Male

Male, the capital of The Maldives, is unlike every picture of the country you had in mind. Contrary to the beautiful water cottages and serene vibe, Male is densely packed and buzzing with activity. Almost every inch of the island is covered with colourful buildings set in a grid pattern. Though most tourists just stop here for a few hours before leaving for the resort islands, Male is a great place to experience the ‘Maldivian’ lifestyle and is worth a day or two.

China-Maldives Friendship Bridge (Sinamalé Bridge)

This will be the first impressive sight of Male that you come across as this bridge takes you from the airport to the capital. The bridge connects three islands – Male, Hulhule (airport island) and Hulhumale. It is a great piece of engineering and was funded by the Chinese government.

Sultan Park

Sultan Park or Rasrani Bageecha is a lovely public park that offers a break from the bustling streets of Male. It was built over a part of the Royal Palace site, which was demolished in the 16th century. The park is landscaped by lush greenery, beautiful ponds and a water fountain.

National Museum

The National Museum is located within the Sultan Park and is the best place to understand the history of the Maldives. It is actually a part of the Royal Palace which was left undemolished and later renovated to house the museum. It displays artefacts from the country’s medieval, Buddhist, Islamic and modern eras including weapons, antiques and religious items. One of its priceless displays is that of a Longman’s Beaked Whale skeleton.

Old Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiiy)

As the name states, this is the oldest mosque, not just in Male but the Maldives itself and is located near the Sultan Park. This impressive structure made of coral stone is almost 400 years old. The interior is remarkable with fine engravings of Islamic texts, intricate lacquer work and wooden panels.

Grand Friday Mosque

With its spotless white marble walls and glistening golden dome, the Grand Friday Mosque is unmissable and stands out in the cityscape. Unlike the Old Friday Mosque which is praised for its fine details, the Grand Friday Mosque is a picture of stark contrast. The architecture is simple and elegant without any sort of decoration. It is one of the biggest and important mosques in the country and is located just opposite Sultan Park.

Tsunami Monument

The Tsunami Monument, located on the southwestern part of the city was constructed in memory of the victims of the devastating tsunami of 2004 which wreaked havoc across two-thirds of the city, destroyed buildings and left hundreds homeless. It is a unique piece of architecture with spheres spiralling around a steel tower-like structure.

Markets and Shopping

Male is home to noisy and lively markets which are the best example of Maldivian culture and lifestyle. In the Fish Market, you will find rows of fishermen selling fresh catch, chanting prices, haggling with customers and slicing the fish with skilful strokes. You will be surprised at the range of fishes, of all sizes and colours. Next to the fish market, you will find the local market, with rows of colourful fruits, vegetables and other produce.

The Majeedhee Magu, the main road that runs across the entire length of the city, is lined with numerous retail stores that sell a wide variety of products. It is also the best place to go souvenir shopping and pick up a few authentic Maldivian products.

Beaches

The man-made Artificial Beach near the mouth of the Sinamalé Bridge is a beautiful crescent-shaped beach with light blue waters, perfect for swimming.

If you want more beaches, you can head out on the Sinamalé Bridge to Hulhumale and visit the few beaches there. Hulhumale is also popular for its excellent dining options.

Why should you visit?

Male is the soul of the Maldives, with its electric city atmosphere and vibrant local culture. Here, you can learn the history of this beautiful country, its authentic lifestyle and taste its delicious native cuisine before you embark on your scenic getaway to the hundreds of secluded islands.