Malé has great commercial activity. The main street for shopping is Majeedhee Magu, full of clothes, cosmetics, accessories, electronics and grocery shops. To buy souvenirs, the best streets are Orchid Magu and Chandhanee Magu, next to the Republic Square and the Singapore Bazaar, the largest craft market.

The best place to live the day to day life of the Maldivian society are the local markets, where you can enjoy local food produce such as fresh fish, fruits and vegetables at a great price.

The people of the Maldives are great experts and skilled in crafts. Unfortunately, production has decreased due to the fact that more and more products are coming from neighbouring countries such as India, Sri Lanka and Bali. Each year a two-week Craft Fair is celebrated, with the dates varying from one year to the next.

Items made of wood, coconut and palm leaves

Maldivian artisans use the wood of local trees to make handcrafted sculptures and lacquered boxes called ladjehun, which they decorate with paintings of floral motifs and bright colours. The most famous are made in Thulhaadhoo, in Baa Atoll. Decorations and utensils made using coconut are very common.

Rugs and Mats made of Rush or Reed

They are woven throughout the country spinning the fibres by hand. Depending on the design and material chosen, you can find the roanu, the saanthi and the kunaa, the latter being coloured and stamped with fine geometric motifs and made by the women of Gaaf Dhal in the south of the Huvadhoo Atoll.

Jewellery

You can buy precious gold, silver, mother-of-pearl, seashells and coral jewellery. That made in the islands of Dhaalu Atoll is very common and famous. Jewellery made with black coral is prohibited.

Cane Mats & Carpets

Cane mats and carpets are woven throughout the country by spinning the fibres by hand. Depending on the design and the chosen material you can find varieties such as roanu, saanthi and kunaa, the latter of which is coloured and stamped with fine geometric motifs. Traditionally, these are made by the women of Gaaf Dhal in the south of the Huradhoo Atoll.

Coconut and wooden crafts

It is a tradition in the Maldives to craft decorative items from endemic trees and coconuts. If you go shopping in the Maldives you'll find wooden sculptures and lacquered boxes called ladjehun, which are decorated with floral motifs and bright colours. The most famous are manufactured in Thulhaadhoo in the Baa Atoll. Decorative articles and utensils made with coconut shells are also very common.

Precious Metal & Shell Jewellery

If you go shopping in the Maldives you'll find a great variety of gold, silver, marine shell and coral jewellery. Shell and coral necklaces are the most typical variety and are traditionally made on the islands of Dhaalu Atoll. Although, be wary when buying coral jewellery as those made of black coral are prohibited, due to its rarity and the impact it has on the environment.

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