Malé and Hulhumalé
The capital of the Maldives is Malé, on the island of the same name. Velana International Airport is on the neighbouring island of Hulhulé, with Hulhumalé (pronounced Hulumalé) right beside it. The three islands are linked by bridges.
There is also a ferry between the airport and Malé. It is the cheapest and most affordable way to cross between them. It costs $1 and takes just 10 minutes. You can also take a bus or taxi, including to Hulhumalé.
Sometimes you need an overnight stop in Malé or Hulhumalé. For example, if your flight arrives late and there is no onward transport to your island, or if it leaves too early and you need to return from the island the day before. Both places have more than enough hotels for this.
When deciding where to stay overnight, check where your boat leaves from the next day. Some depart from the airport, others from the harbours in Malé.
Bear in mind that these are not the typical tourist islands you came to the Maldives for. Still, they have interesting places to visit, walk around and shop.
Malé and Hulhumalé are quite different.
Malé somehow feels the more Maldivian of the two cities. It seems to have kept more of the atmosphere of the Maldives at the end of the last century. Narrow streets, small shops, markets, motorbikes and constant movement. In places it is noisy and chaotic, but the city has its own charm. Here you can catch a glimpse of local people's everyday lives and see another side of the Maldives.
Hulhumalé, on the other hand, is a newly planned city, with broad streets, more space, parks and greenery. There are much quieter, pleasant places for a walk.
So if you have a few hours to spare, it comes down to what you prefer: Malé's lively streets and markets, or the calmer surroundings of Hulhumalé.
Is it worth setting aside time specifically for Malé? In my opinion, a whole day is unnecessary. But with a few spare hours you can visit the market and the mosques, and get something to eat. It is certainly more interesting than waiting at the airport.
