Maldives · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Maldives
These are the places worth your time in the Maldives, from the coral stone mosques and fish market of Malé to the bikini beaches of Maafushi, the whale sharks of Ari, the mantas of Baa and the wartime heritage of Addu. Classics sit beside quiet local islands many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Malé
Arts and Culture
- Malé Hukuru Miskiy (Old Friday Mosque area)
A seventeenth century mosque carved from coral stone, the finest example of traditional Maldivian craft. - Grand Friday Mosque (Islamic Centre)
The golden domed mosque that dominates the skyline, open to respectful visitors outside prayer times. - National Museum (Sultan Park)
Royal thrones, Buddhist era coral carvings and old lacquerwork that tell the story of the islands. - Mulee Aage (Medhuziyaaraiy Magu)
A colonial era palace built for a sultan’s heir, now the President’s Office, worth seeing from outside. - Medhu Ziyaaraiy (Medhuziyaaraiy Magu)
The shrine of Abu al Barakat, credited with bringing Islam to the Maldives in the twelfth century. - Tsunami Monument (Boduthakurufaanu Magu)
A quiet steel memorial to the islanders lost in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. - National Art Gallery (Medhuziyaaraiy Magu)
Changing exhibitions of Maldivian painters, photographers and craftspeople.
Nature and Outdoors
- Sultan Park (Medhuziyaaraiy Magu)
A shady garden on the old palace grounds, a cool green pause in a crowded city. - Artificial Beach (Boduthakurufaanu Magu)
The city beach where families swim and gather on evenings and holidays. - Villimalé (Vilimalé island)
A short ferry hop to a green, quiet island with a beach and a coastal walking path. - Rasfannu Beach (Western Malé)
A newer city beach for evening swims and sunset walks along the reclaimed shore. - HP Reef (North Malé Atoll)
A protected reef of soft corals and pinnacles, also called Rainbow Reef. - Manta Point (North Malé Atoll)
A cleaning station where mantas gather, especially in the southwest monsoon.
Shopping and Markets
- Malé Local Market (North Harbour)
Stalls of coconuts, betel, smoked tuna and chilli where islanders stock up before the boat home. - Malé Fish Market (North Harbour)
Watch the afternoon catch of tuna come off the dhonis and get cut on tiled tables. - Majeedhee Magu (Central Malé)
The main shopping street for clothes, electronics and everyday island life.
Things to Do
- Jumhooree Maidhaan (Republic Square)
The waterfront square with the giant national flag, the heart of national celebrations. - Raalhugandu Surf Point (Southeast corner of Malé)
Watch local surfers ride a reef break right beside the city streets. - Sinamalé Bridge (Malé to Hulhulé)
Walk or ride across the bridge to Hulhumalé for wide views over the lagoon. - Banana Reef (North Malé Atoll)
One of the first dive sites opened in the Maldives, with caves, overhangs and reef fish.
Cafés
- Seagull Café House (Chandhanee Magu)
A long standing garden café known for its ice cream and relaxed tables. - Shell Beans (Malé)
A local café chain for good coffee, pastries and short eats.
Restaurants
- Sala Thai (Ameer Ahmed Magu)
Good Thai cooking in a calm, lantern lit room, a favourite for an evening out in Malé. - The Sea House (Boduthakurufaanu Magu)
A busy harbourside restaurant with views of boats coming and going from the jetty. - Hotaa tea shops (Marine Drive)
Small local tea shops serving hedhikaa short eats, mas huni and sweet black tea.
Stays
- Hotel Jen Malé (Malé)
A reliable city hotel with a rooftop pool, handy for a first or last night.
Events
- Independence Day celebrations (Republic Square)
Parades, music and fireworks every 26 July for the anniversary of independence. - Eid celebrations (Across Malé)
Families in their best clothes, special food and bodu beru drumming at the end of Ramadan.
Places to Visit in Hulhumalé
Nature and Outdoors
- Hulhumalé Beach (Eastern shore)
A long white sand beach where you can swim the night you land. - Hulhumalé Central Park (Central Hulhumalé)
A green park with play areas where families gather in the cool of the evening.
Stays
- Hulhumalé Island Hotel (Hulhumalé)
A comfortable hotel close to the airport, ideal for late arrivals and early flights. - Hulhumalé beachfront guesthouses (Nirolhu Magu)
Simple guesthouses facing the beach for an easy overnight on a budget.
Restaurants
- Beach front restaurants (Nirolhu Magu)
A strip of casual restaurants with tables looking over the lagoon at sunset.
Cafés
- Local cafés (Central Hulhumalé)
Neighbourhood cafés serving short eats and coffee for residents and transit travellers.
Bars and Nightlife
- Evening beach walk (Eastern shore)
With no bars on local islands, evenings here mean mocktails, sea breezes and families on the sand.
Things to Do
- Planes over the lagoon (Near Velana airport)
Watch seaplanes take off from the lagoon beside the airport island.
Places to Visit in Maafushi
Nature and Outdoors
- Bikini Beach Maafushi (Maafushi)
The tourist beach where swimwear is allowed, with loungers and calm water. - Guraidhoo (South Malé Atoll)
A quieter neighbouring island with a surf break and lovely snorkelling. - Gulhi (South Malé Atoll)
A small local island with a calm beach and a relaxed village pace.
Things to Do
- Sandbank trips (Around Maafushi)
Half day boat trips to a bare strip of white sand in the lagoon. - Snorkelling excursions (South Malé Atoll)
Group boat trips to see turtles, rays and nurse sharks on nearby reefs.
Stays
- Kaani Beach Hotel (Maafushi)
One of the island’s best known guesthouse hotels, right on the bikini beach. - Arena Beach Hotel (Maafushi)
A beachfront guesthouse hotel with a pool, popular with first timers. - Anantara Dhigu (South Malé Atoll)
A well known resort with overwater villas on a lagoon shared with its sister islands. - COMO Cocoa Island (South Malé Atoll)
A small, quiet resort with villas built in the style of dhoni boats. - Olhuveli Beach and Spa (South Malé Atoll)
A resort with a wide lagoon and lots of watersports, good for families. - Fihalhohi Island Resort (South Malé Atoll)
A simpler, older resort with lots of palms and a good house reef.
Restaurants
- Local island restaurants (Maafushi)
Grilled reef fish, curries and fried noodles at simple eateries around the harbour.
Cafés
- Beach cafés (Maafushi)
Fresh juices and iced coffee by the bikini beach.
Arts and Culture
- Maafushi island village (Maafushi)
Walk the sandy lanes past the school, mosque and boatyards of a working island.
Shopping and Markets
- Souvenir shops (Maafushi)
Small shops for sarongs, wooden dhonis and reef safe sunscreen.
Places to Visit in Thulusdhoo
Things to Do
- Cokes surf break (Thulusdhoo)
One of the best known waves in the Maldives, beside the island’s soft drinks factory.
Nature and Outdoors
- Thulusdhoo Bikini Beach (Thulusdhoo)
A pretty tourist beach on the island’s quiet side.
Places to Visit in Fulidhoo
Nature and Outdoors
- Fulidhoo harbour stingrays (Vaavu Atoll)
Stingrays and nurse sharks glide in the shallows of a tiny, friendly island.
Places to Visit in Dhiffushi
Nature and Outdoors
- Dhiffushi beach (North Malé Atoll)
A long local island beach with fewer visitors than the southern islands.
Places to Visit in Ari Atoll
Restaurants
- Ithaa Undersea Restaurant (Conrad Maldives Rangali Island)
A glass walled restaurant five metres under the sea, with fish swimming overhead.
Stays
- Conrad Maldives Rangali Island (South Ari Atoll)
A large resort across two islands with the famous undersea restaurant and villa. - Mirihi Island Resort (South Ari Atoll)
A small, barefoot resort with an excellent house reef. - LUX South Ari Atoll (South Ari Atoll)
A lively resort on a long island close to whale shark waters. - Lily Beach Resort (South Ari Atoll)
An all inclusive resort with a strong house reef, easy for families. - Kuramathi Maldives (Rasdhoo Atoll)
A large island with a long sandbank, several restaurants and lots of activities. - Vakarufalhi Island Resort (South Ari Atoll)
A small resort with one of the best house reefs in the atoll. - Constance Halaveli (North Ari Atoll)
A resort with overwater villas and private pools on a calm lagoon. - Centara Grand Island Resort (South Ari Atoll)
An all inclusive resort with a wide sandy lagoon. - W Maldives (North Ari Atoll)
A design led resort on Fesdu with a strong house reef and lively evenings.
Nature and Outdoors
- South Ari Marine Protected Area (South Ari Atoll)
One of the few places in the world to snorkel with whale sharks all year round. - Dhigurah (South Ari Atoll)
A long, thin local island with a beautiful beach and quick access to whale shark waters. - Ukulhas (North Ari Atoll)
A clean, eco minded local island with a long bikini beach and guesthouses. - Rasdhoo Madivaru (Rasdhoo Atoll)
A channel dive famous for early morning hammerhead sightings. - Fish Head (North Ari Atoll)
A classic thila dive with grey reef sharks and huge schools of fusiliers. - Maaya Thila (North Ari Atoll)
A small round reef with whitetip sharks and turtles, famous for night dives. - Kudarah Thila (South Ari Atoll)
A protected reef of overhangs and soft coral for experienced divers. - Dhangethi (South Ari Atoll)
A local island with guesthouses, a bikini beach and easy boat trips. - Maamigili (South Ari Atoll)
The local island beside the domestic airport, with a quiet village and nearby reefs.
Arts and Culture
- Fenfushi Old Mosque (Fenfushi)
A coral stone mosque with fine carving on a quiet island known for coral cutters.
Bars and Nightlife
- Resort sunset bars (Ari Atoll)
Watching the sun drop into the lagoon with a cocktail is a resort ritual.
Places to Visit in Baa Atoll
Nature and Outdoors
- Hanifaru Bay (Baa Atoll)
A protected bay where mantas and whale sharks gather to feed in the southwest monsoon. - Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (Baa Atoll)
An atoll recognised for its reefs, mangroves and careful balance of tourism and fishing. - Dharavandhoo (Baa Atoll)
The local island with guesthouses closest to Hanifaru Bay, served by a domestic airport. - Goidhoo (Baa Atoll)
A large local island with mangroves and a quiet lagoon in a separate ring of reef.
Stays
- Soneva Fushi (Kunfunadhoo)
A barefoot luxury resort with an observatory, a cinema under the stars and a big jungle island. - Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru (Landaa Giraavaru)
A resort known for its marine discovery centre and manta research. - Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas (Kihavah Huravalhi)
A villa resort with an overwater observatory and the undersea restaurant. - Dusit Thani Maldives (Mudhdhoo)
A resort with a wide house reef and good kids club. - Amilla Maldives (Baa Atoll)
A resort with a relaxed, family friendly style and its own fresh produce. - Reethi Beach Resort (Fonimagoodhoo)
A long established resort with a good reef and plenty of activities. - Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu (Dhuni Kolhu)
A green, relaxed resort with a lagoon and turtle friendly reef. - Milaidhoo Maldives (Baa Atoll)
A small resort with villas built to feel close to the water. - Royal Island Resort (Horubadhoo)
A resort with a long beach and a big swimming pool.
Restaurants
- SEA at Anantara Kihavah (Kihavah Huravalhi)
An undersea restaurant with a famous wine cellar beneath the reef.
Arts and Culture
- Thulhaadhoo lacquerwork (Thulhaadhoo)
The island where craftspeople still make the traditional lacquered boxes and vases.
Events
- Manta season (Hanifaru Bay)
Mantas gather here mainly from June to November, with daily access rules.
Things to Do
- Manta snorkel trips (Dharavandhoo)
Ranger led trips into Hanifaru Bay from nearby islands and resorts.
Bars and Nightlife
- Overwater resort bars (Baa Atoll)
Most resorts here have a bar over the lagoon for sunset drinks.
Places to Visit in Addu City
Arts and Culture
- Gan RAF heritage (Gan)
Old buildings, runways and memorials from the island’s years as a British air base. - Gan War Memorial (Gan)
A memorial to the servicemen who served on the base during the Second World War and after. - Koagannu cemetery (Meedhoo)
One of the oldest Islamic cemeteries in the country, with carved coral headstones.
Stays
- Equator Village (Gan)
A resort built from the old RAF barracks, with palms and a big pool. - Canareef Resort Maldives (Herathera)
A long island resort on the outer reef of the atoll.
Nature and Outdoors
- Eedhigali Kilhi (Hithadhoo)
A protected wetland of ponds and mangroves with birds and a walking trail. - Addu Nature Park (Hithadhoo)
Boardwalks, a viewing tower and wetlands on the northern tip of Hithadhoo. - British Loyalty wreck (Addu lagoon)
A wartime oil tanker wreck now covered in coral, the most famous dive in the atoll. - Hulhumeedhoo (Addu Atoll)
A green island of village lanes, beaches and a large lake.
Things to Do
- Link Road cycle (Feydhoo to Hithadhoo)
Ride the causeway that connects the islands, with the ocean on one side and the lagoon on the other.
Restaurants
- Hithadhoo local cafés (Hithadhoo)
Short eats and tuna curries in the second city of the Maldives.
Places to Visit in Fuvahmulah
Nature and Outdoors
- Fuvahmulah tiger shark dives (Fuvahmulah)
A one island atoll famous for diving with tiger sharks and thresher sharks. - Thoondu beach (Fuvahmulah)
A beach of round white pebbles washed smooth by the ocean.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Champa Central Hotel (Malé, Malé)
A simple central hotel close to the ferry jetties and markets. - Esjehi Gallery (Old Malé, Malé)
A historic merchant house used for art exhibitions and cultural events. - Symphony Restaurant (Malé, Malé)
A long running Malé restaurant serving Maldivian, Asian and Western dishes. - Jade Bistro (Malé, Malé)
A café and bistro known for brunch and evening dining in the city. - Hulhumalé Beach watersports (Eastern shore, Hulhumalé)
Paddleboards, kayaks and jet skis from small operators along the beach. - Hulhumalé Friday Mosque (Central Hulhumalé, Hulhumalé)
A large modern mosque at the centre of the new town. - Floating bar (Off Maafushi, Maafushi)
A moored boat where guesthouse visitors can buy a drink, since alcohol is not served on the island. - Vaadhoo Caves (South Malé Atoll, Maafushi)
A dive site of caves and overhangs in the channel between atolls. - Bodu beru nights (Maafushi, Maafushi)
Guesthouses sometimes host the traditional big drum performance on the beach. - Season Paradise (Thulusdhoo, Thulusdhoo)
A guesthouse hotel popular with surfers and snorkellers. - Whale shark season (South Ari Atoll, Ari Atoll)
Sightings happen year round, often best from August to November. - Shangri La Villingili Resort (Villingili, Addu City)
A large resort with a golf course, check the current name and status before booking. - Addu manta cleaning station (Addu Atoll, Addu City)
Mantas visit a cleaning station in the atoll for much of the year.