What to do during my stay in Bandar Seri Begawan and where to go on a tour of the area?
Discover traditional water villages
A significant portion of the population of Bandar Seri Begawan still lives in villages built on stilts right in the Brunei River.
The largest and most famous is the village of Kampong Ayer, which can be reached directly from the centre in a 2-minute cruise on a small motorboat for 1 Brunei dollar.
The smaller village of Tamoi is accessible entirely by dry foot over a bridge directly from the centre.
Admire the magical beauty of the mosques
Brunei is an Islamic sultanate, and the emphasis placed on the architecture of its mosques reflects this.
In fact, Bandar Seri Begawan is home to some of the most beautiful and monumental mosques in Asia.
The main landmark of the centre is the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and about 4 km from the centre you will find Brunei's largest mosque, the Jame Asr' Hassanil Bolkiah.
Hidden off the main tourist path near the water village of Tamoi is also the beautiful Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Mosque of Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah.
Visit Gadong Night Market
Sample local specialties and delicacies and visit the Gadong Night Market, which is open every day from 16:00 to 23:00.
In the large hall, you will find dozens of stalls with a variety of delicacies that you can purchase from 1 bnd.
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Brunei River Cruise
Experience a 2-hour cruise through the city centre and discover Bandar Seri Begawan from a different perspective.
The best cruises are offered by Brunei River Cruise from 30 bnd.
Light refreshments of water, tea and coffee on board are also included.
Book your cruise at least a few hours in advance through the official website bruneirivercruise.com. Cruises do not take place every day, but usually only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The downside is that the boat departs and arrives from/to the Queen Elizabeth Jetty quite far from the city centre (see map).
The easiest way to get to the dock is by taxi via the DART mobile app, which you can hail without a problem in the evening after arrival (around 7:15pm). The price to the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan is around 7 bnd.
Take a trip to the jungle
Brunei is a land of tropical rainforests and it would be a great shame not to venture outside the city during your stay in Bandar Seri Begawan.
The most famous park with its famous treetop walkways, the 'Canopy Walk', is called Ulu-Temburong and can only be accessed with a tour operator.
How to get to this national park and what are the main activities?
Find out in our detailed mini guide to Ulu Temburong.
Beaches and swimming
Bandar Seri Begawan may not be right by the sea, but the beaches can be reached within half an hour by taxi.
There are two top resorts near the capital that we recommend visiting:
- Jerudong - a resort with a theme park and the most luxurious hotel in Brunei.
- Muara - a quiet beach with a nice holiday park ideal for a combination of swimming and walks along the sea
Take a stroll along the river promenade
Among locals, one of the most popular spots is the 'Waterfront', a promenade along the Brunei River that lines the entire centre of Bandar Seri Begawan.
It starts at the pedestrian bridge near the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and ends at the modern Sungai Kebun Road Bridge.
The promenade comes alive especially in the early evening, when being outdoors is a little more bearable than in the evening.
