Attractions in Male, Maldives – A Fascinating Island City

The Old Friday Mosque is considered to be the oldest of the Maldives' mosques, having a history stretching back to 1656. You will see that this place of worship is a lovely structure composed of coral stone which has been decorated with chiselled intricate designs as well as Koranic inscriptions. The mosque's interior is similarly beautiful, with ornate woodcarvings and finely executed lacquer features. Another interesting element is the minaret which impressively looks over the mosque. Respectably dressed non-Muslims are often permitted to enter the mosque without an appointment.

Your tour of Male's sightseeing attractions would not be complete without visiting the engrossing National Museum. In this museum, you will find an interesting selection of displays depicting the distinctive history and culture of the Maldives. On this museum's lower level, visitors will encounter a number of galleries that focus on the medieval and ancient periods of the history of the Maldives. Here you will see artefacts like religious items, weaponry, household objects and wood engravings. Meanwhile, upstairs you will see displays devoted to the modern era with artefacts like lacquer-work containers, antique electronic equipment, and so on.

An attraction of a very different kind is the bustling Fish Market. Although this is not a place for the squeamish, the Fish Market will be a great site to gain an authentic insight into the mode of life of the native people of the Maldives; you can witness them sell and buy the numerous kinds of seafood that you will see here. It is also a fascinating experience to observe the daily catch of the fishermen being carried in from the adjoining harbour. You are likely to spot sea creatures like huge tuna, grouper and octopus being readied for sale.

Male has an artificial beach that has been created for the benefit of locals and visitors. You will see that this beach is an attractive crescent-shaped sandy area that is a pleasant spot at which to relax and unwind. Maldivians often visit this beach in order to enjoy some relaxation, take a swim and have a pleasant time. In proximity to this beach, you will find a host of cafes offering fast food.

As its name suggests, this mosque is a splendid sight with its gleaming gilded dome and may be considered to be an iconic feature of Male. Constructed with the assistance of several other countries, this mosque opened its doors in the year 1984. The Maldives' largest mosque, this place of worship which has been constructed from marble has a rather plain exterior. On the other hand, its interior is rich with carved panels and striking chandeliers. A choice of accommodation to consider from which you could plan an excursion to Male and visit this mosque would be Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas, a pleasingly located luxury resort in Maldives.

Make your way to Male's Produce Market to gain a glimpse of the typical lifestyle of the Maldivians. At this market, you will find people from the different islands of the Maldives congregating in order to sell their vegetables, both locally grown and imported varieties. You will see that bananas and coconuts are found here in plenty, along with items like the betel leaves which some locals chew. As you stroll around this market, you will see many more kinds of produce that are bought by Maldivians.