4 Hour Highlights of Malé Walking Tour
Overview
Available languages
4 hours
Mobile ticket
Wander the roads of Male, the capital of the Maldives with TripAdvisors' leading Hulhumale tour company and discover the history, religion and culture of the city that rises from the Indian Ocean.
Accompanied by your Secret Paradise local guide experience a sensory overload at the fish market and local market. Hear historical stories of the President's Palace, Sultan Park, Victory Monument and Friday Mosque. Rest your legs at a local café, an oasis of tranquility within the hubbub of the city and take in the view from one of the city's tallest buildings.
Through education of both guests and locals we strive to protect the environment in which we operate and limit wherever possible any negative impact preserving this country's unique location for generations to come.
Please note that during Ramadan 22 March - 20 April 2023 we are unable to include the refreshment stop at a local cafe.
Private tours available upon request.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
The Maldives is a Muslim country therefore we would request female guests to dress with modesty in mind.
Tour is not suitable if you are staying on a private island resort.
Safety has always been important to our business, this is why our guides are Emergency First Responders & Life Guard Certified. We are pleased to offer safe travel and hygiene standards as required by the World Travel & Tourism Council. Full details of our Travel Safely policy can be found on our website.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Local snacks during market visit
All Local Tax
Secret Paradise Local Tour Leader
Coffee and/or Tea
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
What To Expect
Your tour starts with an overview of Male and the harbour 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 Royal Garden Café, a popular spot for locals. Housed in a rare example of a ‘ganduvaru’ a nobleman’s house, it provides a great example of traditional dark carved wood interiors. 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 sultanate with an optional visit to the National Museum. (Note: Entrance fee not included.) Walking back towards the harbour area, pass by the Grand Friday Mosque and the Islamic Centre, Male'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 harbour, visit the bustling fish market and the local market, where the sights, sounds and smells will fill your senses. Chat with the local stall holders and taste tropical produce and homemade sweets. The tour finishes at the top of one of the city's tallest buildings, providing a great back drop to your final tour photo image!
Options
4 Hour Malé Walking Tour
Tea/Coffee at Local Cafe
Secret Paradise Guide
Reviews
174 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Outstanding tour & holiday thanks to the helpful & encouraged Secret Paradise team
samyleaves,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My experience with Secret Paradise was overall a 5-star one! I really would like to thank these people for everything & especially highlight: - The kind help from Ruth, who answered all of our questions via e-mail beforehand & was always so helpful and professional. We planned the perfect itinerary together & everything was organised from arriving at the airport, to hotel stay, to transport. - The outstanding performance of Shaffaf during our Malé walking tour - we could literally feel how much he loves history & to tell others about Maldivian culture & traditions. Our visit at the local market was my highlight of the tour. Thank you for letting us try all the delicious local snacks! And of course, thank you for making us laugh SO MUCH :) I can genuinely recommend Secret Paradise to anyone who wants to explore the Maldives in an authentic, mindful and meaningful way. It was the perfect experience for me!
A Model of Responsible Tourism
pkarp24,
Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Just wrapping up a 3-week trip to Maldives during which I’ve had two experiences with Secret Paradise. The first was a 10-day conservation expedition with the Maldives Whale Shark Research Program and the second was a half-day walking tour of Malé. I can’t say enough good things about this company. Their guides are excellent and the company walks the talk when it comes to sustainability and responsible tourism. From the pledge on their website to the actions of their guides on the group you can tell that they are deeply dedicated to ensuring that tourism is respectful of both the environment and local culture and traditions. I loved the fact that the guides were not afraid to point out actions and behaviors that are not in keeping with this ethos. It is no surprise that they have been nominated for an international award for sustainable tourism. I highly recommend.
Great tour of Malé!
cboggie44,
Jul 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We hoped to learn about the history of the Maldives during our layover before going to our resort. This tour provided just that! Great tour of cultural and historic sites and the markets around the city. Definitely bring a hat, sunblock and bug screen! Ub was a great guide and we highly encourage anyone to book this tour to learn and see the Maldives outside of your resort!
A fascinating little capital well worth seeing.
David G,
Jun 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Finding “pier 5”, (the meeting spot) wasn’t at all obvious & Malé is very warm and humid. Expect to get sweaty! However this 4 hour tour tries to stay in the shade as much as possible and the length is necessary to cover all of the sights of the city. The walking is leisurely and on the flat. It was interesting and informative as the guide was a local & very knowledgeable with good English. To go in to the mosques long trousers are or a lungi is necessary to cover the legs. The coffee stop is a welcomed break from the humidity as it’s in an air conditioned cafe which has toilet facilities too. Overall, the tour of this small capital city is fascinating & is well worth doing.
Cultural and historical insights
Fiona N,
Jun 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent insight into Maldivian history, culture, traditions and current affairs. We learned so much from Shark, our guide, who is knowledgeable, informed and personable. Absolutely recommend this tour.
No show
Tom D,
May 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00We booked this tour two days in advance because there is not a lot to do on Male. We got to the pick up place at 1:45. The tour was suppose to start at 2. No one showed up. No texts in advance let us know anything so we could have plan something else. No sorry we're running late. We stayed there until 2:25. So we were very upset to say the least. So be warned.
Highly recommend Secret Paradise!
MattBlaze,
Apr 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00While booking our trip to the Maldives, my mom and I knew we wanted to spend at least a bit of time in the capital city instead of booking a boat transfer straight from the airport to our resort as many other travelers seemed to be doing. Rather than wandering the city and wondering to ourselves what exactly it was that we were seeing, we hoped to enlist the help of a local tour guide who could answer our questions. It didn’t take long before I stumbled across Secret Paradise, which impressed me with their environmental advocacy, commitment to sustainable tourism, and active social media presence. Without hesitation, I booked a four-hour walking tour on the day of our arrival and quickly connected with our tour guide Kamey via WhatsApp. My mom and I met Kamey on the afternoon of our arrival for what wound up being a private tour for just the two of us. We appreciated his enthusiasm, patience, and professionalism while introducing us to Male’s architecture, culture, education system, history, languages, politics, religion, and wildlife during our tour. Indeed, we left no stones unturned as we traipsed across one of the world’s most densely populated capital cities, carefully guided by Kamey. I would highly recommend Secret Paradise to travelers of all ages, especially those interested in sustainable tourism for a country disproportionately affected by climate change. Ruth, Kamey, and the rest of the Secret Paradise team are clearly making meaningful contributions to the local community, and it was a pleasure to learn more about our holiday destination before embarking on the rest of our journey. Thank you, Ruth and Kamey!
Amazing Walking Tour with Archie - A Must-Do Experience!
worldtrvler76,
Apr 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had the pleasure of taking a walking tour with Secret Paradise in Malé, and it was an unforgettable experience! I was lucky enough to have Archie as my guide, and even luckier that it was just the two of us on the tour. After spending a relaxing few days at my resort, I was thrilled to explore the capital with someone who truly knows the city. Archie was incredibly knowledgeable and gave me a unique insight into Maldivian life that only a local could provide. The tour was a perfect mix of history, architecture, and fun facts, which helped me truly appreciate the culture and the island’s rich heritage. We also visited a local market, which was a fantastic way to immerse myself in the daily life of Malé. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to get a deeper understanding of the Maldives beyond the resort experience. It’s a perfect way to discover the capital, and I couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Archie!
Interesting excursion/tour
Ingridjon,
Apr 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Very ambitious, knowledgeable and nice guide! It would be easier to understand, for example, the history of the Maldives if the details were removed and the story was given a clear structure. Thanks for an interesting excursion/tour!
Hot walk
alan b,
Mar 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00It was too hot and humid for this kind of tour, our mistake, but the guide stopped in the shade and always had a space for us to sit down while we listened to his stories and great information, we had a stop In an air conditioned resto for a drink, thank goodness, that stop revived us! Very good all in all
From $60.00
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Operated by Secret Paradise Maldives