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A vacation to the Maldives epitomizes exotic luxury with its collection of small islands with perfect white sand beaches surrounded by crystal clear waters. The Maldives is all about luxury, relaxation and privacy, but if you feel like exploring a bit or have a few hours to kill before heading home, there are some local spots that are definitely worth visiting in Male.

Male was previously known as the King’s Island due to it being the place where ancient empires ruled from their palaces. However, Male is now the commercial center of the Maldives and the place where all tourists enter and leave the islands, which means it should be easy to find some time to enjoy the sights here.

The main religion in the Maldives is Islam and it plays an important role in daily life, so one of the first places you’ll want to see is the Grand Friday Mosque. This mosque is the largest in the country and dates back to 1656 when it was built by Sultan Ibrahim. The golden dome is an impressive site and is one of the first sites you will see when you fly to the Maldives. Try to take some time to explore the mosque, as its intricate artwork and tile mosaics are definitely something you’ll remember.

The National Museum of Maldives is housed in a former sultan’s palace and shows that Maldives was not and still is not all about beaches, crystal clear seas and luxury resorts. The museum houses a vast collection of valuable objects that tell a story of the country’s past. Many of the artifacts here used to belong to the sultan and one of the most interesting displays is his fantastic costumes and day wear.

Another major tourist attraction in the Maldives is the fish market and walking around here will show you a totally different side of the Maldives compared to what you will witness on your relaxing luxury vacation. The market is always crowded, noisy and packed with locals buying and selling fresh fish and seafood, as well as tourists. The market becomes even more alive in the mid-afternoon when the fisherman returns with his daily catch. You’re unlikely to find fresher fish anywhere else in the world and watching fishermen load and unload their day’s boats provides the perfect summation of Maldivian island culture.

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