Mumbai is a city of contrasts that surprised me in so many ways.

For one, Mumbai is India’s richest city though I was told an estimated half of its population lives in a slum. In fact, a 15-minute subway ride will take you from one of the world’s biggest and most densely populated slums to the world’s most expensive home – a 27-story behemoth valued in upwards of USD 1 billion.

Many tourists stay in South Mumbai which is home to some of the world’s grandest colonial-era buildings and an equally impressive Art Deco heritage. I never expected this, but Mumbai has the second largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world, behind only Miami.

Walking from the historic Fort and Colaba areas to Marine Drive made me feel like I was going from Cambridge to Miami. At times, it didn’t feel like I was in Asia at all! It was a surreal and unexpected experience, especially after coming from a starkly different city like Kolkata.

Mumbai is my favorite city in India and a place I would love to visit again and again. If you’re making that first ever trip to Mumbai, then I hope this travel guide can help you plan your trip.