Travel destinations in the Maldives! Do you dream of long beautiful sandy beaches with swaying palm trees? Do you like snorkelling in an underwater world filled with beautiful fish? Here are our top tips for travelling to the Maldives.

Why travel to the Maldives?

The Maldives is an island nation in the Indian Ocean in South Asia, consisting of 26 atolls with around 1 200 islands, 200 of which are inhabited. The country offers a paradise environment with stunning sandy beaches and crystal clear waters ideal for sunbathing, swimming, boating, snorkelling and diving.

In the Maldives, you can stay in luxury resorts and island hop between islands by boat or small seaplane. If you want to experience the Maldives without spending too much money, you can also choose to stay in simpler accommodation and make a more wallet-friendly trip. Here you will find lots of great tips for your trip to the Maldives.

Maldives travel destinations - inspirational reading

Info and facts about Maldives

  • Capital city: Malé
  • Residents: Around 370 ooo (2016)
  • Currency: Rufiya
  • National Day: 26 July
  • Language: Divehi
  • Religion: Islam (Sunni)
  • Flag: Red flag with a smaller green rectangle with a white crescent moon.
  • National anthem: Gavmii mi ekuverikan matii tibegen kuriime salaam

Maldives travel destination with record

  • Highest place: Unnamed, on the island of Wilingili, 2.5 metres above sea level.
  • Longest river: Rivers are missing
  • Second largest city: Addu City
  • Biggest lake: Lakes are missing
  • Highest building: Dharumavantha Hospital in Malé has 25 floors and is 90 metres high.

Good to know about the Maldives

  • Emergency number: 102 for ambulance, 118 for fire brigade and 119 for police.
  • Time difference: Maldives is 4 hours ahead of Sweden
  • ElYou will need an adapter to use Swedish contacts in the Maldives. 
  • Price mode: The Maldives is not a cheap destination and is often considered an exclusive destination. There are also local shops and services, where prices can be lower.
  • Money and cards: You can pay by card at the airport and resorts. There are ATMs in Malé. Local currency may be needed in local shops and for local services. US Dollars are also widely accepted.
  • Think about: Alcohol is sold to tourists in the larger resorts. Alcohol is otherwise prohibited in the country.
  • VisaThe 30-day visa is granted free of charge on arrival for all nationalities, provided that the following conditions are met: 1) a valid passport, 2) a valid ticket to continue the journey from the Maldives, and 3) financial means to cover the stay or a hotel booking confirmation.

Travelling around the Maldives

  • Boat: Local ferry between the islands. There are also fast ferries that cost a little more than the local ferries.
  • Seaplane: One way to get between the islands is to travel around by seaplane.

Food in the Maldives

  • National dish: Gulha, a type of round dumpling, is a popular dish in the Maldives.
  • More dishes: In the Maldives you can try many fish dishes. Rice is also common, as is curry flavouring.
  • Fruits: Coconuts are popular.

Travelling to the Maldives

  • Flight: You can fly from Sweden (with a stopover) with for example Emirates or Qatar Airways. Several companies, such as VING and TUI, also offer charter flights to the Maldives.

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