Best Museums in Mumbai

When it comes to museums in Mumbai, there is no way Chhatrapati Sangrahalay can be left behind. Ever since its foundation was laid by the Prince of Wales (King Georg V) in the year 1906, it has become a crucial landmark of the city. If you ask us, the museum’s Indo-Saracenic architecture is a piece of art. Fun fact, the museum was renamed in 1998 after the legendary Maratha warrior, Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Here’s what the museum has in store for you! It holds together an expansive collection of over 50,000 items (yes, the number is mind-blowing!) that includes artefacts from the Indus valley civilisation, ancient jewellery, paintings, and whatnot. And when you are inside the museum premises, you cannot miss the sword of Mughal Emperor Akbar!

If you are an art enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates art, the National Art Museum will be no less than a paradise for you. It is one of the best museums in Mumbai that houses a collection of over 17,000 art pieces, including paintings, photographs, graphics, and sculptures from the 1800s. Also, the works of artists like Rabindranath Tagore, M.F. Hussain, Raja Ravi Varma, and Pablo Picasso here will leave you awestruck.

This art museum in Mumbai was inaugurated in the year 1996. And since then, it has been one of the major attractions for artists and travellers from all parts of the world. Next time you catch a flight to Mumbai, don’t miss this one!

A simple yet appealing double-storied museum located on Laburnum Road, Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya is one of the most famous museums in Mumbai. This historic place has been completely dedicated to Gandhi Ji's life, ideas, and work. In fact, it served as the living quarters of Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 to 1934. A little walk down the history lane! Mani Bhawan was the birthplace of several iconic movements like the Non-cooperation Movement and the Quit India Movement.

In case you are wondering, this historical museum in Mumbai holds several attractions. Including a library with over 40,000 books (hello bookworms!), a research institute, paintings, photographs, Gandhi Ji's room, along with his personal belongings! Can you find a better place to know about Mahatma Gandhi and his life? We don’t think so!

You may have guessed already! Set up by the Reserve Bank of India, the museum is an absolute delight for a coin collector. A walk through the museum will take you through an interesting journey of how money evolved through time and how Indian currency changed from the British era to what we see today. Not just that! The museum also holds coins from thousands of years ago.

Regardless of your age, the well-preserved artefacts of the RBI Monetary Museum are sure to take you on a historical ride. Ironically, there is no entry fee to witness the evolution of money in this museum.

If you live in Mumbai, there is no way you haven’t seen or haven’t been on the bright red BEST buses. Even if you haven’t seen them, you must have heard about them. After all, Mumbai transportation is synonymous with BEST buses. But contrary to these buses’ popularity, there lies an interesting history that is slowly making its way towards fame!

We are talking about the BEST Transport Museum, founded by Dr. PD Paranjpe in 1984! It is situated at Anik Bus Depot, Mumbai. Again, you must have already guessed! The museum houses a wide collection of miniature BEST buses and tickets from the 1900s. And also the photographs that display how public transport in Mumbai evolved!

We already talked about a bus museum, why miss a train museum! The UNESCO-listed heritage museum is dedicated to the most famous attraction of Mumbai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

This museum has not one but lots of stories to tell you about the Indian railways, ranging from the British era to how they are operated in the modern techno world. Also, you can see an array of railway antiques like old train engines cutleries, brass bells, telephones, and whatnot. You can even find live model trains. Sounds interesting? It certainly does!

How would you like to learn about the East Indians and their lifestyle? We ask because the East Indian Museum is a tribute to the East Indians and their style of living. The museum highlights the significant contributions made by the East Indians of Mumbai in the freedom movement.

When you are here, don’t be undermined by the museum’s small size! It may be small but that does not stop it from displaying an exquisite collection of ancient artefacts, clothes, jewellery, photographs, utensils, sculptures, and many such items used by the community.

It is no surprise that Mumbai is the hub of Bollywood. And it is also not surprising that the city has a museum dedicated to the film industry! Well, the National Museum of Indian cinema is one of a kind museum that takes you on an extravagant journey of the same. While it has been inaugurated in the year 2019, the journey that it will take you in can be dated back to the 1900s, yes, to the golden era of Indian cinema!

Before you ask, the museum has an extensive collection of all kinds of memorabilia like costumes from ancient cinema, posters, magazines, vintage cameras, and it even shows small clips from iconic movies. It is undoubtedly an incredibly famous museum in Mumbai. We almost forgot, you’ll find the museum on Pedder Road.

No matter what your choices and preferences are, Mumbai museums will delight you to the core!