Top 7 things to do in male maldives for first timers
things to do in male Maldives
Male is the capital of the Maldives and is only a 10-minute drive from Velana International Airport. You can cross the Sinamale Bridge to Male City or take the public ferry.
Male is small and walkable, so there is no need to take public transport around the island.
Is it your first time Maldives? Here is everything you need to know before you go.
Male Fish Market
See the locals sell their produce at the Male Fish Market. I have never seen Tuna so large. Tuna is a speciality in the Maldives. I would recommend trying it at a restaurant.
Male Local Market
Across the road from Male Fish Market, you will find Male Local Market. Here, there are a lot of local produce such as fruit and vegetables on offer.
Tsunami Monument
The Tsunami Monument is dedicated to the lives lost during the Tsunami in 2004. Located in Boduthakurufaanu Magu in southeast Malé, it is very easy to get to. This is also a perfect spot to see the sunset.
Sultan Park
Sultan Park is a beautiful place to take a breather from city life. You can sit on a bench or enjoy the fish swimming in the river. If you tend to get bitten by mosquitoes, I would cover up and wear mosquito repellent before coming here. I was severely bitten and didn’t enjoy my time here as much as I’d like to.
Sinamale Bridge
The Sinamale Bridge is a route from Velena International Airport to Male City.
Victory Monument
The Victory Monument, located in Memorial Park in Male, Maldives, commemorates the victory of the people who fought against the Sri Lankan Tamil Tigers that happened in 1988.
National Museum
If you want to learn about the history of the Maldives, then I would visit the National Museum. The downstairs of the museum houses the history of the Maldivians, with the upstairs housing the modern period.
The National Museum is open from 9 am to 4 pm daily and costs RF 50 for adults and RF 15 for children.
Where to stay in Male Maldives
I stayed at Summer Beach Maldives, which offered free transfers to and from the airport every half an hour. It has 9 floors and on the 9th floor, there are fantastic views of the Sinamale Bridge and the Valena international airport.
Breakfast was also included in the stay; however, on the 9th floor (where they served breakfast and dinner), they only had fans and no air conditioning, so it was really hot. The breakfast was very good as there were great options available.
Summer Beach Maldives is also close to the Artificial beach, just a short walk away if you want a dip in the sea. Do note that this is not a bikini beach and you will be required to cover your shoulders and knees while swimming. I wore my rash guard, long-sleeved top and leggings to swim in.
What to pack to the Maldives?
Walking around Male, I would cover my shoulders and my knees. There are not many tourists in Male, I found that most tourists were only there for a day, as it is one of the closest places to stay from the airport.
If you want to swim at the artificial beach, I would bring a rash guard and swim leggings as you need to cover up. You cannot wear a bikini on any beaches in Male, Maldives.
Other things to bring are:
- Sunscreen – although it may only be 28 degrees, the sun is really strong.
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Mosquito Repellent and Mosquito Patches – There are a lot of mosquitoes in the Maldives
- Rash Guard top and leggings – to cover up if you plan on snorkelling/swimming in Male Maldives
- Maxi Dresses, Loose trousers (that are below the knee)
- Comfortable Sandals
- Motion sickness medication – if you suffer from sea sickness, I would highly recommend taking tablets; sometimes the ocean is rough
Still unsure of what to pack, here is my complete packing list for the Maldives.
Maldives Island Hopping
I would recommend going to different local islands as they are extremely affordable. I visited Thulusdhoo, Maafushi and Gulhi.
If I were to pick only one, I would choose Maafushi. It is only a 30-minute speedboat from the airport or a 1.30-minute public ferry ride. As Maafushi is a touristy island, there are many affordable accommodations to choose from and a huge variety of excursions to suit any budget.
