Malé is one of the world’s most densely populated cities, and it is endlessly fascinating. Packed onto a tiny island just 5.8 km², it pulses with energy day and night. The old town has beautifully carved coral mosques, the colourful fish market on the harbour front is spectacular at dawn, and the food scene ranges from tiny local cafes to excellent regional restaurants.
Malé is always the starting point for any Maldives journey, and it rewards those who spend a day exploring. The National Museum houses artefacts from the Buddhist period, the Friday Mosque (Hukuru Miskiy) dates to 1658, and the harbour is a constantly shifting spectacle of dhoni boats, speedboats, and freighters.
