Things to see in Mumbai

Mumbai's biggest, and many would argue best, museum is housed within a grand domed building amid beautiful gardens. It was opened in 1923 to commemorate King George VI's first visit to India and was designed by George Wittet of Gateway of India fame. Inside, the eclectic collections house everything from Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and miniature paintings to weaponry and stuffed animals. The admission fee includes a helpful audio guide.

The bold basalt arch of Mumbai's Gateway of India was built by the British to commemorate King George V and Queen Mary's visit to India in 1911. Designed by George Wittet, the foundation stone was laid in 1911 but the gateway itself was not completed until 1924. The design is a mixture of Hindu and Muslim architectural styles; the pillars are similar to those found in Hindu temples and the windows derived from Islamic architecture. In earlier times, the Gateway was one of the first sights visitors arriving by boat would have seen of Mumbai. These days it attracts a colourful crowd of tourists, hawkers and beggars.

Founded by Sir Cowasji Jehangir, the Jehangir Art Gallery is Mumbai's premier contemporary art exhibition space. It boasts four exhibition halls and regularly shows works by Indian artists with most works available for sale. Those artists not yet fortunate enough to have their artwork displayed inside the gallery often exhibit paintings on the pavement outside. The gallery is also home to Natesans, the country's oldest licensed antique dealers and the popular Samovar café.

Jutting out to the sea from the northern end of Marine Drive, Malabar Hill offers splendid views of Mumbai. The hill is one of the most exclusive residential areas in Mumbai and is home to the city's high-flyers. The state governor's official residence can be found here. The area is also home to the Banganga, an ancient water tank which forms part of the Walkeshwar Temple Complex, and the pretty terraced Hanging Gardens.

This old Hindu temple in the heart of Bhuleshwar Market was built to honour the city's patron deity Goddess Mumbai (after whom the English word 'Bombay' was supposed to have been derived). While not ornate or of particular architectural merit, this crumbling temple forms part of Mumbai's rich history having stood there for the last six centuries. Inside the temple, the modern shrine displays an image of the Goddess Mumbai, and a tiger, the traditional carrier of the Goddess, sits in front of the shrine.

Recently restored to its former glory, St Thomas' Cathedral was the first Anglican Church to be built in the city and the oldest English building in Mumbai. Construction on the cathedral began in 1676 although work was not completed until 1718. The tower and clock were added in 1838 and the chancel in 1863. While the building itself is impressive, the colonial memorials that line the cathedral are of particular interest. Look out for the memorial belonging to Captain George Hardinge whereby Hardinge is being borne away on a huge seashell pulled by two fiery seahorses.

A distinguished neo-classical structure overlooking Horniman Circle, Mumbai's Town Hall was built between 1821 and 1833, to designs by Colonel Thomas Cowper. It originally stood on Bombay Green, which was the centre of the Fort area, and is one of the few remnants (along with the Mint Building) of pre-Victorian Bombay. It's an impressive structure ordered by colonnades, wrought iron staircases and parquet flooring. Today the building is used as a public library and houses over a 100,000 books, of which 15,000 are classified as rare and valuable.