Mumbai Travel Guide: Heritage Sites, Elephanta Caves, When to Go and Flying In
Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is on India's western coast, on the Arabian Sea, in the state of Maharashtra. Maharashtra's tourism department calls it "India's financial capital", and the Ministry of Tourism's Incredible India site describes a commercial hub and an entertainment capital that began as seven islands. Three World Heritage Sites listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are in and near the city.
Mumbai is served by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) and Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMI), at Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. Each has its own routes, recorded on its airport page; see Flying to Mumbai below.
According to Incredible India, the Portuguese arrived in the 16th century and later gave the seven islands to the British Crown as a royal dowry when Princess Catherine married King Charles II. The islands were then leased to the East India Company.
Mumbai's three World Heritage Sites
UNESCO lists three World Heritage Sites in and near Mumbai, inscribed between 1987 and 2018.
Elephanta Caves
The Elephanta Caves are on Elephanta Island, which UNESCO also calls the Island of Gharapuri, and are reached by ferry from the Gateway of India. UNESCO inscribed them in 1987 and dates the rock-cut caves to about the mid-5th to 6th centuries AD. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which looks after the site, dates them to about the 6th to 7th centuries AD.
The caves are dedicated to Shiva. In Cave 1, which UNESCO measures at 39 metres from the front entrance to the back, the 7-metre-high Sadashiva represents three aspects of Shiva. The ASI adds that the statue of an elephant is housed at Jijamata Garden in Mumbai.
Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai
Inscribed in 2018, this site comes from an urban planning project of the second half of the 19th century, which UNESCO says produced ensembles of public buildings bordering the Oval Maidan. They were built first in the Victorian Neo-Gothic style and then, in the early 20th century, in Art Deco, blending Indian design with Art Deco imagery in a style that has been called "Indo-Deco". UNESCO names the Rajabai Clock tower as the visual high point, and says Marine Drive retains its setting as a sea-facing Art Deco development.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus
UNESCO inscribed Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) in 2004. It was built over 10 years from 1878 to a design by the British architect F. W. Stevens, and UNESCO calls it an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture in India, blended with themes from Indian traditional architecture. Maharashtra Tourism and Incredible India call it Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, and Maharashtra Tourism lists it with Mumbai Central among the city's major railway stations.
What else to see in Mumbai
The Gateway of India and Marine Drive
Maharashtra Tourism says the Gateway of India was built in 1924 and marks the royal visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911. It overlooks the Arabian Sea. Marine Drive is affectionately known as the Queen's Necklace.
Places of worship
Siddhivinayak Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha; Maharashtra Tourism says it was built in 1801 and expanded in 1993. Incredible India says the Mahalaxmi Temple is dedicated to Mahalaxmi, the Goddess of Wealth, and that the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount is also known as Mount Mary Church.
Maharashtra Tourism places Haji Ali on an islet in the Arabian Sea, reached by a narrow causeway, and says it is dedicated to Pir Haji Ali. Incredible India describes the dargah as a tribute to the Muslim saint Haji Ali Bukhari and says it is accessible only during low tide via the causeway.
Museums, galleries, parks and other sights
For art and theatre there are the Jehangir Art Gallery, the National Gallery of Modern Art, Prithvi Theatre and the Kala Ghoda precinct. There is also the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum.
Green spaces include the Hanging Gardens on Malabar Hill, Kamala Nehru Park and the zoo at Jijamata Udyan. Incredible India puts Sanjay Gandhi National Park at over 104 square kilometres, with dense evergreen forests. Water sports are listed at Juhu and Aksa beaches, and Film City is among the city's sights.
Markets and street food
For shopping, the markets include Colaba Causeway, Crawford Market, and Linking Road and Hill Road in Bandra. For street food, there are vada pav, pav bhaji, bhel puri, sev puri and misal pav, at places such as Crawford Market, Mohammed Ali Road, Juhu Beach, Chowpatty and Dadar, as well as pani puri and bombil fry.
Visiting the Elephanta Caves
The ferry to Elephanta leaves from the Gateway of India, and Maharashtra Tourism puts the crossing at approximately one hour. On the island there are steps to climb to the caves, with a toy train for those who prefer not to walk.
As of October 2026, the ASI's page for the caves lists them as open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on Mondays. An entry fee applies, with an online payment option, and the ASI gives free entry to children below 15 years.
Maharashtra Tourism suggests November to February as the best time to visit the caves, and says March to May can be quite hot and humid.
When to visit Mumbai
Incredible India and Maharashtra Tourism both put the best time to visit Mumbai between October and February, when Incredible India describes mild temperatures and breezy evenings. Maharashtra Tourism does not recommend March to May, because of extremely hot and humid weather.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) counts June to September as the south-west monsoon season, and Maharashtra Tourism says to expect heavy monsoon rains in those months. It suggests the same months to nature lovers, for trekking, waterfalls and greenery.
Festivals in Mumbai
Incredible India places the Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, a week-long festival in South Mumbai, in February. It also names Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival honouring Lord Ganesh that comes as the monsoon clouds give way to clear skies, and Navratri, a nine-day celebration dedicated to the Goddess Durga.
Flying to Mumbai
Each of Mumbai's airports has its own routes: Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, at Ulwe in Navi Mumbai. Confirm the airport and the terminal on your booking, and on the airport pages, before you fly. The airport pages cover terminals, ground transport and facilities.
A release from the Navi Mumbai airport's operator group, dated 5 October 2026, described Mumbai Metro Line 8, which would link Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, as proposed.
Main routes from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport
The main direct routes recorded from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport go to Delhi, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Kolkata (Calcutta), Hyderabad and Chennai (Madras). Others go to Ahmedabad, Guwahati, Kochi, Goa (Dabolim) and Srinagar. Goa has its own Goa travel guide.
Airlines recorded on direct routes from Mumbai's airports include IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and Star Air.
Getting around Mumbai
Mumbai Metro Line 3, the Aqua Line
Mumbai Metro Line 3, also called the Aqua Line, is run by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL), a joint venture of the Government of India and the Government of Maharashtra. Stations named on its website include Cuffe Parade, Churchgate, Hutatma Chowk, CSMT Metro, Worli, Siddhivinayak, Dharavi, Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC), CSMIA-T2 and Marol Naka. MMRCL also offers a tourist pass for unlimited rides.
Metro Line 7
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's page for Metro Line 7, with status as of April 2023, says the line between Andheri (E) and Dahisar (E) opened in two phases, on 2 April 2022 and 19 January 2023. It was built with an interchange to Metro Line 1 (Ghatkopar to Versova) at Andheri.
Buses
BEST, the city's bus undertaking, says its bus service covers the entire city and extends beyond it into neighbouring urban areas: Navi Mumbai, Mira Road and Bhayander, and up to Thane.
Beyond Mumbai: Raigad district
The Elephanta Caves are in Raigad district, in Uran taluka according to the ASI; UNESCO's listing still uses the district's old name, Kolaba. Maharashtra Tourism says Raigad is connected to Mumbai by the Sion Panvel Expressway.
On the Raigad coast, Maharashtra Tourism describes Alibaug beach as a wide expanse of flat land with black sand. It calls Mandawa beach easily accessible from Mumbai, with a view across the bay to the Gateway of India on clear days. For other destinations, see the India travel guide.
Questions about Mumbai
Which airport should I fly into for Mumbai?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport serve Mumbai, and each has its own recorded routes on its airport page. Confirm which airport your booking names before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Mumbai?
Incredible India and Maharashtra Tourism both name October to February. Maharashtra Tourism does not recommend March to May, and says to expect heavy monsoon rains from June to September.
Are the Elephanta Caves near Mumbai open every day?
As of October 2026, the ASI lists the caves as closed on Mondays and open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the other days.
How do I get from Mumbai to the Elephanta Caves?
By ferry from the Gateway of India, a crossing Maharashtra Tourism puts at approximately one hour. Steps lead up to the caves, and there is a toy train for those who prefer not to walk.
What are Mumbai's UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
The Elephanta Caves (inscribed in 1987), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (2004) and the Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018).
Is there a metro between Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport?
A release from the Navi Mumbai airport's operator group, dated 5 October 2026, described Mumbai Metro Line 8, which would link Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and Navi Mumbai International Airport, as proposed.