While the soft sandy shores, shimmering azure waters and spectacular sunsets of the Maldives may be therapeutic as it is, there’s nothing like getting in some shopping while on holiday too! When it comes to retail therapy, Male offers the most amount of options though many Maldives luxury resorts that can be found here including PER AQUUM Huvafen Fushi Maldives have small specialised boutiques too.

If you do want to indulge in some shopping, plan a separate excursion to Male or head to the capital a bit early on the day of your departure. While the range of items may not be huge and there are no mega malls as it were, you do get a chance to buy some unique handicrafts and souvenirs. Since Male is relatively small you can get in a good deal of shopping in a small amount of time as well.

One of the island’s shopping hotspots, Majeedhee Magu is a locale that can be found on Male’s main road. On either side of the area, you will find a variety of stalls and shops offering handbags, electronics, clothing and more. While shops in Majeedhee Magu close for prayers for certain periods during the day, they are generally open until 11 pm, ideal for some night shopping too.

Another popular area is Chaandanee Magu which is more of a commercial hub. This is the place to go to if you are in search of imported items, though tourists will also find quite a few shops at its northern end offering distinctive souvenirs and mementos. A miniature version of the traditional boat called the dhoni is amongst the popular souvenir items you can find here.

For shopping with a truly Maldivian flavour, look to visit the Local Market located near the Male Fish Market which is also worth exploring. Positioned near the waterfront, the Local Market is a wonderful place to purchase local produce sourced from different islands. You can find everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to sweetmeats on sale here and it makes for an interesting shopping experience.

Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.

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