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One quintessential experience to have while in the Maldives is reading a book on the beach. There’s something eternally charming about being out in the open, the sound of the waves in the background, reading stories of mystery, romance, travel, or local folklore.
However, the beach isn’t the only place in the Maldives that is the perfect location for a reading session. From the patio of your overwater bungalow to the ferry ride from one public island to another, you’ll have ample opportunities to indulge in a good book.
For voracious readers, the possibility of carrying hundreds of books in an eReader is heaven-sent. Admittedly, adding a Kindle to your packing list for the Maldives is a good idea, as it helps save space and keep your luggage light.
Nevertheless, many book lovers cannot make do without holding a physical book in their hand. For them, the number of books to carry for a holiday in the Maldives can prove to be a dilemma not easily solved.
Worst, what if you do carry a couple of books. Thinking they are enough. But then, end up reading them all during the long flights it takes to reach this paradise in the Indian Ocean.
If you do arrive in the Maldives without a book to read, worry not! Tourists have a couple of different opportunities to get new books once they land at Malé Airport.
Bookshops in the Maldives
In most cases, the resorts and hotels you stay in will have a library of books. You can borrow, read, and return them afterwards.
However, not all resorts will have a diverse collection of books. They are most likely to offer popular authors and possibly only stories published a while back.
Moreover, guesthouses on inhabited islands may only have a few books. They will either be travel guides or novels left behind by previous guests.
Luckily, there are a few bookshops in the Maldives. But almost all of them are in Malé. So, if you do want books to read, you’ll need to plan on getting them before leaving the capital city for your final island destination.
Bookshops in Malé
A day trip to Malé is an excellent way to experience everyday Maldivian life. Most tourists vacationing in the Maldives usually go directly to their private island resort from the airport.
However, avid travelers spend at least a day in Malé and explore its liveliness as well as cultural and political importance.
Moreover, while strolling around Malé, you are likely to come across several bookshops. Do keep in mind, though, “bookshop” is a generic term. Locals also refer to stationery shops that only sell school and office supplies as bookshops.
Online Bookshops in the Maldives
A recent trend in the Maldives is that of online bookshops. Because these bookstores do not require a physical outlet, they have a more comprehensive and diverse book collection.
Most online bookshops in the Maldives do free home deliveries if you purchase above a certain amount. More importantly, they deliver books to boats. So, if you inform them about your boat location and departure time, they will send someone to the jetty.
Moreover, when staying for an extended period in a guesthouse, your host can order books for you. Keep in mind that book delivery might take a while. Even if readily available, transportation to your island from Malé will depend on the speedboat or ferry schedule.
Asrafee Bookshop
Asrafee is among the oldest bookshops in Malé. As a result, most locals have fond memories of visiting the shop at some point of time in their life. Located on Chaandhanaee Magu, Asrafee is in the center of the city and easily reachable from the harbor. Popular with students, you will find a variety of products on the shelves here, from books, bags, and board games to art supplies, journals, and desk organizers.
Million Bookshop
Located on Koimala Hingun, Million is a small bookshop in Malé with a bright green façade. They primarily sell children’s toys and stationery. However, they do have some activity and coloring books for kids.
Novelty Bookshop
Also known as Paper World, Novelty Bookshop takes over two floors in a building on Alikilegefaanu Magu, just opposite the City Park. Besides selling diaries, journals, paper, and pens, they also have an excellent collection of novels. You can find children’s books, popular paperbacks, and even coloring books for adults here. Among the best bookshops in the Maldives, it is much-loved by the locals.
Irai Bookshop
Starting in 2013, Irai is among the top places in Malé to buy office supplies. Situated on Buruzu Magu, they display everything from files and tapes to packing material and gift boxes. Furthermore, Irai is the sole distributor of the brand Double A in the Maldives. The bookshop also sells party goods such as paper cups and plates. Additionally, they have a small collection of children’s books.
Books by the Ocean
Books by the Ocean is one of the new and emerging online bookshops in the Maldives. They do deliveries across Malé and sell new and used books at low prices. Poetry, thrillers, non-fiction, and bestsellers are some of the genres you can browse online and order from Books by the Ocean.
Raadha Bookshop
Located on Sosun Magu, near Fisherman’s Park, Raadha is not the most popular bookshop in Malé. Nevertheless, they have a decent collection of early-year children’s books in stock. Additionally, Raadha sells stationery and plenty of back-to-school items for kids.
Zyga Books
Zyga claims to be the largest online bookshop in the Maldives. They carry books across varied genres and for all ages. Selling both new and pre-loved books, Zyga is the cheapest bookshop in town. You can order with them through Facebook or Instagram. Furthermore, they have free delivery around Malé and to boats for purchases over 300 MVR.
Ultimate Library
The Ultimate Library is among the most famous bookshops in the world. Having two outlets across the archipelago, the bookshop recently went viral with its Barefoot Bookseller campaign. This popup bookshop in the Maldives first started in 2018 at the iconic Soneva Fushi in Baa Atoll. They then opened their second outlet in 2020 at Soneva Jani. The book collection at Ultimate Library caters to various interests, from the latest bestsellers to books about the Maldives.
