Best places to visit in Maldives

Maldives is a tourist destination itself, being known for its beautiful atolls and blessed with beaches which teem with coconuts and tropical fruits. Its capital city of Male is also a tourist attraction by itself having the biggest commercial center, markets and mosques. Its principal attraction is the National Museum which houses ancient exhibits of the Sultan’s belongings, archaeological items, and stone carvings.

In Male, one can also find the Sultan Park, the Islamic Center, Grand Friday Mosque with a golden dome that is the most visible in the city’s skyline, and the tombs of legendary spirits. Adjacent to Male are three atoll resorts of North Male, South Male, and Ari, which are ideal for diving adventures.

The Junihoorie Maidan in the northern waterfront of Male has a facility with lush vegetation which is popular for social gatherings or get-togethers.

The Male Fish Market is the center of commercial activities which always teems with people as well as the Majeedhee Magu and the Chaandanee Magu shopping centers that sell various gift and souvenir items.

The Esjehi Art Gallery on the east of Sultan Park preserve traditional and modern pieces of artwork made by the Maldivian people, and contains beautiful carvings and preserved wood panels.

Worth visiting is the Mohammed Thakurufaanu Tomb in the compound of the Bihuroazu Kamanaa Miskiiy, which was built in the memory of Sultan Ghanzee Mohammed Thakurufaanu, who is considered by the Maldivians as a national hero who, they say, was involved in the liberation of Maldives from the colonial rule of the Portuguese.

A visit to Maldives will also help one find out that it is the smallest, yet beautiful Asian country in area and population, the smallest predominantly Muslim country in the world, has the lowest ground level, and the lowest highest point in the world.