If you love chaotic, exhilarating cities, then Mumbai is your type of place. You'll be dazzled by the graceful colonial Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the Fort area and the Mughal domes of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum. Once you've visited the museums and galleries in the Kala Ghoda district, relax in the peaceful Babulnath Mandir Hindu temple, and dress up for a night out around Juhu.
The hub of sprawling Mumbai is in the southern districts of Colaba and Fort, with the stone arch of the Gateway of India at its tip. Leftovers of the British Raj add grace to the hustle and bustle: soak up the atmosphere as you watch ad hoc cricket games in Churchgate. The Arabian Sea laps Chowpatty Beach along Mumbai's western strip, where locals stroll at sunset and nibble on savoury bhel poori puffed rice snacks from beachfront stalls. Nearby is plush residential Malabar Hill, and further north is stylish Juhu Beach.
Head to the colonial grandeur of Fort, marked by Raj-era architecture and outstanding museums. Here, you can peruse ancient Asian sculptures and miniatures at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum, or today's best Indian artists at the National Gallery of Modern Art. Alternatively, gaze at the ornate Victorian façade of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai's rail hub. Bargain for books and clothes at nearby street market Fashion Street or search for antiques amid the junk at Chor Bazaar on Mutton Street. You can enjoy local feasts everywhere, from savoury snacks on Chowpatty Beach to spicy seafood in Fort.
From the Gateway of India, Mumbai's icon, take a boat to Elephanta Island for cave temples from around the ninth century, and a huge stone sculpture of Lord Shiva. In Malabar Hill, seek solace at shrine-laden Hindu temple Babulnath Mandir, then enjoy the Arabian Sea views from the lush Hanging Gardens. Join pilgrims flocking to majestic white Haji Ali's Tomb, a landmark on Worli waterfront.
South Asia's busiest airport, located in the commercial capital of Mumbai, has undergone huge expansion and flies over 25 million passengers a year. The 35-km (22-mile) journey into the city's southern hub takes at least an hour by taxi – traffic permitting.
