Go next

Bangar

– gateway town to the unspoiled nature of Temburong

24km

4.7083115.0736

Tutong

– a small town, located on the banks of Tutong River

33km

4.804318114.656328

Miri

human settlement

118km

4.40277778113.993333

Kota Kinabalu

state capital of Sabah in Malaysia; last transitory capital of North Borneo

172km

5.9667116.0667

Belaga

Belaga is a small town on the Rejang River in Malaysia's province of Sarawak. Whilst the village can be explored in well under an hour, most visitors arrive in Belaga in order to explore the many longhouses as well as the interior of Borneo. There are a few tour operators which are established in the town; however, the town is very well connected with the tribespeople and finding a local guide shouldn't be very difficult.

275km

2.7113.7833

Sipadan

(Pulau Sipadan) — one of the best dive spots in the world

418km

4.114683118.628756
Sights (6)

Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque

Open to visitors when it is not being used for prayers (opening times are posted by the gate). The mosque is very welcoming and if your clothes aren't considered appropriate you'll be given a robe upon entry. Remove your shoes before entering and be respectfully quiet inside as there may be some people there meditating and praying. The mosque is visible from around the centre of the city, but the entrance is located on Jalan McArthur, just south of Jalan Elizabeth Dua.

349m

4.8894114.9392

Kampong Ayer

The water village is a beautiful sight to see hundreds of houses seemingly floating on water. The village, which is the world's biggest settlement on stilts, has been on the river for over one thousand years and was the capital of the Bruneian Empire. The water village people are very friendly and many open up their homes to visitors year-round. For a tour by boat, water taxis can be found by walking along the Brunei river or the main market in Bandar Seri Begawan and waving one down. Try to negotiate the price down—you shouldn't pay more than B$30 for an hour-long tour (B$15 for half an hour) of Kampong Ayer. Even though the water taxis are not wheelchair-friendly, their drivers are very willing to lend a hand and even team up and carry a person in a wheelchair on board; ask for a larger boat though.But to really experience the water village, you've got to walk around and explore it. You can take a water taxi across for $1 per person (a 2-minute ride). Ask the driver to take you to the gallery (4.884202114.9446451 Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery), which has a detailed exhibition of the history of Kampong Ayer and some lovely artistic souvenirs for sale. The gallery is open 9AM–5PM, but closes Friday 11AM–2:30PM for Friday prayers. The observation tower next to the gallery has views of the water village and the city center. Then don't just stay at the edge of the village near the gallery – go into the village and walk around. Not many tourists seem to go in, so you may get curious hellos from residents, especially children. You'll see people going about their ordinary routines, which feels almost surreal since it's all suspended a few meters above the river. If you look around you might spot a mosque, schools, whimsically colorful buildings, and even chickens. The boardwalks might make you nervous, but there's no reason to worry – just watch your step. They're more stable than they look, and even if you did somehow lose your balance and fall in, it's just a short swim to the nearest ladder – in a way it's safer than walking next to a busy street. Don't wear high heels though.If you don't want to shell out for the ride, you can also walk into the village – start from behind the Sultan's Mosque or from the other bank in Batu Satu.

862m

4.8825114.9425

Jame' Asr Hassanil Bolkiah Mosque

Another mosque, that resembles Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque. Whereas Omar Ali Saifuddin mosque is built to commemorate Sultan Omar, this mosque is to commemorate the current reigning Sultan. Visitors, including non-Muslims, can go inside after removing shoes and covering up with a black robe.

2.4km

4.89794444114.92177778

Istana Nurul Iman

3.1km

4.87203056114.92075556

Malay Technology Museum

ethnographic museum in Kota Batu, Brunei

3.2km

4.88333333114.96972222

Ulu Temburong National Park

The Ulu Temburong National Park is located in the remote part of the Batu Apoi Forest Reserve. The park covers 550 square kilometers of unspoiled rainforest, the vast majority of which is set off for protection, so visitors are allowed to visit only a small piece. Thanks to Brunei's successful forest protection program, the rainforest in the park has never been deforested. There are no roads, so access is only by long boat. Highlight of the Ulu Temburong National Park is the Canopy Walkway, which stands 50m tall while set on a treetop. Visitors are only allowed to enter the park on guided tours, which you should reserve in advance as they fill up, especially in the high season. Tours generally leave from Bandar Seri Begawan. More expensive than Malaysia's national parks, but one of the most popular attractions in Brunei.

54km

4.478115.2077
Nature

we will see

Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei
Someday we will visit Bandar Seri Begawan or begin to dream about going there! However, for now its not on our radar. Let us know in the comments if you think that should change!

Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan, also known as BSB or just Bandar, is the capital of Brunei.

Bandar Seri Begawan is located at 4°53'25"N, 114°56'32"E, on the northern bank of the Brunei River.

Human settlement in Brunei can be traced back to the 6th and 7th century with a Malay trading centre and fishing port near the current site of the city. The first settlement on the banks of the Brunei River can be traced to the 8th century where there had been settlements similar to those in Kampong Ayer, near the present site of the Brunei Museum with the modern city on the opposite shore.

Your notes (private)

What's on your mind? (you can type here notes just for you and they will show on your dashboard)

Information for getting there

When someday comes you'll need to get in.

Information for getting around

When someday comes you'll need to be able to get around.

Your tips and questions

Let us know your best tips about Bandar Seri Begawan.

Climate

Average temperatures

Jan

30.4°C23.3
Precipitation: 292.6 mm

Feb

30.7°C23.3
Precipitation: 158.9 mm

Mar

31.9°C23.5
Precipitation: 118.7 mm

Apr

32.5°C23.7
Precipitation: 189.4 mm

May

32.6°C23.7
Precipitation: 234.9 mm

Jun

32.5°C23.4
Precipitation: 210.1 mm

Jul

32.3°C23
Precipitation: 225.9 mm

Aug

32.4°C23.1
Precipitation: 226.6 mm

Sep

32°C23.1
Precipitation: 264.4 mm

Oct

31.6°C23.2
Precipitation: 312.3 mm

Nov

31.4°C23.2
Precipitation: 339.9 mm

Dec

31°C23.2
Precipitation: 339.6 mm