Boasting a rich cultural and heritage history, Mumbai is home to some of the most renowned museums and galleries where tourists can get a sneak peek into the city's glorious past. It is a perfect place to appreciate the art and heritage that have built this city and this country. Many museums in Mumbai exhibit the best works of art ever produced. The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Sangrahalaya, the National Gallery of Modern Art, and the Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum are some of the most famous museums in Mumbai. Take a look at the detailed information about these museums and galleries in Mumbai that you can add to your itineraries.
The best museums in Mumbai are
National Gallery of Modern Art
One of Mumbai's leading art galleries and museums, the National Gallery of Modern Art, houses a collection of 14,000 objects, including paintings, articles, sculptures, and graphics. It was established in 1954 and opened to the public in 1966. It displays modern art by Indian as well as foreign artists. You can also see the stunning statues of many well-known Indian artists, including Debiprasad Roy Chowdhury, Balbir Singh Katt, and Dhanraj Bhagat. Besides this, the National Gallery of Mumbai also consists of the famous painting by M.F. Hussain, known as "Zameen." This perfect blend of art and culture makes it a paradise for history buffs.
- Address: National Gallery of Modern Art, Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall, M G Road, Fort Mumbai - 400032
- Timing: 11:00 AM - 06:00 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Closed: Mondays and public holidays
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Originally named the Prince of Wales Museum of Western India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is one of Mumbai's best places to visit. It has documents from the prehistoric era to modern times. The building of the museum is a perfect example of Indo-Saracenic architectural style. Besides this, Mughal, Maratha, and Jain architecture can also be seen here. With approximately 50,000 artifacts, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is the best historical museum in Mumbai, which gives a deep insight into Indus Valley Civilization, the British-era, and modern times. The Textile Gallery, Indian Traditional Gallery, Painting Gallery, and Prints Gallery are among the popular galleries in Mumbai.
- Address: 159-161 Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Mumbai - 400023
- Timing: 10:15 AM - 06:00 PM (Monday to Sunday)
- Closed: Only Public Holidays
RBI Monetary Museum
An important monetary institution, the Reserve Bank of India Monetary Museum, is established. It was inaugurated by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the then President of India, and it was established under an educational program by RBI. It has a collection of 1,500 objects, including financial instruments, coins, and paper currency from various eras. The money dates back to the 6th century BCE, the Indus Valley, the Kushan Empire, the Gupta period, and the British Raj. Besides this, it also comprises ancient paper money from across India, China, and Southeast Asia. Entry to the RBI Monetary Museum in Mumbai is free; anyone can visit here.
- Address: Amar Building, Sir Phirozshah Mehta Road, Fort, Mumbai
- Timings: 10:30 AM – 5 PM (Tuesday to Sunday)
- Closed: Monday and public holidays
CST Heritage Gallery & Railway Museum
If you wish to learn about the history of the Indian railways, then the CST Heritage Gallery and Railway Museum in Mumbai is the perfect place for this. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is among the few working railway stations that are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is an ideal place to learn about the history of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway or GIPR. The CST museum also comprises miniature models of buildings, trains, and engines. From steam to diesel engines and, finally, electric engines. You can learn how the Indian Railways have evolved and developed over the years.
- Address: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Fort, Mumbai
- Timings: 3 PM – 5 PM (Monday – Friday)
- Closed: Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays
BEST Transport Museum
Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) provides bus transport in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. In the BEST Transport Museum, you can see a collection of miniatures of BEST buses and trams. It was established in 1984 and is a fantastic place to visit for families and kids during the Mumbai tour. Everything can be seen here, from old buses and old tickets to the modern vehicles of BEST. The major attraction of the museum is the classic Daimler double-decker bus chassis that was exhibited in the middle of the museum. Besides this, it also has bus staff mannequins and city gas lamps that offer glimpses of some aspects of old Mumbai.
- Address: Municipal Kamgar Vasahat, Sion East, Mumbai - 400022
- Timing: 9:00 AM - 05:00 PM (Wednesday to Sunday)
- Closed: Monday, Tuesday, and public holidays.
Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya
Dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya comprises a museum and a library that depict the political career of Gandhi Ji. Mani Bhavan was the Mumbai headquarters for Mahatma Gandhi for 17 years, from 1917 to 1934. Satyagraha, Rowlatt Act, Non-Cooperation Movement, Khadi, Khilafat, and many more movements started here. Numerous photographs, paintings, newspaper clippings, and other artifacts are available here that depict Mahatma Gandhi's life here in Mumbai.
- Address: Mani Bhavan Gandhi Sangrahalaya, 19 Laburnum Road, Gamdevi, Mumbai - 400007
- Timing: 09:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Monday to Sunday)
- Closed: 2nd & 4th Saturdays and public holidays
If you are planning to visit the museums, then you must check out our Mumbai tour packages.
