Situated on a peninsula halfway up the west coast of India, Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is India's economic powerhouse, and home to more millionaires than any other city on the Indian subcontinent. As well as being the country's financial capital, Mumbai is also an important port, handling a third of all international trade; and a base for many of India's largest companies. However, among all this wealth and the Bollywood lifestyle are cases of extreme poverty - with almost half of the 21 million-strong population living in slums.

The Portuguese established this old Hindu city as a colony in 1509. In 1661, it passed to England as part of the dowry of Catherine of Braganza when she married Charles II, and became a vital trading base for the East India Company and later the Crown. The centre of Imperial Bombay, the city contains a breathtaking array of High Victorian buildings and is reminiscent of a prosperous 19th-century English industrial city. The fascinating range of architectural styles reflects the British passion for the Gothic and demonstrates the wealth, panache and confidence of British Bombay. Prosperity has always been considered more important than religious homogeneity in Mumbai, and this is reflected in the range of places of worship throughout the city - churches and cathedrals sit alongside countless mosques, Hindu and Buddhist temples.

Like many Indian cities, the streets of Mumbai are congested with cattle, carts and motor vehicles, and the air is thick with smog and the sound of horns. But despite this, the city has much to offer, and those en route to Goa should take time to discover Mumbai's colourful and fascinating history, as well as its vibrant, energetic and friendly people. At the very worst, your experience of Mumbai will make Goa's beaches seem that much more peaceful.

Fort Area

Address: South Mumbai Mumbai

Colaba

Address: Mumbai

Marine Drive

Address: Mumbai

Crawford Market

Address: Junction of Dadabhoy Naoroji Road and Carnac Road Mumbai

Haji Ali Dargah

Address: Off the coast of Worli, near Mahalaxmi railway station Mumbai

Nehru Centre

Address: Dr Annie Besant Rd., Worli. Closest Railway Stations: Mumbai Central, Mahalakshmi, Dadar and Byculla. Mumbai

Admission: Planetarium: Rs 50 (adult) and Rs 25 (children) English shows daily at 3pm. Closed on Mondays

Prince of Wales Museum

Address: 159/161 Mahatma Gandhi Rd Mumbai

Admission: Rs 300 (includes complimenary audio guide) Open Tuesday to Sunday, from 10.15am to 6pm

Mani Bhavan Ghandi Museum

Address: 19 Laburnam Rd Mumbai

Admission: Rs 10 Open daily, from 9.30am to 6pm

Dhobi Ghat

Address: Prakash Pathe Marg Mumbai

Elephanta Caves

Address: Elephanta Island Mumbai

Admission: Admission to caves: Rs 250; Ferry ticket: Rs 120 Boats depart from the Gateway of India every 30 minutes on Tuesday to Sunday, from 9am to 2.30pm

Titwala

Address: About 46 miles (75km) outside of Mumbai Mumbai

Elephanta Festival

Where: Elephanta Island,Mumbai

When: 7 March 2012

Kala Ghoda Bazaar

Where: Kala Dubash Marg (formerly Kala Ghoda), Mumbai,Mumbai

When: Every Sunday from November to January

Ganesh Chaturthi

Where: Throughout the streets and on Chowpatty Beach,Mumbai

When: 19 September 2012

Joss

Address: 30 K Dubash Marg, Kalaghoda Mumbai

Food Type: Asian

Rajdhani

Address: Crawford Market Mumbai

Food Type: Indian

Jimmy Boy Restaurant

Address: 11 Bank Street, Vikas Building, Fort Mumbai

Food Type: Parsi/Iranian

Samovar

Address: Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Fort Area Mumbai

Food Type: Indian

Trishna

Address: Birla Mansion, Sai Baba Marg, Kala Ghoda, Fort Area Mumbai

Food Type: Seafood