City Of Male On Foot

OVERVIEW

Explore the historic city of Malé during this picturesque and informative walking tour. Travel to the striking three-story Islamic Center, Malé’s most renowned architectural landmark and location of the Grand Friday Mosque, which accommodates over 5,000 worshippers and is the largest Muslim sanctuary in the Maldives. You’ll continue to the mid-17th-century Friday Mosque, which is built from coral stone and features a number of ancient tombstones erected in memory of past sultans and nobles, and notice the gleaming white minaret added in 1675. See the Presidential Palace and shrine of Abu al Barakaath Yusuf al Barbari, a Moroccan merchant who converted the then-king, and subsequently the nation, from Buddhism to Islam. You’ll visit Sultan Park and the National Museum Exterior visit, as Museum closed for renovation, housed in a surviving section of the no-longer-standing Sultan’s Palace. Stop at the tomb of Mohammed Thakurufaanu, one of the nation’s greatest heroes, then view verdant Jumhooree Maidan, a public square often used for social gatherings. As a delightful conclusion to your excursion, you’ll take in a local market and browse an inviting souvenir shop to find that perfect remembrance of enthralling Malé.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Marvel at the arresting three-story Islamic Center, a famed Malé landmark.
• Observe the Grand Friday Mosque, the Maldives’ largest, which holds over 5,000 worshippers.
• Survey the coral stone Friday Mosque and its distinctive white minaret.
• Admire the Sultan Park and National Museum, home to artifacts, arms, coins and other antiquities.
• Pause at the tomb of a national hero and appreciate an expansive, lush public square.
• Wander through a busy local market and shop at an enticing souvenir shop.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Wear casual, weather-appropriate clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
• Due to Muslim traditions, guests are strongly advised to dress conservatively. Legs and shoulders should be covered; wear long pants, full-length skirts or dresses, and tops with sleeves.
• Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.