More Details : Capital of Maldives | Interesting Places | Shopping in Maldives

Shopping is the favorite activity for the locals especially in the evenings, when it is cooler. The Majeedhee Magu, which is the main road on the island, has along its sides various shops selling goods from the smallest commodities to virtually everything you could think of. The shops are well stocked with garments, perfumes and cosmetics, jewelry, watches, electronics and many more. Many find it a pleasant experience to join the throngs of shoppers on the main shopping streets in the evenings. All shops are open until 11.00 in the night, except for prayer times, when they are closed for 15 minutes. Many Fish products are available in many stores in Male’. One of the most common is canned fish. Tuna fish which is caught for canning purpose are caught only by traditional pole and line method and therefore are ‘dolphin friendly’. Using nets for fishing has been banned since many fishes caught by net are not always edible. Vacuum packed smoked fish and chipped dried fish are also available in many markets and shops in Male’. These products are ideal for gifting a friend.

The Local Market, just a block away from the Male’ Fish Market on the northern waterfront, is divided into small stalls. Here the pace is slower and the atmosphere is more peaceful compared to the hectic activity in the rest of the neighborhood. Each stall is filled with a variety of local produce mainly from the atolls. Here you can find different kinds of local vegetables, fruits and yams, packets of sweetmeat, nuts and breadfruit chips, bottles of homemade sweets and pickles and bunches of bananas hanging on coir ropes from ceiling beams.

It is not difficult to find your way around Male’, especially if you carry a map with you. After all it is only two square kilometers. The main street Majeedhee Magu, runs right across the island from east to west. Chaandhanee Magu on the other hand runs from north to south. Most souvenir shops line the northern end of Chaandanee Magu, earlier known as the Singapore Bazaar for its many imports from Singapore. These shops are stocked with an ample supply of gifts and souvenir items. Best buys include the ‘thudu kuna’ the Maldivian mat woven with local natural fibers. Attractive wooden miniature ‘dhonis’ are also an ideal gift for a friend or family member or for taking with you as a memory of your trip. However, when shopping for souvenirs, do keep in mind that exporting products made of turtle shells, black corals, pearl oyster shell and red coral is prohibited.