Male, pronounced mar-lay, is the capital city of Maldives. The densely crowded city offers a stark contrast to the laid back and relaxed lifestyle of an island. Lively markets, tall brightly coloured buildings, quirky cafes- surrounded by turquoise coloured water, the island is unlike any other island you might have visited.
Things to do in Male
Beaches: Surrounded by water on all sides, Male beaches are tourist-friendly. Water sports are offered at every beach and beach cafes offer a good variety of food and cocktails to the tourists
Snorkelling: Male has a rich variety of marine life and a guided snorkelling trip gives the tourist a window to see the innumerable marine species and colourful marine life.
Walking tour: From the Male harbour to the major attractions of the island with lunch and snacks at the best places of the city, walking tour provides the tourist with an insight of the city and its history.
Tourist attractions in Male
National Museum: Maldives National Museum may not be the best-looking building on the island but it contains a well- labelled collection of histories of the island.
China- Maldives Friendship Bridge: This incredible engineering masterpiece connects Male to Hulhule. The support and the groundwork of the bridge are planted deep under the seabed and the project cost around $250 million.
Old Friday Mosque: The oldest mosque of the country dates back to 1656. The Quranic scripts have been carved into the coral stones with intricate designs.
Places to shop in Male
Male offers both budget shopping to high-end luxury shopping. Centro mall is well known for its luxury brands and one can find a wide range of clothes and home appliances. For budget shopping, Island Bazaar is well known for its intricate handmade souvenirs. From scarves to handmade jewellery, Island Bazaar has something for everyone.
Best time to visit Male
The best time to experience Male is between May to November. The weather during these months is cooler as compared to the rest of the year. On 26th July, Maldives celebrates its Independence Day. Marches and parades are taken across the island on 11th November marking their Republic Day.
Modes of transport in Male
The best way for going around the city is the bicycle but since not every hotel or resort offers rented bicycles to the tourists, it can be difficult to find one. However, the city offers various taxis that can get you from one place to another in just minutes.
Weather of Male
Being an island, Male has a typical tropical climate. Rainfall and proper sunlight are present all year round. However, from May to November, the humidity in the sir is comparatively less as compared to other months making sightseeing easy and travel-friendly.
Airport in Male
Male has one international airport, Velana International Airport. The airport caters to almost all the major airlines globally. IndiGo offers non- stop flight from Kochi to Male. IndiGo also connects Male to other destinations such as Delhi and Mumbai.
ATA Code: MLE