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Malé City Tour: Historic Sites and Local Markets
4.5
15 Ratings
Male
Discover Malé’s rich history and vibrant culture on a 3-hour guided tour. Visit iconic landmarks, bustling markets, and savor traditional Maldivian cuisine.
Discover Malé’s rich history and vibrant culture on a 3-hour guided tour. Visit iconic landmarks, bustling markets, and savor traditional Maldivian cuisine.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque) - The Malé Friday Mosque, also known as the Malé Hukuru Miskiy or the Old Friday Mosque, is one of the oldest and most intricately designed mosques in Malé, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives. Constructed using coral boulders from the genus Porites, which are abundant throughout the archipelago, this and other mosques in the…
- Hukuru Miskiiy (Old Friday Mosque) - The Malé Friday Mosque, also known as the Malé Hukuru Miskiy or the Old Friday Mosque, is one of the oldest and most intricately designed mosques in Malé, Kaafu Atoll, Maldives. Constructed using coral boulders from the genus Porites, which are abundant throughout the archipelago, this and other mosques in the country benefit from the material’s suitability. While the coral is soft and easy to cut when wet, it becomes a durable building block once dry. In 2008, the mosque was added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage cultural list as a unique example of sea-culture architecture.
- Muliaage (Palace) - The Presidential Palace, also known as Muliaage, Mulee Aage, Mulee-age, Mulee’aage, or Muleeaage, serves as the official residence of the President of the Maldives. Located in the Henveiru ward in the historic center of Malé, it is near the Medhu Ziyaaraiy, the Friday Mosque, and the Munnaru (Grand Minaret of Malé).
- Male Fish Market - A visit to the Malé Fish Market is essential for anyone wanting to experience the vibrant local culture of the Maldives. This lively market is a hive of activity, with fishermen bringing in their freshly caught fish for sale.
- Male Local Market - When in Malé, be sure to visit the local fruit and vegetable market if you’re looking to buy fresh produce. This compact market offers items such as Maldivian dry fish, spices, green coconuts, and snacks primarily made with sesame seeds, rice, and peanuts.
- Grand Friday Mosque - Located in the center of Malé, the Grand Friday Mosque is named after one of the most celebrated Maldivian heroes, Sultan Muhammad Thakurufaanu al-Auzam. It is the largest mosque in the Maldives and one of the largest in South Asia, accommodating over 5,000 people.
- National Museum - Aimed at preserving history and fostering patriotism among the Maldivian people, the National Museum houses a vast collection of historical artifacts. These range from stone objects and fragments of royal antiquities from the Buddhist era to the period of Islamic monarchs.
What's Included
- All Local Taxes
- Free Tasting of some Local Snacks
- Turistas Maldives Local Guide
- All Local Taxes
- Free Tasting of some Local Snacks
- Turistas Maldives Local Guide
What's Not Included
- Snacks
- Gratuities
- Museum Fees Adult US$10/ Child US$5
- Snacks
- Gratuities
- Museum Fees Adult US$10/ Child US$5
Additional Information
Begin your tour at the Islamic Centre, home to the Grand Friday Mosque. Next, visit Sultan Park and the National Museum. Wander through Sultan Park, a historic site in the city’s heart. Inside the park, you’ll discover the National Museum, showcasing history, art, and culture. Then, head to the Old Friday Mosque, or Hukuru Miskiy, dating back to 1656….
Begin your tour at the Islamic Centre, home to the Grand Friday Mosque. Next, visit Sultan Park and the National Museum. Wander through Sultan Park, a historic site in the city’s heart. Inside the park, you’ll discover the National Museum, showcasing history, art, and culture. Then, head to the Old Friday Mosque, or Hukuru Miskiy, dating back to 1656. Immerse yourself in local culture at Malé Market, where you’ll find fresh produce, local snacks, and traditional Maldivian items. We’ll also stop by the fish market to see the bustling trade of fresh seafood.
Take some time to relax at the Artificial Beach, a favorite spot for locals to unwind. Don’t miss the opportunity to try traditional dishes like mas huni (a breakfast dish), fihunu mas (grilled fish), and garudhiya (fish soup).
Location
Hulhumale' Ferry Terminal
Hulhumale' Ferry Terminal (Male' City)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.5
(15 Ratings)
5 stars
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1 star
Singletrveller59
Jan 12, 2025
Experiencing The Maldives beyond just tourist "Resort Islands" - There were 3 other people on this tour and I booked solo. It was great to be in such a small group with local guide Ahmed, giving plenty of opportunity to ask questions, not only about what we were seeing, but other general questions about life in Malé. I had been to Male about 6 years ago but had seen absolutely nothing of this island as I'd gone off immediately to a resort island. This time I was determined to spend time here and was so glad I did.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Simonbingelis
Dec 11, 2024
Highly recommended. Flexible and very informational. - Very friendly tour guide! They were very flexible and able to accomodate our tour even with a limited timeline between flights. We are very thankful for the experience and look forward returning to learn more about the Maldives. Highly recommended!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fscott_p
Aug 18, 2024
Great city immersion tour. - Very knowledgeable tour guide. For$5US extra each way, picked up and dropped off at hotel (worth it, because we were on Hulhumale, a long way from meeting point. Oldest mosque on the island (1658) is built of hand engraved Interlocking coral blocks.
Review provided by Viator
Adl065
Aug 17, 2024
A Must Do experience! - This is a must do experience to really understand the history of Male. The guide was so knowledgeable and friendly and spent so much time explaining what we were seeing. The sites we visited were outstanding and some we would never have discovered by ourselves. And the snacks at the end gave a real taste of Maldivian food and a sense of place. I can not recommend this more highly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joy_k
Jun 5, 2024
Would recommend - Felt like a personalized experience. Viewed a crossed even though it was a walk through Male we got to see Many sites and taste local snacks
Review provided by Viator
Norhana_r
May 9, 2024
Great hospitality from our tour guides - The most memorable part of the tour is the human touch showed by our tour guides, Hassan & Mamdhooh. It was raining during our tour and we went around in a car (with extra charges) instead of the ferry, with Mamdhooh driving and Hassan as the co-pilot. We spent more than 3 hours touring the city and we had a lot of fun chit chatting like we were old friends. Hassan went the extra miles too after dropping us of at the airport and showed us the airport lounge as we had more than 3 hours to spare before we checked in for our flight home. The hospitality was exceptional. Will definitely recommend them.
Review provided by Viator
Sightseer53535860717
Mar 25, 2024
Great time and unforgettable experience - "This was one of the best experiences we had while visiting the Maldives. My wife and I decided to take a 3-hour tour with the team from Turistas Maldives, opting for a car tour. We met at the airport information center, where we were immediately made to feel comfortable and safe. Our driver and tour guide, both named Hassan, were respectful, accommodating, and ensured our safety throughout. We visited all the hot spots of Malé, including the new island, bridge, martyrs’ cemetery, and all the local attractions. We truly felt a part of the Maldivian community. The highlight of the tour was visiting the Coral Mosque, which alone made the entire tour worthwhile. In the end, we had the opportunity to visit a gift shop before being taken back to the airport on time, and they even assisted us in finding the correct gate.
Great experience
Review provided by Tripadvisor
John_w
Jan 3, 2025
History mixes with modernity and religions coexist in Colombo - Our driver picked us up at the port entrance and took us around town. We made several stops where he parked and took us on short walks to see some of the older and historic buildings in the city. Be advised that some of the sites have a few short or uneven steps. Not difficult, just a little unexpected. So watch your step. We especially enjoyed the Hindu Temple with all the outside carvings of the gods and the Buddhist Temple. It was interesting to see how the influences of the Dutch, British and others have influenced the city.
Review provided by Viator
Shashefs
Dec 1, 2024
SUPERB - it was a good one
i recommend every one
go and enjoy.
local guide assistance will help you to save your time. so that we can visit more places.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
David_y
Dec 20, 2024
The tour was supposed to... - The tour was supposed to pick us up at the airport. We waited there and finally they said they are waiting for us at the Airport Ferry Terminal on Male side. Then the tour guide said it will be just a 1 hour tour when the tour was advertised to be 3 hours. So after 1 hour 15 min he took us to a very expensive restaurant. He kept saying we should try their steamed fish which costs about $70. We opted for a steamed crab dish. There were only 2 small crabs in crab soup with some vegetables which was $40. We also ordered a cheese nan which wasn't very good.
Review provided by Viator