An Introvert's Guide To Mumbai

Dense and crowded, Mumbai may not seem flattering to introverts at first glance. However, the city’s many rich cultural and artistic spaces, meditative cafes and bookstores and holistic natural spots prove otherwise. To make sure you don’t miss out, we’ve curated this guide to the city’s finest offerings for introverts.

For The History Buff

If you are a history enthusiast in Mumbai, you’re in great luck. From temple caves dating to the 1st century B.C.E. to colonial era monuments, the city’s historic landmarks are many and rewarding. The Kanheri Caves, over 100 Buddhist and Hindu caves located deep within Mumbai’s stunning Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the perfect choice if you are looking for an immersive experience surrounded by nature. For a dose of more recent history you can visit South Mumbai’s iconic yet not-too-crowded Afghan Church, a stunning Gothic structure dating to 1865 and steeped in history.

If you would rather visit a well curated museum to delve into the city’s history in peace, the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum in Byculla and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) in Fort are both fantastic options.

Kanheri Caves: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai, India

Afghan Church: Duxbury Lane, Near Navy Nagar, S.B.S Road, Colaba, Mumbai, India,+91 72249 67405

Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum: 91 A, Rani Baug, Veer Mata Jijbai Bhonsle Udyan, Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Marg, Byculla, Mumbai, India, +91 22 2373 1234

CSMVS: 159-161, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Fort, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, India, +91 22 2284 4484

For The Culture Vulture

Mumbai offers plenty of options if you are looking to sample the city’s rich arts and cultural scene without having to spare energy interacting with large crowds. The NCPA in Nariman Point regularly hosts rich performance arts events, film screenings and talks within its stunning, large auditoriums where you can sit in peace and immerse yourself in art. The city’s many art galleries including the famous Jehangir Art Gallery in Kala Ghoda are also fantastic options for you to observe artistic works around other visitors too absorbed to bother with small talk.

NCPA: NCPA Marg, Nariman Point, Nariman Point, Mumbai, India, +91 22 6622 3737

Jehangir Art Gallery: 161B, Mahatma Gandhi Road, Kala Ghoda, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, India, +91 22 2284 3989

For The Book Lover

The city houses many rich bookstores for every type of book lover. Kitab Khana, located inside a 150-year-old heritage building in historic Fort is one of the largest bookstores in the city and the ideal place for you to get lost amongst books. Wayword and Wise in Ballard Estate is your best option if looking for a rich collection of rare and non-fiction books housed within a cute, boutique store.

If you would like some coffee with your book browsing, you can head to one of the city’s many cozy and quiet bookstore cafes. Leaping Windows in Versova is a fantastic option if you appreciate comic books, whereas Cha Bar in Churchgate lets you browse across genres and recent releases.

Kitab Khana: 45-47, M.G.Road, Somaiya Bhavan, Ground Floor, Flora Fountain, Next to Davars College,, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, India, +91 2 261 702 276

Wayword & Wise : Strategic house, 44, Mint Rd, Ballard Estate, Mumbai, India, +91 22 266 349 946

Leaping Windows : 3 Corner View, Dr. Ashok Chopra Marg, Off Yari Road, Opp. Bianca Towers, Versova, Mumbai, India, +91 9 7699 98972

Cha Bar : Apeejay House, 3 Dinsha Vachha Road, Churchgate, Mumbai, India, +91 22 6634 5241

For The Nature Lover

With the Arabian Sea enveloping it, lush green parks spread throughout its length and stunning trekking routes located right outside it, Mumbai is in no way lacking when it comes to offerings for nature lovers. As our guide to the city’s many beaches will show you, there are plenty of options if you are looking for a meditative experience by the sea. While Juhu Beach, the city’s most popular, may be too crowded and better suited for an extrovert, northern beaches such as Erangal or Versova will delight introverts.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali, considered to be the world’s largest park located within city limits is a rewarding option if you are looking for a trek through nature. The park even has a resident tiger and lion population if you are interested in arranging a safari.

Juhu Beach, 3, AB Nair Rd, Airport Area, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, +91 22 2456 3280

Erangal Beach, Madh, Maharashtra, India

Versova Beach, Bharat Nagar, Versova, Andheri West Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

Sanjay Gandhi National Park : Borivali East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, +91 22 2886 0362