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🇧🇳Things to Do in Brunei
From the golden-domed Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque to the stilt village of Kampong Ayer - the essential sights, and how to keep your own record of them.
Travel guide - last updated September 2026
Brunei is a small, oil-wealthy sultanate on the island of Borneo, with strict alcohol laws (it's effectively banned) and a noticeably quiet, orderly character compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors. A capital built partly on water and a genuinely pristine rainforest reserve are its two clearest highlights. Here are 4 places worth building a trip around.
Top attractions
The sights most first-time visitors build an itinerary around.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
A golden-domed mosque in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, considered one of the most beautiful in the Asia-Pacific region and lit dramatically at night.
📍 Bandar Seri Begawan
🚉 The mosque is in the middle of Bandar Seri Begawan, walkable from the waterfront and served by the central bus lines - visitors may enter outside prayer times, dressed appropriately.
Kampong Ayer
A stilt village on the Brunei River, sometimes called the 'Venice of the East,' housing tens of thousands of residents in structures built entirely over the water and connected by wooden walkways.
📍 Bandar Seri Begawan
🚉 The water village is reached by the small motorised water taxis that cross the river from the Bandar Seri Begawan waterfront in a couple of minutes for a dollar or two.
Ulu Temburong National Park
A pristine rainforest reserve accessible mainly by longboat, with a canopy walkway offering views over untouched jungle - among the best-preserved rainforest in Borneo due to its restricted access.
📍 Temburong District
🚉 The Temburong district is reached by the Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien bridge, about an hour by road, or by speedboat through the mangroves - the park itself is entered by longboat with a guide.
Istana Nurul Iman
The Sultan of Brunei's official residence, reportedly the largest residential palace in the world by floor area, open to the public only briefly each year during Eid celebrations.
📍 Bandar Seri Begawan
🚉 The palace is 5km from the centre along the Jalan Tutong and can be seen from the road or the river; it opens to the public only during the three days of Hari Raya at the end of Ramadan.
Mark Brunei, get the stamp
In MyPassportStory, every country you mark - visited, lived in, or still on the list - becomes a stamp like these in your own travel passport. Add the cities you stopped in, draw the route between them, and turn the whole trip into a shareable passport-style image.
Open MyPassportStoryPlanning questions
How many days do you need in Brunei?
2-3 days covers Bandar Seri Begawan and Kampong Ayer well, with a day trip to Ulu Temburong National Park.
What's the best time to visit Brunei?
Brunei is warm and humid year-round given its equatorial location - the drier months (roughly February-April) have somewhat less rain than the rest of the year.
Is Brunei good for a first-time visit?
Yes - it's small, orderly and easy to navigate, though visitors should be aware alcohol is not sold or served publicly anywhere in the country.
Do I need a visa to visit Brunei?
Many nationalities, including the US, UK, EU and Australia, can visit visa-free for short tourist stays. Check the official visa information for your nationality: mfa.gov.bn.
What are some things to do in Brunei on a tight budget?
Viewing the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and walking parts of Kampong Ayer costs nothing, local food stalls are inexpensive, and a public water taxi across the river is a cheap way to see the stilt village up close.
Can I rent a car in Brunei, and what licence do I need?
Yes, and with a thin bus network and no rail, it is the practical way to get around - fuel is among the cheapest in the world here. A foreign licence in English is accepted for visits, and an International Driving Permit is recommended alongside a licence in another language. Minimum age is generally 23. Traffic drives on the left. The road to Temburong crosses the long bridge over the bay, which replaced the old ferry-and-Malaysia route entirely. Official information is published by the government at gov.bn, with visitor guidance at bruneitourism.com.