Thanks to the splendor of the palaces built for the rulers of the state, this island city is called the island of sultans and kings. The city is also known as the smallest capital in the world with an incredibly high population density. It is also called an exotic paradise on the waters of the Indian Ocean. This is the island and city of Male, Maldives.
General Information
The city of Male is the capital of the Republic of Maldives, located on small islands in the Indian Ocean.
Administratively, the capital Male consists of four islands with well-established transport links between them:
- The island of Male itself;
- Hulhule – an island entirely occupied by Velana International Airport;
- The artificial island of Hulhumale, settled in 2004;
- The island of Vilimale.
The area of the capital is 8.3 km², and as of 2022, 212,138 people lived in the city.
How to Get from the Airport to Male Island
Tourists can only reach the Maldives by plane. From Hulhule Island, where Velana International Airport is located, getting to Male Island is quite easy.
This can be done using water transport:
- Ferries frequently run between the islands, and the fare is only $1. A private transfer by boat is also available at any convenient time.
- In 2018, a new Sinamale Bridge was opened in the Maldives, connecting Male Island with the airport island and the suburb of Hulhumale. This means:
- Bus services are established between the islands, with buses running from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm at 20-minute intervals. There are bus stops not only at the airport and throughout the city but also at the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company ferry docks.
- You can take a taxi from the Maldives airport. The fare to Male Island is about $10, and to Hulhumale, it’s $7.
- A pedestrian walkway is laid across the Sinamale Bridge. Although the passage through the bridge is paid, walking from the Maldives airport to Male Island is free. It is more convenient to walk on the side of the bridge where cars move from Male.
Hotels in Male: Which Area is Best to Stay In
It’s best to choose a hotel on Male Island away from the port but not on the narrow central streets, preferably with a sea view. There are many hotels to choose from, although there are no luxurious 5-star ones.
Prices are quite high. The most modest and small room for two will cost from $50, and to this amount, you need to add:
- A 12% tax;
- 10% service charge;
- $6 per person – an environmental fee.
Usually, airport transfers are rarely included in the cost of accommodation and almost always have to be paid for separately.
You can book a hotel room in Male city on Booking.com. Among the hotels with the highest ratings on this site are:
- Sala Boutique Hotel – a good boutique hotel in the central part of the island, near the Maldives parliament.
- The Somerset Hotel in the center of Male city. It provides a free transfer from the airport.
- Marukab Plaza – another comfortable hotel with a free airport transfer.
If Male Island interests you only as the capital and cultural attraction of the Maldives, you can stay in a hotel on the nearby Hulhumale. This artificial island was built relatively recently; it has comfortable new hotels, and prices are slightly lower. The suburb of Male on this island is just as large but quieter, and the infrastructure is even better.
Transport: How to Get Around the City
Male is a small city and island; many locals prefer to walk. Nevertheless, there is public transport and taxis. Which option is more suitable for a tourist?
- Taxi is the most suitable option for a tourist with luggage. A trip around the island usually costs $1.5-2.5.
- Buses also run around the island; routes cover almost all the relatively wide streets. You can take a bus along the central port, get to the main attractions and beaches, and reach the city ports. But for bus trips, it’s advisable to study their routes around the city beforehand.
- You can walk around the entire island in 1.5-2 hours. By the way, it’s better to move on foot to see the sights.
Male as a Port City
Male is also a port city, with much of the coastline given over to ports of various specializations. There are several large ports on the island:
- On the eastern coast is the passenger port, where ferries to the nearest islands, including the airport, arrive and depart.
- On the southwest of Male, there is a passenger port from where ferries to Maafushi, Vilimale, and Rasdhoo islands operate.
- Along the entire southern shore, there are many docks where private boats, boats, and small yachts are moored.
Overall, transport connections in the Maldives capital are quite well established.
Attractions in Male
Most of the city’s attractions are located along the northern and eastern shores, close to each other.
- Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy) on Medhuziyarai Magu Street was built in 1856. This is a unique example of marine-style architecture, with walls made of coral blocks and carved teak and sandalwood panels in the interior.
- Former Presidential Palace (Muleeaage) was built in 1913 opposite Hukuru Miskiy. This colonial-style building, painted in blue and white, is surrounded by a lush green garden.
- Old Mosque (Daruma Varitha Miskiy), standing at the west wall of the Muleeaage palace. After restoration, only the interior and a few ancient sculptures testify to the antiquity of this green structure.
- Sultan Park is the only park in Male. This place, with lush vegetation, water lilies, fragrant roses, wild orchids, and banyan figs, can provide a good and pleasant shelter from the equatorial sun. Previously, a sultan’s palace stood here, but it was destroyed in 1988 – only one wing of the royal residence survived. Sultan’s gardens were turned into a public park, open for visits from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm daily except for Friday.
- National Museum of Maldives is housed in the surviving wing of the royal palace in Sultan Park. The first floor contains exhibits dedicated to the arrival of Islam in the country, as well as unique archaeological finds by Thor Heyerdahl discovered in the 1980s. The second floor has halls with exhibits telling the modern history of the Republic of Maldives.
- White Minaret (Minnaruu) was built in 1675. The white structure is decorated with blue stripes framing the call to prayer. Nearby is a cemetery where sultans and their wives, as well as notable citizens of the city, are buried. Among the stone burial steles are exquisite chapels with fine carvings.
- Islamic Center – the place where the Supreme Council meets. The center was built in 1984, and now it is financed by the Sultanate of Brunei, Saudi Arabia, and Libya. This luxurious six-story building with a gilded dome stands at the intersection of Chaandhanee Magu and Medhuziyarai Magu streets.
There aren’t many attractions in Male, so a short self-guided tour is enough to explore them.
What Else is Important to Know About Male
For those visiting Male in the Maldives for the first time, it will be useful to learn some information about the city, beaches, cafes, and other things.
Currency Exchange
The national currency of the Republic of Maldives is the rufiyaa.
In resorts, you can pay for everything with a bank card. But if you are staying on islands inhabited by locals, you will need rufiyaa. Although you can pay in dollars, the exchange rate is always unfavorable. For example, when paying for a ferry ticket that costs 10 rufiyaa, tourists are charged $1 (15.5 rufiyaa at the time of writing), and no change is given. The same principle applies in cafes and shops.
You can exchange cash dollars for rufiyaa at the airport or in banks. Banks with ATMs in Male city are mainly concentrated along the northern coast, where ferries from the airport arrive. When exchanging currency for rufiyaa, be sure to get a receipt and keep it until you leave the Maldives. It may be needed if you have to exchange leftover rufiyaa for dollars – you will need to prove the legal acquisition of the Maldivian currency.
Structure of Male City
The capital of the Maldives, Male, is a typical Asian metropolis with multi-story buildings. But since the island is small and there is little space for urban development, the streets are very narrow, and there is almost no free space.
The main city street, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, stretches along the northern coast of the island. Along it are government and office buildings and banks.
In the middle is the main square, Jumuri Maidan. Next to the square are docks where ferries from the airport island arrive.
Markets and Shops
Shopping in Male city in the Maldives is pure pleasure: due to the small territory, all markets and shopping centers are close to each other.
Information for those looking for souvenirs and gifts or wanting to go shopping:
- On Majeedhee Magu Street, which runs from east to west of the island, there are supermarkets and small shops.
- In souvenir shops on Orchid Magu Street, you can buy original items made by local artisans. The STO Trade Center, the largest shopping complex in the Maldives, is also located there.
- Chaandhanee Magu Street is also lined with numerous boutiques with various goods.
- The fish market is located near the fishing harbor, where local fishermen deliver their catch. Seafood prices change several times a day depending on the size of the new catch.
- Nearby is the fruit market, where fruits and vegetables grown in the Maldives are sold.
Cafes and Restaurants
There are many restaurants and cafes in Male city. You can choose from any cuisine: Italian, Thai, Chinese, Indian. Most eateries are concentrated near the main city attractions. There are cafes on the waterfront, but the cost of dishes there is naturally a bit higher.
In regular street cafes, you can buy food at quite affordable prices. Here they are listed in the local currency, rufiyaa:
- Maldivian and continental breakfasts – 30-40;
- Omelette – 20-45;
- Salad – 65;
- Boiled rice – 25;
- French fries – 35;
- Indian curry – 30-45;
- Seafood – 70;
- Main courses with meat – 60-90;
- Sandwiches – 50-70;
- Pizza – 80;
- Soup, including Thai “Tom Yum” – 40;
- Ice cream – 30;
- Fruit shake – 50;
- Freshly made juice – 35;
- Cappuccino – 30;
- Tea – 10;
- Coca-Cola – 20.
In restaurants, prices are higher, and you need to add 30-50 rufiyaa to the indicated amounts.
It’s important to note that alcohol is prohibited in the Maldives and is not sold in restaurants in Male.
Beaches
Male is not considered a popular resort, and the beaches on this island are not very luxurious by Maldivian standards. However, there are a couple of options to just refresh yourself in hot weather. By the way, you will have to swim in clothes since the Maldives is an Islamic country, and swimming in bikinis in public places is prohibited.
The most popular beach in the city, where locals often come to relax, is Artificial Beach. This is a fairly large and nice space on the east side of Male.
Another smaller beach is located on the western part of the island – Rasfannu Artificial Beach.
Interesting Facts About Male
- Male is the smallest capital in the world and at the same time the most densely populated city on the planet.
- The names of the four largest districts of Male city are related to fishing. “Henveiru” comes from the word “yen-beiru,” meaning “the place where the fisherman cast his baited hook.” “Maafannu” comes from two words: the adjective “maa” means “big,” and the noun “fannu” is the end of the path leading from the village to the sea. “Machangolhi” is derived from “mati-angolhi,” meaning “fork in the windward side.” The word “Galolhu” comes from the word “gala-olu,” meaning “stone bowl.”
- The international airport, located on the artificial island of Hulhule, has changed its name several times. It was built in 1960 and was originally called Hulhule Airport. In 1981, after major reconstruction, it was renamed Male International Airport. In 2011, in memory of the second president of the Maldives, Ibrahim Nasir, the airport was named Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. Since 2017, the airport has been named after the house of Ibrahim Nasir: Velana International Airport.
- The construction of the bridge from Male to the airport island and Hulhumale island lasted 33 months. The total cost of the project was $200 million. During construction, the bridge’s name was the China-Maldives Friendship Bridge. In 2017, a competition was announced for a new name with these requirements: up to 9 letters long, easy to pronounce, melodious, and combining the names “Maldives and China.” As a result, the bridge was named Sinamale.
- The weather on Male Island (Maldives) is warm all year round: air temperature is about +30°C, and water temperature is around +27°C.
