The largest municipal market in Mumbai, Crawford Market was founding in the British era ­ the outside is even decorated with bas-relief carvings by Lockwood Kipling, father of Rudyard Kipling. Inside the fortress-like compound, you'll find narrow aisles lined with stalls selling household goods, dried fruit and nuts and fresh tropical fruit, including Mumbai's famous Alphonso mangoes (May to July).

The old British fort is now a bustling business district in the heart of the city. Street stalls sell belts, DVDs, wallets, bags and discount electronics along most of the main thoroughfares. Dr DN Road is lined with camera shops selling the latest from Nikon, Canon and Sony. Fort also boasts several huge handicraft emporiums selling top quality crafts, clothing and curios from across the subcontinent.

At the north end of Dr DN Road, the wide streets give way to narrow alleyways crammed with street stalls and lined with open-air and covered markets. The area around Crawford Market is one continuous bazaar ­ anything and everything can be found here, from tin pans and luggage to incense and fresh fruit. Walking between the bustling stalls is an intense sensory experience. The atmosphere is fast paced and furious and the traffic can be unbearable ­ travel by train to Masjid station to beat the jams.