Many of us have faced the dilemma of the unavoidably long layovers at the airport. If you’re stuck in the Maldives, and your layover gives you an extra few hours, or even a day, there are quite a few ways to enjoy that extra bit of time. Here are the top 05 things you should do during a long layover in the Maldives!
01. A Day at CROSSROADS Maldives
A day visit to The Marina at CROSSROADS Maldives should be on your bucket list. If you cannot book a stay at the beautiful properties in CROSSROADS, enjoy a day at The Marina during your long layovers. Located just 15 minutes from the airport, this world-class destination has some of the most exciting outlets to explore. In addition to a plethora of dining options, CROSSROADS Maldives is also the perfect spot for last-minute shopping for souvenirs and a whole lot of entertainment. One of the first things many visitors note is the absolute beauty of The Marina. The entire area is exceptionally colourful, lined up with fun outlets for adults as well as young ones to explore.
At CROSSROADS Maldives you can bask in the sun, discover about the Maldives marine life and history, have a day by the pool or enjoy the culinary delights.
02. Exploring Male’ City
Although Male’ City isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, the City area has quite a bit to explore! Located just 15-20 minutes away from the Airport, Male’ City is a densely packed little island that most travellers dismiss during their trip. If you’re adventurous and you have a long layover in the Maldives, Male’ City is one place that is worth checking out. In addition to the amazing variety of stores and cafes as well as restaurants, in Male’ City you can also explore:
The Grand Friday Mosque and the Victory Monument
The National Museum
Sultan Park and the National Museum
The Fish Market and the Local Male’ Market
The Republic Square
03. Short Day Visit to Hulhumale’
If you find Male’ a bit too overwhelming, Hulhumale ‘ is also a great destination to explore. Unlike the capital city Male’, Hulhumale’ is greener and more walkable. Additionally, it’s also easier to explore beaches as well as watersports in this part of the City. If you’re ever wondering what to do during a long layover in Maldives, head over to Hulhumale’. You can either enjoy a walk in Central Park, book a cute Airbnb to relax or enjoy the beautiful cafes in this City. If you’re looking to explore the beach just a bit longer, Hulhumale’ also offers that option with a variety of water sports activities as well.
04. Beach Day at Villingili
Nothing beats a beach day in the Maldives, so enjoy it while you can. Although we would recommend hopping off to Villingili if your layover is at least a day or two long. This beautiful island is located 20 minutes away from the capital city. You can easily purchase tickets and hop on a ferry directly to the island. With no motorised vehicles, the island of Villingili feels like an untouched peace of heaven. Not only are the beaches on this island uniquely beautiful, but this is also the go-to spot for cat lovers. You can find small feline friends all over the island! The island is relatively small and embraced as a picnic island among locals and travellers alike. For the best beach day, pack up a nice picnic with Maldivian short-eats and your favourite drinks.
05. Trying out Local Food
Although you can try out local delicacies at Maldives resorts, nothing beats the authentic Maldivian cuisine you can find on the islands. For a real taste of Maldivian food, travellers can explore some favourite spots in Male’ City. Although you can always ask a local for some good local food spots, you can always explore food from local ‘Hotaa’s’ such as Magukolhu Hotaa. Additionally, you can also explore local food from any of the ‘Carnival Area’ restaurants. Here you can eat some of the best authentic Maldivian breakfasts for under $5!
Imagine walking into a place where everything slows down. Where you can finally take a deep breath and feel at ease. The stress and noise of daily life fade away, creating space for peace and balance. These places are not just about escaping; they are about reconnecting with yourself and discovering true renewal. This is why so many people, including some of the world’s biggest stars, choose them to unwind. Ready to discover where true rejuvenation begins?
Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa is the kind of place that draws those who seek true peace and rejuvenation. Celebrities like Pooja Hegde choose this sanctuary for its transformative wellness experiences. At Kagi, wellness isn’t just about relaxation; it’s a deep, personalized journey. The Baani Spa stands at the heart of this, offering a healing experience inspired by the rhythms of the ocean. With treatments like Release, Restore, and Regain, you’ll experience emotional detox, physical healing, and revitalization. Through a blend of Maldivian herbal therapies and modern techniques like hydrotherapy and reflexology.
What makes Kagi unique are the Baani Rituals, where you connect with the ocean’s energy. These cleansing rituals use local essences and herbal infusions, helping you release negativity and restore balance. It’s deeply spiritual, personal, and unlike anything else.
Kagi embraces the art of slow living, encouraging you to disconnect and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Barefoot walks on the Maldives beach, meditating by the ocean, and mindful meals that nourish both body and soul. Every moment here feels connected to nature.
At the Holistic Wellness Centre, skilled therapists blend ancient healing traditions with modern practices, creating personalized treatments that restore your balance. Whether you’re seeking detox, weight management, or simply enhancing your overall wellness. Every aspect of your stay is tailored to your needs. Moreover, you can enjoy the rejuvenating Aman Advanced Facial, a luxurious treatment that combines high-tech skincare with nature’s finest ingredients. Or retreat to your own Private Spa House for an intimate hydrotherapy session with panoramic views of the Andaman Sea.
Let the Amanpuri Awakening treatment soothe your body with a traditional Thai massage and rich herbal compresses. Or refresh yourself with the Vichy shower. Need something more energizing? Step into the Muay Thai boxing ring and find strength and focus in the most tranquil setting.
With 24-hour wellness support, your needs are met whenever you desire. Amanpuri isn’t just a resort, it’s an invitation to find your inner peace. To truly reset, and to embrace your most rejuvenated self.
At Six Senses Zighy Bay, wellness is more than just a getaway. It’s a full immersion into peace, restoration, and self-care. Tucked away in the serene Musandam Peninsula. Surrounded by mountains and the azure waters of Oman, this quiet retreat has become a favorite for those who truly seek to reconnect with themselves. Lindsay Lohan is just one of the many who have come to embrace the tranquility here.
From the moment you arrive, you’ll feel a gentle shift in your energy. The pace slows down. Each morning, you’ll find yourself waking up to the soft sound of waves crashing on the shore. As you step onto the beach for yoga, the horizon stretching endlessly before you. It’s the perfect way to start your day. Letting go of stress and breathing in the peace that surrounds you.
The wellness programs here are tailored to meet you where you are. From the deeply soothing Arabic Hammam Ritual to the peaceful Singing Bowl Therapy, every treatment is crafted to bring balance and calm, inside and out. Want to detox? You’ll find yourself feeling lighter, clearer, and more centered after a few days of nourishing meals, gentle yoga, and holistic therapies designed just for you.
At Six Senses Zighy Bay, every moment is an invitation to relax, restore, and feel the weight of the world lift off your shoulders. It’s a place where you can truly unwind, reconnect, and leave feeling completely rejuvenated, just as so many celebrities have.
Ananda in the Himalayas is the perfect sanctuary for those seeking to reconnect, rejuvenate, and embrace the true essence of wellness. With a wide range of deeply personalized programs, it has become the destination of choice for celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Uma Thurman, and Edward Nortan. Every wellness journey is tailored specifically to you, ensuring an experience as unique as your needs.
Going to Ananda is more like a pilgrimage than a visit, with every moment designed to cultivate presence. But the real gift is the opportunity to come back to self, to the centered space that abides within us all. OPRAH WINFREY
At Ananda, the wellness journey begins with Panchakarma. This personalized Ayurvedic detox addresses your individual dosha to restore balance to both body and mind. Feel the calming effects as you undergo Rasayana Therapies, where exclusive herbal treatments reverse aging, boost immunity, and revitalize your cells.
The Bhava Healing Program is a holistic blend of hypnotherapy, chakra cleansing, and Reiki that helps you release emotional blockages and heal deep-seated traumas, leaving you feeling emotionally restored. For a more complete healing experience, Ananda integrates Traditional Chinese Medicine therapies like acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, and herbal treatments to enhance energy flow and balance.
Your journey continues with Personalized Yoga Practices that cater to your physical and emotional needs. Alongside this, the Dhyana Meditation Program, will guide you to deep mental clarity and emotional growth. Moreover, you’ll experience the tranquility of Himalayan Spiritual walks. Connecting with nature on a wholehearted, mindful level.
Ananda’s personalized approach to wellness, combined with the integration of Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, offers a journey of deep healing. Ensuring a truly transformative experience. This is not just a retreat, it’s a path to a renewed you.
Imagine a place where every moment whispers serenity, inviting you to slow down, reconnect, and rejuvenate. The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel offers just that—a sanctuary where the world’s most discerning guests come to find their balance and embrace the ultimate wellness journey.
At the heart of this serene oasis is Rayya Wellness, where ancient healing practices meet modern wellness. Here, you can experience the invigorating power of Cryotherapy, soothing your muscles and boosting your energy. Or unwind in the Oxygen-Infused Rooms, letting the air refresh you from the inside out. For those looking to unwind completely, the signature Hammam rituals with amber oils offer a luxurious, deeply relaxing experience unlike any other.
But it’s not just physical healing, this is a place for emotional transformation too. You can try Energy Healing or NLP therapy, helping clear mental blockages and guide you toward emotional clarity. And for families, there’s even a Kids Wellness program, teaching the little ones how to relax and find balance from a young age.
Every aspect of this retreat is thoughtfully designed with you in mind, offering a holistic wellness journey where your body, mind, and soul can truly align. The Retreat Palm Dubai isn’t just a getaway; it’s a place where your well-being takes center stage.
These wellness retreats give you more than just a chance to relax, they help you truly recharge. You’ll find calm surroundings, treatments designed just for you, and experiences that make you feel rejuvenated inside and out. It’s clear why celebrities choose these places to unwind, but they’re perfect for anyone who wants to feel refreshed and renewed. If you’re ready to take a break and focus on yourself, these retreats offer exactly what you need. You deserve to feel your best, and these places will help you get there.
Amanpuri, Ananda in the Himalayas, Kagi Maldives Resort & Spa, Six Senses Zighy Bay, The Retreat Palm Dubai MGallery by Sofitel
