Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (Prince of Wales Museum)

Lonely Planet review

Mumbai's biggest and best museum is an intriguing hodgepodge of Islamic, Hindu and British architecture displaying a mixed bag of dusty exhibits from all over India. Opened in 1923 to commemorate King George V's first visit to India (back in 1905, while he was still Prince of Wales), its flamboyant Indo-Saracenic style was designed by George Wittet - who also did the Gateway of India.

The vast collection inside includes impressive Hindu and Buddhist sculpture, terracotta figurines from the Indus Valley, miniature paintings, porcelain and some particularly vicious weaponry. There's also a natural-history section with suitably stuffed animals. Take advantage of the free, multilanguage audio guides as not everything is labelled. Foreign students with a valid ISIC card can get in for a bargain charge.