What to do in 7 days in the Maldives
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This guide reveals what you should do in 7 days in the Maldives, aside from enjoying the incredible, idyllic beaches, water sports and unique landscapes.
The Maldives is a fantastic archipelago full of magical spots but you need to know a bit about it before organising your trip, such as how to travel around the islands. There are 1,200 islands in the archipelago, but don’t worry, they aren’t all inhabited and nor are they all on the tourist map. That’s why you need to plan your itinerary, so you know exactly what you want to see during your trip to paradise.
A few of the things you shouldn’t miss are: golden beaches with turquoise waters, spotting enormous fish under the sea, and spending a day on a sandbank in the middle of the Indian Ocean.
Itinerary day 1
10.00 a.m. - 2.00 p.m.
Malé
The capital of the Maldives isn’t the first place people think of when they come to the archipelago but it’s worth visiting to understand the heart of these idyllic islands that are open to all. The first place you should visit is the Fish Market and the other local markets. Be warned, the smell here is strong; also, you won’t normally see Maldivian women, but female foreigners are fine to visit it. It’s incredible to see the huge variety of fresh fish that forms the basis of local people’s diet. The best time to visit is in the early hours of the morning when the sight is even more spectacular. You’ll then have time to see the ‘coral mosque’ that dates from the 17th century, making it the oldest in the archipelago, and its unusual cemetery next door. You should also visit the Grand Friday Mosque and Islamic Centre, built in 1984 from white marble with a golden dome. If you have time before heading off to lunch, it’s also worth visiting the National Museum. It closes at 3.30 p.m. so make sure you arrive in time to discover its collection of works related to the culture and history of the Maldives.
14.00 - 16.00
Belle Amie Bistró
This small restaurant serves local food and the odd international dish at reasonable prices. It’s also very close to Sultan Park so afterwards you can continue your route through the city by exploring this incredible place, a popular spot among Maldivians.
4.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Artificial beach
Malé is a very small island and the centre is even smaller still, so it’s easy to walk from Sultan Park to the artificial beach. The capital of the Maldives didn’t used to have one of those unspoilt beaches that you see on postcards of the archipelago, so it had to build its own swimming zone. But remember: it’s not a bikini beach and women can only swim in trousers and a T-shirt due to the city’s Muslim rules. It’s a peaceful walk to the beach, and you should stop off at the Tsunami Monument, built as a reminder of the more than 100 people who died and disappeared in the Maldives during the 2004 disaster.
7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Sala Thai Restaurant
This restaurant is more expensive but its philosophy is “you are what you eat”, so it serves fresh produce in artfully prepared dishes. It’s easy to get here, what’s difficult is choosing something off its long menu of dim sum, soups, rice dishes, and more. Everything is extremely flavoursome and beautifully presented.
Itinerary day 2
10.00 a.m. - 12.00 p.m.
Travel to Dhiffushi
After spending the day in Malé, it’s time to see one of those islands with crystal-clear waters and golden sands that springs to mind when you picture the Maldives. The journey by public ferry takes over three hours. Another option is to book a speedboat and enjoy a much faster journey of around an hour; it costs about 25 dollars per person. If you choose to travel by speedboat, ask your hotel where they depart from.
12.30 p.m. - 5.00 p.m.
Lunch and beach
After travelling between the islands, which is a lovely journey, it’s time to lie down on the beach and relax. A great option is to buy some food from the fish stalls you’ll see on the way and to enjoy some local food under a palm tree as you gaze out to sea. Dhiffushi has three beaches, so you could start by visiting the north beach and relaxing there. The swimming zone gets deep quite quickly so you can easily swim and, most importantly, go snorkelling. In fact, there’s a coral reef close by where you’ll spot plenty of fish.
5.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m.
Fishing and sunset at sea
One of the most popular excursions in Dhiffushi is going on a boat trip to go fishing and scuba diving at night. The trip lasts two and a half hours and normally includes the boat transfer and fishing equipment, but always ask first to make sure. These trips leave from the main dock in Dhiffushi so the boats are easy to find. If you’re not keen on fishing and would prefer to stay on dry land, find a good spot on the beach to watch the incredible sunset.
8.00 p.m. - 9.30 p.m.
Dinner at Café 420
This restaurant is in the north of the island and has a terrace with sea views, so it’s a great spot for having a bite to eat at any time of day. They also set tables on the sand so you can choose where you’d prefer to eat for your perfect experience. The best dishes here feature grilled fish. You can also have an alcohol-free cocktail, but only until 11 pm when the restaurant closes.
Itinerary day 3
10.00 - 14.00
South Beach
If you’ve seen the north of the island, now it’s time to explore the south. The sea isn’t as deep off the beach but it looks just like a photo from a tourism brochure. It also has free sunbeds and umbrellas so you can totally unwind by the Indian Ocean. It’s famous for its hammocks hanging from poles in the sea ‒ hugely popular among Instagram fans ‒ and swings attached to trees on the beach: you can’t leave without taking a photo in them!
2.30 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Dream Corner Restaurant
This restaurant is in the east of Dhiffushi and is one of the best places to visit to get a sense of what life is like on these small, tropical islands. Dishes are simple and feature lots of local food such as rice, fish and noodles, but they’re all delicious and it’s the perfect place to stop for a break.
4.30 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Dolphin spotting
This is one of the essential trips to do during your holiday because it's amazing to see dolphin families playing freely, especially at sunset when there is an incredible play of light and reflections on the water. You can take a boat from the main dock, and trips usually transport you to an area where the dolphins leap out of the water and play around at the end of the day. It’s a spectacular sight!
Itinerary day 4
10.00 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
Gulhi
Travel to Gulhi Island If you travel by public transport, you’ll have to catch the ferry that takes you to Malé and then wait for a couple of hours to catch the next ferry to Gulhi. If you choose this option, you could have lunch in Malé before continuing your journey. If you travel by speedboat, you’ll arrive earlier.
1.30 - 3.00 p.m.
Lunch at Lemongrass Fifth in Malé
Lemongrass Fifth is a Hindu restaurant near the port that’s well worth trying, especially the curries. It’s open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., except for Fridays, when it closes for several hours because it’s the Muslim day of rest.
3.00 p.m. - 7.00 p.m.
Travel to Gulhi
Taking a ferry is always a great experience in the Maldives, particularly seeing how local people travel between islands that are often hours apart by boat. The journey to Gulhi is incredible because the views are stunning and you feel more and more like you’re in paradise as you approach the island.
7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Dinner at Hotel Fulhoi
Fulhoi restaurant is fantastic for enjoying quality dishes made from fresh ingredients such as fish and seafood. The service is also very attentive, so if you’re tired or want to carry on your route, this is an ideal place for having a quick bite and then taking a stroll.
Itinerary day 5
2.00 p.m. - 4.00 p.m.
Lunch at Tropic Platter
This restaurant is a peaceful spot where you can order simple dishes of well prepared, local food. The waiters at Tropic Platter are also very quick to serve you and it has a really friendly vibe.
11.00 a.m. - 2.30 p.m.
Gulhi Beach
It’s time to move on from the bikini beach and spend the morning at Gulhi Beach. If you’ve already been snorkelling and scuba diving, why not go surfing? Gulhi Beach has easy access to some of the most popular surf spots in the South Malé atoll. A fresh way to enjoy the sea is to hire a kayak or jet ski and explore the ocean around the island.
16.30 - 18.30
Visit Gulhi
Gulhi is a small island with an incredible beach that you won’t want to leave, but it’s worth exploring its narrow streets, stopping off for a drink in a bar and visiting its mosques, which are the focus point of local life on Fridays. It’s also lovely to stroll along the beach at night, but take care not to tread on any of the tiny crabs that take over the beach once the tourists and their towels have left!
7.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Dinner at Salt Harbour
Salt Harbour is one of the best local restaurants in Gulhi and a great place to end your stay on this magical island. It’s a little more expensive than other options but is well worth it.
Itinerary day 6
12.30 p.m. - 2.30 p.m.
Lunch at Mr Octopus
This is one of the most popular restaurants in Maafushi and is near the port, so it’s the perfect place to stop when you reach the island. It has a long menu and serves generous portions, so take care not to over-order! There are lots of octopus dishes, naturally, but also rice and noodles. You can even order a pizza if you fancy a change from local food.
10.00 - 12.00
Travel to Gulhi
Taking a ferry is always a great experience in the Maldives, particularly seeing how local people travel between islands that are often hours apart by boat. The journey to Gulhi is incredible because the views are stunning and you feel more and more like you’re in paradise as you approach the island.
2.30 p.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Coffee and cake at Fine Bake by Suzi
Let your food go down with a short walk to the Fine Bake by Suzi patisserie. Owner Suzi makes truly delicious cakes that are served in large slices, so share a couple so you can sample more flavours. Banana cake and carrot cake are her specialities!
3.30 p.m. - 6.30 p.m.
Maafushi Beach
After your incredible dessert, you could visit one of Maafushi’s two adjacent bikini beaches. Maafushi is one of the most tourist-focused islands so the beaches have a fun and lively atmosphere. There are other swimming zones in Maafushi but they aren’t bikini beaches, meaning swimming in a bikini isn’t allowed. Surprisingly, there is a prison in the south of Maafushi which is why you can’t visit the other end of the island.
6.30 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Rooftop dinner at Liyela Retreat
The rooftop restaurant of the Liyela Retreat Hotel is one of the highest spots on the island. Here you’ll enjoy a more sophisticated meal and, best of all, an incredible sunset while you sip your pre-dinner drink.
Itinerary day 7
10.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m.
Visit a sandbank
This trip is a unique opportunity to feel like a castaway in the middle of the Indian Ocean, on a tiny island of sand that’s surrounded by water. Your boat stops at several places on its way to the sandbank so that you can go snorkelling on incredible coral reefs that are teeming with colourful fish, manta rays and even turtles and sharks, if you’re lucky! When you reach the sandbank, you’ll be served food and drinks and are normally given a short tour of your small, moving island to find out how these natural phenomena appear and disappear. You typically spend the whole day on the trip and you’ll come back feeling as if you’ve been somewhere exceptional.
7.00 p.m. - 9.00 p.m.
Dinner at Symphony Lagoon
Bring your intense day ‒ and trip ‒ to an end with a slightly more upmarket dinner at a seafood restaurant right on the sea front. The restaurant is inside a hotel but non-guests can also have dinner here, and sit outdoors if the weather permits. It has a wide range of fish and seafood, and international dishes.