Sightseeing in Malé: not an ordinary city trip

When you think about your next **city trip, **you might consider Paris, New York or Dubai – **destinations **that are packed with various sights, **cultural highlights **and **tourists **from around the world. But have you ever imagined spending some time in Malé, the **capital **of the Maldives, and **exploring **the island? If you have some time left on your arrival or departure day, seize the opportunity and allow for some hours on this unique island. I can assure you that it will be nothing like **an ordinary city trip. Sightseeing **in **Malé **will definitely enrich your **holidays **in the Maldives.

Explore the city life in Malé

The **Maldives is **a **country **consisting of over 1.200 little islands. One of them is its capital, Malé. The **city **is not only the most populated town in the Maldives but also the most **densely populated capital **in the world. The Maldives is known for **islands **full of sand and palm trees surrounded by turquoise water and coral gardens, but **Malé **is an exception from this. Asphaltic streets full of businessmen and cars, surrounded by skyscrapers hosting international companies are a typical occurrence. Here, you can watch **fishermen **selling their daily catch and hear the muezzin calling religious **Maldivians **to pray at the mosque.

Start your sightseeing tour

To dive into the **Maldivian **culture, you just need some **hours **left to spend in the **capital **for a **sightseeing tour **after your **arrival **or before your **departure **at the international airport. **Malé **is only 8,3 km² big, so you can take a **tour **by **walking **around the island, no need for public transports. Start your itinerary at the **harbour **and begin with the president’s office. Unfortunately, visiting the building inside is not allowed. Some steps away, you will see Hukuru Miskiy, the Malé Friday Mosque. It was built of coral stones with the Arabic calligraphy in 1658. Continue your city trip by walking to Sultan Park, one of **Malé's **few parks and green areas. The area was once home to the Royal Palace that was demolished in the 16th century. One part of it still exists and now hosts the National Museum with a large selection of archaeological findings and items of the history of the Maldives. The rest of the area is a beautiful **park **where you can **walk **around, relax and have a picnic.

Culture, markets and the beach

After taking a break in the park, I can recommend continuing your **sightseeing tour walking **by the Grand Friday Mosque that was built in 1984. It is right next to the **souvenir **street. Here, you can **shop **all the typical memorabilia such as postcards, magnets and jewellery. End your city trip through **Malé **at the local market and the **fish market, **where you can watch **Maldivians **at work. Take a look at **fish **of all sizes brought to the **market **right from the ocean, including swordfish and octopus. At the **local market, **you can find all kinds of vegetables and fruits, mostly imported, but also different spices and **local **chocolate. After your sightseeing trip, you might want to relax on the artificial **beach **of Malé. Please consider that the **locals **also cover their bodies on the **beach **and in the water, and you are not allowed to wear short swimwear in Malé. 

A perfect sightseeing day in Malé

**Exploring **the **capital **of the **Maldives **can be an exciting experience, far away from an ordinary city trip. Getting to know the culture, **architecture **and **people **of the **Maldives **will surely enhance your holidays.  As you can see, the **city **is full of historic **sights **and unique **places. So, **visit the **island **yourself to **experience **your version of a perfect **sightseeing day **in Malé.