Mandvi it is situated 60 km south of Bhuj and approximately 100 km west of Gandhidham. The town was founded in 1581 A.D. by the rulers of Kutch and was a historic harbour. The port of Mandvi was an important sea trade port between the near east and the far east, and brought considerable prosperity to the royal family of Kutch. The sailors of Mandvi were known to be adventurous and it is said even Vasco Do Gama used a sailor from Mandvi to navigate to Zanzibar. As most of the top ports of India were controlled by Europeans, especially the Portuguese, even the Mughals held the Maharaos of Kutch in high esteem, as they needed the port of Mandvi for exports, imports and for pilgrimages to Mecca. Mandvi town was therefore as important to the Maharaos as their capital city of Bhuj and they endowed it with some splendid palaces and buildings.

The famous Aina Mahal of Mandvi, built in the mid-18th century by Ram Singh, who had been ship wrecked in Europe, learnt the arts of foundry, glass blowing, stone carving etc in the Dutch and Venetian tradition, and was patronized by the Maharao Lakhpat Sinhji of Kutch, is no longer as grand as the same sort of extravaganza they created in Bhuj, having been converted into a college for girls, but still has interesting sculpture of Dutch sailors and dancing girls. The Vijay Vilas palace, erected in the 1940s, with splendid architectural features such as umbrella domes and cupolas of the Rajasthani and Bengali styles consort with Gothic arches and Baroque features.

There are few good and virgin beaches in the town. Apart from the popular beach in the town, where wind mills have been planted, there is also a two kilometre long private beach of the Maharao with beautiful white sands accessible with a minimum fee. Next to the beach are the docks where wooden ships are being built. There is also a large private sanctuary of the royal family known as Pragsar.

In the town, one can visit numerous old buildings of princely times. The Rukmavati Bridge in its entrance is the longest stone bridge; built in 1883 A.D. Mandvi is well known for handicraft industry particularly for its relief, filigree and enamel work. One can pick up handicrafts such as silverware, shell-work, Kutchi embroideries, bandhini tie-and-dye saris and block prints.