Bollywood is home to the world’s most prolific movie producers. Special tours can be arranged to Film City, India’s largest studio, in Goregaon. Visits take in the studios and recording rooms as well as the numerous venues used for outdoor shooting.

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Chor Bazaar is Mumbai’s famous Thieves’ Market. The lively market is an antiques lover’s delight. It features an eclectic range of ancient and modern, from old ships' parts to crystal chandeliers and English tea sets. Nearby, Zaveri Bazaar is famous for its diamond, gold and silver jewellery.

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Crawford Market (now known as Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Market) is one of Mumbai’s most famous markets, known for its flowers, fish, fresh produce and exotic birds. Reminiscent of Victorian London, it was completed in 1867, and features an interesting blend of Gothic and Moorish architectural styles.

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The Dhobi Ghats offer an unforgettable view of a timeless tradition unique to Mumbai. Around 200 families toil in this open-air laundry – soaking, then pummelling the city’s garments, before they are hung out to dry, ironed and returned to residents across the city.

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Accessed by boat from the Gateway of India, the Elephanta Caves on Elephanta Island are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The magnificent rock-cut temple complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is believed to have been first excavated in the 8th century.

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The Gateway of India is Mumbai’s most famous landmark. The Arc de Triomphe–like structure was completed in 1924, its design influenced by the Muslim architecture of 16th-century Gujarat. The last British troops to leave India passed through the gate in a special ceremony on February 28, 1948.

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At the end of a long causeway, the Haji Ali Mosque and Tomb can only be accessed at low tide. At high tide, the majestic whitewashed complex, which honours a Muslim saint, appears to float above the water, in splendid isolation.

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The Hanging Gardens (correctly known as the Pherozeshah Mehta Gardens), Kamala Nehru Park and the Parsi Tower of Silence are all located on Malabar Hill, an exclusive residential area of Mumbai. The formal Hanging Gardens were built in 1880 above a series of reservoirs. Across the road, Kamala Nehru Park offers spectacular views over the city, while the nearby Tower of Silence is where the Parsis perform their last rites.

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In the forest of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, the Kanheri Caves provide an intriguing glimpse of Buddhist India. The 109 isolated caves, chiselled out of the volcanic rock between the 1st century BC and the 9th century AD, were used by Buddhist monks for meditation and worship. One of the largest caves features a colossal standing Buddha, 7 metres (23 feet) high, on each side of the entrance, a colonnade of 34 pillars and a huge shrine, all carved from the stone. The whole area features inscriptions in Sanskrit, Devnagri and Brahmi script.

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From November to April, horse races take place every Sunday at Mahalaxmi Racecourse. Big races such as the Indian Derby are an important occasion in Mumbai’s social calendar. Out of season, the racecourse is popular with walkers and joggers, and horseback rides can be arranged here.

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Huge crowds of freedom fighters gathered in Shivaji Park during India’s battle for independence. After independence, large rallies of those struggling for a consolidated state of Maharashtra took place here. Since the state’s formation in 1960, the park has hosted more peaceful activities. Now considered the cradle of Indian cricket, it has produced numerous international players. Budding cricketers play here every day of the week.

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Siddhivinayak Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed god of good fortune, and was rebuilt on the site of a 200-year-old temple. It attracts followers from all over India, and it is considered especially auspicious to visit on a Tuesday.

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Victoria Terminus (now known as Chatrapati Shivaji Terminus) is the headquarters of Central Railways, with a thousand trains leaving the station every day. Architecturally one of the world’s finest stations, this magnificent Raj-era monument was completed in 1887, and its features include vaulted roofs, Gothic spires, flying buttresses, exquisite friezes and a massive central dome.

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Chowpatty Beach comes alive each evening, with ferris wheels, carousels, pony rides, gymnasts, monkey shows, astrologers and stalls selling Mumbai’s famously satisfying fast food, such as crunchy puffed rice snacks and spicy potato cakes. The beach parallels Marine Drive – one of Mumbai’s most popular promenades, especially at sunset.

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The Mani Bhavan Gandhi Museum is a house that served as the Mumbai headquarters of Mahatma Gandhi from 1917 to 1934. In 1921 he staged a four-day fast here, in order to restore peace to the city. Exhibits in the quiet, three-story home help to explain his legendary life.

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The Prince of Wales Museum (now known as Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Museum) is Mumbai’s top museum and arguably the best in India. Offering an extensive and accessible introduction to Indian history and culture, highlights include sculptures of Hindu deities, Buddhist thangkas from Nepal and Tibet, more than 2,000 miniature paintings representing India’s various schools of art, and ancient Indus Valley artefacts that date back to 2000 BC.

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The Concierge is able to arrange weekend or multi-day excursions to numerous popular destinations elsewhere in India, such as Rajasthan, Goa and the Himalayan foothills.

For guests interested in ayurveda, the Concierge will arrange a stay at one of Kerala’s ayurvedic resorts. The southern state’s gentle climate and abundance of herbal and medicinal plants is especially well suited for ayurveda’s curative treatments.

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