Flight Destinations
Flights to Male
Places in the Maldives
Flights to Africa
Flights to Asia
Flights to Australia
Flights to Caribbean
Flights to Central America
Flights to Europe
Flights to Indian Ocean
Flights to Middle East
Flights to North America
Flights to Pacific Islands
Flights to South America
Male is the capital and most populated city in the Maldives, situated in the Indian Ocean off the south west coast of India. The city is the entry point for many visitors to the Maldives and has a number of its own attractions too.
Flights to Male will land at the Malé International Airport (airport code: MLE) which is situated on an island just off the coast of Male. If you’re not being met by a tour representative you can easily make your way to Male by ferry which departs from just outside the terminal. The journey is quick and cheap, and ferries leave every 10 to 15 minutes during the day, or every 30 minutes after midnight. There are both direct and indirect flights to Male from the UK depending on which airline you choose. SriLankan Airlines provides travellers with non-stop flights to Male from the UK. Or one stop flights to Male can be taken with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways International, and Qantas Airways. Where you stop will vary with the airlines, for example, Emirates flies via Dubai, while Qatar Airways flies via Doha.
Friday Mosque and Islamic Centre
This impressive mosque, so named because Friday is the holy day in Islam, was built in 1656. The best feature is the intricate carvings that include Arabic writing and patterns. Unlike many mosques around the world the rules here are that non-Muslims cannot enter without having first got prior permission
The Islamic Centre is Male’s best known landmark. This also is a mosque, the largest in Male, and can hold up to 5000 people. Visitors are allowed to enter inside the Islamic Centre outside of prayer times.
Independence Square
Known as Jumhooree Maidhaan in Male, Independence Square is a small park-like square. There’s not much to see here except for the huge Maldivian flag, though this is the place to come for any demonstrations that take place in the city.
Sultan Park and National Museum
Male was once the King’s island and was a walled fortress, but since the monarchy was abolished just about all of the old palace and fortifications were destroyed. Just one building of the old sultan’s palace remains and this now houses the Maldivian National Museum.
Flights to Male will land at the Malé International Airport (airport code: MLE) which is situated on an island just off the coast of Male. If you’re not being met by a tour representative you can easily make your way to Male by ferry which departs from just outside the terminal. The journey is quick and cheap, and ferries leave every 10 to 15 minutes during the day, or every 30 minutes after midnight. There are both direct and indirect flights to Male from the UK depending on which airline you choose. SriLankan Airlines provides travellers with non-stop flights to Male from the UK. Or one stop flights to Male can be taken with Qatar Airways, Emirates, Thai Airways International, and Qantas Airways. Where you stop will vary with the airlines, for example, Emirates flies via Dubai, while Qatar Airways flies via Doha.
Male Tourist Attractions
Usually Male itself is not the final destination for visitors coming to the Maldives, and in fact this crowded city is a far cry from what most tourists would expect to find in this tropical destination. However, being the location for the country’s main airport, the majority of visitors will arrive here before heading off to resorts on other islands in the Maldives. You may find that staying in Male for a night is a necessity if your flight lands later in the day because transfers may not be available to your final destination. Whatever the case, it is worth spending a day or two in the capital city getting more acquainted with the culture, and seeing some of the interesting attractions that can be found here. Those attractions include:Friday Mosque and Islamic Centre
This impressive mosque, so named because Friday is the holy day in Islam, was built in 1656. The best feature is the intricate carvings that include Arabic writing and patterns. Unlike many mosques around the world the rules here are that non-Muslims cannot enter without having first got prior permission
The Islamic Centre is Male’s best known landmark. This also is a mosque, the largest in Male, and can hold up to 5000 people. Visitors are allowed to enter inside the Islamic Centre outside of prayer times.
Independence Square
Known as Jumhooree Maidhaan in Male, Independence Square is a small park-like square. There’s not much to see here except for the huge Maldivian flag, though this is the place to come for any demonstrations that take place in the city.
Sultan Park and National Museum
Male was once the King’s island and was a walled fortress, but since the monarchy was abolished just about all of the old palace and fortifications were destroyed. Just one building of the old sultan’s palace remains and this now houses the Maldivian National Museum.