The short answer
Muliaage (President's Residence): what visitors should know first
See it in passing during your walk around the Old Friday Mosque, since it stands close by. It is a working presidential residence, so treat it as an exterior photo stop and do not expect to go in.
History and context
The story behind Muliaage (President's Residence)
Designed in 1913 and built from 1914 to 1919. Prince Hassan Izzuddin lived here from 1920 to 1934. It has served as the official presidential residence since 2009.
Useful facts
Muliaage (President's Residence) facts at a glance
- Location
- Near the Old Friday Mosque, Malé Island
- Experience type
- Exterior view only
- Known for
- Colonial bungalow; presidential residence
- Architect/Built
- Ahmed Dhoshimeyna Kilegefan; 1914 to 1919
- Time or schedule
- About 10 minutes
Why it matters
Why Muliaage (President's Residence) is worth your time
Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen III commissioned the house for his son and heir, Prince Hassan Izzuddin, on the site of the family's ancestral home. Work began in February 1914 and finished in December 1919, and Ahmed Dhoshimeyna Kilegefan produced the design. Though it is often called a palace, it never served as a sultan's own residence, as Visit Maldives points out.
Its later history tracks the country's politics. It housed a ministry during the Second World War, then became the presidential palace, the prime minister's office and the Supreme Court at different times, before returning to use as the official presidential residence in 2009. Few buildings in Malé have seen so much of the republic's change.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The colonial lines
The building's style came from colonial Ceylon, unusual among Malé's modern blocks.
- 02
Its place in the old core
It stands within minutes of the mosque, park and museum, so it is no detour.
- 03
A political landmark
Presidents and state guests have used it, a reminder that this is still a working capital.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Walk past on your way between the Old Friday Mosque and the National Museum, and stop on the pavement opposite for a look. The appeal here is modest. A bungalow in a style then fashionable in colonial Ceylon, looks surprising in a Maldivian city of apartment blocks, and is a useful reminder of the close links across the Indian Ocean a century ago.
The building is guarded because it is in active use, so stay on the public pavement, do not linger at the gates and take photographs only if the guards seem comfortable with it. If someone asks you to stop, do so.
No more than ten minutes is needed. Treat it as one point on a route rather than as a sight in itself. Older parents can see it from a car if the morning is already hot, though the short walk from Sultan Park is level. Follow it with the museum or the graveyard next to the mosque, where you can look at something up close.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- View it from the public pavement only
- Follow any instruction from security staff
- Combine it with the mosque and Sultan Park
- Keep to a short stop, as there is no shade or seating
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Near the Old Friday Mosque, Henveiru, Malé Island
- Time needed
- 10 minutes
- Best time
- Morning, as part of the historic-core walk
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- It is a level pavement stop, with no stairs or queue because you stay outside. There is little seating here, so plan to rest at nearby Sultan Park instead.
- Tickets and access
- We found no public opening times or entry arrangement. Plan to view it from the street, and follow any instructions from security staff about stopping and taking photos.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Muliaage (President's Residence)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
It is a level pavement stop, with no stairs or queue because you stay outside. There is little seating here, so plan to rest at nearby Sultan Park instead.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Can you go inside Muliaage?
We found no public entry arrangement. Plan on viewing it from outside, as it is the president's official residence.
Was it a sultan's palace?
No. It was built for the heir to the throne, and never served as a sultan's own palace.
How long should I allow?
About ten minutes during a walk around the historic core.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
