Kiran Mehta

It seems appropriate that Mumbai, as a chaotic wonderland of a city that boasts some of India’s best sights, restaurants and nightlife, also has a wondrous selection of museums. This city has something for everyone when it comes to finding something cultural or historical and immersing yourself in it. Here are 11 Mumbai museums that are sure to pique the interest of all kinds of museums lovers. RECOMMENDED:📍 The best things to do in Mumbai🍴 The best restaurants in Mumbai🍻 The best bars and pubs in Mumbai🛏 The best hotels in Mumbai

Mumbai is a busy city if you’ll allow us to state the blindingly obvious. It is a city of soaring skyscrapers and jam-packed shantytowns, with over 18 million people going about their business in between. It is always a delight to remember that hidden in among all of the chaos are swathes of tranquil green spaces, beautiful parks and gardens that are perfect for a morning jog or an afternoon walk. Or both, if you’re feeling particularly energetic. There are plenty of things to do when visiting the best parks in Mumbai. The northern fringes of Mumbai are home to a national park with leopards, monkeys and snakes within, while the glitzy suburbs of Bandra boast a beach-side park that attracts Bollywood celebrities and ordinary people alike. Mumbai is famous for its bars, restaurants and markets, but the city's parks more than hold their own.

If you’re looking to travel on a budget or simply prefer to spend your cash on the city’s top restaurants, pubs and shopping destinations, consider staying at the best cheap hotels in Mumbai. We promise you, though, that here in town affordability and luxury are not mutually exclusive. Check into a pod, share space in a hostel or a guesthouse with character or opt for a beautiful boutique property. Into “experiential” travel? You can check into a slum. You read that right.

Did you know that Mumbai came about from the merger of seven distinct islands? It was in the 1780s that William Hornby, then the Governor of Mumbai, initiated the reclamation process, eventually linking the seven inlets to each other. Clearly, there’s loads of history to learn about all throughout the city and what better way to discover it than by staying at one of the best hotels in Mumbai, staffed with folks that can claim insider's knowledge? Options abound: make the most of the coastal city by staying in a room that overlooks the endless Arabian seat or choose one in close proximity to the newest infrastructure projects that keep changing the local landscape. You may want to step back into the city’s colonial past by booking a stay at a 19th-century heritage hotel but, if your list of must-see sites can fill up a diary, you may want to bed down in a more centrally located property. Itching to party the night away? Find a hotel in the hip suburb of Bandra and make sure to consult our Mumbai nightlife lists, highlighting the best pubs and clubs around town. If you’re of the opinion that the journey is the destination, pick among properties that spoil you silly by catering to your every need: from piping hot cups of adrak chai at any time of the day to indulgent Ayurvedic spa treatments. Finally, consider choosing a smaller boutique property where everyone will know your name—no small feat, given the city is home to 18 million people. Talk about an array of options.

Splurge then twirl in an ornate lehenga that channels you inner Bollywood diva after shopping in Mumbai. After quieting your cravings for curry at the best restaurants and street food shacks in town, go above and beyond Mumbai’s museums (although they’re certainly worth a visit or three) and explore the city by navigating the markets, bazaars and boutiques that make up Mumbai’s shopping scene. What, exactly, are we talking about? Scour through a bustling bazaar filled with antiques and come away with deals on teak-wood tables and handcrafted grandfather clocks. Wake up in the wee hours and follow your nose to the oldest docks in Mumbai to bring home fresh prawns, Bombay duck or pomfret. Don't miss the open-air flower market where the sweet smell of roses wafts through the air. Searching for a swanky mall? We've got plenty of those too!