4 Hour Highlights of Malé Walking Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

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

Coffee and/or Tea

Safety Briefings

Secret Paradise Local guide

Gratuities

Food and drinks, unless specified

Pick Up from airport, hotels in Hulhumale and Malé at a charge of $25 two pax.

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

4.84

171 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

153

A fascinating little capital well worth seeing.
David G,
Jun 24, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Finding “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.
No show
Tom D,
May 2, 2025
- Viator
1.00
We 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.
Interesting excursion/tour
Ingridjon,
Apr 5, 2025
- Viator
4.00
Very 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
- Viator
4.00
It 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
4 hour walking tour Malè
DAVID W,
Mar 3, 2025
- Viator
5.00
Wonderful tour lead by Ube. Meeting point was fairly easy to find. Was a hot day and we were grateful we could find shade to stop and chat about the stops along the way about the history and current life of Malè. It was an easy pace and time flew. We loved the fish & food market with a shared passion of the ocean. The stingray spot was amazing on the waterfront.