The Maldives is a collection of islands in the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. The region is famous for its beautiful scenery and gorgeous sights. The Maldives is one the top honeymoon destinations in the world, and you can see why. The place looks how you might imagine paradise would look. When people first visit the area, they are often astounded at the gorgeous beaches and clear oceans. If you are planning a trip to the Maldives, there are some must-see attractions you should know about. Much of the time, people visit the region and laze on glorious beaches for a week or two. Whilst that is a fine way to spend a vacation, you might want to go a little further afield and see some of the attractions on the islands.
You will find it quite easy to island hop, should you want to. There are many ships that will take you from island to island for day trips. Book excursions far in advance and you will find that you can get some real bargains. You should take the time to go visit some of the best attractions the islands have to offer. If you’re not sure where to start, we can help you with that. Here are the top seven attractions in the Maldives and why you should visit them.
The National Museum
Between relaxing on the beach and getting spa treatments, you might want to take in a little culture. In the Maldivian capital, Malé, you will find the three-floor high National Museum. The museum has many relics and exhibits that will be of interest to any traveler. The first floor is home to a range of galleries. Here you can see ancient art and design from the people of the Maldives. You can also see relics, such as weapons and clothing, which are part of the Maldivian rich heritage. Whilst you are in the museum, it is worth learning about the history of the islands. There are many exhibits that show off the best the island has to offer. As you ascend to the second and third floor, there is yet more to see. The floors move forward in time, and so the top floor has contemporary relics and pieces of local interest. Take the time to talk to a member of museum staff about the pieces. He or she will tell you all about the history of the islands from a local perspective.
Malé Hukuru Miskiy
Malé Hukuru Miskiy or The Friday Mosque of Malé is a religious building in the capital of the Maldives. If you have an interest in religion and spirituality, you can learn a lot from this attraction. To be honest, the attraction is worth visiting if only to see the building itself. The building may appear rather strange to a westerner. The main tower looks akin to a lighthouse, whilst the rest of the building looks quite normal in structure. There are many beautiful architectural points within the building. When you are visiting, make sure that you pay close attention to the carvings in the walls. Each carving has a significant meaning to the people of the Maldives. In the yard, there is a 17th-century cemetery where the people buried many of the islands’ sultans. You can walk through the cemetery with complete freedom and gaze at each gravestone. Women should be sure to cover their hair and much of their body if they plan to visit the attraction.
HP Reef
HP Reef is a great place to visit if you happen to be adventurous by nature. Many luxury resorts in the Maldives will offer excursions and activities in the area. Here you can try your hand at scuba-diving and see some of the stunning coral reef. Make sure that you are careful and follow your guide’s instructions. Scuba-diving is a lot of fun, but can be dangerous if you are a first-time diver. The reef is famous for its wide variety of sea life. You might catch a glimpse of some rays or even a turtle when you dive into the depths of the sea.
Tsunami Monument
Kanyakumari is home to a large Tsunami Monument that you should take the time to visit when you are on vacation. The monument itself signifies the memory of the thousands of people who died in the 2004 tsunami in the area. The islands lost many people to the disaster and as such, the people want to keep the memory of those they lost alive. The steel-structure stands on the coast of the island and tends to attract many tourists on a daily basis. Make sure that you are respectful when you visit the monument. The disaster is still part of the islands’ recent history, and so you should make sure that you are polite and respectful.
Utheemu Ganduvaru
Utheemu Ganduvaru is a palace where the historic Sultan Mohamed Thakurufaanu once lived. In Maldivian history, the sultan is famous for fighting the Portuguese for fifteen years. He is a well-respected historical figure. If you ask any Maldivian about the sultan, they will be more than happy to recount some historical tales for you. The wooden structure is worth seeing while you are in the Maldives as it is a cultural point that many people miss out on their trip. If you want to see how the rich lived in the Maldives many years ago, it is worth seeing this building. Take a walk around the building and marvel at the structure itself.
Hulhumale
Hulhumale is an artificial island that neighbors Malé. When you take your trip to the Maldives, this island is worth seeing as it is one of the nicest in the region. Why not spend a night on the island and see all it has to offer? You can go snorkeling or diving off the island shores. The great thing about Hulhumale is that it is one of the less-popular islands in the region. That means that you won’t pay tourist prices on the island and can stay there for little money.
