Malé, the capital of the Maldives, is a vibrant and bustling city that offers visitors a unique blend of modern amenities and traditional Maldivian culture. Located on a small island in the North Malé Atoll, Malé is the most populous city in the Maldives and is home to over 100,000 people.
Things to do in Malé
Despite its small size, Malé is a thriving commercial center and is home to the country’s main port and airport. The city is also the seat of government and is home to many of the Maldives’ most important institutions, including the Majlis (Parliament), the Supreme Court, and the President’s Office.
In addition to its commercial and political importance, Malé is also a popular tourist destination. The city offers visitors a variety of attractions, including:
- The Islamic Centre: This impressive mosque is one of the largest in the Maldives and is known for its golden dome and minarets.
- The Sultan Park: This beautiful park is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It features a variety of plants and flowers, as well as a children’s playground and a basketball court.
- The National Museum: This museum houses a collection of artifacts that tell the story of the Maldives’ rich history and culture.
- The Fish Market: This lively market is a great place to experience the local culture and to purchase fresh seafood.
The Islamic Center
Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu Al-Auzam in Malé
In addition to these attractions, Malé also offers visitors a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops.
The national dish of the Maldives is gulha, a deep-fried pastry ball filled with smoked fish such as Maldive fish or tuna, along with desiccated coconut and onions. Gulha is a popular snack or appetizer, and is often served with a cup of hot tea.
Other popular national dishes of the Maldives include:
- Mas huni: A breakfast dish of finely chopped tuna, coconut, onion, and chilli, served with roshi (a type of flatbread).
- Garudhiya: A traditional fish soup that is usually cooked using fish, water, and salt. It is served with lime, rice, chilli and onions.
- Keemiyaa: A tuna curry with peas and Scotch Bonnet peppers.
- Rihaakuru: A Maldivian fish sauce made from dried and fermented tuna. It is used as a condiment in many Maldivian dishes.
Maldivian cuisine is influenced by a variety of cultures, including Indian, Sri Lankan, and Arab. However, it retains its own unique flavor profile, which is characterized by the use of fresh seafood, coconut, and spices.
Traditional Maldivian Dinner
Roshi, Mashuni, Masroshi, Masriha, Prawns and Curries with Salads
Where to shop in Malé
- Majeedhee Magu: This is the main shopping street in Malé and is lined with shops selling everything from clothes and electronics to souvenirs and handicrafts.
- STO Trade Centre: This is a large shopping mall with a variety of stores, including international brands, local boutiques, and a food court.
- Centro Mall: This is another large shopping mall with a variety of stores, as well as a cinema and a bowling alley.
- Island Bazaar: This boutique sells a variety of unique and stylish gifts, including handmade jewelry, scarves, and macrame works.
- Oevaali Art Shop: This art shop sells a variety of original artworks, as well as prints and souvenirs.
In addition to these specific shops, there are also a number of markets in Malé where you can find fresh produce, seafood, and other items. The most popular market is the Malé Fish Market, which is a great place to experience the local culture and to purchase fresh seafood.
If you are planning a trip to the Maldives, be sure to spend some time exploring the capital city of Malé. This vibrant city has something to offer everyone, from its cultural attractions to its modern amenities.
STO Trade Centre
Buying some vegetable at the STO Trade Centre in Malé, Maldives
The best beaches in Malé
- Artificial Beach: The Artificial Beach is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, and is one of the best beaches in Malé for swimming, sunbathing, and people-watching. The beach is also home to a number of restaurants and cafes, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a meal or drink.
- Rasfannu Beach: Rasfannu is a beautiful beach located on the northern tip of Malé. The beach is known for its white sand, clear waters, and stunning views of the Indian Ocean. Rasfannu is also a popular spot for swimming, snorkeling, and fishing.
- Hulhumalé Beach: Hulhumalé is a man-made island located just a short boat ride from Malé. The island is home to a number of beautiful beaches, including Hulhumalé Beach, which is one of the best beaches in the Maldives for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports.
Where to stay in Malé
Malé in the Maldives is not the top destination in the country and most visitors will likely transfer as soon as possible to a more secluded island resort.
But if you need a place to stay and wait for transfer for more than a few hours, you can stay at one of the many hotels in the city.
Some popular options include:
- Hotel Jen Maldives Malé: Hotel Jen Malé Maldives is a modern and stylish hotel located in the heart of Malé. The hotel offers a variety of room types, including suites with stunning ocean views. The hotel also has a rooftop pool, a spa, and a variety of restaurants and bars. It is a great option for travelers who are looking for a comfortable and convenient place to stay in Malé.
- Hulhulé Island Hotel: Hulhulé Island Hotel is a luxury hotel located on a private island just a short boat ride from Malé International Airport. The hotel offers a variety of room types, including villas with private pools. The hotel also has a beach, a swimming pool, a spa, and a variety of restaurants and bars. It is a great option for travelers who are looking for a relaxing and luxurious stay in Malé.
- The Seagull House: The Seagull House is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Malé. The hotel offers a variety of room types, including suites with stunning ocean views. The hotel also has a rooftop pool, a restaurant, and a bar. It is a great option for travelers who are looking for a stylish and intimate place to stay in Malé.
- Champa Central Hotel: Champa Central Hotel is a budget-friendly hotel located in the heart of Malé. The hotel offers a variety of room types, including family rooms. The hotel also has a restaurant and a bar. It is a great option for travelers who are looking for a comfortable and affordable place to stay in Malé.
- Hotel Octave: Hotel Octave is a budget-friendly hotel located near Malé International Airport. The hotel offers a variety of room types, including family rooms. The hotel also has a restaurant and a bar. It is a great option for travelers who are looking for a convenient and affordable place to stay in Malé.
JEN Hotel in Malé, Maldives
A modern hotel with a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the Indian Ocean in Malé, Maldives.
Here are some tips for planning your trip to Malé:
- Malé is a relatively small city, so it is easy to get around on foot or by bicycle. However, there are also a number of taxis and buses available.
- Malé is a Muslim country, so it is important to dress respectfully. This means covering your shoulders and knees when in public places.
- Malé is a relatively safe city, but it is always important to be aware of your surroundings and to take precautions against petty theft as in any other country.
With its vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and modern amenities, The capital city of Malé is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Maldives.
Is Malé Maldives safe?
Yes, Malé, Maldives is generally safe for tourists. However, as with any city, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and to take precautions against petty theft. It is also important to dress respectfully in public places, as the Maldives is a Muslim country.
Here are some tips for staying safe in Malé, Maldives:
- Be aware of your surroundings and avoid walking alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas.
- Keep your valuables close to you and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
- Be careful when using public transportation and be aware of pickpockets.
- Dress respectfully in public places, covering your shoulders and knees.
- Be aware of the local customs and laws.
- If you have any concerns about your safety, you can always contact the Maldives Police Service. +960 3322111 | +960 3322112
By following these tips, you can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip to Malé, Maldives.
Everything started with my Open Water Course at Koh Tao, Thailand. I’m hooked with the first breath I took underwater – this magical and peaceful world with all these different colors and creatures made me forget about everything else. It felt like an addiction.
This time made me realize that I don’t want to keep diving only as a hobby. I wanted to become a Diving Instructor and make diving my profession.
I was working as an entertainer in one of the resorts in South Malé atoll. The first time I tried diving I absolutely fell in love with it, so every day off I would go diving.
I was lucky enough to meet people from Euro-Divers who helped me complete my instructor course and employment later on.
That trip changed everything. Since 2014, I visited more than 50 countries in three continents.
2019, 2020, 2021 – still in Maldives, enjoying what I love the most.
Im sonnigen Süden (Ägypten) lernte ich im Urlaub die unglaubliche Unterwasserwelt bei einem Schnuppertauchgang kennen und lieben.
Anfangs arbeitete ich im Tauchcenter im Büro, mir wurde jedoch schnell klar, dass ich die Gäste nicht nur über Wasser sondern auch unter Wasser begleiten wollte. Somit machte ich die Divemaster Ausbildung.
I studied Hotel management and ended up working for several years in different Hotels/Resorts around Italians seaside where I spend my days off diving and achieving the Dive Master rating.
I choose to stay in Oman because of its unspoiled dive site, beaches and many undiscovered dive places! We do not have mass tourism here and the country itself is spectacular besides being the safest place to live in.
Bored and burnt out of the stressful life in Holland, I quit my job as Manager Back Office & Finance and I went to Curacao for holiday. On this tropical island I took my first breaths under water with Instructor Marc, who is still my buddy in life.
Diving keeps me grounded, relaxed and connected with Mother Nature (myself). It supports me to let go, to put things into perspective and it helps me to stay focused and balanced in my position as a manager.
But diving was not at all my purpose of the journey, in fact I was not even a diver yet, I became a diver after I got passionate in freediving in Egypt in 2012 while freediving with dolphin in the wild, eager to become a snorkeling guide, I did my life guard licence and then my PADI open water!
I love freediving but scuba diving is an all other story for me, learning scuba diving make you discover part of yourself you didn’t know, you learn to control things that you would have never imagined possible, I regularly see many of my students discovering how calm they can be underwater when in life they tend to be hyperactive and then in the other hand I see calm or introverted persons becoming excited and move like a torpedo underwater 🙂 so diving might not be for everyone but it is definitely to discover!
I decided after my hospitality studies to enter this fascinating new world. I have started my career in Club Med as Guest Service and had the opportunity to travel some of the famous destinations for diving or snorkeling.
I am the perfect example of someone who was scared of diving, the only advice I could give is to believe in yourself.
But since I was young, I knew I wanted to travel the world, to go on adventures, have fun and meet people from everywhere. Unfortunately, those jobs didn’t give me the opportunity to do it so after 5 years I decided to move to Thailand.
Scuba Diving is a sport of passion.
During this time, I wanted to try something new, so I started scuba diving and I will never forget my first underwater experience. I felt nervous at first but at the same time a lot of excitement.
Some people might think that diving is a difficult sport, but there are many ways to enjoy safe diving for any age or gender.