Maldives holiday
Travel tips, best time to visit & highlights for your Maldives holiday in Asia
Paradise on Earth: 1,200 islands, overwater bungalows, crystal-clear water, coral reefs, and absolute tranquility. The Maldives is the ultimate luxury travel destination for romantics and divers.
Capital
Malé
Language
Dhivehi
Currency
Rufiyaa (MVR)
Time zone
UTC+5
Flight time from DE
approx. 10 hours
Entry requirements
Passport, 30 days on arrival
Top hotels & accommodations in Maldives
Selected hotels and holiday accommodations in Maldives — with images, reviews, and direct booking links with our partners.
Constance Moofushi Maldives
Maalhos, Malediven
COMO Cocoa Island
Maafushi, Malediven
Centara Mirage Lagoon Maldives - Free Round Trip Speedboat when stay 4 nights or more between 17 April - 15 October 2026
Villingili, Malediven
Hotel Six Senses Laamu
Fonadhoo, Malediven
Adaaran Select Hudhuran Fushi - Premium All Inclusive
Thulusdhoo, Malediven
Niyama Private Islands Maldives
Kudahuvadhoo, Malediven
Hotel Hulhule Island
Malé, Malediven
You & Me Maldives - Adults Only - Premium All-Inclusive
Raa Maamigili, Malediven
Top 5 highlights in Maldives
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Overwater Villas
With glass floors, private pools, and direct access to the turquoise ocean.
Snorkeling & Diving
Manta rays, whale sharks, turtles, and colorful coral reefs right at your doorstep.
Sandbank Picnic
Private dinner on a deserted sandbank in the middle of the ocean.
Bioluminescence
Glowing beach at night – plankton makes the water sparkle like stars.
Underwater Restaurant
Dine underwater with a panoramic view of reefs and fish.
Hotels in Maldives
Vergleiche tausende Hotels, Apartments und Resorts auf Expedia – mit Bestpreis-Garantie, kostenloser Stornierung und Bonuspunkten.
* Weiterleitung zu Expedia.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reise-SIM für Maldives
Prepaid-SIM mit Datenvolumen für Maldives. Einfach einlegen und sofort lossurfen – keine Roaming-Gebühren.
* Weiterleitung zu travSIM.de. Es gelten die dortigen Nutzungsbedingungen.
Reiseversicherung abschließen
Rundum-Schutz ab 9,90 € auf TravelSecure.de
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
Best time to visit Maldives
Recommended travel time
November–April (Dry season)
Summer
28–32°C
Winter
27–31°C
How much does a holiday in Maldives cost?
Average cost per person per day (excluding flight)
Budget
100–200€ (Guesthouse)
Hostel, street food, public transport
Mid-range
200–500€
Hotel, restaurant, excursions
Luxury
500–2000€+
Boutique hotel, fine dining
5 travel tips for Maldives
Insider knowledge to make your holiday better.
Budget tip: Guesthouses on local islands instead of resorts
All-inclusive is almost always worth it (drinks at resorts are very expensive)
Alcohol only on resort islands, not on inhabited islands
Snorkeling equipment is usually provided by the resort
Rain during the rainy season is usually short and heavy – then back to sunshine
Food & drink in Maldives
These dishes you must try!
Discover Maldives
4 regions, cities and highlights in Maldives
Islands
Ari Atoll
The Ari Atoll is the crème de la crème of the Maldives - a vast atoll in the west of the archipelago, which, with its over 100 islands, is among the largest and most diverse in the Maldives. Here, the iconic images of the Maldives come together in perfection: turquoise lagoons, powdery white sand, overwater villas on stilts, and an underwater world that leaves even experienced divers speechless. The Ari Atoll is especially known as the best place in the world to swim with whale sharks - an experience that changes everything. Whale shark encounters at South Ari Atoll are almost guaranteed - year-round, but especially frequent between March and November, these gentle giants glide through the plankton-rich waters of the atoll. Unlike many other places in the world, the whale sharks here are accustomed to snorkelers and divers, often swimming close by for minutes at a time. There is hardly a more intense nature experience than gliding alongside a twelve-meter-long whale shark through crystal-clear water. The Ari Atoll is home to some of the most famous luxury resorts in the Maldives. The Conrad Maldives on Rangali Island with its legendary underwater restaurant Ithaa, the LUX South Ari Atoll, and the Sun Island Resort are icons of Maldivian luxury tourism. The overwater villas offer private pools, glass floors to the sea, and butler service - honeymoon dreams come true here. At the same time, more affordable tourism has also developed on inhabited islands like Mahibadhoo and Dhangethi, providing authentic insights into Maldivian life. The underwater world of the Ari Atoll is among the most diverse in the entire Indian Ocean. In addition to whale sharks, one encounters manta rays, reef sharks, turtles, Napoleon fish, and countless colorful coral fish. The dive sites Maaya Thila, Fish Head, and Broken Rock are among the best in the world. The atoll is also a paradise for snorkelers - the house reefs of many resorts are already spectacular. From Germany, one flies to Male in about ten hours and reaches the Ari Atoll by seaplane in 20-30 minutes or by speedboat in one to two hours. The best travel time is from November to April, with the whale shark season at South Ari Atoll running from March to November.
Baa Atoll
The Baa Atoll is the ecological crown jewel of the Maldives - the first and only UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the archipelago, awarded in 2011 for its extraordinary marine biodiversity. This 139 square kilometer atoll in the north of the Maldives is home to some of the most pristine coral reefs, the richest mangroves, and the most spectacular manta ray gathering sites in the entire island world. For nature lovers and conscious travelers, Baa Atoll is the ultimate Maldives experience. The centerpiece of Baa Atoll is Hanifaru Bay - a small, inconspicuous marine arm that transforms during the southwest monsoon from June to November into the largest manta ray gathering in the world. Hundreds of manta rays gather here, attracted by the abundance of plankton, performing a synchronized underwater ballet that ranks among the most spectacular natural spectacles on Earth. Whale sharks also regularly join in. The Maldivian government has strictly protected the bay - only snorkeling is allowed, diving is prohibited, and the number of visitors is limited. The resorts in Baa Atoll are among the most sustainable and exclusive in the Maldives. Soneva Fushi, one of the world's legendary barefoot luxury resorts, has focused on ecological responsibility since its inception: its own vegetable gardens, recycling center, coral protection programs, and an observatory for stargazing. Amilla Maldives and Milaidhoo are other gems that combine luxury and sustainability. The uninhabited islands of the atoll offer pure Robinson Crusoe experiences. Sandbanks that emerge at low tide and are surrounded by turquoise water are used for private picnics and dinners under the starry sky. The inhabited island of Eydhafushi, the capital of the atoll, provides insights into authentic Maldivian life with small shops, mosques, and the bustling harbor. From Germany, Baa Atoll can be reached via Male in about eleven hours of total travel time. The transfer is by seaplane in 30 minutes and offers breathtaking views of the atolls. The best travel time for beach and sun is from November to April, and for manta rays from June to November.
Maldives
The Maldives, an archipelago of 1,196 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, are the epitome of a tropical luxury vacation and one of the most exclusive travel destinations in the world. Turquoise lagoons, powder-white beaches, overwater bungalows with glass floors, and an underwater world of breathtaking beauty — the Maldives exceed even the wildest imaginations of paradise. Most resorts occupy their own private island and offer a top-notch all-inclusive experience: spa treatments over the water, private sandbanks for sunset picnics, and snorkeling reefs right at the villa door. The underwater restaurant Ithaa at Conrad Rangali offers fine dining surrounded by coral reefs. For divers, the Maldives are among the top destinations worldwide — manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles, and glowing coral gardens await in crystal-clear water. However, the Maldives also offer authentic experiences away from luxury: guesthouses on local islands like Maafushi or Thulusdhoo provide insights into Maldivian culture at a fraction of the resort prices. Night snorkeling with bioluminescent plankton that makes the water glow blue is a magical experience. November to April offers the driest season with the best visibility underwater.
Complete guide for Maldives
Regions, attractions, food, routes, costs & practical tips — all in one digital guide.
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Plan a holiday in Maldives
Maldives is one of the most popular travel destinations in Asia, offering Beach, Luxury, Romantic and much more. The best time to visit Maldives is November–April (Dry season), when the weather is ideal for exploration and relaxation. With a daily budget starting from 100–200€ (Guesthouse) (Budget) to 500–2000€+ (Luxury), Maldives is suitable for various travel budgets.
From the capital Malé, Maldives can be excellently explored. The official language is Dhivehi, and the currency is Rufiyaa (MVR). From Germany, you can reach Maldives in approx. 10 hours. Whether you want to try culinary highlights like Garudhiya, Mas Huni, Fish Curry, visit top attractions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere: Maldives has something for every type of traveller.
Use our free travel tools to prepare your Maldives holiday perfectly. With the holiday finder, you can discover if Maldives is the right destination for you. The budget calculator helps you plan costs realistically, and with the packing list, you won't forget anything.
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