31^st International Input-Output Association Conference
and
13^th Edition of the International School of I-O Analysis
6^th - 11^th July 2025, Malé, the capital city of the Maldives

Moving around the Malé Area

Greater Malé is the central hub for domestic transportation within the Maldives, so it is the perfect area to be if you want to take some time to think about where you feel like going today. If you are staying at a hotel or guesthouse in the greater Malé area, take the time to explore the local lifestyle of urban Maldives. Domestic transportation in the Maldives is very cheap.

Domestic Air travel

While sea planes are the most popular option for island hopping and reaching resorts located further away. They offer stunning aerial views and can land directly on water near your resort. Three domestic airlines operate scheduled flights within the Maldives, connecting major islands and airports.

Land Transportation

Public transport is very convenient and very cheap such that travel internally in Hulhumalé and also to Velana International Airport and Malé. The island is connected via a causeway to the Velana International Airport and with Malé via Sinamalé Bridge.

Malé City

Malé City has many cultural sights, a museum, two artificial beaches (Artificial Beach and Rasfannu Beach), parks including Sultan Park and Lonuziyaarai Park, many restaurants, fish markets, souvenir shops (towards the end of Chaandhanee Magu) that you can wander around and buy some traditional Maldivian gifts to take back home. The Republic Square and Presidential Palace are also worth visiting if you are taking a tour of the capital. One of the best things about the city is perhaps its small size - there are cafés, restaurants or shops almost on every block. If you are into cultural or religious monuments, the capital city is also home to some of the most stunning mosques in the nation, with rich history and cultural significance. Step back in time at the 400-year old Hukuru Miskiy, Grand Friday Mosque or the newer King Salman Mosque. Other places around the capital that are worth visiting include Varunulaa Raalhugandu Area, a hotspot for surfers. This spot is especially coveted as it has a viewing platform nearby from where you can simply sit and watch pro and amateur surfers ride the waves to their heart’s content.

Hulhumalé Hulhumalé is also a ward of the capital city but is not a natural island. This artificial island was developed in the year 2000 to help ease congestion in the capital. Compared to the Malé and Villimalé, Hulhumalé is much larger, with wider roads, many cafés, guesthouses, shops, watersports centres and other attractions. This modern metropolitan island is connected to the capital and airport island via the one and only cross-sea bridge in the country. To get there, you can either take a bus from the Maafannu MTCC Bus Terminal or any of the many bus stops littered around the cities or get a taxi. Tickets for the bus would cost you approximately 0.65 – 0.97 $ (10 - 15 MVR), while hiring a taxi will cost between US$ 4.89 - US$ 6.51 (MVR 75-100). Once you get there, there are plenty of things to enjoy. Hulhumalé has a huge park (Hulhumalé Central Park), Centro Mall, Skate Park, volleyball courts and long stretches of multiple beaches, with water sports equipment available for rent from diving and watersports centres scattered across different areas on the beach road. There are plenty of hotels and guesthouses on the waterfront offering day rooms or overnight stays and will be more than happy to accommodate any requests you may have.

Villimalé

Villimalé (previously known as Villingili) Island, is also a ward of the capital. Fun fact about Villimalé: this small residential island does not allow fossil-fuel vehicles; only battery or solar-powered vehicles can be used here. The only way to reach this island is via a designated ferry, which leaves from the capital from Villimalé Ferry Terminal. It’s a 10-minute ride, and the ferries usually operate every 10-20 minutes. The tickets for a one-way trip to the island cost around US$ 0.65 (MVR 10.00). For your trip back, get a ticket for the same price from the Villimalé terminal. As for things to do in Villimalé, it’s the perfect balance between city and island life Villimalé has way more greenery than Malé City, and two beach points; the Lovers Beach area with deeper waters and water sports centres; and the Villimalé Public Beach area with shallow waters and a stunning view of the capital. There is also a BBQ point and shops nearby offering everything you would need to light a fire and cook some meat or freshly caught fish. Villimalé has a few guesthouses, along with cafés and restaurants which offer a variety of food and drinks too.