By Air

Male International Airport (IATA: MLE) is located on the neighboring island of Hulhule.The airport has a good set of facilities, including bank, ATM, pharmacy, internet cafe and a left luggage service (USD 3/bag/day) awkwardly located in the arrivals area the guards will let you in if you tell them you're going there.Most visitors to the Maldives are met by travel agent reps right outside Customs, who then whisk them away to their resorts by speedboat or plane.

By Ferries

If your destination is the city itself, turn right and head for the public ferry dock.Ferries to the city take about 15-20 min and leave every 10-15 min during daytime (Rf.10 or USD 1),every 30 min after midnight (USD 2).

Independence Square, Sultan Park and National Museum, Maldives National Defense Force HQ, Friday Mosque, Hulhumale Island

Independence Square

Male's centerpoint is this little park on the north coast, marked by a flagpole with a giant Maldivian flag. It's also the focal point of every political demonstration in the capital, and hence has a heavy security presence buttressed by the police HQ in the Shaheed Hussain Adam Building next door.

Sultan Park and National Museum

The sole surviving building of what was once the Sultan's palace is now the Maldivian National Museum, housing a scruffy, haphazard collection of royal regalia and old photographs, including three moon rocks and a faded Maldivian flag that went to the moon.At least there's air-con and some semblance of English explanation.Park free, museum US$3 or RF 38.

Hulhumale Island

Is in short boatride away. Boats leave from their own terminal, next to airport ferries (upstairs of terminal building is good restaurant with great harbour views!).Hulhumale is an artificial island where new buildings are rising rapidly,but currently it's quite empty and a kind of a countryside for Male.There is also nice looking beach in the other end of the island from jetty.There are restaurants and cafes on the island.

Maldives National Defense Force HQ

Emphatically not a tourist attraction, the sinister, windowless white bulk of the recently renamed National Security Service (the Maldivian secret police), topped with guard towers every few meters and strict admonitions not to photograph it, is an unmissable sight in central Male and a reminder of the iron fist that until recently had the country in a stranglehold.

Friday Mosque

Built in 1656 during the reign of sultan Ibrahim Iskandar I, intricately carved with Arabic writings and ornamental patterns.Unfortunately non-Muslims are not allowed inside without prior permission.

May - December
January - June

Information not available

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