Why go
- Capital of the Maldives.
- Served by Velana International Airport (MLE).
History
Malé is the capital and most populous city of the Maldives. With a population of 211,908 in 2022 within its administrative area and coterminous geographical area of 1.9 square kilometres (0.73 sq mi), Malé is the most densely populated city in the world. The city is geographically located in the southern edge of North Malé Atoll. Administratively, the city consists of a central island, an airport island, and five other islands presided over by the Malé City Council.
Where to stay
20097, Maldives · fourseasons.com
Sirru Fen Fushi, SHAVIYANI ATOLL 20209, Maldives · sirrufenfushi.com
Randheli Island, 04130, Maldives · chevalblanc.com
XG83+RXQ, Veligandu South Male Atoll, Unnamed Road, Gulhi 20109, Maldives · anantara.com
Makunufushi South Malé Atoll, 20109, Maldives · comohotels.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6MI8dZTNLA · Maamunagau Island, Raa Atoll 05060, Maldives · ihg.com
Kihavah Huravalhi Island Baa Atoll, 20215, Maldives · anantara.com
Medhufaru Island, Manadhoo, Maldives · soneva.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLWQ_EZcWzU · Hurawalhi Island, Lhaviyani Atoll 20187, Maldives · hurawalhi.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFStOdyGqJ4 · Ookolhufinolhu, Lhaviyani Atoll 07040, Maldives · cocoonmaldives.com
Lankanfushi Island, North, 08920, Maldives · gili-lankanfushi.com
Kudadoo Island, Lhaviyani Atoll 07080, Maldives · kudadoo.com
Maldives · amilla.mv
Indoor
Maldives, Huvafen fushi, Under water, Maldives · huvafenfushi.com
Kuredu Island Resort & Spa, Maldives · kuredu.com
Kodhipparu, 08121, Maldives · parkhotelgroup.com
Muravandhoo Island, Maldives · joali.com
21012, Maldives · nivadhigali.com
838H+M3M, Kudarikilu, Maldives · fourseasons.com
North Malé Atoll, 20097, Maldives · fourseasons.com
Mudhdhoo Island, Maldives · dusit.com
Maldives · baros.com
Eh`mafushi South, Malé, Maldives · saiihotels.com
Ameer Ahmed Magu, Malé 20096, Maldives · hoteljen.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pv9ppuWFYQk · Furaveri Maldives, 20012, Maldives · furaveri.com
Furanafushi Island North Malé Atol, 08240, Maldives · marriott.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xt3AddDlaSQ · North Male Atoll, 20012, Maldives · summerislandmaldives.com
Lhaviyani Atoll, Maldives Islands, Maldives · komandoo.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSmq9hNuNP0 · Vihamanaafushi, North Male Atoll 08340, Maldives · kurumba.com
Aria, Thundee Magu, Thulusdhoo 08040, Maldives · seasonparadise.mv
8F6P+PQ, Thulhaagiri North, Himmafushi, Maldives · thulhagiri.com.mv
Finolhas, 20275, Maldives · amilla.com
Coco Bodu Hithi Resort, North Male Atoll, Maldives · cococollection.com
R6J5+GQW, Republic of Maldives, Maldives · velaaprivateisland.com
K. Huraa, Kaafu 08050, Maldives · pearlsandsmaldives.com
Malahini Holdings Pvt. Ltd. 3rd Floor Jazeera Building No.15 Boduthakurufaanu Magu, 20077, Maldives · malahini.mv
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-jz-RO747k · villahotels.com
Biyadhoo, South Male Atoll 02145, Maldives · biyadhoo.com
Filaidhoo, Maldives · reethifaru.com
Kuredhivaru Island, 20026, Maldives · all.accor.com
Indoor
H.Aagadhage' Building, Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé 20026, Maldives · ritrella.com
Faarufushi Island, 20002, Maldives · emerald-faarufushi.com
50 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Restaurants & places to go
Established Since 1994 335-0903 .
Regional, Pizza, Coffee Shop, Seafood, Indian, Burger, Italian, Chinese, Restaurant · Cafe and restaurant with shisha, karaoke, live football matches and…
Restaurant · 7th Floor rooftop Features: halal · saltcafeandrestaurant.com
Dessert, Waffles, Churro, Cafe · Opening hours: Sa-Th 12:00-22:30, Fr 15:00-22:30 Features: delivery, halal, air conditioning · G. Canon Bokarumaa Goalhi,… · churrosandwaffles.com
Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-01:00 Features: takeaway, halal · Boduthakurufaanu Magu
Asian, Arab, Seafood, Pasta, Pizza, Regional, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00-24:00 Features: halal · retromaldives.com
Cafe · Opening hours: Sa-Th 11:00-03:30; Fr 19:00-03:30 · Dhevina Magu · baluchi.mv
Breakfast, Regional, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Su 07:00-00:00 Features: halal
Pizza, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24/7 Features: halal, air conditioning
Hummus, Waffles, Fast Food · Opening hours: Tu-Su 16:00-18:00, 20:00-00:00 Features: halal
Indian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Sa-Th 07:00-00:00; Fr 07:00-11:00 Features: halal · Shaheed Ali Hingun, 20330
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: halal · instagram.com
French, Restaurant · Features: halal · facebook.com
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Malaysian, Chicken, Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, halal
Cake, Malaysian, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
American, Restaurant · American restaurant
Steak, European, Sandwich, Cafe · Opening hours: 18:00-00:00 Features: halal
Ice Cream, Fresh Juice, Healthy Drinks, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 10:00-12:00 Features: halal · Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé
Mediterranean, Restaurant · Mediterranean restaurant · saiiresorts.com
Thai, Italian, Restaurant · Thai/Italian restaurant · saiiresorts.com
Turkish, Restaurant · Features: halal
Steak House, Restaurant · Steak House restaurant
Japanese, Restaurant · Japanese restaurant
Sandwich, Coffee Shop, Breakfast, Cafe · Features: halal, air conditioning
Fast Food, Restaurant · Features: halal
Chinese, Restaurant · Features: halal
Bubble Tea, Cafe · Features: halal
Ice Cream, Ice Cream · Features: halal
Italian, Restaurant · Italian restaurant
Latin-America, Restaurant · Latin-America restaurant
Food Court · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-01:00 Features: outdoor seating, halal · Ameenee Magu
Regional, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating, halal
Restaurant · Opening hours: Sa-Th 09:00-23:55; Fr 13:00-23:55 · 10112 Halaveli Magu · pilawoos.lk
Ice Cream, Burger, Fast Food · Features: takeaway
Cafe · Opening hours: Sa-Th 07:30-00:00; Fr 07:30-10:30, 16:00-00:00 · breadmatters.mv
Breakfast, Coffee Shop, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating
Pizza, Fast Food · Features: takeaway, vegan options
Indian, Restaurant · Features: outdoor seating, vegetarian options
Coffee Shop, Dessert, Cafe · Features: outdoor seating, halal · Halaveli Magu, Hulhumale, 20057 · tidbit.mv
Chicken, Fast Food · Features: halal
American, Restaurant · Features: halal
Thai, Restaurant · Features: vegan options, step-free access
Fast Food · Features: halal
Ice Cream · ice cream
167 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →
Airports
Velana International Airport (MLE) 2.6 km to the centre
Airport Main Road, Malé 22000, Maldives — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 28 airlines (Maldivian, Albanian Airlines, British Airways, Emirates…) · direct flights to 29 destinations incl. Colombo, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Hong Kong, Mattala… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 28 airlines, 29 direct destinations
- Maldivian Q2 (Dash 8-200, A320, Dash 8-300, DH8) · 9 routes: Colombo, DHARAVANDHOO, FVM, Gan Island, Kaadedhdhoo, Kooddoo, Laamu Atoll, Madras, Trivandrum
- Albanian Airlines LV (767-300) · 2 routes: Beijing, Shanghai
- British Airways BA (777) · 2 routes: Colombo, London
- Emirates EK (777-300, 777-300ER) · 2 routes: Colombo, Dubai
- Etihad Airways EY (A320, 32S) · 2 routes: Abu Dhabi, Mattala*
- Malaysia Airlines MH (A320, A340-300, 737-800) · 2 routes: Colombo*, Kuala Lumpur
- Oman Air WY (A330-200, A340-300, 737-800, 32C) · 2 routes: Colombo*, Muscat
- SriLankan Airlines UL (A320, A330-200, A340-300) · 2 routes: Colombo, Mattala
- Turkish Airlines TK (330) · 2 routes: Colombo, Istanbul
- Aeroflot Russian Airlines SU (A330-300) · 1 route: Moscow
- Air India Limited AI (A320) · 1 route: Trivandrum
- Alitalia AZ (A320) · 1 route: Abu Dhabi*
- Bangkok Airways PG (A319) · 1 route: Bangkok
- Cathay Pacific CX (A330-300) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- China Eastern Airlines MU (737) · 1 route: Colombo
- China Southern Airlines CZ (777-200) · 1 route: Guangzhou
- Condor Flugdienst DE (767) · 1 route: Frankfurt
- Dragonair KA (A330-300) · 1 route: Hong Kong
- Fly Dubai FZ (737-800) · 1 route: Dubai
- Hainan Airlines HU (767) · 1 route: Beijing
- Korean Air KE (A330-300) · 1 route: Colombo
- L MJ (A320, A330-200, A340-300) · 1 route: Colombo*
- Meridiana IG (767) · 1 route: Milano
- Qatar Airways QR (A320) · 1 route: Doha
- Singapore Airlines Cargo SQ (A330-300) · 1 route: Singapore
- Spicejet SG (DH8) · 1 route: Kochi
- Tiger Airways TR (A320) · 1 route: Singapore
- Transaero Airlines UN (767, 74E) · 1 route: Moscow
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Getting there by ferry
MLE Airport Employees Ferry (Jetty #5)
Ferry terminal · 0.3 km from the centre
Jetty #7
Ferry terminal · 0.4 km from the centre
Jetty #6
Ferry terminal · 0.4 km from the centre
Heinveru Ferry Terminal (public ferry to other atolls)
Ferry terminal · 0.7 km from the centre · MTCC
Hulu Male' Ferry Terminal
Ferry terminal · 0.7 km from the centre · MTCC
Maafannu Sahara Bus Stop
Ferry terminal · 0.8 km from the centre · MTCC
Airport Shuttle
Ferry route
Airport - Male
Ferry route
Male - Airport
Ferry route
Hotel Shuttle
Ferry route
Male-Dhoonidhoo
Ferry route
Malé to Villimalé Ferry
Ferry route · MTCC
Vilimale Ferry
Ferry route · MTCC
Malé – Hulhumalé Ferry Terminal
Ferry route
Where things are
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping
base map © OSM
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
Tourist season
May – September
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Shoulder season
April, October
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Worth avoiding
Deep winter
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Velana International Airport (MLE). Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: MLE has direct flights to 29 destinations on 28 airlines (incl. Colombo, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Hong Kong, Mattala…). By water: 6 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: MLE Airport Employees Ferry (Jetty #5), 0.3 km); routes include Airport Shuttle, Airport - Male, Male - Airport.
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Malé. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.
Private aviation
On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.