Compare hotels in Maldives from NZ$429

You want to go somewhere epic, but your travel mate, Luna, is pushing for a small island trip. “Culture!” you say. “Beaches!” she counters. You’ve flipped coins and rock, paper, scissored until you’re blue in the face, but you can’t agree and time is tickin’. We have the solution. Enter the Maldives: Indian, Sri Lankan and Arab cultures combine to flavour these tiny islands, and almost all Maldives hotels are on the beach. Some of them even offer overwater bungalows. Sleeping right above the ocean? That’s pretty epic. You know what you have to do: Get your flights to Maldives from lastminute.com.au ASAP.

Things to Do & See

On the hunt for flawless vacation photos? The Maldives are so attractive, they do the work for you—your social media pages will never look better. Clear lagoons, palm-kissed beaches and deep blue skies set a pristine scene for scuba, snorkelling, surfing and sleeping off that third mai tai.

Squeeze in some time to visit one of the world’s smallest capital cities, Malé. Over 150,000 people live in six square kilometres, which makes for a busy, lively vibe! Take in all the culture you can in between surf sessions at the National Museum in the former sultan’s palace. While Luna perfects her relaxation game on Reethi Beach, you’ll check out an 11th-century coral stone Buddha head, the intricate woven suits of former royalty and various cultural ornaments and objects. Culture game, owned.

If your spending money is burning a hole in your pocket, head to Majeedi Magu or Chandani Magu, the main streets in Malé. They are full of every kind of shop, from cheap-as-chips souvenirs to luxury goods. Head back to Maldives accommodation to pre-game before seeking out a sweet underwater nightclub. Restaurants and cafés stay open until 1 a.m., so you can satisfy your late-night munchies before calling it a night.

Getting to & Around the City

Travel does not get more brag-worthy than flying into Malé International Airport (MLE), which is on its own island. But don’t worry, you aren’t stranded. You can reach accommodation in Maldives by hired speedboat or dhoni (local multi-purpose boats), but many hotels in Maldives send vessels to pick up guests.

Island-hop by sea plane and get all the good aerial views. Take Trans Maldivian Airways to the islands of your choice, and be sure to snap some photos while you’re up there. If heights aren’t your thing, book a submarine tour and see what life is like 40 metres down under. Coral reefs, sharks, turtles and grouper fish await. Here, boats are the new car, and the best and fastest way to get around is by charter speedboat. When it comes to the cities, your feet are your friends, because each town is highly walkable. Scooters and motorbikes are very popular, but there’s lots to see and you’ll want to stop at everything, so strap on your walking shoes!

Maldives holidays mix it up with fresh food and drinks, beachy vibes and killer views. There’s enough culture on offer to satisfy any art lover or foodie, but it doesn’t skimp on laid-back tropical tones—just ask Luna, whose tan has never looked better. What are you waiting for? Let lastminute.com.au get you to the Maldives today.