12 Must-visit Landmarks Of Brunei

12 must-visit landmarks of Brunei

By Anna Purpurpurpur

Brunei Darussalam, or simply Brunei, is a tiny but incredibly wealthy country located on Borneo Island (the remainder of Borneo is divided between Malaysia and Indonesia).

The Sultanate of Brunei was established in 1368 by Sultan Muhammad Shah and reached its peak during the rule of Sultan Bolkiah in the late 15th and 16th centuries when it expanded its territories.

In 1521, the surviving members of the Magellan expedition — the first circumnavigation of the globe — stopped here on their way back home. They were first Europeans the country encountered.

Brunei’s capital is Bandar Seri Begawan, and we stayed in the most luxurious hotel in the country, the Empire Brunei. See more info below!

1. Istana Nurul Iman

The Istana Nurul Iman is the Royal Palace and the official residence of the current Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. He’s one of the richest people in the world and one of the longest-ruling monarchs—his coronation took place in 1967!

The palace was built in 1984 on the shore of the Brunei River, combining Islamic and Malay motifs. It is the largest residential palace in the world! Typically, tourists cannot visit it (it’s open only once a year at the end of Ramadan), but you can view it from the main gates or, even better, from the riverside.

2. Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

Completed in 1994, the Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque is the largest mosque in Brunei and one of the two state mosques (I’ll show you the second one later).

It’s named after the current Sultan of Brunei and looks stunning! This magnificent piece of architecture boasts 29 golden domes, incredible stained glass, contrasting tile patterns, and an unusual corner-less staircase with columns.

You can pop inside during visitor hours — don’t forget to dress appropriately (you can also grab a free abaya there).

3. Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is a magnificent mosque in Brunei’s capital, named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, during whose rule it was built (the construction was completed in 1958).

It truly looks magnificent, with minarets, golden domes, expensive marble and granite, stained glass, large chandeliers, and intricate carpets. It’s definitely worth a visit, as it is probably the most photographed place in the country!

Check the visitor opening hours in advance, and, of course, dress modestly (women are provided with free abayas at the entrance).

The mosque is surrounded by water — don’t miss the ceremonial barge of the rulers of Brunei there.

4. Royal Regalia Museum

The Royal Regalia Museum is dedicated to the life of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, showcasing his early years before he became the head of the country while it was still under British control (Brunei gained independence from Britain only in 1984).

The museum highlights his independent rule and lavish royal celebrations featuring traditional arts and crafts. You can also glimpse the palace’s ceremonial hall, luxurious chariots, and royal regalia used during the coronation. A large portion of the exhibition is dedicated to the precious gifts received by the Sultan!

Please remove your shoes before entering the museum. You can take photos there only with your cell phone, and in some rooms, photography is prohibited.

5. Brunei Energy Hub

Head to the Bandar Seri Begawan Waterfront, the old wharf in the very center of the capital, to visit the Brunei Energy Hub. This small but modern interactive museum is sponsored by Brunei Shell Petroleum Company.

It showcases the history of the oil and gas industry in Brunei (the number one industry in this country, providing it with immense wealth) and its impact on our planet. The museum is housed in the former Royal Customs and Excise Building and opened in 2022.

Here, you can learn about life in Brunei before oil was discovered, the processes of oil and gas exploration, and the prospects for the future.

6. Jalan Roberts

Very close by the Energy hub and the Royal Wharf, you can find Jalan Roberts, an old and colorful stretch of street with photogenic houses. You won’t need much time there, but it’s worth a look!

7. Kampung Ayer

Another must-see in Brunei is a visit to the Water Village!

Kampung Ayer is one of Brunei’s historical treasures, and thousands of people still inhabit it! It has existed since at least the 14th century and was the capital city back then. This villages even have their proper architectural styles such as Belah Bubung and Tukgkup. There are a dozen small villages, now merged into one entity — probably the world’s largest floating city!

All the houses are made out of palm leaves, palm wood and bamboo and built on stilts out of a sturdier wood. Today, there is a mosque, a police station, schools, and a fire station! To get to the Water Village, you can simply rent a boat from the Bandar Seri Begawan Waterfront; there are plenty of them available.

8. Gadong Night Market

The Gadong Night Market opens around 4 PM, and we visited shortly after its opening.

It’s a great venue if you’re interested in trying local food. There are stalls with fish being grilled, skewers being fried, rice steaming, and more. A wide variety of local fruits are also on sale, such as mangoes, jackfruit, snake fruit, pineapples, watermelons, and an enormous selection of sweetened teas!

9. In Search of Proboscis Monkeys

Did you know that proboscis monkeys are one of Brunei’s symbols?

While in Sabah we had to make a long voyage to see them, in Brunei it’s much easier, as the mangrove forest is located right along the Brunei River, just a short boat ride from Bandar Seri Begawan. Just look at this lush greenery!

With the help of our captain, we managed to see two groups of proboscis monkeys on the Damuan River. Although the sighting wasn’t as great as in Malaysia, we still had a very good view of these amazing animals found only in Borneo.

It’s a great trip for adults and kids alike.

10. Malay Technology Museum

We opted to visit a few more museums in Brunei apart from the Energy Hub and Royal Regalia ones, but these are optional (you can skip them if you don’t have much time).

The Malay Technology Museum is not what you might expect; it’s an ethnographic museum showcasing various ways of life among the indigenous groups of Brunei.

You can learn about different house types for living on land and water, local traditions, and crafts for everyday life, such as fishing, boat making, and cooking. The museum doesn’t look very modern, but it provides plenty of information for those who seek it.

11. Brunei Maritime Museum

The Maritime Museum is located literally next door to the Malay Technology Museum. The museum opened in 2015.

Among the exhibits are local boat models of all sorts, a reconstruction of a royal barge dating to the 16th century, and ceramic and porcelain artefacts from a shipwreck found in 1997. You can also learn here about the Sultan Balkiah, a loved and cherished ruler and navigator who expanded the Brunei Empire.

12. Shopping: Mall Gadong and Mabohai Shopping Complex

As for shopping, there are a few options for you as well. Mall Gadong is the largest shopping mall in Brunei, featuring brands like Rolex and Omega alongside local shops. There is a food court on the top floor and a large supermarket in the basement. Despite its nice ceiling decorations, the mall is not really a major attraction; visit it only if you need to buy something.

We also popped into the Mabohai Shopping Complex in search of Starbucks mugs. It’s much smaller, but there are still plenty of international (such as L’Occitane) and local shops, as well as a supermarket.

Where to Stay

The Empire Brunei is a large resort with five pools, several restaurants (only one was open for dinner during our stay), a few shops, and a large golf course.

Simply put, this is the best hotel in the country! Our room was not very big, but the view was amazing.

Some parts of the hotel look pompous and luxurious, while others appear a bit outdated, but overall, we loved our stay immensely. It’s a really good place to be if you’re in Brunei – and if you play golf, they also have a gold course!

Originally, the hotel’s construction was initiated privately in 1994 by Prince Jefri Bolkiah, one of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III’s sons, known for his extravagant lifestyle; however, it was later funded by the government.