Albeit the alluring city of Mumbai in Maharashtra is a top luxury destination for indulging in extravagance and blowing up your money, there are plenty of fun things to in Mumbai that is dirt cheap. If you are under the impression that a vacation in Mumbai is going to make a hole in your pocket, well you aren’t completely right in your thinking. Mumbai isn’t all about luxury hotels, expensive restaurants, and high-end shopping malls located in posh areas. Here’s our take on the best things to do in Mumbai for free.
What is there to do in Mumbai for free?
The city has a rare mélange of aristocracy and the low class and so you mustn’t be surprised to know that there are so many attractions in Mumbai that don’t cost much. From tasting the famous Mumbai street food to walking on its highly popular Marine Drive to exploring its shopping markets to watching a favorite show at one of the theaters, there are endless options for experiencing the local vibe and charm of the city while keeping the costs at the minimum.
Bucket-list of Free Things to do in Mumbai:
Taste the highly acclaimed Mumbai street food at Chowpatty Beach:
Mumbai offers stiff competition to Kolkata when it comes to street food. Your trip to Mumbai is considered incomplete if you do not relish its native street foods like Pani Puri, Dahi Puri, Bhel Puri, and Ragada Samosa. The Chowpatty Beach of Mumbai has many food vendors selling these regional street foods and is your best bet for trying them.
Location: North end of Marine Drive, Mumbai
How to reach: Catch the train at Church Gate Railway Station to get off at Charni Road and walk a little distance to reach the beach
Go shopping at Mumbai’s Chor Bazaar:
Shopping in Mumbai must be an integral part of your trip to Mumbai. Walking on the busy streets of Chor Bazaar is one of the best things to do in Mumbai for free and it can also help you learn about the lifestyle, culture, and traditions of the local Mumbaikars. The Chor Bazaar is famed for its array of corner shops selling everything from local souvenirs to handicrafts to rare spices to rare antiquities, a must-visit place in Mumbai.
Location: Mutton Street, near Bhendi Bazaar, Mumbai
How to reach: Catch the train at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and get off at Grant Road and walk a little distance to reach Chor Bazaar, costs about 11 INR
Take a romantic walk on Mumbai’s most-visited Marine Drive:
Taking a stroll on the most-visited Marine Drive of Mumbai is one of the best things to do in Mumbai for couples. The Marine Drive is a popular road near Chowpatty Beach with stunning views of the picturesque Mumbai natural harbor and the magnificent arch-shaped building-Gateway of India.
Location: Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai
How to reach: Catch the Line 108 bus from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to reach Marine Drive, costs about 15 to 25 INR
Watch a theatrical performance at Prithvi Theater:
Another of the best things to do in Mumbai for free is visiting the Prithvi Theater located in Juhu for watching a favorite theatrical show or a music concert. The Prithvi Theater was founded in 1944 by Prithviraj Kapoor as a traveling theater company with a group of 150 members who used to give stage performances across India. The Prithvi Theater was subsequently built by Shashi Kapoor (son of Prithviraj Kapoor) and Jeniffer Kapoor after the demise of its original founder. The open-air Prithvi Café of the theater is a must-visit place for making your theatrical experience in Mumbai even more delightful.
Location: 20, Janki Kutir, Juhu Church Rd, Mumbai
How to reach: Catch the train from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus to reach Juhu Bus Station and walk about 470 meters to reach Prithvi Theater, costs about 90 INR
Chill Out at Mumbai’s Cheap Bars:
This is something that night owls who like to get a feel of Mumbai’s nightlife can’t afford to miss. Mumbai has an excellent nightlife scene and is easily comparable to that of other top Indian cities like New Delhi and Bangalore. From expensive pubs and bars in luxury 5-star hotels to cheap standalone inexpensive bars, the city of Mumbai has endless options for getting a feel of its nightlife. Chilling out at Mumbai’s cheap bars is one of the nicest things to do for unwinding yourself with friends. Our top picks for the city’s cheap bars are Monkey Bar, Doolally Taproom, and Colaba Special.
Location: Monkey Bar in Bandra west; Doolally Taproom in Kemp’s corner; Colaba Special in Colaba.
How to reach: Hire a local taxi to reach your preferred cheap bar
Now that you know about the things to do in Mumbai for free, don’t you think it’s about time you traveled to this enchanting city to really experience them? Besides free things, the city is also famed for so many other attractions. Read our Mumbai Travel Guide to know about the other delightful things this city is famous for. Have your cheap flights to Mumbai booked on IndianEagle.com for saving huge on airfares?
