All the Best Things to Do in Brunei to Check off Your Bucket List

Brunei is known for its beautifully structured mosques, lush rainforests, and the prominent, largest floating village home to thousands of permanent residents. Being an exotic country in a remote location, Brunei, an independent Islamic sultanate nestled on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia, can be challenging to locate. Although it is often overlooked by visitors and travellers, Brunei offers a plethora of fun activities to enjoy while visiting. Oh, and their official language is Malay, so you don’t have to worry about a language barrier when exploring. Let’s check out our list of the best things to do in Brunei to plan your next trip!

The Best Things to Do in Brunei

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The Best Things to Do in Brunei

1. Visit Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, located in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei is a national landmark, the oldest, and one of the country’s national mosques, making it an undoubtedly must-visit destination. Named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, the late Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the mosque was built as a tribute to him.

Situated on the Brunei River, this mosque impresses visitors with its distinct look, featuring a gold-covered dome that gleams from afar. As the country’s most photographed icon, its architecture blends elements from the Italian Renaissance style and the Indian Mughal Empire. Upon entering, we found ourselves mesmerised by its calming interior, adorned with Italian marble floors and soft carpets handmade in Saudi Arabia and Belgium.

Address	Jalan McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8711, Brunei
Operating Hours	Sundays – Thursdays: 8:30 am – 12 pm, 1:30 pm – 3 pm, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Fridays – Saturdays: 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Contact Details	–

2. Be Awed by Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

Source: islamic architectural heritage database

Jame’ Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque stands in all its glory just outside central Bandar Seri Begawan. Named after the current Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, it ranks among the national mosques in Brunei, alongside the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. As the country’s largest mosque, it can accommodate as many as 5,000 worshippers simultaneously.

We discovered that it boasts 29 golden domes, each symbolising a Sultan who has served and led the country. This colourful mosque showcases modern architecture influenced by Ottoman architectural style. Its symmetrical and spacious interior features mosaic walls, Persian carpets, stunning stained glass, and geometric patterns.

Address	Simpang 127, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Operating Hours	Saturdays – Thursdays: 8 am – 11:30 am, 2 pm – 3 pm Fridays: Closed
Contact Details	–

3. Explore the World’s Largest Water Village at Kampong Ayer

Kampong Ayer is the largest water village in the world and has been historically dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’ by the Spanish explorer Antonio Pigafetta while visiting Borneo in the 16th century. This traditional settlement is situated in the capital of Brunei, with its houses, schools, and mosques built on stilts above the Brunei River.

As it is a floating village, there are extensive walkways on stilts and walkable bridges connecting the houses and buildings. It is also known that mobility is achieved using traditional local-style motorboats made of wood for neighbourhoods separated by wide waterways. We believe a trip to Brunei can only be complete by exploring this village — definitely a unique and one-of-a-kind experience you can’t miss out on.

Address	Kampong Ayer, Brunei
Operating Hours	–
Contact Details	–

4. Discover the Sultan’s Life at Royal Regalia Museum

Situated in the city centre, the Royal Regalia Museum is one of the best museums you can find in Brunei. It houses a wide range of regalia given by heads of state across the globe to Sultan Bolkiah and his father, Sultan Saifuddien. You can also find exhibitions showcasing the life of Sultan Bolkiah since childhood, including his personal life and hobbies, Queen Saleha and her contributions, as well as information about the royal family. Artefacts used for royal ceremonies, jewelled crowns, and gold and silver ceremonial weaponry are also exhibited in this museum.

As we enter the museum, we can immediately see the hard-to-miss gilded chariot, brightly gleaming with great detail. The chariot is still used by the royal family during national celebrations and is displayed in the museum when it is not in use for the public to see. If you enjoy visiting museums while travelling, we highly recommend adding the Royal Regalia Museum to your bucket list.

Address	Jln Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8611, Brunei
Operating Hours	Mondays – Saturdays: 9 am – 5 pm Sundays: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Fridays: Closed
Contact Details	+673 224 4545

5. Escape the Hustle of the City at Tasek Lama Recreational Park

Escape the city and seek serenity at Tasek Lama Recreational Park, just a 20-minute walk from the Royal Regalia Museum. Most people visit this park to hike its rather beginner-friendly trails, enjoy the surrounding greenery, and marvel at the waterfall. However, as you venture deeper into the park, the trails can become steeper and rougher. You can choose routes from different starting points, but the most popular trail leads to the park’s waterfall. Note that the waterfall area is busier with people hanging around and taking pictures.

With free admission and being open daily to everyone, we honestly think it is an absolutely great place to unwind and spend peaceful time with your family and friends. Oh, and there is even a playground for kids too. We recommend coming here early in the morning or around 4 pm in the evening to avoid the blazing sun and getting sweaty.

Address	Jin, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8311, Brunei
Operating Hours	Saturdays – Thursdays: 6 am – 6 pm Fridays: 6 am – 11 am, 2 pm – 6 pm
Contact Details	–

6. Explore Brunei’s History at the Malay Technology Museum

Another museum on the list, the Malay Technology Museum in Kota Batu, features a wide range of exhibits showcasing the traditional technologies used by Brunei’s indigenous people, highlighting the country’s history. It consists of three galleries: the Water Village Traditional House Gallery, the Water Village Traditional Technology Gallery, and the Inland Traditional Technology Gallery — each showcasing different aspects of traditional architecture, industries, and more.

If you are looking for a place to learn more about how Bruneians’ lives developed over the years, we highly recommend this museum. We saw how their daily lives were back then, how they lived and worked, and even caught glimpses into the traditions and customs still practiced in parts of rural Brunei. Admission is also free of charge.

Address	VXM9+CVM, Simpang 482, Kampung Kota Batu, Brunei
Operating Hours	Saturdays – Thursdays: 9 am – 5 pm Fridays: Closed
Contact Details	–

7. Indulge in Local Dishes at Gadong Night Market

What is a trip to Brunei without trying their food? Gadong Night Market is the place you need to be, as it bustles with life at night. Here, rows of stalls offer delicious local food such as Nasi Katok, satay, grilled fish, chicken skewers, and unique items like chicken butts, along with drinks, desserts, and snacks like pulut panggang, and even durian. Don’t forget to find and try Ambuyat, the country’s national dish!

Thanks to the wide variety of food available at affordable prices, you will find us here, enjoying both savoury and sweet treats. We recommend bringing plenty of cash because, based on our experience, you will probably end up spending more than you intend to. Satisfy your cravings and hunger at this night market and experience Brunei’s culinary culture firsthand.

Address	WW39+RPC, Simpang 37, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei
Operating Hours	Open daily: 4 pm – 11 pm
Contact Details	–

8. Stroll Along Pantai Seri Kenangan

Pantai Seri Kenangan, also known as Tutong Beach, is a popular beach just a five-minute drive from Tutong town. Its appeal lies in the effect created by a narrow spit of land that separates the mirror-like Tutong River from the ruffled waters of the South China Sea. The long stretches of powdery sand and calming breeze make it an ideal place to dip your toes while admiring the orange horizon in the evening.

This recreational destination also offers a great number of chalets, restaurants, huts, and a playground to enjoy. We also observed many families and friends gathering to enjoy the picturesque view across the sea and stroll along the beach. Be sure to include a visit to this beach in your itinerary — it’s something we strongly recommend.

Address	Pantai Seri Kenangan, Brunei
Operating Hours	–
Contact Details	–

9. Experience Brunei’s Rainforest at Ulu Temburong National Park

Spend half or a full day experiencing thrilling natural adventures at Ulu Temburong National Park for an unforgettable rainforest exploration. Nicknamed the ‘Green Jewel of Brunei’, it’s no wonder why this national park is surrounded by lush, vast, unspoiled rainforest and wildlife. Visitors can explore the park within specific bounds as part of its conservation policy.

But don’t worry, there are still plenty of activities you can enjoy. The Canopy Walk is hands down the most popular attraction, offering serene panoramic 360° views of the rainforest. During our visit to this park, we climbed hundreds of steps and hiked a bit before reaching the Canopy Walk. Also, remember to bring water to stay hydrated and wear a hat to protect your head from direct sunlight.