When travelling, many hope to immerse themselves in the local culture, and visit places of historic, cultural and national importance as well. For tourists travelling to the idyllic Maldivian islands, such an opportunity may seem difficult initially as five star hotels Maldives are scattered across one hundred private islands. With such an island vacation that ensures privacy, comes the unwitting isolation from the true Maldivian atmosphere. Therefore, for holidaymakers who wish to witness the daily lives of the locals, a trip to Male, the capital city of Maldives, is highly recommended.
While many travellers only ever visit Male when they arrive and leave Maldives, for tourists searching for exposure to Maldivian life and culture, the capital is truly a gem in the rough. While the majority of national and historic sites are located in Male, it is also home to the main fish and fruit markets which attract locals as well. Resorts such as Naladhu Maldives even offer day trips to Male that will help you truly experience what the capital has to offer.
When visiting Male, there are a few places that must be visited if one is to have a truly enriching experience. One such attraction is the Grand Mosque which is one of the biggest mosques in the region, and can accommodate around five thousand people at any given time. Another mosque is the Friday Mosque, also known as Hukuru Miskiy by the locals. Built in 1656, the Friday Mosque also hosts a series of tombstones that were erected in memory of notable personalities in the history of the country. A visit to the Male Fish Market will also give tourists a taste of the local lifestyle where fishing is an integral component. The Fish Market is a delight for tourists who can also experience local delicacies which are sold here. Therefore, a trip to the Maldivian islands is truly incomplete without an excursion to explore its capital city, Male.
Thanuja Silva is a travel writer who writes under the pen name Auburn Silver. She has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.