I have grown up meandering through the streets of Mumbai. I have seen it all, right from the sun-baked pavements to hidden lanes. Mumbai always whispers its secrets to the ones who hear it, be it through a faded signboard or a worn-out building. With World Tourist Day 2025 around the corner, it’s a great idea to dive into some of my favourite heritage walks in Mumbai. It feels like stepping into different eras all in one city.
8 Heritage Walks In Mumbai Every History Lover Should Experience
1. Fort & Heritage Mile (Churchgate To Kala Ghoda)
Let me start with the classic. You know the stretch from Churchgate to Kala Ghoda? That’s what locals call the “Heritage Mile.” Every time I walk here, I can’t help staring at Victoria Terminus (yes, I still call it VT instead of CSMT!). Honestly, it’s like the building is silently judging the hustle around it. Then there’s Flora Fountain, statues tucked into corners, art galleries hiding in plain sight. You’ll pass by Oval Maidan, Cross Maidan, and the Cricket Club of India. Also, spots like St. Thomas Cathedral, Bhikha Behram Well, and the Rajabai Clock Tower should be on your list. This makes a perfect balance of iconic landmarks on your way. If you visit in the mornings, sunlight glides across the arches and domes, and by night, especially during festivals, the same buildings twinkle with colourful lights. If you’ve never done a heritage walk in Mumbai, start here. It’s a showstopper!
2. Byculla’s Old-World Charm
Byculla is a different vibe altogether. I sometimes joke that time slows down here. Gloria Church, the markets, old cinemas like Palace Talkies, it all feels like a city in sepia tone. You can wander past the Dr Bhau Daji Lad Museum, and every window grill and painted tile would make you want to stop and stare at the rusty yet charming old structures. The Irani cafés like Byculla Restaurant & Bakery, Regal Restaurant & Bakery, and Sarvi Restaurant, Nagpada, are a nostalgic heaven for all the Mumbaikar kids. Seriously, grab a bun maska and chai while you’re walking. Peeling paint, ironwork on balconies, vintage signboards, details like these have slowly made an exit from the current architectural styles. A heritage walk in Mumbai isn’t just about buildings; it’s noticing all the small things that make a city breathe, and a walk through the lanes of Byculla would definitely remind you of that.
3. Dharavi Slum Walk
Okay, I know what you’re thinking. Dharavi? Really? But hear me out. This walk isn’t about just walking through the slum areas; it’s about seeing the beauty past it. Picture Leather workshops, pottery units, soap-making and more. It’s fascinating to see the sheer creativity and determination that go into everyday work in these lanes. Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest slums, is a thriving hub of entrepreneurship and community. Its small-scale industries produce leather goods, pottery, soap, embroidered garments, and recycled plastics, generating an estimated $1 billion annually.
We promise you that you’ll leave these streets with a mix of awe and humility. And to be fair, it’s inspiring. The tours support the community too, which makes every step feel meaningful. If you want a heritage walk in Mumbai that flips your perspective, this one is it.
4. Bandra’s Past & Present
Bandra always feels alive in a different way. The colonial mansions, sea views, murals, and café are all a mash-up of eras blending seamlessly. It’s a beautiful experience to walk through the streets where an old bungalow sits beside a wall covered in graffiti, then duck into a café that gives you perfect views of the corniche.
Titled as the “Queen of Suburbs”, the lanes are full of old-world charm with buzzing cafes, cathedrals and chic boutiques. With the history of Portuguese residing here, the old churches, forts and fishing villages are left behind to tell the tales. From St. Andrew’s church to the Koli Community in Ranwar and Chimbai, you’ll witness the best of traditions kept alive. You have to visit the magnificent Mount Mary Church and the Bandstand, watching the sea stretch out towards the Bandra-Worli Sea Link
5. Irani Café Food & Nostalgia Tour
I swear, some of the best heritage in Mumbai can come to you in an edible form. Cafe-hopping is a current obsession, maybe, but nothing can beat the vibe of visiting the iconic Irani and Parsi cafes tucked in the bylanes of Mumbai. From the old-world charm of Cafe Military and Cafe Excelsior to the timeless favourites like Sassanian, Britannia & Co., Jimmy Boy, and Kyani, every stop pulls you in, spreading the magic of chai and bun maska, puff pastries, and so much more!
You end up thinking about history through taste. For me, this is probably the tastiest heritage walk in Mumbai.
Also Read:15 Historic Places In Mumbai To Take You Through Time
6. Horniman Circle & Fort Area Wander
Downtown Mumbai can be overwhelming, but Horniman Circle is like a pause button. Big shady trees, the Asiatic Library, Art Deco buildings all quietly asserting themselves amid the skyscrapers.
Walking here feels both calming and mind-expanding. I like imagining the old traders, bureaucrats, and artists who walked these streets before me. Architecture lovers will drool. And honestly, anyone who enjoys seeing layers of life in one snapshot should check out this heritage walk in Mumbai.
7. Colaba Lanes
Colaba was never about just street shopping for chunky jewellery and fashion wear. Take a stroll and you’ll be reminded about the old colonial facade, archways and the cafes blasting a tune from the 90s rock music as you pass by. The architecture whispers tales of history, and you cannot overlook the way it’s written in novels like Shantaram and Maximum City.
Leopold’s Café and Mondegar are my personal favourites. If you love books, bites and streets equally, this heritage walk in Mumbai feels like walking through a living library. Every alley has a footnote, every café a chapter.
8. Churchgate Sunrise / Sunset Strolls
Sometimes the simplest walks leave the deepest impression. Early morning by the bay or sunset along Marine Drive, with colonial façades glowing in gold.
No map, no schedule. Just you, the breeze, and the city stretching out. Just stroll when you need perspective. If you only do one heritage walk in Mumbai without any tour guide showing you around, make it this one. Trust me, it stays in your head long after.
Also Read: Kala Ghoda Art Festival Has Heritage Walks & Rides
Why These Walks Matter?
Walking in Mumbai is like flipping through a layered scrapbook. You’ll see old buildings, sure, but also hear voices, smell spices, and notice laughter spilling from people roaming around you. Heritage walk is never about watching the old monuments; it’s the textures, the rhythms, and the human stories stitched into the streets of the city.
Want to take a heritage walk in Mumbai but don’t know how? Well, sites like Treks and Trails, Mumbai Bombay Heritage walks, Mumbai Dream Tours, and Khaki Tours provide you with an array of options to choose from. Just contact them through their websites or Instagram and book according to your convenience.
On World Tourist Day, I’d say: go out. Walk, photograph, ask questions and pause for a while. These heritage walks in Mumbai are experiences that will be embedded in your life forever!
Cover Image Courtesy: Mumbai Dream Tours/Instagram