Historical Places to Visit in Mumbai
Mumbai's history spans centuries, from ancient cave temples to colonial-era structures. The city's historical places offer a fascinating journey through time, showcasing Maratha, Portuguese, and British influences. Whether you're a history buff or casual explorer, these sites provide deep insights into Mumbai's transformation from a group of seven islands to India's financial capital.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST)
UNESCO World Heritage railway station showcasing Victorian Gothic architecture. Designed by British architect Frederick William Stevens and completed in 1888, CST is a masterwork of Indo-Saracenic design featuring Italia...
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Entry Fee
Free (platform ticket ₹10)
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
How to Reach
Direct access via local trains or metro to CST station
Nearby Metro Station
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Line 3 — 0 m
Nearby Local Train Station
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Central Line, Harbour Line — 31 m
Elephanta Caves
Ancient rock-cut caves with stunning 6th-century sculptures dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located on Gharapuri Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site reached by a one-hour ferry ride from the Gateway of India, the complex compr...
Opening Hours
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM (Closed Mondays)
Entry Fee
₹40 for Indians, ₹600 for foreigners
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
November to February
How to Reach
Ferry from Gateway of India, then walk or toy train to caves
Kanheri Caves
Ancient Buddhist caves with intricate rock carvings and meditation halls. Hidden within the forests of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, these 109 rock-cut caves date from the 1st century BCE to the 10th century CE, making th...
Opening Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Closed Mondays)
Entry Fee
₹46 (includes park entry)
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
November to February
How to Reach
Enter via Sanjay Gandhi National Park from Borivali
Nearby Metro Station
Magathane
Line 7 — 4.7 km
Worli Fort
A 17th-century fort built during the British era on the rocky Worli coast. Offers views of the sea and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link while providing a glimpse into Mumbai's colonial past.
Opening Hours
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Auto-rickshaw from Lower Parel metro station
Nearby Metro Station
Worli
Line 3 — 1.1 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Prabhadevi
Western Line — 1.4 km
Asiatic Society of Mumbai Library
One of India's oldest libraries housing over 1 million books, including rare manuscripts and maps dating back centuries. The stunning neo-classical building on Horniman Circle is a Mumbai landmark.
Opening Hours
10:30 AM - 7:00 PM (Closed Sundays & public holidays)
Entry Fee
₹10 for visitors
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
How to Reach
Walk from CST or Churchgate station, located at Horniman Circle
Nearby Metro Station
Hutatma Chowk
Line 3 — 0.4 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Central Line, Harbour Line — 0.9 km
Bombay High Court
A magnificent Victorian Gothic structure overlooking Oval Maidan, completed in 1878. One of the finest examples of Gothic Revival architecture in India and part of the UNESCO World Heritage Victorian Gothic ensemble.
Opening Hours
External viewing anytime; courts in session 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Entry Fee
Free (external viewing)
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
How to Reach
Walk from Churchgate Station, located near Oval Maidan
Nearby Metro Station
Hutatma Chowk
Line 3 — 0.3 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Churchgate
Western Line — 0.7 km
University of Mumbai (Fort Campus)
The historic Fort campus of Mumbai University featuring stunning Victorian Gothic architecture, including the famous Rajabai Clock Tower and the University Library. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Opening Hours
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Weekdays)
Entry Fee
Free (external viewing)
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
How to Reach
Walk from Churchgate Station, located near Oval Maidan
Nearby Metro Station
Hutatma Chowk
Line 3 — 0.2 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Churchgate
Western Line — 0.6 km

Afghan Church (Church of St. John the Evangelist)
A stunning Gothic-style church built to commemorate soldiers who died in the First Anglo-Afghan War (1838-1842). One of the oldest churches in Mumbai with beautiful stained glass windows.
Opening Hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Walk from Colaba Bus Depot or take taxi from Churchgate Station
Nearby Metro Station
Vidhan Bhavan
Line 3 — 2.0 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Churchgate
Western Line — 3.2 km

Ballard Estate
A beautifully planned early 20th-century commercial district with European-style architecture. Often compared to London's financial districts, it features grand stone buildings with neo-classical facades.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours (external viewing)
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Walk from CST or take local train to Dockyard Road station
Nearby Metro Station
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Line 3 — 1.0 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus
Central Line, Harbour Line — 1.0 km

David Sassoon Library & Reading Room
A stunning heritage library in the Kala Ghoda area built in neo-Gothic style. One of Mumbai's most iconic landmarks, it houses a vast collection of books and periodicals.
Opening Hours
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Closed Sundays)
Entry Fee
Free (for viewing exterior)
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
How to Reach
Walk from Kala Ghoda or Churchgate Station
Nearby Metro Station
Hutatma Chowk
Line 3 — 0.4 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Churchgate
Western Line — 0.7 km
Sion Hillock Fort
A lesser-known fort atop a hillock in Sion offering panoramic views of the Mumbai skyline. One of the hidden gems of the city with remnants of Portuguese fortification.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Walk from Sion railway station, about 10 minutes uphill
Nearby Metro Station
Dharavi
Line 3 — 0.6 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Sion
Central Line — 0.5 km

Raj Bhavan Bunker Museum
A World War II-era underground bunker beneath the Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan) that has been restored and opened as a museum. Offers a rare glimpse into Mumbai's role during WWII.
Opening Hours
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (By appointment only)
Entry Fee
Free (advance booking required)
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Located inside Raj Bhavan complex, Malabar Hill. Apply for visit online
Nearby Metro Station
Vidhan Bhavan
Line 3 — 3.1 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Churchgate
Western Line — 3.4 km
Mahakali Caves (Kondivite Caves)
A group of 19 rock-cut Buddhist caves dating back to the 1st century BC to 6th century AD. These ancient caves feature viharas (monasteries) and chaityas (prayer halls) with intricate carvings.
Opening Hours
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Entry Fee
₹25 for Indians, ₹300 for foreigners
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Auto-rickshaw from Andheri station, located near SEEPZ in Andheri East
Nearby Metro Station
SEEPZ
Line 3 — 1.5 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Vidyavihar
Central Line — 3.8 km
Mandapeshwar Caves
Ancient rock-cut caves featuring both Hindu and Catholic religious elements. A unique example of cultural syncretism where a Hindu cave temple was later converted into a Catholic chapel.
Opening Hours
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Auto-rickshaw from Borivali station, located near Mt. Poinsur Church
Nearby Metro Station
Dahanukarwadi
Line 2A — 1.5 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Kandivali
Western Line — 0.5 km
Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
India's most iconic luxury hotel, a masterpiece of Indo-Saracenic architecture overlooking the Gateway of India. A symbol of Mumbai's grandeur with world-class dining and heritage.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours (external viewing)
Entry Fee
Free (external viewing)
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
Year-round
How to Reach
Walk from Colaba or take taxi from Churchgate station
Nearby Metro Station
Cuffe Parade
Line 3 — 0.2 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Churchgate
Western Line — 1.4 km
Coastal Battery (Worli)
Ruins of a British-era coastal defense battery at Worli offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. A hidden historical gem overlooking the coast.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Walk from Worli Sea Face, near the Bandra-Worli Sea Link base
Nearby Metro Station
Acharya Atre Chowk
Line 3 — 1.8 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Prabhadevi
Western Line — 2.0 km
Sewri Fort
A 17th-century fort built by the British East India Company overlooking the Mumbai harbor. Though in ruins, the fort offers commanding views of the Thane Creek, Nhava Sheva port, and the Eastern Freeway.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Walk from Sewri station on Harbour Line, about 15 minutes east
Nearby Metro Station
Dadar
Line 3 — 1.7 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Wadala Road
Harbour Line — 1.0 km
Castella de Aguada (Bandra Fort Lookout)
A Portuguese watchtower perched on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link. One of Mumbai's most romantic sunset spots with dramatic sea views.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Walk from Bandra Bandstand, about 5 minutes along the promenade
Nearby Metro Station
Worli
Line 3 — 2.8 km
Nearby Local Train Station
Mahim Junction
Western Line, Harbour Line — 2.1 km
Bassein Fort (Vasai Fort)
One of the most impressive and well-preserved Portuguese forts near Mumbai. Spread over 110 acres with massive walls, churches, chapels, and bastions still standing. A photographer's paradise.
Opening Hours
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Entry Fee
₹25 for Indians, ₹300 for foreigners
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
July to March
How to Reach
Take Western Line to Vasai Road station, then auto-rickshaw to the fort (8 km)
Nearby Local Train Station
Nallasopara
Western Line — 0.7 km
Arnala Fort
A sea fort on an island off Arnala Beach near Virar. The fort features massive stone walls, bastions, and gateways surrounded by the Arabian Sea. Accessible by a short boat ride.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Entry Fee
Free (boat fare: ₹20-50)
Type
Historical
Best Time to Visit
October to May
How to Reach
Take Western Line to Virar, then auto to Arnala Beach, boat ride to fort island
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