Joanna James
While Maldives may be known more for sublime beaches than sprawling malls, it does offer some fun shopping too! Providing an experience to soak up some culture, many of these retail hotspots can be found in the capital, Male, though you can enjoy shopping at resorts and other islands as well.
One of the best places for shopping in Maldives is the Male Local Market situated on the northern waterfront of the capital. This outdoor market is usually chockfull of activity and you can find a diverse range of items for sale; these include handicrafts, souvenirs, gifts and unique items like miniature local boats, flower vases made from wood and packaged sweetmeats.
Another hotspot for shopping in Male is the street known as Majeedhee Magu. A great place for bargaining as well, this street market is where you can find everything from garments to electronics. Generally, the shops are open from around 9:00am to 11:00pm and this is where people come to buy clothing, textiles, watches, cosmetics, perfumes, fashion accessories, bags and even canned smoked fish.
Because Male is relatively small, you can easily walk to each shopping locale such as Chaandanee Magu. Sometimes referred to as the Singapore Bazaar, this is the place to get some great souvenirs at its many stalls and shops. Local handicrafts are especially popular here and items like a miniature version of a traditional boat called a dhoni and local mats make for distinctive mementoes of your trip.
While you may not end up doing much shopping at the Male Fish Market, it still is a great place to visit and experience the local culture. Amongst the popular attractions in Maldives, this fish market in Male features all manner of fresh seafood and fish that are brought daily by local fishermen be it tuna, grouper or octopus. The site draws plenty of locals too and make sure to have your camera or phone with you to get in some shots of this lively market.
If you are at an island resort further away from Male, you may not be tempted to leave the comforts of your water villa in Maldives for a shopping excursion. However, do not be disheartened for some resorts including the likes of Adaaran Prestige Water Villas have their own shops or even shopping arcades! Providing a convenient place for retail therapy, these resort-based shopping options make buying souvenirs and other local items easy to do so you can maximise on your holiday leisure pursuits.
Travellers can look forward to some shopping on local islands apart from Male as well. Those heading to Hulhumale in the North Male Atoll can visit the small Centro Mall which offers luxury items and features dining options, salons and more. Also of note is the Angolo Souvenir Shop on Maafushi Island in the South Male Atoll; you can buy all kinds of souvenirs here including refrigerator magnets, shirts, keychains and even tea.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
