Had a tour with Zaff. He is a very friendly person, showed me different places and shared with me his love for his home country. Indeed he make me realize how much the Maldives is!! Definitely more than just a tropical Paradise.
Learn More About Maldivian Life
Departs Morning & Afternoon
Culture & History Tour
Explore History, Culture, & Architecture in the Capital of the Maldives
Discover the hidden gems of Male city! Our half-day walking tour of Male will give you an insider’s view of our vibrant city. Our experienced local guides will take you to the best spots and provide you with local insights and anecdotes that you can’t find in a guidebook.
Visit the city’s historical sites and explore the bustling local markets, where you can sample local snacks. Stop at a local café, where you can take a break and chat with your guides about their culture and customs.
A great way to start your time in the Maldives and get your bearings.
Trip Details
Trip Details
Price
- From USD 55 per person
Departure time
- Saturday – Thursday 09:00 – 13:00
- Daily 14:00 – 18:00
Meeting point
- Jetty 5, Male (opposite the Bank of Ceylon).
- Collection from the airport, hotels in Malé, Hulhumale or the cruise tender jetty available upon request and is offered free of charge.
We are only able to collect from private resort islands in North and South Male Atolls. Permission must be gained from the resort to enable us to use their private jetty. Not all resorts will allow this service so please do confirm with the resort prior to booking. Charges for return transfer will be based on the distance the resort is located from Male.
Duration
- 4 hours
Group size
- Maximum 8 persons
Participation requirements
- We request female guests to dress with modesty when visiting Male (shorts/skirts/dresses should cover the upper thigh and shoulders/chests should be fully covered).
- Long trousers or a sarong to cover legs is required by both male and female guests when visiting mosques.
Included
- Entry to Sultan Park ( depending on opening times)
- Light refreshment
- Map of Malé & the Maldives
- Services of a Secret Paradise guide
- Local tax (10% service charge and 16% GST)
Not included
- Personal expenditure eg souvenirs and snacks
What to bring
- Hand Sanitizer, Refillable water bottle, beach towel, sun glasses, sun hat, insect repellent, camera, money for personal expenditure.
About your guide
One of our experienced and professionally trained Maldivian tour guides will accompany you for the duration of the activity. All our guides hold First Aid and Lifeguard qualifications and have completed COVID-19 safety awareness training.
Highlights
Explore the Maldivian capital with a comprehensive walking tour.
Get an insider’s view of the history and culture of the Maldives.
Visit key sites as well as off-the-beaten-track points of interest.
Let your senses revel in the tastes, sights, and smells at the local markets.
Enjoy refreshment at a local cafe.
What to Expect
Your tour starts with an overview of Malé and the harbor area, a very important aspect of any island nation. Passing by the oldest school in the city, learn about the education system and why the Maldives has a 98% literacy rate. Visit Hukuru Miskiiy – Old Friday Mosque and the tomb of Abu-al-Barakaath and learn why the Maldives converted to Islam and how the Islamic faith underpins everyday life.
Stop for a refreshing cup of traditional black tea at a local cafe, a popular spot for locals. Find out the importance of betal nuts and try them for yourself!. Stopping at the November 3rd Memorial, hear the story of how 8 brave military servicemen died in the protection of their country from a terrorist attack in 1988. Wander through Sultan Park, a reference to the time the Maldives was governed by a sultanat now developed into a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city.
Walking back towards the harbor area, pass by the Grand Friday Mosque and the Islamic Centre, Malé’s famous architectural landmark, and onto Jumhooree Maiden – Independence Square. From here, learn the meaning of the Maldives national flag and pick out key government buildings.
Heading west along the harbor, visit the bustling fish market and the local market, where the sights, sounds, and smells will fill your senses. Chat with the local stallholders and taste tropical produce and homemade sweets.
The tour finishes at the top of one of the city’s tallest buildings, providing a great backdrop to your final tour photo image!
Hear From Our Previous Guests
It was a fantastic experience and Zaff was very very friendly and helpful. Secret Paradise has been amazing and has helped me a lot on my trip to the Maldives. They were always ready to answer any questions I had regarding any aspect of my trip!!
All in all a very nice experience, even with the masks we could feel the smiling welcome 🙂 The check-in process was very structured, safety rules were well explained and it felt very professional.
Great afternoon with Archie. He has excellent local knowledge, gentle nature, and good chats about Game of Thrones! The Male history was interesting and the children’s playground was a lovely place to see. Even a sneak peek at the local footy club.
I really felt I was being introduced to this interesting city by trusted friends. Shaffaf and Hoo were open and welcoming while proudly showing us their city and encouraging us to sample the delights of their food at each market visited.
We really enjoyed the tour with Archie. It wasn’t easy to find a company that could give us a flavor of the real Maldives, outside of the resorts. It was a great blend of history and local culture. Highly recommend it!
My wife and I booked a 4-hour Male tour with Secret Paradise and had a great experience. From our first contact via email we received personalized service and received excellent, prompt responses. The tour provided a great
insight into Maldives and Maldivians and was very informative.
