Male City - Maldives

The pint-sized Maldivian capital is the throbbing, mercantile heart of the nation, a densely crowded and fascinating place, notable mainly for its stark contrast to the laid-back pace of island life elsewhere in the country.

Male (mar-lay) offers the best chance to see the ‘real’ Maldives away from the resort buffet and infinity pool. Overlooked by tall, brightly coloured buildings and surrounded by incongruously turquoise water, Male is a hive of activity, the engine driving Maldives’ economy and the forum for the country’s saga-worthy political struggles.

Male is also pleasingly quirky – alcohol-free cafes and restaurants jostle with shops and lively markets and the general capital-city hubbub is very much present. This island city may not have a huge number of sights, but it offers a very real chance to get a feel for Maldives and to meet Maldivians on an equal footing.

 

Description of Male City

Male Maldives is untouched by human feet and is the most preferred gateway for honeymoon seekers, couples, and water sports lovers. It is a natural paradise with lush island canopy and pictures of perfect sceneries that are an absolute treat for the eyes as well as the senses. You can escape from the hustle and bustle of the world in this natural hideaway that has palm-fringed lagoons and the most calming environment.

Male City is blessed with tons of attractions ranging from scenic parks to heritage museums and some of the most splendid art galleries. It also has an Artificial Beach where you can enjoy tons of enthralling water sports activities such as swimming, kayaking, and wakeboarding. If you're a food lover, then you're in for a treat as the city has some of the most lively cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy a wide array of tasty cuisines. It also houses the Old Friday Mosque that is the oldest mosque in the city and is known for its splendid architecture.

When it comes to adventure and fun, you can try tons of enthralling activities in Male Maldives, ranging from swimming, fishing, and witnessing carnivals and parades. If you're a shopping enthusiast, then you can stock up souvenirs for your friends and family members at Male Market, which is the main shopping hub in the city. You can also buy fresh fish at the Fish Market and marvel at the Munnaaru, which is the oldest building in the city.

Male experience tropical weather, and it has two main seasons, dry and rainy. The dry season ranges between October end until the end of March and the rainy season ranges between April end and the end of October.

 

History of Male city

From the beginning, the first settlers on the island lived without rulers and engaged mainly in fishing. Koimala was the king of the northern lands, but the locals accepted him and allowed him to stay and settle down in the Maldives. He planted trees on the island, built a palace and, during his reign, the city was renamed into Male. Since then, Male has become the residence of all rulers and received another name - the Royal Island. By the way, the name of the state itself - the Maldives - comes precisely from the capital and means “the islands of Male”.

Life-changing 20th Century:

After a while, the city was surrounded by a fortified wall with gates, mosques were built here, and trading houses began appearing in the 17th century. However, until the 1920s, Male barely developed as a city because forests occupied most of its territory, and the population was only 5,000 inhabitants. The 1930s brought modernization when the first banks, hospitals, educational institutions and administrations emerged. The population began increasing, and the authorities had to demolish the defence walls, clear cemeteries, level and expand roads to increase the area for housing.

In 1968, the monarchy was abolished in the Maldives. The new president, Ibrahim Nasir, rebuilt the city and ordered the demolition of the residence of the previous rulers - the Royal Palace. A few years later, tourism came to the Maldives, and Male has changed beyond recognition ever since.

 

Activities To Do in Male City

Though it is a small city, there are many interesting things to do in Male that make any vacation on the island capital a splendid experience full of adventure and romance. From admiring the Islamic and pre-Islamic architectural sites to gazing at awe-inspiring modern monuments to shopping in the local markets, there are many fun-filled things to do in Male. Because of its close proximity to other important islands in Maldives, and its smooth water transport system, enjoying Male also means enjoying the beauties of the other islands around it.

Male is a small city and can therefore be explored efficiently over the course of a single day. There are several monuments that make for good sightseeing spots, and you will also find many parks and beaches where you can sit back and relax in peace. A city tour of Male is the best and the most comprehensive way to enjoy the myriad sights of the city since a local guide will not only be able to conduct you better through the tiny streets but also add a pinch of adventure to the sights by flavouring them with local insights. Hulhumale, the artificial sister island of Male, should also be included in your city tour since it basically acts as an extension of the main capital, and has many interesting monuments to see and restaurants to dine in. 

When you are in Male, you cannot miss out on its beaches. Water sports are among the best activities to do in Male, and they can be enjoyed in all their depth and variety on the beaches around Male. Scuba diving and snorkelling are the most popular adventure activities in Male, but other interesting things like sea walks and submarine rides can also be enjoyed here.

 

Best Time to Visit Male City

The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April. The climate is warm and tropical, with average highs at a consistent 29°C to 31°C year-round and average lows rarely falling below 24°C.

January to April are the driest months, with little rain and low humidity, making this peak season at the resorts.

 

How to reach Male Island

Tourists who wonder How to reach Male Island must know that Male International airport is well connected with most of the countries. Travelers can catch a flight to Male International Airport to reach Male.  The airport is located adjacent to Hulhule Island, which has a seaplane base available for tourists for internal transportation. Being a popular tourist destination in the Maldives, tourists can easily find a cab or taxi to move within the city.