Nestled in the northern part of the island of Borneo, the oil-rich state of Brunei is one of the smallest countries in Asia and also one of the least visited. If you fancy history and amazing architecture (particularly Islamic) with a bit of the tropical vibe thrown in, then Brunei is for you. As a developed country and owing to its small size, it is relatively easy to get around and you can conveniently see the sights of Brunei within a few days. Personally, I found three nights to be enough to see Brunei. Here is my suggested itinerary for a trip to the country:
omar ali saifuddien mosque in bandar seri begawan
Table of Contents
Day 1 – Bandar Seri Begawan / Kampong Ayer
Morning
Stroll the grounds of the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and marvel at its ornate marbled exterior. Do this as your first stop in the morning to “whet your appetite” on Brunei. Check out the main dome which is covered in pure gold. Admission is free and you can enter the mosque outside of prayer hours.
From here, it is just a short walk from the Yayasan Complex from where you can buy souvenirs or stock up on groceries if you are ever in need of any. The area is also filled with restaurants and you can stop here for lunch. If you’re not feeling peckish, the area immediately east of Yayasan Complex contains the Teng Yun temple (the oldest in Brunei) and has a number of traditional family-run stores – an interesting place for a short stroll.
the jame asr bolkiah mosque
Afternoon
It’s a short walk to the Royal Regalia Museum which features a number of objects including gifts the Sultan of Brunei has received over the years as well as equipment used during his coronation and silver jubilee (check out the royal chariot in the entrance hall). Opening hours: Sun-Thu from 9am to 5pm, Fri 9-11.30am & 2.30-5pm, Sat 9.45am-5pm, last entry 4.30pm.
Head over to the Jame Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque. Built in 1994, this is Brunei’s largest mosque and it boasts of 29 golden domes. Surrounded by a landscaped garden as well as fountains, it’s also a noteworthy sight in the evening when the mosque is floodlit. From the city center, you can take Bus #1 and stop right by the gate. Do note the opening hours: 8am-noon, 2-3pm & 5-6pm Mon-Wed & Sat, 10.45am-noon, 2-3pm & 5-6pm Sun, closed Thu & Fri
Take the #1 bus again and head back to Bandar Seri Begawan in the late afternoon. By this time, it won’t be too hot to visit Kampong Ayer (the water village). Point to point rides around Kampong Ayer cost $1 while a one hour boat ride around Kampong Ayer should not cost more than $10. So what will you get to see within that hour? You’ll be shown places such as the floating fire station, floating mosque, floating school and plenty of houses built on stilts. You can also ask the boat man to take you for a glimpse of the Istana Nurul Iman, the residence of the sultan. If you have time, you should also check out the Kampong Ayer Museum which details the history of the area. An overnight stay in one of the houses on stilts is also possible if you wish to spend more time there.
long boats at the ulu temburong national park
Day 2 – Ulu Temburong National Park
Morning & Afternoon
Head out to Ulu Temburong National Park – a trip which will take you the entire day. The journey is an adventure in itself where from downtown BSB, you’ll take a ride through mangroves on a speedboat to the lodge before being transferred to a longboat. Exploration of the national park generally includes various attractions such as the waterfall with “fish spa” and an exhilarating climb up a rickety set of stairs to the canopy walk for a bird’s eye view of the rainforest.
translucent waters at the national park
Most tours start at around 7:30AM from the pier in Bandar Seri Begawan and end at around 5pm.
enormous pool area of the empire hotel, brunei
Tip: Singapore Dollars can also be used in Brunei at a rate of 1:1.
Day 3 – Gadong & Chilling at Empire Hotel
Morning
Chill at one of the most resplendent hotels in the world, the Empire Hotel & Country Club – where you should give yourself a treat and stay at least a night. A self-styled 6-star property, you can either have a relaxing time inside the luxurious room or chill outdoors. There’s a decent beach with a lagoon that is good for swimming and kayaking. For sports enthusiasts, the property has actually won a couple of awards for golfing.
the beach of the empire hotel
Afternoon & Evening
For some last minute shopping, go to The Mall at Gadong – Brunei’s largest shopping center. It’s a mostly modern affair where you can find high street brands. From Empire Hotel, #57/58 bus will take you there.
A short walk from the shopping center is Gadong Night Market. You will find a lot of interesting eats in the outdoor space from 4PM onwards. Make sure to try the pulut panggang (rice stuffed with meat and wrapped in banana leaves), local kueh (small cakes) as well as the grilled seafood.
If you have extra time in Brunei…
Not a must-see but if you find yourself with extra time in Brunei, consider making the 1.5 hour trip to Seria in western Brunei to gain a better understanding of the industry that’s powering the economy of the nation. There is a monument dedicated to the billionth barrel of oil extracted in Brunei and it’s erected in the site of the first oil well discovered in the country.
Travel Tips for Brunei
- Singapore Dollars can also be used in Brunei and the exchange rate is 1:1. Likewise, if you have leftover Brunei Dollars, you can easily use them in Singapore.
- As a rule of thumb, taxi fares from the airport to downtown Bandar Seri Begawan should cost no more than B$25. If you’re heading to Empire Hotel from the airport, the fare should be around B$15.
- Brunei is under Sharia law and all restaurants and eateries are closed from 12 noon to 2pm every Friday. To save yourself from getting hungry during lunch time, you may take an early lunch or buy a takeaway meal.
- I typically shop around when buying travel insurance and using this travel insurance aggregator allows me to compare prices and benefits in one glance.
Where to stay in Brunei
I have stayed in a number of lodging options in Brunei. To experience the best that the country has the offer, do book at least one night at Empire Hotel and Country Club. The property is an attraction in itself. For something closer to the city, the recently renovated Radisson Hotel Brunei is an excellent choice. You can also compare for the best prices for Brunei hotels HERE.
I’m going to Brunei tomorrow. Thank you so much for this useful post!
No problem! Hope it was helpful!
Your post is very useful, thanks!
I’m going there this August, is the weather good for travelling that time? How’s the actual weather?
It’s ok at that time but there’s a tendency to have haze — it’s a seasonal thing and dependent on wind patterns.
Thanks for that info, will take note of that.
One more question, is it possible to go inside the Empire Hotel and Country Club and use the amenities (even with a fee, it’s ok) or at least stroll along the beachfront even if you did not check in on the hotel?
Very informative & useful post! ? thanks!
This is one of the most detailed and practical itineraries for Brunei which I’ve read in a while, Bino! Now I feel ready to cross Brunei off my bucket list and thus, your post will come in handy. When would it be the best time fo the year to explore Brunei?
Hi, will you suggest car rent at brunei if we have 4 adult & 2 small kids? For 4 days 3 nights (perhaps 2 nights at city & 1 night at empire hotel. TQ
Yes, car rental sounds sensible for a family. It’ll be hard to bring the kids along if you commute.
HI Bino
Great information – thank you. Would suggest taking an organised tour or could we do this on our own using public transportation or taxis?
Does tourists can visit the palace during Id El Fiter or only local citizens.
Hi which tour you booked to go to ulu temburong?