Male is one of the smallest capitals in the world and at the same time one of the most densely populated cities. A third of the Maldives' inhabitants live here. This place is in stark contrast to the image of this exotic country. The island is covered with residential buildings, skyscrapers, business centers, and highways. Tourists rarely choose this place for a full-fledged vacation, since the Maldives primarily attract with their beaches and tropical landscapes. However, all the necessary infrastructure is here. The best hotels in Male constantly receive good reviews, and there are many restaurants, shops, and cultural institutions.
✔️ A bit of chronology and facts
The entire history of the Maldives is concentrated here. The islands began to be populated in the 4th century BC. The first were residents from the Hindustan Peninsula and Ceylon. According to legend, at the beginning of the formation of the state, a Ceylonese prince ruled here for some time . It was he who gave the name to the capital island, from which the name of the country was later created - the Maldives. In the 5th-7th centuries, Arabs began to arrive on the islands. As a result, they converted the local population to Islam. Before that, Buddhism was practiced here.
In the 16th century, a Portuguese trading post appeared on Male. The country struggled for a long time with the power of Portugal, and then Britain. The Maldives freed itself from the rule of the latter in 1956.
✔️ Entertainment Features
From a tourist point of view, Male is interesting as a commercial, cultural, and historical center. You won’t be able to have a full-fledged beach holiday here, and there are no gorgeous tropical landscapes either. However, the neighboring islands have all of this. Therefore, you can live in the capital and go to resorts for vacations.
In Male itself, you can go on a sightseeing tour and see ancient buildings, get to know the Maldivian culture and the way of life of local residents, take a gastronomic tour of restaurants and enjoy dishes from different cuisines of the world. Prices for a holiday in Male are not the highest, as it is not the most popular tourist destination.
✔️ Possible transfer options
The capital's undeniable advantage is its close proximity to the international airport - just a couple of kilometers and you are at the hotel. Water transport is represented by a ferry, a speedboat, and dhoni motorboats. You can travel around the island by taxi. All transfer details should be discussed with the host company or hotel. Often, the transfer is included in the tour price.
✔️ Weather conditions
The Maldives archipelago is located in the subequatorial climate zone. The weather here is controlled by monsoons. They create a pronounced rainy season from May to December. The rest of the time it is quite dry and sunny, although precipitation occurs during this period. But they are infrequent and short. Therefore, it is worth finding and choosing a tour online to Male from the beginning of winter to April. The temperature here is constantly maintained at approximately the same comfortable level, so you can relax in the Maldives all year round. Especially considering that the rainy season creates excellent conditions for surfing.
✔️ What to bring back from your trip
Male is the main center of the republic's commercial life. There are shopping centers, shops, traditional markets, boutiques of local brands, handicraft workshops, flea markets, antique and souvenir shops. You can buy ordinary things, but it is better to buy goods that will remind you of this wonderful journey. These can be mats made of reed or palm leaves, wooden carved boxes , figurines and other decorative items, products made of pearls, sea shells, corals, shark teeth, exotic fruits, dried, dried, canned fish, paintings by local artists, coconut oil, milk and crafts made from the shell of this nut.
✔️ Search and selection of tours online in Male, reasons to buy a tour or a trip
The city is perfect for a short break after a flight, shopping, and getting to know the history and culture of the country.
▶️ Beach holidays
Male cannot boast luxurious beaches, as on the same atolls of Baa or Raa. A recreation area was recently equipped on the capital island. It is located in its southwestern part. The beach here is artificially created, the shore is covered with sand, there is the necessary infrastructure. This is a public location, so you cannot be here in open swimsuits and clothes.
You can complement a quiet holiday with water sports. Those who wish are offered to go windsurfing, surfing, water skiing, catamaran, canoe, boat.
For beautiful tropical landscapes, go to the nearby islands. Male is geographically located on the territory of the Kaafu Atoll, one of the largest in the country. There are many picturesque corners of wild nature, uninhabited islands, sandbanks and luxury resorts.
▶️ Ancient landmarks
The capital is the main and only place in the Maldives with truly valuable historical monuments. This applies to both architecture and artifacts and museum exhibits.
First of all, tourists visit the Friday Mosque, a masterpiece of architecture. The shrine was built in 1658 from coral blocks. They were stacked so tightly that today you can’t see the joints. Carved panels made of valuable wood with phrases from the Koran and Arabic ornaments were used to decorate the interior. Tourists can get inside. Non-Muslims need to take a special permit. Next to the mosque is a white minaret with blue stripes. It was built in 1675. There is also an ancient cemetery of sultans and nobility.
Another sacred building that attracts with its architecture is the Bandara Mosque. Its appearance is more reminiscent of a Spanish residence - with a balcony, a veranda, a red tiled roof.
You should definitely visit the National Museum. Firstly, some sections of the exhibition are located in an old building from the 17th century, which was part of the Sultan's palace. Secondly, here you can see a variety of interesting exhibits: archaeological finds and sculptures from excavation sites of Buddhist temples on the islands, ancient weapons, musical instruments of different times, models of traditional boats, costumes, ceremonial umbrellas, money, jewelry, seals of the sultans. The main exhibits are considered to be a sculptural panel made of wood from the Friday Mosque and a head of Buddha made of coral.
Of the later buildings, it is worth noting the Temuge and Maliaej palaces. Both of them were built in the 20th century in the colonial style. They are similar in appearance. You cannot get into them, as these are government buildings - the first belongs to the Supreme Court, the second is the residence of the head of the republic.
▶️ Nature
Although the city cannot boast of untouched tropical nature, there is a green oasis here - Sultan Park, created from the gardens of the ruler. It has paths, flower beds, ponds. You can walk along the shady alleys and look at the collection of exotic plants, including water lilies, many types of roses, wild orchids, banyan ficus and others.
You can enjoy the underwater scenery on the reefs near the neighboring islands. Near Hulhule are the Banana Reefs, named so because of their shape. Near Himmafushi there are not only dive points, but also places for surfing.
Also at your service is the entire Kaafu Atoll with its marine reserves, many uninhabited islands and colorful reefs.
▶️ Additional entertainment
An important place to visit is the Islamic Centre. It immediately attracts attention with its golden dome. The building was opened in 1984. It is built of coral blocks decorated with intricate carvings. It is financed by several sultanates. There is a library with rare and valuable books, a conference hall, and classrooms for study. This is the largest Muslim centre in Asia. It includes the above-mentioned Friday Mosque.
In Male, you will have the opportunity to get to know the locals better. Those who wish can take a tour that includes visiting a Maldivian family, socialising, cooking together and eating.
When traveling to the Maldives, you can buy a weekend tour to Male, since the capital is not very suitable for a full-fledged vacation in this exotic country.
