Arriving in Mumbai, the City of Dreams, can be a little intimidating for a newcomer, but the city is full of warm and welcoming people. With a perfect mix of culture and diversity, it’s one of the biggest metropolitan cities in India. Known for its fast-paced life, eclectic nightlife, and the famous street food ‘vada pav’, the island city has many beaches and other popular attractions. To witness this in person can be truly exhilarating! So if you’re planning a 2-day trip, use our 48 hours in Mumbai itinerary to explore the city’s wonders!
Places To Visit On Day 1 In Mumbai
1. Victoria Terminus
Let’s start the day by arriving at Victoria Terminus, currently known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT). This place is renowned for being a historic railway terminus and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai. Right across the street from the terminus, is the iconic Aaram Vada Pav food joint, where you can devour some mouth-watering vada pav and other authentic Maharashtrian food and drinks. You can enjoy your breakfast from this food corner while admiring the beauty of the CSMT and the gorgeous building of the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation. Once you’re full, get ready to officially begin the tour of Mumbai!
Timings: CSMT is open at all times of the day and on all days of the week.
Entry Fee: Even if you aren’t boarding a train from the station, you’ll need a platform ticket (that costs INR 50) to explore CSMT from within.
2. Gateway Of India
The first place to visit is the Gateway of India, of which you must have heard and seen pictures. Being the most visited spot by tourists, this place is known as the “Taj Mahal of Mumbai”. Located at the end of Chhatrapati Shivaji Marg, you can enjoy this marvelous architectural wonder with the backdrop of the tantalizing Arabian Sea.
The arch monument was built during the 20th century to commemorate the arrival of the English royalty in India. It’s a great place for you to enjoy a hot cup of tea with the sweeping views of the sea filled with tiny ferries and ships, and to click some Gram-worthy pictures. You can also visit here during sunsets when the Gateway is lit up, adding to its magnificent beauty. Some other prominent landmarks near the Gateway of India are the luxury hotels, Taj and The Oberoi that underwent the wrath of the 26/11 terrorist attack.
Timings: Gateway of India is open at all times of the day and on all days of the week.
Entry Fee: None.
3. Colaba Causeway Market
Satisfied by the views of the sea-facing Gateway of India, you can then take a walk down the streets and arrive at the Colaba Causeway market. This market is known to be the heart of Mumbai and a shopper’s paradise. It’s full of vendors selling various quality products at reasonable prices. From lovely clothes and accessories, especially earrings, to home decor items, this market has it all.
Not just street vendors but also boutique stores fill up the market streets of Colaba Causeway. The streets of Colaba Causeway also have some of the best wine and dining options like Cafe Mondegar and Cafe Leopold. These cafès are popular both in terms of the menu they offer as well as their aesthetics. So, before you continue the tour, make sure you grab an appetizing meal from one of these cafès.
Timings: 10 am to 10 pm.
Entry Fee: None.
4. Jehangir Art Gallery
After that amazing lunch from Colaba Causeway, the next stop on the 48-hour Mumbai itinerary is the Jehangir Art Gallery. If you’re an art lover, then this is your chance to treat yourself to some mind-blowing artwork. At this gallery, you’ll not only find the splendid paintings of famous artists like M. F. Hussain and S. H. Raza, but also various other art forms like ceramics, photographs, crafts, prints, sculptures, and handicrafts.
The Jehangir Art Gallery is so prestigious that it takes about two years for artists to get their art displayed at this art gallery. And, for artists who don’t get a chance to display their artwork inside the gallery, the pavement outside the gallery is all theirs. It would be worth your time to visit this gallery and show some appreciation for these creative exhibits.
When moving to your next location, you can also catch a glimpse of the majestic architecture of the Bombay High Court and the famous Flora Fountain on the way. You can even take a quick pit stop at the Oval Maidan from where you can admire the many art deco buildings of Mumbai.
Timings: 11 am to 7 pm.
Entry Fee: None.
5. Marine Drive
Visiting Mumbai and not going to Marine Drive is like ending a sumptuous meal without a dessert. People often flock to this place for walks, exercising, photography, or to just sit and enjoy the sunrise or sunset with the waves hitting the black tetrapods outlining the shore. Since Marine Drive gets lit up by the streetlights around the C-shaped street at night, it gives the illusion of a necklace studded with stunning diamonds. And, hence it gets the name “Queen’s Necklace”. So after visiting the art gallery, this is a great place to just sit and enjoy the fabulous sea view.
If you visit Marine Drive, then it is mandatory to visit the Girgaon Chowpatty. Popularly known as Chowpatty, this is a small beach that looks like a colorful fair. While the kids can enjoy Ferris wheel rides or a merry-go-round, you can relish the beautiful beach view with the salt in your hair and sand on your toes. Don’t forget to also try out the delicious street food the Chowpatty is known for, like pav bhaji, chaat, golas, pani puri, and kulfis.
Timings: Open throughout the day and night.
Entry Fee: None.
Places To Visit On Day 2 In Mumbai
1. Haji Ali Dargah
The second day of your tour is going to be more spiritual as you’ll cover a variety of places of worship. You can start by paying an early morning visit to the Haji Ali Dargah. This dargah is a popular one not just among the Muslim population of Mumbai but also among the other diverse religions. Sitting on an islet, this place of worship is a top tourist attraction in Mumbai. A cobbled pathway leads to this white dargah, where you’ll find a tomb dedicated to the Sufi Saint named Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. Visiting this dargah would be like finding peace among the chaos of life.
Timings: 5:30 am to 9:45 pm.
Entry Fee: None.
2. Shri Siddhivinayak Temple
Post visiting the Haji Ali Dargah, you can head over to Shri Siddhivinayak temple to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha. Reaching the temple around 10 or 11 am would help you avoid the early morning crowd. The temple enshrines the deity of Lord Ganesha, which is covered in a vast amount of gold making it very popular. Built in 1801, the temple is over two hundred years old and is still gleaming because of the regular maintenance and renovations. If you’re lucky, you might even get star-struck by spotting a Bollywood celebrity at the Siddhivinayak temple.
Timings: 5:30 am to 9:50 pm and 3:15 am to 12:30 am on Tuesdays.
Entry Fee: None.
3. Mount Mary Church
Located in Bandra, which is one of the popular areas in Mumbai, is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount or Mount Mary. Known for its ornate architecture and serene environment, this is among the popular churches in Mumbai. Overlooking the sea, this church sits on top of a hill and is often flocked by tourists. If you visit here in September, then you can witness the lovely Mount Mary festival held to celebrate the anniversary of Mother Mary. Since the church is located in the lively area of Bandra, you can also spend some time shopping for clothes and accessories from the colorful shops of Linking Road or Hill Road.
Timings: 8 am to 8:30 pm on weekdays and 10 am to 7 pm on Sundays.
Entry Fee: None.
4. Juhu Beach
The last stop on the itinerary is Juhu Beach. Facing the Arabian Sea is the famous Juhu Beach of Mumbai. This beach is surrounded by a posh locality that accommodates the bungalows of various Bollywood celebrities; one of the most famous being Amitabh Bachchan. So, don’t be surprised if you spot any celebrity walking or jogging in the area. The Juhu Beach is dotted with various street food stalls that offer the authentic flavors of Mumbai. You can take a walk on the beach, and unwind while watching the sunset.
Timings: Open throughout the day and night.
Entry Fee: None.
Tips To Spend 48 Hours In Mumbai
- If you plan on traveling by local trains during peak office hours, try to get a first-class ticket so that you can avoid the insane crowd in the second-class compartments.
- Make sure you wear your backpack in the front while boarding a train or walking through cramped places to avoid pickpockets.
- While taking local transportation like autorickshaws or cabs, make sure the trip is metered, or else you might end up paying a higher price.
- Shopping in Mumbai comes with the mandate of negotiations. So, be prepared to haggle your way out of the exorbitant prices, especially if you’re doing street shopping.
- Try to avoid taking a trip during monsoons, as monsoons in Mumbai are harsh and often lead to water-logging in many areas, making traveling a real pain.
Summing Up
Mumbai is studded with several beautiful gems that you would want to explore on your trip. But if not all, with the help of a perfect itinerary you can always cover some of the best places to see. Now that you have your hands on the ultimate itinerary to spend 48 hours in Mumbai, go ahead and take that much-awaited trip to the City of Dreams.
FAQs
How Many Days Are Enough For Mumbai?
A 3-4 day trip to Mumbai would be ideal to cover all the major tourist attractions. However, even if you’re running short on time, you can plan a 2-day trip to Mumbai covering all the destinations we’ve mentioned above.
How Much Should I Budget For A Trip To Mumbai?
A one-week vacation to Mumbai can, on average, cost at least INR 20,000 to 25,000. However, this is subject to vary basis the mode of travel, place of accommodation, and other factors. If you want to keep your expenses to a minimum, then try availing the public transport like local trains or buses, and choosing a low-budget accommodation.
How Can I Visit Mumbai In 2 Days?
There are some major tourist spots that you can easily cover on your two-day trip to Mumbai. Some of these include Gateway of India, Colaba Causeway, Haji Ali Dargah, Juhu Beach, Shri Siddhivinayak temple, and Marine Drive.
Which Is The Best Month To Visit Mumbai?
As Mumbai has a long coastline, summers are pretty humid and not a good time for sightseeing. And, monsoons can be pretty harsh due to water-logging in many areas. So, the best time to visit is between October to February when the weather is pleasant and just perfect to enjoy sightseeing in Mumbai.
Is Mumbai Worth Seeing?
Absolutely! Mumbai is one of the best cities in India with the perfect mix of culture and diversity. Not only that, but it also has an ancient history going back to the British rule in India and that is reflected in the architecture of many buildings. In addition, Mumbai is dotted with a plethora of tourist attractions.
What Is The Main Food Of Mumbai?
Vada pav is known to be the go-to food of Mumbaikars. It is not just mouth-watering but also a very affordable food item for all.
Is Mumbai Expensive?
Yes, Mumbai is a little expensive. But, it is not the most expensive city to explore in India. Using local transportation and living in accommodations with lower rent can help you cut down on costs.
Which Language Is Used In Mumbai?
The main languages spoken by Mumbaikars are Hindi, Marathi, English, and Gujarati.
