The Maldives are white sand beaches and clear ocean water, clean air and lush tropical vegetation. What else do you need for a perfect vacation? Perhaps a hotel with a well-developed infrastructure, flocks of colorful exotic fish near the coast, a continuous feeling of comfort and serenity … All this is in the Maldives - in a wonderful world where eternal summer reigns.
Tourists come to this archipelago primarily because of its natural beauty and magnificent climate, but this is not all that attracts travelers to the Maldives. There are many architectural, historical and cultural attractions here. So what is the first place to see in the Maldives?
Top 15 attractions in the Maldives
Ari atoll
Ari atoll
An ideal place for fans of windsurfing, water skiing, snorkeling, canoeing, catamarans, scooters and bananas. And if you love diving, then the atoll will seem like a real paradise to you.
But there is also something to do for fans of outdoor activities on land: part of the islands of the atoll are connected by bridges, so it is very convenient to ride a bike in Ari.
Male Atolls
Male Atolls
These atolls, North and South, are especially popular with diving enthusiasts. Here you can enjoy the beauty and wonders of the underwater world to your heart's content. And one of the local hotels even became famous for the opening of the world's first underwater spa center; there is also an underwater bar with a wine cellar.
The cost of one diving session is $ 75. And if you want to take a full diving training course, you have to pay $ 500 (plus $ 170 for a certificate).
Nalaguraidu island
Nalaguraidu island
One of the best places in the Maldives. It is located about a hundred kilometers from the airport. The island is famous for its excellent infrastructure, and the local nature is just a tourist's dream.
It is not hot here, the water is always warm, the vegetation is lush and beautiful everywhere. The variety of aquatic fauna is surprising: turtles, stingrays, small sharks (not dangerous to humans) and many other exotic inhabitants of the Indian Ocean swim off the coast of the island.
The island's infrastructure is as impressive as its nature. Everything you need to relax is here:
- diving center;
- Spa;
- huge pool;
- tennis courts;
- volleyball courts;
- gym;
- sauna;
- jacuzzi;
- bars;
- several restaurants.
And to the services of fans of excursions - sea and air walks, trips to the depths of the ocean and to uninhabited islands.
Kurumba Island
Kurumba Island
The most famous of all the islands of the Maldives archipelago: it was here in the 70s of the twentieth century that tourists from Europe first arrived. The purest ocean water, a beach without stones and pebbles, apartments of all conceivable categories, excursions on boats with a transparent bottom - this is what tourists from all over the world come here for. And the advantages of the island can be enumerated for a long time!
But if you just love to swing in a hammock, forgetting about everything and basking in the rays of the gentle sun, then you will also find what you are looking for here: the island is famous for its atmosphere of peace and serenity.
And there are also geckos - unusual lizards about forty centimeters long, completely safe for humans.
Bandos Island
Bandos Island
Do you dream of swimming among variegated corals during the day and sunbathing on the clean soft sand, and in the evening drinking champagne in the freshwater pool or dine in a stylized hut under the shade of palm leaves? Then this place was created especially for you!
Wedding ceremonies are held on the island (but it is advisable to order them in advance).
Islamic Center
Islamic Center
The main attraction of the capital of the Maldives. Located next to the presidential palace and the main pier of the city. The building has six floors and is decorated with a magnificent golden dome. The center was built with money donated by several Islamic states.
You can see this attraction on any day, the center is open to tourists from 9:00 to 17:00. The exception is prayer hours, when only Muslims who have come to participate in a religious ceremony are allowed to enter the Islamic Center.
Sultan park
Sultan park
The most picturesque place in Male. Once the park was adjacent to the Sultan's palace. In the XX century, the Sultan lost power, the palace was destroyed (only a small part of the building survived). The park was also damaged, but was rebuilt. Today it is a favorite vacation spot for tourists and locals.
Here, lush greenery and the scent of luxurious flowers provide an opportunity to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the modern, densely populated capital (such as Male). The park's vegetation is rich and diverse: orchids and roses, ficuses and lilies … And at the entrance there is an aluminum composition "Monument to the Republic".
Jumuri-Maidan Park
Jumuri-Maidan
This park was opened in Male in the late 80s of the XX century and instantly won the love of the townspeople and guests of the capital of the Maldives. It is located near the presidential residence. From the alleys lined with dense greenery, you can see how the national flag of the Maldives flutters on the roof of the residence.
Anyone can plant a plant in the park and give it a name of their choice. This event will be recorded in a special log.
Presidential palace
Presidential palace
One of the main attractions of the country. The palace is located in the capital of the Maldives. The building was built at the beginning of the 20th century for the son of the Sultan. A few decades later, a coup took place in the country, the sultan lost power, the palace was nationalized. For a long time, it housed various state institutions, and in the 90s of the twentieth century, it turned into the residence of the president.
The blue and white building is decorated with columns and forged gates. A magnificent park is green around the palace.
Muliage Palace
Muliage Palace
Also, like the previous landmark, this palace was built at the beginning of the twentieth century. The building is designed in blue and white colors, the style of the building is colonial. The palace is surrounded by a beautiful park, several types of roses grow here, filling the air with fragrance.
The building was built by the sultan for his son, after the coup it became the property of the state. For a long time it was the residence of the head of the country, and today the building houses a museum. Also in the palace are government offices.
You can visit the museum and the park on any weekday; the palace is open to visitors from 9:00 to 18:00.
Crypt of Sultan Ibrahim
Crypt of Sultan Ibrahim
Male historical landmark. The crypt was built in the 17th century. The stone tomb is crowned with a triangular roof, the door of the crypt is made of wood. The walls are adorned with special ornamentation typical of early Maldivian architecture. The wall above the entrance is lined with tiles, the preservation of which is amazing (considering the past several centuries). In the mid-90s of the twentieth century, the foundation of the tomb was reconstructed.
The crypt is located near the Friday Mosque, another famous attraction in the Maldives.
National art gallery
National art gallery
The main cultural attraction of the country. The gallery is housed in a building that is a valuable historical monument: it was built in the 19th century and originally belonged to one of the sultan's close associates.
It houses works of art created by Maldivian painters (portraitists, landscape painters, abstractionists) and artisans, sometimes the works of designers are exhibited. If you visit the gallery during a break between exhibitions, you can watch the creative process, chat with the authors of the works and buy the work you like.
The gallery opens at 9:15 am and closes at 5:30 pm. Day off - Friday. The gallery is located in the Sultan Park; it is not difficult to find it: the building can be seen from afar.
Bodu Takurufaanu Higun
Bodu Takurufaanu Higun
The main and longest street of Male. It goes almost through the entire city. Previously, the street was called Marine Drive. If you want to get a complete picture of the capital of the Maldives, you can walk along this street. The walk will not take very long, because Male is one of the smallest capitals in the world (but the population density is very high here). Also, the city is the only capital-island in the world.
Male fruit market
Male fruit market
The market is located on the coast in the capital of the Maldives. It is considered one of the city's attractions, arouses the constant interest of tourists, but is also popular with local residents. Goods are brought here from all over the country. Here's what's on the shelves:
- coconuts;
- bananas;
- mango;
- papaya fruit;
- spices;
- betel leaves;
- fruits of the areca palm.
But this is not the end of the list! The variety of products in the fruit market is really impressive. Some foods raise questions from tourists about how to use them correctly. This applies to betel leaves, fruits of the areca palm. Locals use them like this: they chew betel leaves along with palm seeds and … slaked lime. This gum in small quantities is good for health (improves digestion, tones up, heals some diseases), but too long use can be harmful.
Male Fish Market
Male Fish Market
Fish is an important ingredient in almost all Maldivian cuisine, which is why the fish market is one of the most popular places in the capital of the Maldives. In the morning the owners of small boats come here and bring their catch - small reef fish and mackerel. At noon, larger fish appear on the shelves, but the apotheosis of trade is the hour when the owners of large fishing boats come to the market and bring tuna. Locals only consider it a truly worthwhile fish.
Tourists can also be seen among the merchants: some travelers come to the Maldives to fish, and they bring their catch to the local market.
