National Museum

The National Museum of the Maldives left me with rather mixed impressions. The entrance fee is 10 dollars, and for that you only get two halls. However, the exhibits there come from very different eras and are all mixed together. In one spot you can see century-old kitchenware, and right next to it — a vintage ATM. It’s an interesting combination, but because of this the overall picture of the country’s history feels a bit chaotic. There is a special focus on the personal belongings of various sultans: clothing, jewelry, household items. However, it’s not always clear why a particular sultan deserves so much attention or what makes him stand out from the others — there is definitely a lack of context and explanation. That said, for Malé this is at least some kind of entertainment and a way to get a quick glimpse into the history of the Maldives. If you have a free hour and want to take a break from the city bustle or beach life, you can add the museum to your program, but you shouldn’t expect anything amazing.

There are few places in Male to get a glimpse into the history of the nation and this is one such place. So worth visiting.

Tickets are $10, only credit cards are accepted, no cash! Opening hours: Sunday-Thursday 10:00-16:00 Not open for visits on Friday and Saturday! The museum was originally divided into two parts: the old hall and the new hall. The old hall is currently closed, and all exhibits are on display in the new hall. But it is still necessary to introduce the history of the old hall: the old hall is located in Sultan Park in the city center, and was originally part of the Maldives palace in the 17th century. It was first opened on November 11, 1952 (National Day) and was founded by Prime Minister Mohamed Amin Didi to preserve history and inspire the patriotism of the people. The new hall was donated by China in 2010 and officially opened on Independence Day. Currently, only two floors are open for visits: The lower floor (ground floor): focuses on the early history of Buddhism to Islam, exhibiting Buddha statues, stone carved wood boards, weapons, daily utensils, etc. Upper floor: modern treasures on display: court supplies (throne, top hat), the country's first phonograph, telephone, mainframe, President Nasheed's "underwater cabinet" meeting minutes, 6-meter-long whale bone exhibition, etc. 🎬2025.7.17

A 10 dollars admission for foreigners for a small collection of Maldives' cultural and historical displays. Some artefacts are indeed interesting to have a look at. Everything has an English title and simple explanation. They do provide a short wifi connectivity for those needed. Yiu just have to ask the counter for a verification code.

I recommend a visit. It’s perhaps the smallest national museum I’ve visited, but far from the worst. I enjoyed that there’s not too much and I can relate to the fact that Maldives is after all only 60 years old (1 year older than me) when it comes to independence and a very small economy. Definitely come along, donate $10 to the upkeep and enjoy a short but interesting visit.

The history not follow timeframe. And not so much things you will know about Maldivian history. Only old things are displayed. It a National museum bro, my expectation is high. Not worth to visit this. The ticket $10

The museum charges $10 per adult, which is reasonable but might feel a bit steep considering there aren’t many exhibits to see. I managed to explore everything and read the accompanying information in just 45 minutes. While the exhibition is limited, it does provide some insight into the local history and culture, making it an acceptable option (perhaps the best option) for a short visit (around 2-3 hours) in Male. However, don’t expect an extensive or immersive experience. It’s just good for a quick cultural stop.

A very informative museum, not very large, but interesting. I recommend visiting it in Male.