FREE THINGS TO DO IN Mumbai

Situated in the south of the city, Colaba Causeway is one of the best free attractions in Mumbai if you enjoy people-watching.

Walking through the giant mecca of market stalls and various stores can be quite tricky if you’ve got kids in tow as there’s not much room for manoeuvre but it’s an experience you shouldn’t miss while in Mumbai.

You can find everything from antique jewellery, to various scents and spices, to authentic Indian clothing at Colaba Causeway.

Even if you don’t intend on purchasing anything, it’s still one of the best free attractions in Mumbai and it’s a great place to watch locals and tourists go about their business for a short while.

Address: Shahid Bhagat Singh Road

While you might not have realised this before, Mumbai is actually home to plenty of beaches where you can spend the day relaxing on the lovely sand.

However, arguably the very best beach in Mumbai is Juhu Beach and it also happens to be one of the best free attractions in Mumbai too.

Popular with both locals and tourists, people flock to Juhu Beach to escape the routines and busyness of everyday life inside Mumbai’s city centre.

If you’re travelling to Mumbai with kids, then you definitely need to add Juhu Beach to your travel itinerary so you can enjoy a fun-filled day frolicking on the sand.

The beach is completely free to enjoy and there’s also numerous cheap bars and cafés nearby, so you barely have to spend a penny!

Address: Maharashtra, Mumbai Suburban

For one of the best free attractions in Mumbai that will also grant you plenty of fresh air and exercise if you desire it, make sure you add Marine Drive to you Mumbai to-do list.

Marine Drive is the arc-shaped road that runs right along the Arabian Sea, so it provides stunning views of the sea, as well as plenty of mainland attractions too.

You can enjoy a slow and leisurely walk along Marine Drive, where you can spend some time admiring the crashing waters of the sea.

The famous boulevard is also often referred to as the Queen’s Necklace thanks to its lights that light up at night to resemble a string of jewels!

Address: Marine Drive, Maharashtra

Residing right next to the Arabian sea, the Gateway of India is an incredibly important symbol of hope and independence within Mumbai.

The Gateway symbolises the last point where the British troops departed from once India had gained independence so it’s safe to say that it’s an incredibly meaningful place in the city.

The best part of the Gateway of India is that it’s completely free to visit so you can spend as little or as long as you want admiring the impressive feat of architecture.

If you’ve travelled a lot, you may recognise the influences of Indonesian, Islamic and even Roman on the Gateway of India.

The area around the Gateway can tend to get pretty busy during the day, but it’s still worth a visit to see such a bold piece of architecture.

Address: Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001, India

Construction began on the Haji Ali Mosque all the way back in 1431 and since then it’s been a pivotal religious monument within Mumbai.

The white marbled dargah, also known as a shrine, is in pristine condition and is a beautiful religious building to admire while in Mumbai.

For those interested in history and art, you’re sure to enjoy a visit to Haji Ali, however it’s probably not something that children would find overly fascinating so perhaps just pay a quick visit if you’re travelling with young kids.

As well as enjoying the beauty of the outside of the Haji Ali Mosque, you should also head inside and take advantage of the free entry to see inside the beatific mosque too.

Address: Dargah Rd, Haji Ali, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

The Afghan Church in Mumbai was built by the British as a memorial to remember the fallen soldiers who died in the First Anglo-Afghan War.

It’s a place in Mumbai that’s definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in history and politics of war and is also a great place to pay your respects to the fallen soldiers.

The church is kitted out with some truly spectacular architectural work such as beautiful stained-glass windows and a 60-metre high tower and spire.

Located in the Colaba district, the Afghan Church is a respectful and beautiful place to visit in Mumbai and you can do so for free.

Of course, with it being a church, you’re also more than welcome to make a donation if you so wish.

Address: Duxbury Lane, Near Navy Nagar, S.B.S Road, Colaba, Mumbai - 400005, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400005, India

The Mani Bhavan Museum is a must-visit while in Mumbai if you’re looking to experience some true Indian culture while in Mumbai.

This museum is actually where Gandhi stayed multiple times when visiting the city, so you’ll be able to see the room that he stayed in during his visits!

Even if you have no religious or spiritual beliefs, you’d be hard pressed to argue against how cool that experience is!

The Mani Bhavan Museum is also the place where Gandhi was arrested in 1932, so you’ll even be able to see the terrace where that incident occurred!

For a truly enlightening and fascinating place in Mumbai, you definitely need to visit the Mani Bhavan Museum.

Address: N S Patkar Marg, Gamdevi, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400007, India

The Kamala Nehru Park is technically part of the Hanging Gardens complex in Mumbai, but it’s actually on the other side of the road and we thought it deserved a point of its own on this list of the best free attractions in Mumbai.

Kamala Nehru Park covers an impressive 16,000 square metres and sits atop Malabar Hill.

The park is the perfect place in Mumbai to hang out for a few hours if you want to escape the busyness of the city’s hectic streets.

Kamala Nehru Park is ideal for bringing the whole family along as there’s something that everyone’s sure to enjoy.

Pack a picnic, bring a ball or some outdoor games and enjoy the expansive views from the top of Malabar Hill across the city and the Arabian Sea.

Address: Babulnath, Dadi Sheth Wadi, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400006, India

The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is also known as the Prince of Wales Museum and is often abbreviated to CSMVS.

This museum is one of the most important museums in Mumbai; not only for its remarkable historical content, but also for its spectacular architecture.

Inside the CSMVS museum, you’ll find a number of intriguing artefacts, all completely free to see!

The exterior of the Prince of Wales Museum is also incredibly grand and almost looks like a temple.

Whereas the inside of the museum is full to the brim of many sculptures and ancient artefacts.

It’s a great place to visit in Mumbai if you’re interested in art and history and you’re sure to love seeing all the beautiful relics from centuries ago.

Address: 159-161, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400023, India

The Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens offer incredible views of Marine Drive and the beach so they’re the perfect place to visit with the whole family in tow.

Also known as the Hanging Gardens, these beatific laws are undoubtedly one of the very best places in Mumbai to watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea so make sure you’re around the area just in time for that!

Furthermore, the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens are full of intricately designed hedges and bushes in the shape of many different animals.

They’re a great place to visit with the whole family as kids are sure to love the animal-shaped hedges, whereas adults can enjoy stunning views of the terraced gardens and sunset over the sea.

Address: Ridge Rd, Simla Nagar, Malabar Hill, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400006, India