Maldives Shopping

Shopping in Maldives is centred around local artefacts, handicrafts made of shells, perfumes, clothing, cosmetics, electronic gadgets, accessories and edible items, such as canned fish. The Chaandanee Magu and the Majeedhee Magu in the capital city Malé are the prime shopping zones of the country.

Chaandanee Magu is famous for its shops selling traditional handicrafts and curios. Mats made out of local fibres called the ‘thudu kina’ are a popular souvenir of the country.

Majeedhee Magu is ideal for purchasing garments, handicrafts, ornaments, bags and electrical equipments. The local market of Malé contains many stalls selling local vegetables, fruits, yams, sweetmeat, nuts, breadfruit chips and bottles of homemade sweets and pickles.

International brands like Givenchy, Elle and Benetton also have their outlets at Malé. Singapore Bazaar is famous for the Singapore imported products. Orchid Magu, Fareedhee Magu and Faamudheyri Magu are also well known for shops selling souvenirs.

The most famous souvenirs of Maldives, lacquer works, are locally woven mats from dried coconut leaves and reeds and wooden fish. Other items like T-shirts, sarongs, caps, scarves, bracelets, rings, necklaces, shells, models of local vessels (dhoni) made out of wood and oyster shells are also popular.

All the shops in Malé open at 9 am and operate till 11 pm. These close only for 15 minutes in the afternoon during the prayers.

Duty free shops are limited to the departures terminal of the international airport of the capital city Malé. The lounge has shops selling cameras, watches, accessories, electrical equipments, tobacco and jewellery.       

Maldives has no VAT on the purchase of services and goods.