Mumbai

The iconic Gateway of India overlooks the Arabic Sea and dominates the port with its majestic figure. Built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, it is now a major draw for tourists thanks to the bustle filled with vendors and street food.

A historic railway station and UNESCO heritage, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus blends the designs of a British architect with the expertise of Indian craftsmen, giving this construction a peculiar Victorian Gothic style. It also comes equipped with seven platforms for suburban trains and eleven for long-distance ones.

Located in the heart of the business district, Flora Fountain is a popular Mumbai landmark built in 1864, and it has become a heritage structure. Made of Portland marble, its namesake is the Roman Goddess of Flowers and the Season of Spring.

Dhobi Ghat, the world's largest laundromat with workers bent over piles of clothes and a pungent scent of soap mixed with smoke, is still a reality in Mumbai. Thousand of clothes pass through the 700 stone washing platforms every day and are hung on intricate dry lines, in a colourful show that is one of a kind.

Located in the heart of Mumbai, The Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple honours Lord Ganesh, the most revered god within the whole of India. Dating back to the 1800s, it features carved wooden doors at the entrance and an inner roof plated with gold, and the idol of Shree Siddhivinayak is carved out of a single black stone.

In the western outskirts of Mumbai, the Kanheri Caves are laid in the middle of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Carved out of rock mountains and with a history that dates back to the first century BC, they are existing proof of the Buddhist influence on India. The surrounding forest features an area full of waterfalls and local flora.

Once known as the Crawford Market, it is located opposite the Mumbai Police headquarters, near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. It is more a throwback to a Victorian market than modern-day India. The friezes on the exterior walls and the stone fountains in the interior are designed by Lockwood Kipling, father to writer Rudyard Kipling. Gobs of fresh fruit and vegetables are sold here, as well as chocolate and cheese.

Inaugurated in 2009 to honour Buddha, this golden pagoda has become a major attraction in Mumbai. Loved for its golden decor and massive stone dome, the Global Vipassana Pagoda is surrounded by nature, and the Dhamma Pattana meditation centre offers free 10-day meditation courses.

Juhu is one of the most popular beaches in Mumbai: a perfect place to get a tan and enjoy the marine breeze during the day and a meeting point in the evening. With plentiful food stalls and vendors, it becomes even more lively at sunset.

Located just behind Victoria Terminus, the largest GPO in India was completed in 1913. The imposing building is the template for the Indo-Saracenic architectural style and includes high vaulted ceilings and marble-topped tables in the interior.

Inspired by the most revered figure of Jawaharlal Nehru, prime minister and leader of the Indian Independence movement, this artistic hub consists of a Planetarium and a permanent exhibition that covers every aspect of India's development and culture. Committed to promoting emerging artists, it also displays new talents, aiming to inspire new generations of young Indians. Special arrangements are made to watch, study and photograph solar and lunar eclipses, and many similar events.