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Capital of the Maldives
Photo: Gzzz, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Malé (މާލެ), pronounced Maa-leh, is the capital of Maldives. The city occupies the entire islet of Malé at the southern rim of North Malé Atoll. Malé is occasionally dismissed by travellers as a mere transit point with "nothing to do", and it is indeed not a party place. However, it does have a distinctive character of its own, with narrow streets, colourful houses and a strong communal feel, and it may be interesting to stop a little longer and soak in the atmosphere if you've got time on your hands.
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Hukuru Miskiy
Built in 1656 during the reign of Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I, intricately carved with Arabic writings and ornamental patterns.
One of the most historic mosques in the city.
Jumhooree Maidhaan
This little park, marked by a flagpole with a giant Maldivian flag, was the area where the events of 7 February 2012 led to the resignation of the president. It's also the focal point of every political demonstration in the capital, and hence has a heavy security presence buttressed by the police HQ in the Shaheed Hussain Adam Building next door. If you're feeling lost, there is an extremely helpful tourist map here, marked with most of the major locations in Malé.
Masjid Al-Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam
Malé's best-known architectural landmark. The complex contains the largest mosque in the Maldives, topped with a golden dome and capable of accommodating 5,000 people. Visitors are welcome inside outside prayer hours.
Bandaara Koshi, Bandeyrige
Emphatically, not a tourist attraction, the sinister, windowless white bulk of the renamed National Security Service (the Maldivian secret police), topped with guard towers every few meters and strict admonitions not to photograph it, is an unmissable sight in central Malé and a reminder of the iron fist that has the country in a stranglehold.
The sole surviving building of what was once the Sultan's palace is now the Maldivian National Museum, housing a scruffy, haphazard collection of royal regalia and old photographs, including three moon rocks and a faded Maldivian flag that went to the moon. At least there's air-con and some semblance of English explanation. There is also a collection of antiquities that showcase Maldivian history.
Whoever is interested in a mausoleum of a sultan, or who wants to know how big the island of Malé was before its lagoon was filled up and reclaimed for more space above sea-level, this location is always in good shape and gives a nice landmark from which to take photos.
The tomb of Abu al-Barakat Yusuf al-Barbari, said to have introduced Islam to the Maldives in 1153.
Mosque built in the 12th century by Dhovemi, the first Muslim king and founder of the Theemuge dynasty.
You may not see whales, but this 30- to 40-minute submarine trip will expose you to the ocean life just off the coast of Malé. Sit on the left-hand side of the submarine for the best views and don't drink too much water before you leave-- there's no toilet on board! Operate every day except Monday and Friday. The payment has to be made in US dollars and the website states they accept cards .
Departing from Malé or Hulhumalé you can book in advance day tour and activities such as snorkelling & sandbank cruises, a full day trip to luxury resorts, sunset dolphins cruises, fishing cruises, etc. You can also book a private safari boat and cruise among the Maldives for a few days, book water sport activities and reserve budget private transfer to the resorts.
has a food court on the second floor with Pizza Hut, Costa Coffee, KFC, Harvest Market, and Secret Recipe. There's a remarkable view of the lagoon and the skyline of Malé in the distance.
The Hive Café offers the best burgers in town, with a variety of other pastry items and drinks.
Located on top of Beehive Nalahiya Hotel, a magnificent 360° view of Malé in addition to delicious international cuisines at a relaxed environment.
Enjoy great food at a reasonable price.
A mix of wonderful international cuisines.
Air-conditioned, pleasant coffee shop with Wi-Fi. They serve croissants, pastries and basic meals.
Local, busy and noisy Maldivian eatery full of fishermen from the market below. No English menu, but the staff are happy to help out. A serve of grilled fish, curry, rice and drinks won't cost more than Rf 30 or so.
Pizza, pasta and the usual suspects, spiced up to Maldivian tastes — warn the waiter in advance if you don't like chili!
Popular among locals and expats alike for steaks.
Popular sandwich shop.
Tasty, authentic Thai food.
Some of the best seafood and local cuisine in town. European and Indian food also available.
Open air café serving delicious local and Asian (especially Thai) cuisine with an eye for spice. Waitstaff are friendly but service can be slow; the wait is worth it, however, for the food and the beautiful seaside view.
A two-floor outdoor café with a large and decent menu. The real draw, however, is the gelataria, which serves the best ice cream on the island.
Selection of small batch international coffees roasted on site and prepared in various ways and styles, all seemingly delicious. Some basic pastries, otherwise no food available. No WiFi.
Bright contemporary & an ocean-front atmosphere offering Modern, vibrant counter-serve stop for a selection of authentic Taiwanese bubble tea with an eclectic and fun choice of coffee, tea drinks, slushes & Snacks!
Beachfront cafe community, serving Specialty Coffee, Specialty tea, cakes, Sandwiches, BBQ and pastries. Homely environment. and friendly crew. A third space concept. Chill environment for friends and families. Board games, Kids Corner too!
Friendly budget option.
20 min from Malé by boat, but no direct access from the airport. Air-conditioned and pet friendly.
The hotel's 42 rooms range from deluxe to suites and serviced apartments. Other facilities at the hotel include a lobby café, a conference hall, meeting room, a business centre and a roof-top restaurant.
Clean rooms and internet in every room.
In the middle of Malé, a passable mid-range option.
Breakfast not included in the price. Nice swimming pool on rooftop.
The hotel features 3 restaurants, 2 bars, a spa offering a range of treatments, and a swimming pool with sea views. It officially opened in May 2025 as the capital city's first five-star hotel.
One of the longest-running resorts in the Maldives, open since 1973. 25 min by speedboat from the airport.
Quite possibly the world's nicest transit hotel, it is on the same island as the airport, with a swimming pool, its own strip of beach and complimentary transfers to Malé. Not cheap, though.
All-inclusive luxury resort in the Dhaalu Atoll. Member of The Leading Hotels of the World. Offers beachfront and overwater villas with upscale service.
Divided into small stalls, with each stall selling local products from the atolls. Here you will find different kinds of local vegetables, fruits, yams, breadfruit chips, bananas, and smoked and dried fish.
This is where fish are brought, gutted, and sold for local consumption. With a strong fish odour and pools of tuna blood running into the street, it’s not exactly sanitary. Upstairs, there’s a café serving short eats, which is busiest in the afternoons.
State Trading Organization's supermarket retailing mostly generic imported goods from India, Singapore and the Middle East. Not particularly exciting, but vastly cheaper than the resorts, and a good place to pick up Maldivian tuna and local snacks.
A street running across the length of Malé from east to west. This is the main shopping area of the capital city, where you can buy apparel imported from South East and South Asia.
Lined with cafés popular with locals during all hours of the day. Here you will also find the ferry terminal to Villimalé island, a satellite island of Malé City with regular ferries departing every 5 minutes costing Rf 3 each way. Villimalé island has the only natural beaches left in Malé City and is ideal for snorkelling.
Most visitors to the Maldives are met by travel agent representatives right outside customs, who then whisk them away to their resorts by speedboat or seaplane.
Read in the guideMalé is small enough to walk around in an hour, and almost all sights are concentrated on the north shore, within a 15-min walk from the airport ferry.
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Malé · International · MLE
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