Shopping in Maldives is an amazing experience. For shopping, the best place to head for is Male, the capital of Maldives. Here, many shops cater specifically to the tourists, selling local handicrafts and other art items. It is also a place well known for its sale of imported goods.

The Local Market
The “Local Market” is located on the Northern waterfront, a block away from the Male Fish Market. When compared to the frenzy of activity in the rest of the neighborhood, a peaceful atmosphere prevails on the block.

The market is divided into small stalls, with each stall selling local products from the atolls. Some of the produces on display are different kinds of local vegetables, fruits, yams and packets of sweetmeat, nuts and breadfruit chips. Bottles of pickles, home made sweets and banana bunches hang on coir ropes from ceiling beams.

The Majeedhee Magu
On the main road of the island is the “Majeedhee Magu”. Its sides are lined with shops selling products ranging from garments, handbags and cosmetics to electronic items. You can shop till 11.00 in the night with the shops closing only during prayer times in between.

The Chaandanee Magu, Male
A major commercial center, the “Chaandanee Magu” is mostly frequented by those wishing to buy imported products. A large number of imported products coming mostly from Singapore earned it the name the Singapore Bazaar.

The northern end of Chaandanee Magu is lined with souvenir shops. Some of the best products include the ‘Thudu Kuna’ – a Maldivian mat woven with local natural fibres in elegant geometric designs. Wooden miniature Dhonis are also famous.