Bhavnagar lies in the southeast corner of the peninsular region of Gujarat known as Kathiawad or Saurashtra. Once the capital of a princely state, Bhavnagar is home to several lakes and temples.

Bhavnagar serves as a convenient base to visit the Jain temples at Palitana on the Shatrunjaya hills and the Velvadar Sanctuary, the home of the famous Indian Black buck. Founded in 1743 A.D., by Bhavsinhji Gohil, on the site of a small village of Vadva, near the creek, Bhavnagar was once a flourishing port. Today, however the only activities related to the sea near Bhavnagar take place at the port of Ghogha and at Alang, which is also, Asia's largest ship breaking facility.

This is the home of the Indian black buck. Velavadar in the Bhal region of Saurashtra is a unique grassland ecosystem that has attracted fame for the successful conservation of the black buck - the fastest of the Indian antelopes, the wolf and the lesser florican.

In the midst of what was formerly a tank stands the temple of Gangadevi with a chhatri or partition. Made of white marble, designed by Sir John Griffits it was built by Maharaja Takhtsinghji in memory of Maharani Majirajba in 1893 A.D.

Khodiar lake, Sihor lake, Kailas Vatika, Bal-Ghar.
An interesting excursion from the Vijay Vilas palace is Shihor, with its historic old palace of the Maharajah of Bhavnagar, featuring gardens, wall paintings and woodcarvings. It can also be used as a base to visit Alang ship breaking yard, the Jain temples of Talaja, the historic town of Vabhipur and the Velavadar National Park.

Famous for its Swaminarayan Temple, Gadhada is a premier town on the pilgrim circuit of Gujarat. The temple, built in 1829 A.D. is a fine piece of architecture with a high plinth, spacious square, an assembly hall and large sarais.

A minor part Mahuva is famous for its handicraft work in wood and ivory. Lacquer work on wooden furniture and toys is its speciality , its fertile land bears 'Jamadar' mangoes similar to the Alphonso. There is an old mosque, Laxmi-narayan Temple and a Jain Dehrasar.

A dry lake, it is currently used for organizing fairs and other public events. It also has a picnic spot nearby and a beautiful garden known as Pil Garden.

State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. It is situated 791 kms. from Mumbai via Ahmedabad and 200 kms. from Ahmedabad via Sihor.