As the vacation spot of choice for honeymooners and water sports lovers from all over the world, the island archipelago of the Maldives is a tourist paradise like no other in Asia. As an impressive collective of over 9,000 tiny islets, the Maldives is also a land teeming with culture and a proud heritage of its own. Home to a wide variety of alluring and fascinating tourist attractions, visitors will be spoiled for choice when it comes to exploring the diverse identities of this captivating Indian Ocean nation.
Sightseeing in Malé, the country’s capital, is a must for first-time and experienced visitors alike, as the attractions on offer here warrant further exploration. The Great Friday Mosque is one such place and its religious and architectural point of interest is enhanced by the fact that it is the largest mosque in the entire country. Built by Sultan Ibrahim Iskandhar during his reign in 1656, the building’s grand architectural attributes and intricate details are what set this mosque apart from all others in the island archipelago. The golden dome adorned with elaborate wood carvings and exquisitely engraved Arabic calligraphy is another must-see highlight of the mosque, which can accommodate a whopping 5,000 worshipers simultaneously.
The Mulee Aage Palace is another historical landmark that is located across the street from the mosque and was a former palatial residence of the sultan himself. Complete with a stunning tropical garden and iconic façade, the Mulee Aage Palace harkens back to the country’s glittering past. Built in 1906 by Sultan Mohamed Shamsuddeen III, the palace was built to serve as a home for the sultan’s son.
The Hukuru Miski, on the other hand, is the oldest mosque in the country and thus was completed in the 17th century. Renowned for its rich collection of traditional coral carvings, must-see points of interest include the beautifully carved coral headstones in its graveyard. The National Museum is another popular Maldivian institution displaying priceless artifacts from the country’s illustrious and sometimes tumultuous past. Relics belonging to prominent sultans, as well as other historical remains, are housed within this three-story structure that spans Sultan’s Park.
Other cultural highlights include the Jumhoorie Maidan with its iconic flag pole, lush gardens and ocean views, and the Islamic Centre. The Esjehi Art Gallery is a hub for art lovers housed in one of the oldest structures in the country. Showcasing the works of the country’s best artists, this elegant venue is a stark contrast to the Male Fish Market, which has also been called something of a cultural institution by seasoned visitors. A busy year-round commercial hub, this sprawling market full of stalls gives tourists an up-close-and-personal insight into daily life in Malé.
Travelers looking for all-inclusive Maldives resorts should look no further than the elegant Kuramathi Island Resort. Ideally located on the shores of a stunning beach, this elegant Maldives island resort offers guests a picturesque hideaway unlike any other in the island archipelago.
