Here are 10 of the best art galleries & museums in Mumbai, with detailed descriptions, what makes them special, practical tips and photos. If you tell me your interests (modern art / historic art / installations / small galleries) I can curate a list more suited to you.
1) National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Mumbai
-
Located at Sir Cowasji Jehangir Public Hall, M.G. Road, Fort.
-
What to see: A large collection of Indian modern and contemporary art, works by progressive artists like M.F. Hussain, S.H. Raza, F.N. Souza, etc. There are several galleries, rotating exhibitions, and both permanent & temporary shows.
Visiting info: Open from Tuesday to Sunday; approximately 10:00 or 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Closed on Mondays & national holidays. (
Entry fee: very modest for Indian citizens (₹20), more for foreigners. Students often get discounts.
-
What makes it special: For someone wanting a broad sweep of Indian modern art history, NGMA is essential. It’s centrally located in Fort / Kala Ghoda area, so you can combine it with other nearby artsy / heritage spots.
2) Jehangir Art Gallery (Kala Ghoda, Fort)
-
One of Mumbai’s iconic galleries / cultural institutions. Started in 1952.
-
What to see: A lot of exhibitions of established and emerging artists; painting, photography, sculpture, installations. The building itself is part of the art precinct in Kala Ghoda, which gives a lot of atmosphere.
Practical: Timing usually 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM; sometimes busy, especially during weekends and during Kala Ghoda Arts Festival. (
-
Why go: If you want to see a diverse mix; also good spot for street art, smaller vendor stalls around, art walks.
3) Chemould Prescott Road Gallery
-
One of the oldest contemporary art galleries in Mumbai. Founded by Kekoo & Khorshed Gandhy in 1963.
-
What’s special: It has played a big role in shaping India’s post-independence modern art scene, supporting many artists over decades. You’ll find high-quality exhibitions, often pushing creative boundaries.
Where: In Fort / Colaba area (i.e. accessible along with many others in the Kala Ghoda precinct).
4) Gallery Maskara (Colaba)
-
Founded by Abhay Maskara; the gallery space is itself interesting — it’s a restored pre-independence warehouse with high ceilings, large walls.
What to see: Contemporary art, often large-scale / ambitious installations, site-specific work. Also important for emerging artists.
Visiting info: Open Monday to Saturday 11:00-7:00, closed Sunday.
Note: According to recent reports, Gallery Maskara is shutting down (“final show”) after a run of years. If you go, you may catch its last exhibitions. (
5) Project 88 (Colaba)
-
A smaller / more experimental gallery. Created in a restored old building (formerly a printing press).
What to see: Experimental, ambitious work; contemporary media (installation, mixed media, conceptual) by emerging and mid-career artists.
-
Practical: It’s more niche, so if you like adventurous, thought-provoking art rather than just decorative.
6) Sarmaya Arts Foundation
-
Founded fairly recently; mix of archival, traditional, folk, modern/historical artefacts and artworks.
-
What makes it special: It’s not only about visual art, but documenting living traditions, folk art, rare books, maps, photographs. A place with depth if you're interested in more than just paintings.
7) Volte Gallery
-
A leading contemporary gallery in the Asian subcontinent; often included in “top galleries in Mumbai” lists.
-
What to expect: Clean, well-curated shows; often with a touch of international dialogue, strong artists, and good production values.
8) Chatterjee & Lal Art Gallery
-
Another well-known gallery, especially for multimedia, experimental work, etc.
9) Sakshi Art Gallery
-
A long-standing gallery which shows both established and lesser known artists. It tends to have more traditional forms alongside newer ones.
10) Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS, formerly Prince of Wales Museum)
-
While strictly a museum, it includes substantial art galleries, historical art/artefact collections: paintings, miniatures, sculpture, decorative arts. (
-
Why go: For those interested in not just art galleries in the modern sense, but also history, decorative art, architecture. Also, it's in a beautiful heritage building and in a walkable cultural district.
Additional Honours / Mentions
-
Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) — newer large-scale multi-disciplinary cultural space / exhibition centre. If you are lucky, some big contemporary art installations or shows might be here.
-
Nehrū Centre Art Gallery, etc. Also smaller boutique/private galleries scattered especially around Colaba, Fort, and Bandra.
What to Plan / Tips
-
Best location: If you stay in or visit Fort / Colaba / Kala Ghoda, you can hit several of these galleries in one walking route. Jehangir, NGMA, Chemould, Chatterjee & Lal, Project 88, Sakshi, etc.
-
Timing: Many galleries close on Sundays or Mondays; or have shorter hours on weekends. Always check current timings online before going.
-
Entry fee: Many private galleries are free; museums / government galleries charge small fees. Foreign nationals often pay more. Student ID often helpful.
-
Photography: In many galleries, mobile photography is allowed, though flash or professional setups may need permission.
-
Exhibitions change: What you see depends heavily on what’s on display at the moment. If you have a particular interest (installation, folk, digital art, etc.) check their current & upcoming programs.
-
Climate & weather: Mumbai gets hot & humid; visiting in mornings/evenings or in cooler months (October-February) makes it more pleasant.
Follow Us