Guide to Mumbai

Mumbai is the largest city in India, formed by the merger of seven islands. The most attractive area for tourists is South Mumbai, home to numerous museums, restaurants, and bars. Northwest Mumbai is where you'll find the city's best beaches, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and several ancient temples. A must-visit is Elephanta Island (also known as Gharapuri), accessible by a one-hour boat ride from the famous "Gateway of India" arch (the trip costs at least 30-40 INR). The island boasts a cave complex famous for its rock carvings of the god Shiva, and it hosts a Dance Festival every February. The Prince of Wales Museum, now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, is another interesting attraction with a collection of around 50,000 exhibits from different countries, including paintings, sculptures, weapons, costumes, and porcelain items. Don't miss the bustling Crawford Market, the largest market in Mumbai, where you can find the freshest fruits, provisions, and flowers. The market's design, including the courtyard fountain adorned with figures of animals and Hindu deities, was created by Lockwood, the father of writer Rudyard Kipling.