BN · Brunei-Muara District · 4.89°N 114.94°E

bandar seri begawan

Gold-domed mosques, river taxis and a night market built for a grazing dinner.

Best time
Any time of year. February and March are usually the driest months; October to January has the heaviest downpours, so keep the museums for the afternoons.
How long
2 days
Getting there
About 2 hours 20 minutes direct from KL. Or fly to Miri and cross by road at Sungai Tujoh, about 3 hours to Bandar. The airport is about 15 minutes from the centre. Brunei is on the same time as KL.
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BN · Brunei-Muara Districtbandar seri begawan4.89°N 114.94°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Gold-domed mosques, river taxis and a night market built for a grazing dinner.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingBandar Seri BegawanBN, Brunei-Muara District
KLbandar seri begawan
≈ 1,482 km from KL, as the crow flies
Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, 27/01/2019

Photo: Charlie Jackson · CC BY 2.0

1 / 5

Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Brunei's capital is small, calm and easy to like: gold-domed mosques, water taxis buzzing across to Kampong Ayer, and a night market in Gadong for grazing dinners. For Malaysians it feels familiar, with more royal pomp, less traffic and no alcohol.

Makan

  1. AmbuyatBrunei's national dish: sticky sago starch twirled on bamboo chopsticks and dipped in sour cacah sauce.Map ↗
  2. Nasi katokRice, a piece of fried chicken and sambal wrapped in paper, Brunei's late-night staple.Map ↗
  3. Pulut panggangSticky rice with a spicy prawn filling, grilled in banana leaf.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Omar Ali Saifuddien MosqueA gold dome and marble minaret over a lagoon with a stone royal barge, right in the middle of town.Map ↗
  2. Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah MosqueBrunei's biggest mosque, in Kiarong, with 29 gold domes for the 29th sultan.Map ↗
  3. Royal Regalia MuseumCrowns, gifts from world leaders and the gold chariot from the sultan's coronation.Map ↗
  4. Gadong Night MarketRows of stalls selling satay, grilled fish, kuih and rice parcels. Bring an appetite.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Food is halal almost everywhere, and alcohol isn't sold.
  • Shops and restaurants shut for a couple of hours over Friday midday prayers, so plan Friday lunch around it.
  • Gadong is a short drive from the centre; a taxi or the Dart ride-hailing app is easier than the buses.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.