Time difference Maldives

The time difference between France and the Maldives is 5 hours in winter and 4 hours in summer. When it's noon in Paris, it's 4 p.m. in the Maldives in summer and 5 p.m. in winter.

Some island-hotels cheat on the time zone, artificially shifting one hour from Malé time to take advantage of a later sunrise and sunset. This is particularly the case on certain northern islands.

Opening hours Maldives

To see / To do Maldives

Stores are generally open between 9am and 7pm. Some open earlier, or once the owner is awake, others close later. The only valid rule is that all shops are closed on Fridays between noon and two. Even resort restaurants adapt their opening hours to allow their Muslim employees to attend the mosque.

Enjoying yourself Maldives

In town, restaurants are generally open continuously from lunchtime until 11pm, or even midnight on Thursday and Friday evenings. In the island hotels, each restaurant has its own opening hours. Gourmet restaurants are often only open in the evening, by reservation. On Friday lunchtimes, all restaurants are closed between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., so that Muslim employees can attend the mosque. In island hotels, buffets are generally less crowded on this day.

Take a break Maldives

Maldivian days never end very late, except on the party islands. Cafés are open during the day and close in the early evening, with the exception of trendy places that delay closing until 11pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends.

(To) please yourself Maldives

Shops are generally open from 8:30am to 10pm. They close on Fridays at prayer time between 11am and 2pm. On the island-hotels, the opening hours are about the same.

Get out Maldives

Opening hours vary greatly depending on the type of island you choose. Some bars on private islands operate 24 hours a day, while others close their doors around 1am. Some hotels offer happy hour before dinner, where you get a free drink for every one you buy. On local islands, there are very few places where you can have a drink (even a non-alcoholic one) after 11pm.