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Capital and largest city of Brunei
Photo: Camera Operator: PH2 JACOB JOHNSON, USN, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Bandar Seri Begawan, also known as BSB or just Bandar, is the capital of Brunei.
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Open to visitors when it is not being used for prayers (opening times are posted by the gate). The mosque is very welcoming and if your clothes aren't considered appropriate you'll be given a robe upon entry. Remove your shoes before entering and be respectfully quiet inside as there may be some people there meditating and praying. The mosque is visible from around the centre of the city, but the entrance is located on Jalan McArthur, just south of Jalan Elizabeth Dua.
Another mosque, that resembles Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. Whereas Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque is built to commemorate Sultan Omar, this mosque is to commemorate the current reigning Sultan. Visitors, including non-Muslims, can go inside after removing shoes and covering up with a black robe.
Water Village
The water village is a beautiful sight to see hundreds of houses seemingly floating on water. The village, which is the world's biggest settlement on stilts, has been on the river for over one thousand years and was the capital of the Bruneian Empire. The water village people are very friendly and many open up their homes to visitors year-round. For a tour by boat, water taxis can be found by walking along the Brunei river or the main market in Bandar Seri Begawan and waving one down. Try to negotiate the price down—you shouldn't pay more than $30 for an hour-long tour ($15 for half an hour) of Kampong Ayer. Even though the water taxis are not wheelchair-friendly, their drivers are very willing to lend a hand and even team up and carry a person in a wheelchair on board; ask for a larger boat though.
But to really experience the water village, you've got to walk around and explore it. You can take a water taxi across for $1 per person (a 2-minute ride). Ask the driver to take you to the gallery (Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery), which has a detailed exhibition of the history of Kampong Ayer and some lovely artistic souvenirs for sale. The gallery is open 09:00-17:00, but closes Friday 11:00–14:30 for Friday prayers. The observation tower next to the gallery has views of the water village and the city centre. Then don't just stay at the edge of the village near the gallery – go into the village and walk around. Not many tourists seem to go in, so you may get curious hellos from residents, especially children. You'll see people going about their ordinary routines, which feels almost surreal since it's all suspended a few metres above the river. If you look around you might spot a mosque, schools, whimsically colourful buildings, and even chickens. The boardwalks might make you nervous, but there's no reason to worry – just watch your step. They're more stable than they look, and even if you did somehow lose your balance and fall in, it's just a short swim to the nearest ladder – in a way it's safer than walking next to a busy street. Don't wear high heels though. If you don't want to shell out for the ride, you can also walk into the village – start from behind the Sultan's Mosque or from the other bank in Batu Satu.
Bangunan Alat Kebesaran Diraja
It displays the royal accessories utilised during the coronation, and some reproductions, as well as gifts received by the Sultan from dignitaries and civilians all around the world. Definitely worth checking out. If you don't have time to visit both, and need to choose between this museum or "Brunei Museum" at Kota Batu, choose this one. Photography is strictly disallowed for the royal treasures and accessories - they otherwise seem to have relaxed the policy as of 2024. You have to take off shoes and the floors are marble, so wear socks.
The residential palace of the Sultan. It is usually not possible to enter, yet the huge size of the palace attracts tourists to snap picture in front of the gate. The palace is however, hidden behind the landscapes, so a better picture can be seen in flyers or souvenirs that feature it. The palace opens to the public once a year on Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid al-Fitr), when male members of the public can line up to exchange greetings with the Sultan, and female members of the public can exchange greetings with the Sultan's wife, and lunch cooked by the palace kitchen is served to the public for free.
Has unfortunately been closed since 2014 undergoing renovations, and as of January 2026 has not reopened.
Muzium Teknologi Melayu
This place has many exhibits featuring the different style of houses and lifestyle of those who live on the water village.
Huge park close to the city with lots of walking trails and a waterfall.
A small canal near the Kianggeh Market, there are sometimes monitor lizards inside the canal and monkeys nearby.
Take a boat along the rivers that snake through the swampy jungle near the capital, and scan the trees to try to spot the monkeys (your driver will look too). Keen eyes help, and bring binoculars if you have them. Also keep your eyes out for beautiful white birds and monitor lizards. Leave at around 17:00 for the best chance of seeing proboscis monkeys—head to one of the waterfront jetties (near the tourist information centre) and ask one of the boats to take you to see the monkeys. The trip lasts about 30 minutes to an hour.
騰雲殿
A smallish Chinese temple.
It was one of the best parks back in 2000s, but these days of glory are faded away long time ago. It got some renovation in 2015 but anyway still some parts of it look abandoned. It consists of two parts: playground and water park.
Beautiful beach with food stalls, playground and washrooms.
Beach got a major face lift in 2015 and now features stylish restaurants, showers, walking trails.
A covered market in downtown. You can get Nasi Katok, Teh Tarik, or a kilogram of raw vegetables or sapit.
One of a few local restaurants that features the Bruneian delicacy ambuyat and a pretty good range of other food too.
Designed more for school groups than for backpackers. Dorm beds are $15/night, making it the cheapest sleep in town. Male and female sleeping quarters are separated, so this can be an inconvenience for couples. The location, however, is quite convenient as it is close to downtown BSB. The rooms are spacious and clean, as the commodities. The free Wi-Fi is not always available. It is best to arrange a bed in advance, since the manager is not always present. He generally arrives at 19:30 but is reachable by phone during the day. The e-mail addresses indicated online are wrong. There's also a swimming pool nearby ($1, 08:00-18:00).
Another budget option. Cozy and a great deal. The only disadvantage is that it's 2 km from downtown BSB, but Bus 39 ($1) or water taxis ($1–2) can solve this problem.
Although it is probably the worst deal in South East Asia, its major advantage is its excellent location, right downtown near the bus terminal, with an ATM on the corner and an Internet café in the adjacent alley. The staff are friendly and helpful, though the rooms are really spartan. 24-hour reception. No Wi-Fi, no shared computer, no non-smoking area, no Western-style toilets, no booking service, no fan. Also note that everyone in the building opposite the road will see you when you take your shower. In the same building you will find a very useful information center, Borneo Guide.
On Jalan Pemancha, a 15-minute drive from the international airport. Rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with satellite TV, a mini-bar, IDD telephone, and Internet access.
Convenient only for the Jerudong area but excellent value with rooms containing a/c and restaurant. Car or taxi essential.
Coffee Lounge offers various Asian and western cuisine as well as coffee and treats. Free Wi-Fi is available in every room. Make sure to book at appointment at the Foot Reflexology Center after a long day of sightseeing.
Opened since Dec 2015. It offers one of the cheapest accommodations in town. Friendly staff, they can give you advices of how to go to many parts of the city. Clean rooms but you can hear your neighbours since there is a gap of space in the roof of the rooms.
Hostel some distance from downtown, with free breakfast, wifi, air conditioning, and friendly, helpful staff. Laundry available for a fee.
Downtown hostel, bookable only through Airbnb.
Qing Yun Resthouse has 5 branches throughout Brunei-Muara District. The different branches are near the airport, the City Centre (Bandar Seri Begawan), Central Business District (Gadong). and near tourist site attraction. It is a perfect fit for people who are having a short stay or is transiting in Brunei. Room price starting from $40
$58/night. A boutique hotel in the Seri Complex. Offers friendly and artistic ambience with reasonable rates.
The Holiday Lodge Hotel, in restful tones of terra cotta and cream with deep green trim, features a two-storey foyer where guests are greeted with traditional hospitality. Well-known for warm and friendly service, located near Jerudong Park, on the coastline of the South China Sea, and roughly equidistant from Brunei International Airport and Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam's Capital, The Holiday Lodge Hotel offers a relaxing environment and proximity to the country's attraction: Jerudong Park Playground. Jerudong Park Playground is a mere 5 minutes' walk or a complimentary shuttle from The Holiday Lodge Hotel.
Four-star hotel.
By far the fanciest hotel in Brunei, no expense was spared in building this mostly empty white elephant. Family, beach and spa resort that overlooks the South China Sea. A 5-star property. Rooms from US$150.
Formerly the Sheraton, this is the only chain hotel in the country. Walking distance to several tourist attractions in the city
A useful hotel near the airport. Will arrange transport even for a short rest of a few hours.
A lively market in an open-air building. Half of it is full of vendors selling fruit (lots of durian), clothes, and miscellaneous goods. The other half has cheap street food, including sweet drinks and a lot of fried stuff, mostly for $1 each.
A good place to shop for supplies, or to check out some local department stores. Surprisingly few multi-national brands. Located in Gadong, it is combined with the Rizqun Hotel. It also has a good souvenir shop.
Built by the sultan to support the welfare of the people. Located in central Bandar.
Souvenir shop downtown near the waterfront.
By plane
Brunei International Airport (BWN) is the main airport in Brunei. See Brunei#By plane for airline details.
By car
All main roads in Brunei (save for those in isolated Temburong Districts) lead to Bandar Seri Begawan.
By bus
The main bus terminal where most local and long-distance buses leave from and arrive is at Jalan Cator in the city centre. It occupies the ground level of a multistory carpark.
By boat
The main ferry terminal in Brunei is the Serasa Ferry Terminal at Muara. The ferry terminal has currency exchange, a small souvenir shop, and a cafe.
By bus
Public minibuses are the cheapest way to travel in the city. They start service at 06:00 but end quite early (at about 18:00).
By tour van
Try asking the counter tickets for a tour van to drive you around Brunei and bring you to the places. Discuss the price first before you agree to board the van.
By taxi
It's almost impossible to hail a taxi outside of airport, so it's better to arrange a one via hotel or call a taxi service. Taxi services: +673 2222214, +673 2226853.
By ride hailing
The main ride-hailing app in Brunei is Dart.
By water taxi
You can hail a few water taxis at almost any dock but the most popular place to find one is on the waterfront downtown.
By foot
Central BSB is small and easy to get around on foot. There are more pavements than in cities in neighbouring Sarawak.
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Bandar Seri Begawan · International · BWN
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