To Mumbaikars with the living memory of travel before the Mumbai-Pune Expressway was built, Panvel is the town sandwiched after the last McDonalds at Kalamboli and the famous Shree Datta Vada Pao Centre at Palaspar Phata. Now, the Expressway flies over it and all you see are the squat squares of new buildings with the balconies the size of bird perches. Its only avenue of interest now is that it is the site of the upcoming airport and a large train terminal.

However, the city has been an important trading town and port in the Raigad district. Panvel Taluka is well-known as the rice-bowl of the region, growing many varieties, one of them even named after the town. Its urban form and architectural heritage dates back to the 18th century. It has been home to a population of Konkani Hindus and Muslims, Dakkhani Muslims, Bohris, Koli fisher folk, and the Bene Israeli Jews, among others. Each community has left behind a place of worship—the Ekviradevi mandir of the Kolis, the Dar-ul-Imarat of Bohra masjid, several temples to Mahadev mandirs with stone deep-malas (stone pillars with carved lamps, to be lit at festivals) and Maratha-style shikara, a Lingayat samadhi, Jama Masjid and the Beth-El synagogue.