Mumbai, the City of Dreams, has a tropical wet and dry climate with moderate heat and high levels of humidity. Due to its location in the tropical region and proximity to the coastal line, the city doesn’t experience much of a temperature fluctuation through the year. Summer, monsoon, and winter are the three seasons in the city, with the monsoon being the predominant one. Ideally, October to February is the best time to visit Mumbai, but you can also consider other months based on what you want to include in your itinerary.
Want to know more before you plan your trip and book your hotels in Mumbai? Here is a detailed account of the best season to visit Mumbai and a handpicked list of things to do during summer, monsoon, and winter.
Mumbai in Summer (March to May)
Summer in Mumbai is hot, humid, and sticky. Starting from March, the season continues till May. By mid-March, both the temperature and the humidity begin to rise due to hot and dry winds blowing in from Gujarat. In April, heat and humidity are still high, but the sea breeze brings in a cooling effect. May is the peak summer month, receiving pre-monsoon showers occasionally. The days may be hot and uncomfortable, but the evenings turn pleasant due to the cool breeze. Generally, summer is not considered the best time to visit Mumbai.
- Maximum Temperature: 30 to 33 degree Celsius
- Minimum Temperature: 22 to 27 degree Celsius
Things to Do in Mumbai in Summer
Best Time to Visit Mumbai
Summer may not be the best season to visit Mumbai, but you can find a lot to do in the city to make your trip pleasant and bearable. Our suggestions include:
- Go for an evening walk at the Marine Drive
- Enjoy a late-night drive on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link
- Visit the beaches in Mumbai and watch the sunset – Juhu Beach, Gorai Beach, Marve Beach, Chowpatty Beach, etc.
- Have fun at Snow World, a snow-themed park
- Escape to the hill stations near Mumbai – Lonavala (80 km), Igatpuri (120 km), Lavasa (190 km), Mahabaleshwar (260 km), etc.
- Explore a few indoor attractions – Nehru Planetarium, Taraporewala Aquarium, Jehangir Art Gallery, etc.
- Cool off at the waterparks in Mumbai – Water Kingdom, Adlabs Imagica, etc.
- Enjoy the nightlife at the pubs and nightclubs in Mumbai – Tryst, Wink, Colaba Social, The Bombay Bronx, XXO, Neos, etc.
- Visit the museums in Mumbai – Red Carpet Wax Museum, National Gallery of Modern Art, Bhau Daji Lad Museum, RBI Monetary Museum, etc.
- Take a late-night guided ghost tour to the haunted places in Mumbai – Mukesh Mills, D’Souza Chawl, Tower of Silence, etc.
- Have fun at the shopping malls in Mumbai – R City Mall, Infiniti Mall Malad, Oberoi Mall, etc.
- Enjoy Holi (March)
Mumbai in Monsoon (June to September)
The famous Mumbai monsoon sweeps the city from June to September. This season is characterized by heavy rainfall and high humidity. The beginning and the end of the monsoons in Mumbai are marked by thunderstorms and winds. The city experiences maximum rainfall in July, followed by August. By September, the sky begins to clear up and the intensity of the rains lessens. Though the humidity may remain high, the weather turns pleasant during the monsoon season, making it the second best time to visit Mumbai.
- Maximum Temperature: 29 to 32 degree Celsius
- Minimum Temperature: 24 to 26 degree Celsius
Things to Do in Mumbai in Monsoon
Best Time to Visit Mumbai
Monsoon in Mumbai is all about experiences – from soaking in the beauty of the sea and rain-drenched monuments to relishing the best of Maratha flavors. Here’s a list of things to do in Mumbai during monsoons:
- Escape to the best monsoon getaways from Mumbai – Karnala (50 km), Khandala (80 km), Malshej Ghat (120 km), Panchgani (240 km), etc.
- Explore the waterfalls near Mumbai – Pandavkada Fall (30 km), Bhagirath Waterfalls (65 km), Chinchoti Waterfall (75 km), etc.
- Watch the raging sea from Worli Seaface
- Soak in the rain-drenched beauty of the Gateway of India
- Indulge the foodie in you at the best restaurants in Mumbai – The Table, Ziya, Leopold Café, etc.
- Enjoy the rains from one of the sea facing cafés in Mumbai – Bayview, Café Marina, Sea Lounge, etc.
- Enjoy the famous cutting chai and street food in Mumbai
- Explore the magnificent churches in Mumbai – Mount Mary Basilica, St Peter’s Church, Gloria Church, etc.
- Visit the famous temples in Mumbai – Siddhivinayak Temple, Shri Mumbadevi Temple, Swaminarayan Temple, etc.
- Attend cultural festivals and events
- Bandra Feast (September)
- Ganesh Chaturthi (September-October)
- Navratri (September-October)
Mumbai in Winter (October to February)
Winter makes its presence felt in October and stays back in the city till February. October and November can also be called the post-monsoon period, when rains recede but the winter cold doesn’t fully begin. During the winter season, the city experiences a cool and dry climate with low temperatures. Humidity also takes a bow and comes down drastically. Since the city lies in a coastal area, winters tend to be mild and pleasant. January is the coolest month of the season. Undoubtedly, winter is the best season to visit Mumbai.
- Maximum Temperature: 28 to 32 degree Celsius
- Minimum Temperature: 19 to 24 degree Celsius
List of best recommended quarantine hotels in Mumbai
Things to Do in Mumbai in Winter
Best Time to Visit Mumbai
From sightseeing to shopping to taking part in cultural festivals, there is no dearth of things to do in Mumbai during winters. Our suggestions include:
- Take a one-day trip to the Elephanta Caves
- Explore the scenic lakes in and around Mumbai – Tulsi Lake, Vihar Lake, Powai Lake, Modak Sagar Lake, etc.
- Visit the tourist attractions and historical monuments in Mumbai – Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mani Bhavan, Haji Ali Dargah, Kala Ghoda Art Precinct,
- Take a Bollywood tour – Mumbai Film City and SJ Studios
- Indulge in street shopping in Mumbai – Colaba Causeway, Linking Road, Lokhandwala Market, etc.
- Go for wildlife spotting at Sanjay Gandhi National Park
- Enjoy a ferry ride at the Gateway of India
- Unleash the adventurer in you at Hakone in Powai
- Go for a nature walk at Hanging Gardens
- Plan an outing at the best picnic spots near Mumbai – Manori Island (50 km), Lonavala (80 km), etc.
- Explore the camping sites around Mumbai – Uttan (40 km), Karnala (50 km), Vishnubaaug (60 km), Matheran (80 km), etc.
- Attend cultural events and festivals
- Banganga Festival (Januray)
- Diwali (November)
- Elephanta Festival (February)
- Kala Ghoda Arts Festival (February)
- Mumbai Film Festival (October-November)
- Mumbai International Literary Festival (November)
- Koli Seafood Festival (Jnauary)
- Thespo Youth Theater Festival (December)
- NCPA International Jazz Festival (November)
- Mumbai Gallery Weekend (January-February)
The magical beauty of Mumbai expresses itself in different ways in different seasons. Regardless of when you visit the city, you will have a great time for sure. So, choose your best season to visit Mumbai and plan your itinerary accordingly.
