The 9 things to do in Malé

Are you leaving for the Maldives, this archipelago off South India? Discover the must-sees to visit in Malé, its capital!

Do you know that Malé is the smallest capital in the world? With its 4.2 km2, it still has many treasures to explore! Maldives Economic, Political and Cultural Centre, Sultan Island is a must-see during your stay in the archipelago. The city has a rich Islamic heritage, with very beautiful mosques and an incredible cultural and religious centre. In short, visiting Malé, despite her smallness, is very pleasant.

In Malé you will discover the authentic face of the Maldives. Traditional houses built in coral lined with coconut trees and frangipaniers, more modern constructions, the daily life of the inhabitants. Naturally turned towards the sea, the heart of its activity is concentrated around the ports and markets of the north of the island.

A groubling capital of life, it is here that you have to come to meet the Maldivians and their way of life! To help you organize your stay in the capital, we have selected for you the 9 essential things to do in Malé!

1. The Great Mosque of Malé and the Islamic Center

Among the things to do in Malé, visiting the Great Mosque is a must.

With its gigantic golden dome, the building is one of the most important Islamic centres in Asia. It is also the largest mosque in the Maldives. Funded by the Gulf States, Libya and Brunei sultanat, it is relatively modern since it was inaugurated in 1984. Its courtyard is paved with a marble tiles of Greece, its prayer room decorated with Pakistani rugs, clinching chandeliers and carved wood panels. This large Islamic centre also houses an auditorium, library and offices of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs.

We can visit the mosque between 9am and 5pm outside the hours of prayer. Men must wear long pants and women, a dress or a long skirt.

2. The National Museum of Maldives

Inaugurated on November 11, 1952 by the then Prime Minister, Mohamed Amin Didi , the National Museum contains a beautiful collection of historical objects. The explanations allow us to trace the past of the islands of the archipelago since Antiquity, including the pre-Islamic period.

The objects exhibited include weapons, religious and domestic objects. A beautiful wooden panel carved with inscriptions in Arabic and thaana shows the conversion of Maldives to Islam in 1153. Among the most important pieces of the museum, do not miss the head of Buddha in white coral. Musical instruments used during ritual festivals, models of dhonis fishing, laque objects typical of the Maldivian art are also to be seen.

3. Sultan Park

Are you travelling with children and wondering what to do in Malé? Opt for a green space!

Only large park in the city, the Sultan Park is very popular with the Maldivian people. Located near Chandhanee Magu, it once sheltered the Sultan’s palace, before being destroyed at the beginning of the Second Republic in 1968. Only a wing of the palace is still visible. A veritable oasis of greenery, the Sultan Park has a rich vegetation, including nenuphars, roses, banians and orchids. Quiet, the public garden offers plenty of benches and shade to sit and relax. Children like to play on the facilities planned for them.

It is therefore an excellent place to relax with the family, away from the bustling streets of the capital.

4. Markets

Visiting Malé is also sharing the daily life of the premises. If you want to feel the heart of the capital, go to its markets! The fruit and vegetable market is a life and world-leading market that brings together vendors from all over the country.

Walk through its aisles to discover the typical products of the archipelago: coconut, bananas, but also betel leaves to be chewed, filled with various spices. Discharge is also provided to the fish market.

Here, you have to come to the arrival of the day fishes transported from the nearby port, to admire giant tunas, octopuses and merous. You will see few women in this market, but don't worry: the foreigners are quite accepted. Along the fish market, the wood market is also predominantly frequented by men. It sells coconut wood, imported from the surrounding islands.

5. Hukuru Miskiiy

How to visit Malé without seeing his religious monuments? The mosque of Hukuru Miskiiy was built in 1656 during Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar 1st. Located in front of the Mulee-aage, it is also named Old Mosque on Friday.

Built in coral blocks, it is one of the most beautiful monuments in the Maldives. This very old building deserves to it alone that you make the detour to visit Malé. Its interior is richly ornamented with teak panels and sandal wood. Its exterior is remarkable: the coral blocks are so perfectly nestled that there is no joint to assemble them! Unlike the Great Mosque, Hukuru Miskiiy is not directed towards Mecca. Built on the ruins of a solar temple, the building looks east.

Note : it is not possible to enter it during the hours of prayer. The rest of the time, you can visit it by requesting permission and respecting local uses.

6. Theemuge

Located in the Maafannu district, Theemuge is the former presidential palace where former President Gayoom resided between 1998 and 2008. If he has no longer held this position since 2008, he now houses the Supreme Court of Maldives. Thus, visiting Malé is discovering many political monuments.

A large white and blue home, its refined architecture blends tradition and modernity. Theemuge owes its name to the dynasty of the first Muslim leaders of the Maldives from the end of the lunar dynasty (1141 to 1388).

7. Jumhooree Maidan

Located along the seafront north of Malé, Jumhooree Maidan is also commonly known as the Republic Square.

Created in 1989, it is a very popular place of the Maldiev. With its lawn and lush vegetation, it’s very pleasant to go for a walk, stop on a bench, enjoy the sea air. We meet the inhabitants just out of work who come to relax along the pier.

Throughout the year, the square is an important gathering point for events. Outdoor shows also take place here. Visiting Malé while strolling through the streets is very pleasant.

8. Mulee-aage

Imposing colonial building of blue and white colour, the Mulee-aage stands in front of the Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque, halfway between the pier and the fish market. Visiting Malé by discovering the political past is very interesting.

The house ordered by the sultan Shamsuddin III to offer it to his son was imagined in 1913 by a Sri Lankan architect. After several years of construction, it was finally completed just a hundred years ago in 1919. Presidential Palace, first in 1953, the building has been hosting the government residence since 2009. You can admire the architecture of the palace from the beautiful garden around it.

9. The artificial beach of Malé

How to visit Malé, and the Maldives in general, without going to the beach? The eastern coast of the city was built in a pretty small artificial beach. Dedicated to leisure, the seafront has many cafes and snacks. There are also football and cricket grounds.

By pushing further north, on the side of the ferry to the airport, you will find the Majeediyya Carnival , a space of foraine attractions, as well as a bowling and restaurants.

How to go to Malé?

By plane from France

Despite being an island in the Maldives Islands, the most common way to get there is to fly. Several renowned international airlines offer tickets for this destination. From Paris, count a stopover because there is no direct flight. When searching, consider comparing prices on a site such as Ulysses , you can choose from the best offers according to your dates of stay. As far as the fare is concerned, attention to tourist times! If in February you can get a ticket at 300€ to go, it will cost you about 1000€ in June. So take off summer and school holidays.

Once on site, know that the international airport is not directly on Malé Island. The capital is so small that it has indeed been impossible to build an airport! Line planes therefore land on the nearby island Hulhumale, a few kilometers away. When you arrive, you can borrow one dhoni a traditional boat, to travel to Malé. The dhonis shuttle the day to a very regular rhythm ( every 15-30 minutes ). Then the best is to visit Malé on foot or possibly take a taxi. Make sure you have negotiated and set the race before moving into the vehicle.

Speedboats or seaplanes between the islands

Between the islands of the archipelago, you can use the dhonis , speed-boats for longer distances, or Maldivian Air Taxi moisturizers.

Where to stay in Malé?

Sleeping in Malé is easy. The capital includes numerous hotels nestled between green spaces where it makes a good stroll to escape the crowd. Given the small area of the city, you will necessarily be close to the main sites to visit in Malé. You will stay at the heart of urban and social activity and be able to count on many local shops. On the island 2.5 km long for 1 km wide, Everything can be on foot.

Provide a relatively large budget, with the offer of accommodation relatively expensive . Count $75 to $100 for a double room at low prices and minimum $200 per day for a more luxurious room. To find a hotel at the best price, the best is to make a tour on Compare hotels. The latter will select the most interesting offers according to your dates and options of stay. You can also choose accommodation Airbnb , a solution perhaps more accessible with an equally authentic experience.