Maldives

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Maldives

$24.99

Shop Book

Plan your trip with Guide, an AI travel planner!

Create a personalized trip itinerary in seconds using artificial intelligence.

Create a trip

Overview

Unrivaled luxury, stunning white-sand beaches and a dazzling underwater world make Maldives an obvious choice for a true holiday of a lifetime.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

Old Friday Mosque

Male

This is the oldest mosque in the country, dating from 1656. It’s a beautiful structure made from coral stone into which intricate decoration and Quranic…

National Museum

Male

Maldives' National Museum may be a ferociously ugly building gifted by China, but it nevertheless contains a well-labelled collection of historic…

Grand Friday Mosque

Male

The golden dome of this impressive modern mosque dominates the skyline of Male and has become something of a symbol for the city. Opened in 1984 and built…

China-Maldives Friendship Bridge

Male

This incredibly impressive piece of engineering connects Male to the airport island of Hulhule, but unlike most of the causeways connecting islands…

Fish Market

Male

Although the squeamish may well object to the buckets of entrails or the very public gutting of fish going on all around, the Fish Market should not be…

Muleeaage & Medhu Ziyaarath

Male

Muleeaage was built as a palace for the sultan in the early 20th century, though he was deposed before he could move in and the building was used for…

Produce Market

Male

The busy produce market gives you an enjoyable taste of Maldives – people from all over the country gather here to sell home-grown and imported vegetables…

Thilafushi

Male

Thilafushi is undoubtedly the controversial flip side of Maldives' paradisiacal image – a horror show of rubbish piled upon rubbish taking up almost all…

View more attractions

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Resorts in the Maldives take luxury to new heights, true – but when you venture beyond your villa you’ll find once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

Read article

Best Places to Visit

Plan the perfect trip to the Maldives with this guide on its unmissable islands and resorts.

Read article

Best Time to Visit

No matter what month you're lucky enough to be in the Maldives, there's plenty to enjoy. Here's what to expect and when on weather, budget and activities.

Read article

Things to Know

Honeymoon hot spot, popular family getaway and stunning island nation, plan your visit to the Maldives with this guide to etiquette, money and transport.

Read article

Transportation

From public buses to private seaplanes and luxury yachts, here’s how to get around in the Maldives.

Read article

Visa Requirements

Before you book your trip to the Maldives, it’s important to have all the correct documents. Here's what you need to know about visas.

Read article

Money and Costs

The Maldives is not a cheap place to visit, but there are ways to make your money stretch further. Here are our top budget tips.

Read article

Traveling with Kids

With gorgeous coasts and amazing underwater worlds, the Maldives is a natural playground for kids of all ages.