Explore Male and the Maldives

As the capital of the Maldives, Male has developed into a thriving island of diversity and culture. Previously a sparsely populated island, tourism has helped boost Male to a modern and in places, appealing place to visit.

If you are on a Maldives holiday and happen to be in Male The Hukuru Miskiyy Mosque is a treasured landmark in the city, built over 350 years ago but still standing with its original coral block walls. Locals visit the mosque on a daily basis and tourists are also welcome to explore the history and religion of the Mosque before visiting the nearby Presidential Palace, currently home to President Mohamed Nasheed.

Other cultural sights in Male include Sultan Park and the Esjehi Gallery. Sultan Park is an abundance of tropical flowers and local animal life while the gallery is full of charm and history including royal antiques, armour and traditional Maldivian costumes.

As well as having a strong traditional and cultural heritage Male is also a bustling contemporary city. There are many restaurants serving a variety of cuisines from Indian to Italian, as well as more traditional produce. The Maldivian speciality is fish, which is caught fresh on a daily basis. Try mouth-watering local tuna or more exotic fish such as Barracuda or Snapper from the local fish market. The local Dhoni boats deliver their catch to the market every afternoon, laying them out on the floor for people to browse and purchase fresh fish, although it may take a while to adjust to the strong smell.

Shops in Male sell everything from souvenirs, textiles, clothes and antiques. Many Maldivian women buy tailor-made clothes and the textile shops often sell unique one –off pieces of clothing.

The buzz and energy of Male juxtaposes the rest of the Maldivian islands which are famous for their tranquillity and peaceful atmosphere. After spending a few days exploring Male, retreating to a secluded island resort is the perfect end to an amazing holiday.

The white sands and dazzling temperatures attract tourists all year round. While staying in one of the luxurious resorts such as the Taj Exotica Resort, you can choose to be pampered in the Jiva Grande Spa, go deep-sea fishing or enjoy snorkelling in the tropical blue waters.

Any experience in the Maldives is unique and Destinology will be more than happy to help plan an exceptional holiday

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