If a coastal breeze is what you please, the best time to visit Mumbai is during its pleasantly cool winter months. Go gallery hopping down the bylanes of Kala Goda; hit up independent Bandra boutiques; catch a film in an Art Deco cinema; feast at celebrated modern Indian restaurants like Masque and Papa’s; or gorge on keema at institutional Irani cafes like Olympia and Malwani thalis in the heart of Dadar. From Gateway of India-facing suites at the historic Taj Palace hotel to charming homestays nestled in the heart of Khotachiwadi’s neighbourhood of heritage bungalows, here’s a nifty guide on the best time to visit Mumbai so you can make the most of your bayside host.
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What is the best time to visit Mumbai?
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What is the best time to visit Mumbai?
Generally, November to February is the best time to visit Mumbai. However, note that ‘winter’ in Mumbai rarely gets cooler than being pleasantly breezy. But this makes it the perfect season to hit the pavement and enjoy the city’s outdoors. Horse-racing derbys at Mahalakshmi Race Course kick off around mid-November, the Kingfisher Ultra Indian Derby typically one of the most popular. Food and architecture walks abound in South Mumbai—sample keema ghotala at Irani and Parsi cafes such as Olympia Cafe or Cafe Military and palak puris and chole at sixth-generation Pancham Puriwala or explore stunning Indo-Saracenic and Art Deco structures. Gallery hopping is particularly popular around the Kala Ghoda area, especially during the Kala Ghoda Art Festival on select dates in January and February 2026.
At the beginning of the summer in March, Mumbai does Holi with a splash of panache. And, if you want to cool off after the festival of colours, slip into the swimming pools of the Taj Palace or Soho House. During the summer’s late evenings, the city streets are especially alive late at night, whether it is folks breaking their Ramzan fast over delicious baida roti on Mohammad Ali Road or enjoying the city’s nightlife at classic bars like Ghetto and Toto’s or sprawling clubs such as Dadar’s Bastion and sleek rooftop bars like Worli’s AER at the Four Seasons. Also, March 2025 marks the third iteration of Lollapalooza India, featuring acts like Green Day, Glass Animals, and Hanumankind. You can also beat the summer heat and the monsoon rain by exploring Mumbai’s museums—from the Minton-tile floors of Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum to the Indo-Saracenic dome of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS); catching a film in an old school Deco cinema like Eros, Regal, or Liberty; or a spot of theatre at the relatively new Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, hip Prithvi Theatre, and classic National Centre for Performing Arts.
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