Discovering Malé – The beating heart of the Maldives

Malé is in complete contrast to the many resort islands of the Maldives. There are no secluded beaches here, nor the lushness of untamed nature that amplifies the appeal of a tropical holiday.

Instead, Malé is a densely packed island city that covers an area of almost seven square kilometers and is made up of colorful houses, welcoming locals, and an energetic atmosphere that gives a peek into what life truly is for the residents of Maldives.

As the archipelago’s political, financial, and social center, Malé has grown tremendously over the past decades. With continuous demand for land, what started as reclamation of the house reef, eventually led to the construction of Hulhumalé, a human-made island that houses over 50,000 Maldivians presently. To further lessen the burden on Malé, the government is now slowly converting the next-door island of Villingili into a residential space.

As a result, Malé is the focal point of all regional activities. Here, you’ll meet Maldivians from across the nation who live in the city to work or study. If you happen to arrive at the right time, there is also the likelihood to partake in special events like religious festivals and important national celebrations such as Independence Day and Republic Day.

Crowded, bustling with zooming mopeds in every direction, and unlike any other metropolitan capital of the world, Malé has a distinct individuality that gives it an unrivaled atmospheric personality. Unfortunately, many tourists miss out on discovering Malé’s simplistic yet enjoyable treasures by taking a boat or a seaplane to their island resort directly from the airport.

With most airlines arriving at the nearby Velana International Airport, spending a day or two in Malé is very much conceivable. For those staying in resorts near the island, a day trip is an alternative that gives you a glimpse into Malé’s elusive vivacity.

Traveling within Malé

Malé is a convenient island to explore on foot, by bus, or taxi with a grid-like planning and the circular Boduthakurufaanu, known as the Marine Drive, that runs along its sea-facing border. A walk around Malé, admiring the government buildings in the northern half of Marine Drive, observing the harbor’s commercial activities, while feeling the freshness of the ocean breeze, takes a little over one hour and is a great way to start your tour of the island.  

The other two main roads, where you will find plentiful tourist activity, are the Majeedhee Magu, which runs from the west to the east, and the Chaandhanee Magu from the north to the south.

Step into any one of the narrow side streets, and the ambiance instantly changes, with a decrease in activity and a laidback attitude that one typically associates with an island getaway.

Points of interest in Malé

At first glance, Malé does not have the conventional touristy spots one tends to find in cities. Still, it offers a range of historical, cultural, architectural, and family sightseeing prospects that will keep you busy during a day on the island.

Sinamalé Bridge – An architectural wonder, the Sinamalé Bridge connects Malé with Hulhulé and then further to Hulhumalé. The two car-lane bridge that floats over the expansive ocean has separate lanes for mopeds and pedestrians. Not only does it reduce the travel time between the airport and the city, but it also promises spectacular sea views for photography enthusiasts. The China-Maldives Friendship Bridge is an excellent spot for an evening walk or a refreshing morning jog.

Grand Friday Mosque – With its shining golden dome and white marble exteriors, the Grand Friday Mosque has been one of the most prominent religious destinations in Malé ever since 1984. Visitors can enter the mosque from 9 am to 5 pm, aside from prayer times. The Republic Square is a short walk from here and worth a quick visit.

Old Friday Mosque – Featuring beautiful engravings and made using coral stone, Hukuru Miskiy is among the oldest mosques in the Maldives. The Old Friday Mosque, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is close to Medhu Ziyaaraiy, the shrine of Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari, credited for introducing the Maldives to Islam. The President’s residence, Mulee’ age Palace, is opposite the mosque. 

National Museum – Those interested in the history of the archipelago should pay a visit to the National Museum, home to artifacts that reveal Maldives’ fascinating cultural and religious heritage.

Rasrani Bageecha – Formally known as Sultan Park, Rasrani Bageecha is a fun family outing spot with a glass treehouse, art deck, water fountain, green tunnel, and a children’s playground. One can effortlessly spend half a day in the next-door National Museum, followed by a picnic in the park where families often come to take a break during the day.   

Artificial Beach – Malé doesn’t have a natural beach, but the arc-shaped artificial beach on the eastern seafront, with its soft white sand and playground, has a popular family scene. Besides uninterrupted views of the Sinamalé Bridge from the beach, it’s exciting to watch planes fly by overhead ever-so-often.

Harbour – Early risers should head down to the harbor for a real treat when staying in Malé. With fishing being an integral part of life in the Maldives, the morning time is a flurry of activity at the seafront. It truly is captivating to watch and photograph the boats and fishermen bring in and unload the daily catch, which is then transported to the nearby fish market.

Activities to do in Malé

When looking to do something a bit more active, the city has a handful of thrilling possibilities that you can easily include during your day trip to Malé.

Varunulaa Raalhugandu – The best and possibly the only place in Malé where you can catch a good surf, Varunulaa Raalhugandu, has a rocky disposition but is still frequented by plenty of surfers. Locals typically come here in the evening to watch the sunset and walk with the Sinomalé Bridge, all lit up, shining in the background.

Whale Submarine – A fun and dry underwater excursion, the Whale Submarine is one of Malé’s most special family activities. Leaving Jetty 1, four times a day, it takes passengers to the nearby Tear Drop reef for a sightseeing adventure at a depth of 45 meters. The Whale Submarine tour, which lasts 45 minutes, is the best way for travelers who do not snorkel or dive to appreciate Maldives’ marine life.

Maldive Victory – One of Maldives’ most famous wreck dives, Maldive Victory, was a cargo ship that sunk in 1981. Since then, it has settled into a beautiful underwater ecosystem where divers come across turtles, barracudas, groupers, and many other aquatic species. 

Markets

While Malé has streets with shops that sell various international products, it is also home to two dazzlingly vivid local markets.

Fish Market – The Fish Market, located near the Malé-Hulhulé ferry terminal, is a tiled, open-marketplace where local fishers sell their catch of the day. Besides the chance to pick up freshly caught fish, it is interesting to see the assortment of marine life available on offer every day, tuna being the most popular. The market is small, wet, and as expected, you need a strong nose to withstand the fishy smell.

Local Market – Next to the Fish Market is Malé’s Local Market. Consisting of small stalls, it has residents selling homegrown fruits and vegetables. The Local Market tends to get busy in the late morning, so get there early to enjoy the myriad of colorful produce without the crowds. There is also a separate section to the market where you can buy dried fish. 

Shopping

Majeedhee Magu is the best place to shop in Malé. Lively and full of activity, shops selling imported and local products line both sides of the street. You can find everything from clothing and cosmetics to electronics and handicrafts here. Majeeshee Magu is perpetually busy with mopeds zipping past, and one needs to take extra care when crossing from one side to another.    

While there is a limited number of international brands on sale in Malé, you can pick up souvenirs such as fridge magnets, bags, tee shirts, wooden miniatures, Maldivian mats, and other hand-made items from Chaandhanee Magu. The street is close to Republic Square and packed with stalls that sell specialty products.

If a western shopping experience is what you are after, Centro Mall in Hulhumalé is your best bet. The “first shopping mall in the Maldives” has over 30 luxury brand outlets, dining options, and a spa.

Restaurants

The culinary landscape of Malé mostly includes smaller cafes and teashops, along with a few restaurants that serve a combination of Indian, Thai, and Continental dishes. Newport, Seagull Café House, Shell Beans, and Sala Thai Restaurant are famous restaurants in Malé.

Even though you will not find any pork or alcohol at these eateries, there is plenty of local vegetarian and non-vegetarian gastronomic indulgences for food lovers to try.

Visiting a teashop is a must-do during your day trip to Malé. These tiny food joints are where locals congregate and talk about politics and world events while sipping on coffee, another Maldivian favorite.

Also, don’t forget to try “hedikaa” when at a teashop. Ranging from samosas and onion fritters to rice balls and patties, these bite-sized teatime eats are typically displayed behind a glass counter and vary in composition from one teashop to another.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Malé is a low-key affair, mainly since Maldivians are family-oriented and do not drink alcohol. That is not to say that the city goes to sleep early. You will find locals walking by the sea till late in the evening, and most restaurants do stay open till past midnight.

An overnight stay in the capital of the Maldives is an eye-opening excursion. A far cry from the extravagance of the luxury resorts, your time in Malé lets you witness from up close everyday life on the island. At the same time, you get to discover the true soul of its people responsible for making the Maldives a much-desired travel destination of the world.