For most travellers to the Maldives, Male is only the gateway into the island nation. They choose to skip the capital city right away, almost impetuously, for their resort island of choice, which is a pity as the bustling metropolis has so much to offer in ways no other part of the archipelagic nation could. The world-renowned resort islands of the Maldives, while unquestionably paradisiacal, are nowhere close to the “real” Maldives. For authentic tropical island experiences, a visit to the capital city, Male, definitely won’t disappoint.