Mumbai is more than just skyscrapers and street food. Beneath the city’s buzzing exterior lies a rich cultural core, beautifully preserved in its museums. From colonial-era artefacts to cutting-edge contemporary art, these museums offer a quiet window into Mumbai’s past, present, and future. Whether you’re a local looking to explore your city differently or a traveller eager to dive deeper—here are seven must-visit museums in Mumbai.
1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS)
📍 Fort | 💸 Entry: ₹150 for Indians, ₹700 for foreigners
Formerly the Prince of Wales Museum, CSMVS is the crown jewel of Mumbai’s cultural scene. Housed in a stunning Indo-Saracenic building, it holds everything from ancient sculptures and Mughal miniatures to natural history and European paintings. A must-visit for first-timers.
Don’t miss: The sculpture gallery and the special textile collection.
2. Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
📍 Byculla | 💸 Entry: ₹10 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners
The oldest museum in Mumbai, this beautifully restored building combines Victorian charm with local heritage. You’ll find everything from vintage maps and dioramas of old Bombay to decorative arts and contemporary exhibitions.
Don’t miss: The miniature clay models of 19th-century Bombay life.
3. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
📍 Colaba | 💸 Entry: ₹20 for Indians, ₹500 for foreigners
Love contemporary art? NGMA’s rotating exhibitions of Indian modernists and global artists make it a treat. Set in a colonial-era building near the Gateway of India, the space feels serene and stimulating all at once.
Don’t miss: Works by M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, and S.H. Raza.
4. Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum
📍 Gamdevi | 💸 Entry: Free
Once Mahatma Gandhi’s base during India’s freedom movement in Mumbai, this quaint two-storey building is now a tribute to his life and ideas. From spinning wheels to letters and photos—it’s a quiet, moving space to reflect on India’s journey.
Don’t miss: The room where Gandhi stayed, preserved just as he left it.
5. Nehru Science Centre
📍 Worli | 💸 Entry: ₹70 (exhibits), ₹100 extra for 3D shows
Perfect for curious minds and families, this interactive science museum covers everything from physics and biology to space and energy. It’s educational and fun—and the open-air science park is a bonus.
Don’t miss: The 3D science show and the Prehistoric Life gallery.
6. RBI Monetary Museum
📍 Fort | 💸 Entry: Free
If you’re intrigued by money and economics, this underrated gem offers a fascinating journey from barter to blockchain. With coins from ancient India to modern currency, it’s like time-traveling through economics.
Don’t miss: The section on counterfeit currency and monetary evolution.
7. The Museum of Indian Cinema (at Films Division Complex)
📍 Peddar Road | 💸 Entry: ₹20
A paradise for cinephiles! This relatively new museum traces the journey of Indian cinema—from silent films and black-and-white classics to Bollywood blockbusters. With film clips, vintage posters, equipment, and more—it’s a celebration of 100+ years of storytelling.
Don’t miss: The wall of iconic film dialogues and retro editing equipment.
🎟️ Pro Tip:
Many of these museums offer guided tours or QR-code-based info for deeper engagement. And if you’re hopping between them—use the Mony app to pay for entry, refreshments, and transport cashlessly. It works everywhere from Fort to Worli, and saves you from carrying change.
Mumbai’s museums aren’t just about history—they’re about experience. So take an afternoon, step inside, and let the city tell you its many stories.