A practical weekend in Mumbai
Timing and base
Visit between October and February to avoid intense heat and heavy monsoon rains. Three days is the ideal duration for a visit so you can see the city without burning out. Use South Mumbai as your base because it is close to world class dining and colonial landmarks. Specifically, Colaba is the best area to stay for easy access to attractions in South Mumbai.
Accommodation options
If you want a boutique guesthouse that does not break the bank, Abode Bombay in Colaba is a solid choice [S1, S3]. For luxury, the Taj Mahal Palace was unveiled in 1903 and is considered the ultimate luxury hotel in the city [S1, S3]. It features 543 guest rooms and suites with views of the Gateway of India.
Friday evening arrival
Arrive on Friday evening and settle into your accommodation in South Mumbai. This allows you to be centrally located for the following two days of exploration.
Saturday morning
Start your day at the Gateway of India, which is located at Apollo Bunder on the waterfront. This free attraction is a 26 meter high arch built from reinforced concrete and yellow basalt to commemorate King George V's visit in 1911. The construction was completed in 1924. You should budget extra time for security scans at the entry. Afterward, you can take a two hour sailing excursion on the Arabian Sea from Apollo Bunder.
Saturday afternoon
Explore the neighborhood of Kala Ghoda, which has a high concentration of Art Deco buildings, second only to Miami. Visit Watson's Hotel, the city's last cast iron building. Other key sites include the "Spirit of Kala Ghoda" statue, the National Gallery of Modern Art, Jehangir Art Gallery, David Sassoon Library and Reading Room, Elphinstone College, and Knesseth Eliyahoo Synagogue [S1, S3]. Visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (formerly the Prince of Wales Museum), which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The entrance fee is ₹ 700 with an audio guide. The museum houses over 70,000 artifacts, including textiles, jewelry, Japanese art, Indian miniature paintings, and the only known mummy in Mumbai [S1, S3].
Saturday evening
For dinner, you have several options depending on your preference. Trishna is a seafood restaurant specializing in Koliwada Prawns, Bombay Duck, Gassi, Rawas Hyderabadi, and Butter Pepper Garlic Crab. Alternatively, The Bombay Canteen is located in a restored bungalow. Their menu includes items such as Coffee Rasgulla Sundae, Malai Kofta, Slow Cooked Pork Belly Thukpa, Chilled Seabass Sev Puri, Butter Garlic Crab Kulcha, Begum's Baked Brie, Eggs Kejriwal, and Ghee Roast Chicken Seekh.
Sunday morning
Spend your Sunday morning on a local tour. You can take the Mumbai Morning Market Tour or visit Dharavi through Reality Tours and Travel. Dharavi is India's largest slum with an official population of 1 million people. It hosts leatherwork, pottery, and plastic recycling businesses that generate over a billion in annual profits. Reality Tours and Travel provides tours led by locals from the community and enforces a strict no photo policy.
Sunday afternoon
Visit Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, which became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004. The station blends traditional Indian architecture with Victorian Gothic Revival, which earned Mumbai the nickname "Gothic City". You can also visit the Oval Maidan to see people playing cricket among colonial buildings or travel to the Elephanta Caves, which are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Final meal and departure
End your trip with high tea at the Sea Lounge at the Taj Mahal Palace. The Maharaja High Tea includes Mumbai Masala Chai, Tandoori Chicken Panini, Chilli Cheese Toast, and Samosa Chaat. If you prefer a final dinner instead, Ekaa is an option as it is listed among Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.
Sources
[S1] https://www.latimes.com/eta/travel-destinations/international/asia/story/complete-mumbai-weekend-itinerary — https://www.latimes.com/eta/travel-destinations/international/asia/story/complete-mumbai-weekend-itinerary [S2] https://www.weekend.com/ — https://www.weekend.com/ [S3] https://www.midnightblueelephant.com/mumbai-itinerary/ — https://www.midnightblueelephant.com/mumbai-itinerary/