City dossier
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Mumbai, the city of dreams, is not just about Bollywood, street food, and chaotic traffic. It's also a haven for art lovers, offering a range of art museums that are as diverse as the city itself. From traditional Indian art to contemporary works, Mumbai's art museums are as vibrant and colourful as a Bollywood dance number. So, put on your most comfortable shoes, because we're taking you on a virtual tour of Mumbai's top 10 art museums. Just maybe skip the vada pav right before—the galleries are intimate, and Mumbaikars notice everything.
Local motto
मजबूती, संगठन, दया - Strength, Organization, Compassion
Highlights
Things not to miss
Curated essentials, minus the stiff whispers. We keep the jokes light and the brushstrokes heavy.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya
Formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum, this grand structure houses an exquisite collection of ancient Indian art, archaeology and natural history. And no, you don't have to say the full name each time you want to visit. The Indo-Saracenic domes create fascinating acoustic properties—sounds echo through the galleries with colonial-era grandeur, so visitors learn to move with the dignity the Maharaj himself would expect.
National Gallery of Modern Art
This is where you go to witness the evolution of Indian art. From Raja Ravi Varma's oil paintings to M.F. Husain's modernist pieces, this place is a journey through time. And guess what? The building itself is an art, too! The heritage structure maintains that particular stillness where even a whisper carries—so perhaps save the pav bhaji celebration for after your visit.
Jehangir Art Gallery
A paradise for contemporary art lovers, this gallery is Mumbai's Soho. The art is as fresh as a morning 'chai' and the artists are more approachable than your neighbourhood aunty. The constant flow of Kala Ghoda visitors creates a lively ambient hum—providing merciful cover for those who couldn't resist the street food vendors outside.
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum
The oldest museum in Mumbai, it's like a time machine, but without any DeLoreans. You'll find the history of Mumbai, art, and culture all under one Victorian roof. The adjacent Rani Baug gardens provide strategic fresh-air intervals between galleries—a layout the British designed for the climate but which serves multiple purposes for visitors fresh from Byculla's bhel puri stalls.
Piramal Art Foundation
Ever wondered what a billionaire's art collection might look like? Visit Piramal Art Foundation and wonder no more. It's free to enter, but sadly, not free to take any art home. The corporate tower setting means industrial-grade air filtration systems—the Piramals didn't build an empire by leaving anything to chance, including atmospheric quality.
Artisans' Art Gallery
This non-profit organisation promotes traditional and contemporary Indian crafts and arts. It's like Etsy, but you can't buy anything online. The intimate Kala Ghoda space rewards visitors who arrive with settled constitutions—the serious craft collectors can spot a misal pav aftermath from across the room.
Tao Art Gallery
A dynamic space that showcases contemporary art and sculptures. Remember, it's Tao, not 'Chow'. The Worli sea-facing location means constant ocean breezes sweep through—nature's own ventilation system, which visitors emerging from the nearby Koliwada seafood joints have found philosophically appropriate.
Chemould Prescott Road
A gallery known for promoting edgy, contemporary art. It's like the 'cool kid' of Mumbai's art scene. The third-floor walk-up means you've earned your viewing by the time you arrive—and the climb conveniently helps work off whatever you had at Britannia & Co. beforehand.
Nine Fish Art Gallery
This gallery is located in a restored heritage warehouse. It's as much about the art as it is about the 'fish'. Just kidding, there are no fish here. The converted mill space has that cavernous industrial quality where sounds dissipate into the exposed rafters—a feature the Byculla locals have tested more thoroughly than the architects ever anticipated.
Sakshi Gallery
This gallery has been instrumental in promoting Indian artists globally. It's like the 'Mama Manager' for Indian artists. The Colaba setting attracts Mumbai's most discerning collectors, who arrive with impeccable timing relative to their last Cafe Mondegar breakfast—the art world elite here have standards.
The Ravi Paranjape Foundation and Studio
The Ravi Paranjape Foundation and Studio is a renowned artistic institution and creative hub dedicated to promoting and preserving the legacy of the acclaimed artist, Ravi Paranjape. Located in Pune rather than Mumbai, the Model Colony setting offers a more relaxed pace—though the Puneri misal is no less demanding of strategic timing.