Brunei is small, rich and very quiet, and few travellers ever plan a Brunei itinerary. Most fly straight past it on the way to Singapore or Kota Kinabalu, and they miss a lot.
The sultanate sits on the north coast of Borneo, wedged between two parts of Malaysian Sarawak. Oil money paid for its gold-domed mosques, and it also kept much of the country wild: about 70 percent of Brunei is still covered in forest.
With 3 days in Brunei, you can see the capital's great mosques, ride a water taxi through Kampong Ayer and spend a whole day in the rainforest of Temburong. That's the Brunei itinerary below, with the prices and rules you need as of October 2026.
Before you fly, fill in the e-arrival form that the UK Foreign Office says every visitor must submit. British passport holders get 90 days without a visa, and you can check your own passport on our visa checker.
Day 1: Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer
Start in the center of Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital, at the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. It was finished in 1958 and named after the current Sultan's father.
The gold dome rises over a lagoon, where a stone copy of a 16th-century royal barge sits on the water. Non-Muslims can go inside outside prayer times. Staff lend robes at the door if your clothes don't cover your arms and legs.
A short walk up Jalan Sultan brings you to the Royal Regalia Museum. Its star exhibit is the gilded chariot from the Sultan's 1968 coronation. According to Brunei Tourism, non-residents pay BND 5, and the museum is closed on Fridays.
After lunch, walk down to the river. Kampong Ayer, the water village across from the waterfront, has stood on stilts for centuries. When Magellan's fleet arrived in 1521, the chronicler Antonio Pigafetta described a whole city built over the water.
Wave down a water taxi at any jetty. As of October 2026, a quick crossing costs about BND 1 to 2, and a private hour on the water runs about BND 20 to 30.
Ask your boatman to head into the mangroves late in the afternoon. That's when you've got the best chance of seeing proboscis monkeys in the trees.
In the village, climb the tower at the Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery for a view back over the city. Then take the boat back for dinner.
Day 2: Ulu Temburong National Park
Day two is the big one.
Ulu Temburong National Park protects about 50,000 hectares of untouched rainforest in Temburong, the part of Brunei cut off from the rest by Malaysian land.
Since 2020, a 30-kilometer bridge across Brunei Bay has linked the capital with Temburong by road. The drive takes under an hour, so you no longer need the old speedboat.
The last stretch into the park is by longboat (temuai). Boatmen push the narrow wooden boats up shallow rapids, and you'll probably get wet.
From the landing, a steep path with several hundred steps climbs through the forest to the canopy walk. Its steel towers lift you above the treetops, with views across the hills toward Sarawak. If you don't like heights, the climb up the ladders is hard.
The view is worth it.
On the way back, most tours stop at a clear stream where tiny fish nibble your feet.
You'll need a licensed tour to visit. As of October 2026, most full-day tours from the capital cost roughly BND 140 to 180 a person, including transport, the boat, the park fee and lunch. Book a day or two ahead.
Day 3: Mosques, the palace and the coast
Start at the Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque in Kiarong, the biggest mosque in Brunei. It was built in 1994 for the 25th year of the Sultan's reign, and its 29 gold domes stand for the 29th Sultan.
Next, drive past Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan's palace. Guinness lists it as the world's largest residential palace, with 1,788 rooms. You can't go in, except during the three-day open house after Ramadan, when the Sultan welcomes the public.
For lunch, try Brunei's national dish, ambuyat. It's a sticky starch from the sago palm. You twirl it onto a bamboo fork (candas), dip it in a sour or spicy sauce and swallow it without chewing.
In the afternoon, visit The Empire Brunei in Jerudong, a grand hotel first built as a royal guest house. Non-guests can have tea in the huge marble lobby.
Watch the sunset from Muara or Tungku beach. Then head back to the city for dinner.
End your trip at the Gadong Night Market. Satay, grilled fish and nasi katok (rice with fried chicken and sambal) cost a dollar or two each, so you can try a little of everything.
| Day | Main area | Highlights | Getting around |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Capital and river | Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, Royal Regalia Museum, Kampong Ayer | Walking and water taxi |
| 2 | Temburong | Longboat, canopy walk, jungle stream | Organised tour |
| 3 | Mosques and coast | Jame' Asr Mosque, palace gates, The Empire, Gadong market | Dart ride-hailing app |
Where to stay for 3 days in Brunei
Base yourself in Bandar Seri Begawan for all three nights, because every day trip starts there. The waterfront and Kianggeh area put you within walking distance of the mosques and the water taxi jetties.
Gadong and Kiulap, a short ride away, have more mid-range hotels and better food. As of October 2026, a simple guesthouse costs about BND 35 to 55 a night, and a business hotel about BND 65 to 110.
Want a splurge? The Empire Brunei in Jerudong has a beach, pools and a golf course, but it's a 25-minute drive from the center, so you'll use Dart a lot.
Things to do in Brunei: rules to know first
Brunei is an Islamic monarchy, and its laws are strict. A few rules affect every visitor.
- Alcohol and tobacco: Neither is sold in Brunei. Non-Muslims aged 17 and over may bring in a limited amount of alcohol, declare it on arrival and drink it in private.
- Friday prayers: Shops, offices and restaurants close from midday to 2 pm every Friday.
- Ramadan: It's against the law to eat, drink or smoke in public during fasting hours.
- Dress: Dress modestly. Don't wear shorts in government buildings.
Getting around is easy once you know the trick. Buses cost BND 1 but stop running in the evening, and there are very few taxis, so download Dart, the local ride-hailing app.
The Brunei dollar is pegged one-to-one to the Singapore dollar, and both are accepted. For prices, see our guide to whether Brunei is expensive, and for more on the capital, our Bandar Seri Begawan travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Brunei?
Yes, for a first visit. You'll see the capital, the water village and the rainforest. Add a fourth day if you want a slower pace or a night in Temburong.
What are the best places to visit in Brunei?
The Omar Ali Saifuddien and Jame' Asr mosques, the Royal Regalia Museum, Kampong Ayer and Ulu Temburong National Park. Add the Gadong Night Market for food.
How do you get around Brunei without a car?
Use the Dart app. Buses are cheap but slow and stop early, and street taxis are rare.
