MUMBAI FOR FREE
1. Asiatic Society Library
Town Hall, Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd, Fort Area • 022 2266 0956 • Open 10:30am–6:30pm Mon–Sat • www.asiaticsociety.org.in
Hundreds of tourists visit the iconic steps of the Town Hall each day; the locals come for some quiet time. It also houses the Asiatic Library.
Neo-Classical façade of the Asiatic Society Town Hall, housing the library
2. Dhobi Ghat
Dhobi Ghat is the world’s largest open-air laundry and home to generations of dhobis (washermen). Watch them in action early morning while they pound soiled clothes clean, or early afternoon when lines of colourful clothing is hung out to dry. Across the tracks, Mahalaxmi Station bridge gives a sweeping view.
Dhobi Ghat, an outdoor laundromat
3. Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist Temple
Opposite Poddar Hospital, Dr Annie Besant Rd, Worli
Escape the din of the city and visit this tranquil Japanese temple originally built by Nichidatsu Fujii Guruji. The resident monk will usually offer to show you around.
4. Jama Masjid
Swami Vivekananda Rd, Bandra West
The largest and oldest mosque in Mumbai attracts a number of visitors for its impressive stonework as well as intricate carvings. It also has a library with rare manuscripts.
5. Beaches
Ditch the crowds at Juhu Chowpatty and relax at relatively unspoiled, lesser-known beaches. Aksa and Marve are good options for a peaceful day. Enclosed by mangroves, the picturesque fishing village of Madh Island makes for a great one-day trip.
6. Parks and Gardens
Horniman Circle Gardens, a relic from the British era, is a popular spot that hosts various festivals and events. Jogger’s park enjoys a scenic sea-view location. Kamla Nehru park has swings and other installations to attract kids.
7. Afghan Church
Built by the British in 1865, as a memorial to the soldiers who lost their lives in the First Anglo-Afghan War, this Gothic church is an elegant architectural marvel. Explore the garden, arched doorways, high-vaulted ceilings, paintings and stained-glass windows for free. Mass is held on Sundays.
8. Flora Fountain
Walk from CST towards the historic Flora Fountain to find various second-hand book stalls with an array of books in great condition. While not exactly free, these are a great bargain; most sell at half their original price. Kala Ghoda area has multiple pavement galleries where one can buy cheap art prints, second-hand books and even many upcoming artists’ originals. Find these outside the art galleries.
9. Street Art
The city’s thriving art culture has seen recent, brilliant additions in the form of street art. St+art India Foundation, on a mission to transform urban landscapes, has given Sassoon Docks a stunning makeover. Bandra is another hotspot and even has a planned street art undertaking – The Wall Project.
Colourful mural by The Wall Project
10. Dadar Flower Market
Close to Dadar station, this wholesale flower market is a vibrant mixture of colour and chaos. Arrive early as stalls open daily for business at 5:30am and shut down at around 9am.
TOP 10 BUDGET TIPS
1. Don’t agree to a set fare before a ride in kaali-peeli taxis, always pay metered fare at the end. If the driver refuses to turn the meter on, it’s likely that you may be overcharged.
The iconic taxis of Mumbai
2. The local train network is economical and fast, though extremely crowded during peak hours. There are separate coaches for women and a slightly more expensive ticket for first-class coaches.
3. A daily pass for BEST buses is a good idea for people looking for cheap travel and an experience of local life.
4. Buy a Mumbai Darshan bus ticket to cover all the major tourist spots in a single day – prices start as low as ₹150.
5. Skip conventional restaurants and tuck into a variety of street food that the city is famous for. They are cheap, filling and delicious; be mindful of the hygiene factor.
6. Set lunches and buffets as well as weekend brunches at popular restaurants can be very good value and cost less than the evening meals.
7. During early evenings (usually 5–8pm), most bars have happy hours that offer “one plus one” on drinks and spirits.
8. Many bars and pubs have “ladies’ night” on certain weekdays where entry and drinks are free for women.
9. Various mobile apps offer online table reservation services plus discounts and cashback on restaurant bills. Dineout is a popular app that works for both Android and iOS.
10. Test your bargaining skills at local markets – you might get a deal at 50 per cent off of the original quote. Colaba Causeway market, Fashion street and Chor Bazaar are great places to haggle.
