am. If you’re in the western suburbs and feeling adventurous, you could venture out to Aksa beach and Madh Island in Malad where you can check out the Madh fort.

A sunset at a busy sandy beach in Western Mumbai. It is the early evening and you can see yellow hues in the sky with sparse clouds.
Juhu Chowpatty or Juhu beach in the early evening

23. Watch The Sunset

Being on the Western edge of India and with 80% of Mumbai built on reclaimed land connecting 7 islands, you’re never far away from the ocean in the city. There are many sea side promenades like Bandstand, Carter Road, Marine Drive, Worli Sea Face, Bandra Reclamation; beaches like Juhu, Versova and rooftop lounges like Aer to enjoy a sunset from. Find out more about the best places to catch the sunset in Mumbai in our guide.

A summer sunset in Bandra, Mumbai. There are shades of blue, yellow, orange and pink in the cloudy sky. You can see the suburban buildings of Bandra in the foreground with the sea and the sky in the background.

24. Watch A Local Cricket Match

Mumbai has given the highest number of cricketers to the Indian Cricket team. The maidans (or grounds) of Mumbai are a microcosm of the city itself, crowded dust bowls with 20 pitches within a space of 4. However, these maidans produce champions for the 2nd biggest sport in the world. You can always spend some time watching one of the many games you will find at these maidans like Azad Maidan, Cross Maidan, Shivaji Park and many others you are sure to pass.

A cricet pitch at the Cross Maidan or ground in Mumbai. You can also see other cricket pitches in the same shot with old and new buildings of Mumbai in the background.

25. Witness the Mumbai Dabbawalas at work

The Dabbawalas or people who deliver tiffin (dabba) lunches are unique to Mumbai. They pick up and deliver over a million lunch meals to office workers across Mumbai every single day. Acclaimed even in the business world for their 1 in 8 million errors, they use the suburban railway network to reach every part of Mumbai, carrying crates of dabbas over their heads or on their bicycles.

The sorting process happens at major railway stations across Mumbai in the mornings and you could head to Churchgate station to see this first hand. You can see the dabbawalas in action usually between 10am and 4pm across Mumbai, making sure its population is well fed! You can also book a tour of this experience which also combines some other sights in Mumbai.

Things To Do In Mumbai That Are As Good As Free

Here are an additional four things to do in Mumbai that are relatively cheap. You’ll have to rustle up a few rupees for these, but it’s still inexpensive.

26. Visit Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Despite the urban sprawl of Mumbai, you probably didn’t know that the largest park within a metropolis anywhere in the world is in Mumbai. Flanking Northern Mumbai in all directions is the Sanjay Gandhi National park, spread over 87 sq. miles (104 sq. km), with ancient caves, gushing streams, deer, leopards, lions, tigers and a peaceful look at the city from afar. It is an oasis of green in this concrete jungle and a visit to the Kanheri caves is not going to let you down. You can also sign up for tiger and lion safaris that run daily. Signing up for a tour would be prudent.

There are also many guided hikes in Sanjay Gandhi National Park and the neighboring Sahyadri Hills or the Western Ghats. You can check out our guide on hikes in Mumbai to learn more.

View from a hike in Sanjay Gandhi National Park with the green rolling hills in the front and the Mumbai skyline in the distance.

27. Enjoy Street Food

There’s A LOT of must try street food in Mumbai, but the top items not to miss are Pav Bhaji (buttered smash vegetables with buttered bread), Vada Pav (also known as the Bombay Burger), Chaat (Bhel Puri, Sev Puri, Pani Puri, Ragda Pattice), street sandwiches unique to Mumbai, Dhabeli (a peanut filled veggie sandwich), Tava Pulao (pan fried rice), kebab rolls at Bade Miyan or Ayubs, frankies (rolls) and street Chinese (eat at your own risk!).

If you’re not up to the task of navigating the variety of Mumbai’s street food, you can also sign up for the various street food tours available for tourists in the city.

A food vendor is preparing pav bhaji on a large flat griddle at a beachside stall. Menus with various food options, including Chinese and pizza, are displayed around the stall. The scene is set against the backdrop of Juhu Beach in Mumbai, with people and the ocean visible in the distance

28. Eat At A Parsi Cafe

Parsi or Irani cafes are run by the Zoroastrians of Mumbai, preserving the rich Parsi culture and heritage through food. There are only 200,000 Zoroastrians in the world with 100,000 in Mumbai and the rest spread out all over the world. So, the Parsi cafes in Mumbai are a cultural gem unique to Mumbai.

A meal at the many Paris cafes is guaranteed to be one of the best meals of your trip and we have you covered with our list of top Parsi cafes in Mumbai.

People inside an old, crowded restaurant, the famous Britannia cafe in Mumbai. There are curved archways, old hanging ceiling fans and plastered, peeling walls in this 100 year old cafe.
The famous Britannia Cafe in Ballard Estate, Mumbai

29. Check out the ingenious slum industries of Dharavi

Dharavi is the largest residential slum area in Mumbai and amongst the top 3 in the world. An area of 2.39 sq km (0.92 sq. mi) houses over 1,000,000 people. Its population density of over 900,000 people per square mile is a testament to how humans can survive and even thrive in the harshest conditions. It is a city within a square mile!

Dharavi encompasses an entire economy within it with many small businesses, industries like leather and pottery, street vendors and markets. Wandering inside Dharavi alone would not be recommended. If this is something you would like to check out, I recommend an organized tour with a local guide that will walk you through the area and explain the history.

30. Watch a movie in a single screen theatre

Mumbai, the home of Bollywood is known for its old style matinee movie theaters that continue to operate to this day. These theaters have balcony and stall (lower level) seating. The most popular theaters include Regal, New Excelsior, Maratha Mandir but there are many more you can find no matter where you are in Mumbai.

Depending on what movie you are going for, you may see people singing, dancing and whistling during the movie. This is not rude but in fact celebratory. You are sure to witness this unique cinema watching experience if you end up at one of these theaters for a Salman or Shahrukh Khan release.

TL;DR: Best Free Things To Do In Mumbai

Mumbai has something to serve every budget. It is a city that houses the richest and poorest in the world and these free things of Mumbai will immerse you in the diversity and feel the soul of the city.

If I had to pick the 3 top free things to do in Mumbai, I would recommend walking around Ballard Estate, walking the lanes of Bandra and checking out a chowpatty.