Wondering what to visit in Brunei? Most people skip this small country when travelling through Southeast Asia, but I’d argue that’s exactly why it’s worth a stop. Brunei isn’t a party place, but if you’re interested in politics and culture, this oil-rich sultanate still ruled by a monarchy offers lots of learn about. Here are the best things to do in Brunei Darussalam.
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11 things to do in Brunei
So many people asked why we were going to Brunei or looked kinda blankly at us when we told them. We didn’t really know what to expect, but were prepared to be indoors by 6 PM because everything closes so early. We were told nothing ever happens in Brunei. But the people were wrong!
It’s not an action packed destination by any means, but there are lots of things to do in Brunei that can keep you busy for a few days. And the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, is small and easy to see in a couple of days. Here are some of the best Brunei Darussalam attractions.
Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque
This is the country’s most iconic mosque. Go in the late afternoon if you can for the best lighting, but it’s also stunning when lit up at night.
If you plan to go inside, cover your shoulders, arms, and legs. Women need to cover their heads with scarves as well. The mosque usually has coverups at the entrance if you need. But I always think it’s better to show up in respectful clothing from the get go. Especially in Brunei. Really, the “dress modestly” advice applies no matter where you’re going around the country. It’s hot, but it’s not a shorts and t-shirt kinda place.
Royal Regalia Museum
This is basically a monument to what unfathomable oil wealth looks like. It’s free to enter and air-conditioned. We had fun going around and seeing what our respective countries had gifted the sultan over decades.
You can easily spend a few hours explore the rooms and rooms full of things. We also learned a lot about the current Sultan of Brunei, who has been in power for nearly 60 years.
Kampong Ayer Floating Village
Famous for being the largest stilt village in the world, Kampong Ayer has been a functioning neighborhood on the Brunei River for centuries. Homes, mosques, and schools are all built over the water.
You can catch a water taxi for a couple of bucks (we paid 3 BND each) at the waterfront to hop across the river.
It’s a real living community, so make sure you’re polite and friendly while exploring and ask people for permission before photographing them. I also recommend bringing decent closed-toe shoes. Areas of the boardwalk have loose panels or significant gaps that are harder to manage in flip flops.
Gadong Night Market
Open every day from 4 PM to 11 PM, you should visit the Gadong Night Market for dinner at least once. It was right by our hotel, so we went nearly every night. You can find lots of food and drink options for under 5 BND, from bbq chicken skewers to rendang curry. I particularly loved the giant $1 lemon iced teas and juices.
Everyone told me Brunei is boring and things close super early. Our guide in Sarawak was like, laughing at us for visiting and warned us that we’d need to eat by 6 PM or we wouldn’t eat — this was not our experience at all lol.
The Gadong Night Market is also where you’ll catch the Sipitang Express Bus to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, which is worthwhile for the 8 stamps you’ll get in your passport.
Jame'Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque
This is the newer, arguably more architecturally striking sibling to the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque. It’s about a 30-minute walk from the night market. Same rules apply as any mosque: dress respectfully.
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Batik painting class
Batik painting is a signature art style throughout Asia, and each country has its own spin. I loooove picking up batik art because it’s so easy to carry home, but making one yourself adds an extra layer of fun!
It’s also one of the most affordable Brunei attractions and will give you something you can keep forever to commemorate your trip.
Tasek Lama Recreational Park
This is an easy one to tack on to any Brunei itinerary because it’s just a 15-minute walk from the city. Tasek Lama Recreational Park has a lake, a small waterfall, and lots of shade for a nice stroll on a hot day (so, any day).
Billionth Barrell Monument
Ok so this one is kind of a joke I guess, but I needed to include it. The title speaks for itself: The Billionth Barrell Monument commemorates Brunei’s billionth barrel of oil produced in 1991.
It’s not going to be the highlight of your trip, but there’s something special about a country this wealthy commemorating a single barrel of oil. You’ll need to rent a car to get out there, so the journey is the real fun here. We did it as a day trip and made some other little stops along the way, but it was a nice excuse to leave Bandar Seri Begawan.
Overnight at a longhouse
A night in a traditional Indigenous Iban longhouse shows you a side of Brunei that the capital doesn’t. Like the Billionth Barrell Monument, you’ll have to rent a car to get out to a longhouse, but it’ll be worth it. There are a few that welcome visitors, including some in Temburong, or in the opposite direction at the southwestern part of the country at the Teraja Longhouse.
It requires more planning than anything else on this list, but it’s a memorable stop where you’ll get to enjoy shared meals with locals and learn more about Brunei’s Indigenous communities.
Wildlife spotting river tour
Spotting wildlife is one of the most fun things you can do in Brunei. If you just head down to the waterfront, you can haggle with the boat drivers for a wildlife tour. The prices start around 20 BND per person. They’ll take you down the river to look for proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, birds, and other local creatures. Sunset is an ideal time for animal activity!
You can also book a more involved tour in advance through your hotel or something like Get Your Guide. For example, this Brunei river tour includes a guided visit to the Floating Village, which will give you better insights in what life is like there rather than just wandering around yourself!
Eat ambuyat
This really is an activity in itself. I’m an open-minded eater (I even tried “butod” in Malaysia) but if I’m honest, I struggled a bit with ambuyat. But that doesn’t matter! Life is about experiences and you should try it anyway.
Ambuyat is hard to explain, but it’s vegan, if that helps, because it’s made from starch in a sago palm tree. Though it also traditionally comes with a whole fish on the side. There isn’t really much of a flavour to it at all, and they give you a side sauce for dipping, but the texture is what got me. Anyway, I’m not really selling it, but it’s the national dish and you should definitely eat it.
It’s not served everywhere, so we took a taxi to Kopitiam Ka Ginab when we were ready to try ambuyat.
Tips for visiting Brunei
- Use the Brunei Dollar or Singapore Dollar. Brunei uses the Brunei Dollar, pegged exactly to the Singapore Dollar. So you can use SGD or BND notes basically anywhere, but I always think it’s fun to check out the local currency.
- Dress modestly. Brunei is a predominantly muslim country with strict laws — it implemented Sharia Law in 2019. To respect local customs, cover your shoulders and knees in public, and bring a scarf for your head if you plan to enter a mosque.
- Don’t expect to drink alcohol. You won’t find alcohol anywhere in Brunei, not even in Western hotel chains.
- Adjust your nightlife expectations. There aren’t any bars or clubs, but a few things stay open surprisingly late, like some cafes and restaurants. (Surprisingly late is like 10 PM.)
- Don’t speak ill of the Sultan. Criticizing the Sultan or the monarchy can lead to legit legal consequences — steer clear of the topic in public and even online.
- Prepare for everything closing on Friday. Most shops, restaurants, and government offices shut down from noon to 2pm on Fridays for prayer. Plan your day around it so you don’t miss lunch!
- Cash is still king. You can often pay with card (I was using Revolut). But if you go to the Gadong Night Market, for example, you’ll need cash.
- Don’t point with your index finger. No one will be mad if you point, and I’ll admit this was hard to get used to. But if you can get into the habit of using your thumb, it’s more polite.
Naomi Lai
Naomi is a Canadian travel editor and writer with 13 years of international travel across Southeast Asia, Europe, South America, New Zealand, and beyond. She covers everything from budget backpacking to luxury travel — always from personal experience.
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