Brunei Darussalam is one of Southeast Asia's most quietly captivating destinations — a tiny sultanate wrapped in rainforest, gilded domes, and centuries of royal heritage. Sandwiched between the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak on the island of Borneo, this sovereign nation packs an extraordinary range of experiences into a compact geography. Whether you are drawn by the spectacle of its grand mosques, the serenity of its primary jungle, or the lively atmosphere of its riverside night market, Brunei rewards every kind of traveller.

Getting there is straightforward: book your flights into Brunei International Airport (BWN) from Kuala Lumpur and several other regional hubs, with regular connections making the journey seamless. Once you land, a smooth airport transfer will whisk you directly to your hotel in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital, without any hassle. Below is a guide to the ten best things to do in Brunei — drawn from the highlights that define this remarkable destination.

Book your stay early to secure the best rates. Traveloka lists a wide selection of hotels in Brunei across every budget, from heritage guesthouses near the waterfront to full-service international properties in the city centre.

Kampong Ayer is arguably the single most iconic sight in all of Brunei. Stretching across the Brunei River in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, this sprawling settlement of more than 30,000 residents is built entirely on wooden stilts, connected by a labyrinth of boardwalks and narrow waterways. It has been continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years, earning it the title of the world's largest water village, and a visit here offers a living window into Brunei's pre-colonial way of life.

The best way to explore is by tambang — the small, traditional water taxi that ferries visitors between the riverbank and the village proper. Once inside, you can wander through the Cultural Tourism Gallery, which displays artefacts, photographs, and crafts documenting the community's long history. Local souvenir shops line the boardwalks selling handwoven baskets, songket fabric, and brassware, while a number of floating restaurants serve fresh river fish and traditional Bruneian dishes. Children are particularly enchanted by the experience of walking on water, watching boats pass beneath their feet, and spotting kingfishers perched on the railings.

Ulu Temburong National Park occupies a vast swathe of pristine primary rainforest in Brunei's Temburong District, accessible by a scenic combination of road and traditional longboat. The journey itself is part of the adventure: after crossing the Temburong Bridge — one of the longest bridges in Southeast Asia — visitors board narrow wooden boats that speed through mangrove-lined rivers before arriving at the park's jungle lodges. The trip takes roughly two hours from Bandar Seri Begawan, and day trips as well as overnight stays can be arranged through licensed tour operators.

The centrepiece experience at Ulu Temburong is the aluminium canopy walkway, which spirals up a series of towers to a height of nearly 50 metres above the forest floor. From the topmost platform, the view extends across an unbroken canopy of ancient trees — a perspective that few places on Earth can match. Wildlife sightings are common: hornbills, gibbons, and flying lizards are all regularly spotted from the walkway. The park is laced with well-maintained forest trails that pass crystal-clear streams, and a natural swimming hole at the base of a small waterfall provides a cool reward after the exhilarating climb.

Named after the 28th Sultan of Brunei, the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful mosques in the entire Asia-Pacific region. Completed in 1958 and designed in a classical Mughal-Malay architectural style, its gleaming white marble exterior and 44-metre golden dome dominate the Bandar Seri Begawan skyline, especially at dawn and dusk when the light turns the dome a warm amber. The mosque is set on an artificial lagoon, and a full-scale replica of a 16th-century royal ceremonial barge is moored permanently on the water beside it, adding a theatrical flourish to the composition.

Non-Muslim visitors are welcome outside of prayer times, and modest dress — including a robe provided at the entrance — is required. The surrounding gardens and esplanade are a popular gathering spot for families in the early evenings, and the reflection of the dome in the lagoon at night is a sight that many visitors find genuinely breathtaking. Photography from the esplanade captures the mosque in all its grandeur, with the Brunei River providing a natural backdrop. The mosque is located in the heart of the city, making it an easy starting point for exploring the surrounding heritage quarter on foot.

While you are in the area, explore the best activities in Brunei — from cultural experiences around the mosque to guided tours of the river and jungle.

Sungai Basong Recreational Park is a well-developed green space located a short drive from Bandar Seri Begawan, making it a favourite destination for families seeking a relaxed day outdoors. The park features a series of well-maintained hiking trails that wind through secondary forest, passing alongside the cool waters of Sungai Basong and offering shaded paths suitable even for young children. Picnic shelters are dotted throughout the grounds, and the open lawns are perfect for a leisurely afternoon in the shade of the trees.

Beyond the trails, the park includes a playground, a small recreational lake, and a mini cultural village that showcases traditional Bruneian architecture and handicraft demonstrations. Several casual restaurants and food stalls operate within the park, serving local favourites at very reasonable prices. The atmosphere on weekends is cheerful and unhurried, with families, joggers, and school groups all sharing the space harmoniously. It offers a pleasant contrast to the city's grand monuments, giving visitors an authentic glimpse of everyday Bruneian leisure.

The Gadong Night Market, known locally as Pasar Malam Gadong, is the most celebrated street food gathering in Brunei and a mandatory stop for any visitor with an appetite for authentic local cuisine. Operating from around 4 pm through to midnight every day, the market fills a large outdoor space in the commercial Gadong district with dozens of stalls, the air thick with the aromas of grilled meat, frying batter, and fragrant spice blends. Admission is free, and prices are extremely affordable — most dishes cost just a few Brunei dollars.

The signature dish to seek out is ambuyat, Brunei's national delicacy: a sticky, glutinous paste made from the inner trunk of the sago palm, eaten by twirling it onto a bamboo fork and dipping it into a tart, spicy sauce. Other must-tries include roti John — a fluffy omelette sandwich grilled on a flat iron — as well as satay, kuih Malaya (traditional Malay sweets and cakes), fresh sugarcane juice, and an array of grilled seafood. The market is a social event as much as a culinary one, with extended families occupying long communal tables well into the evening.

The Gadong Night Market is at its most vibrant from about 6 pm onwards, when the stalls are fully set up and the crowds begin to arrive. Weekends tend to be busier, and the festive season — particularly during Ramadan — transforms the market into an especially spectacular event with additional stalls, decorations, and an even wider variety of traditional dishes. Arriving early gives you the best pick of freshly prepared food before the most popular items sell out. It is easily accessible by taxi or rideshare from central Bandar Seri Begawan.

For a more authentically local market experience, Tamu Kianggeh sits alongside the Kianggeh River in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan and has been a trading hub for generations. Unlike the night market, Tamu Kianggeh is a morning affair, with vendors setting up their stalls from dawn to sell an eclectic mix of produce, handicrafts, and cooked food. The market has a relaxed, workaday atmosphere that feels far removed from the tourist circuit — this is where local residents come to buy their fresh vegetables, medicinal herbs, jungle honey, and fragrant spices.

Fish stalls display the morning's catch alongside live river creatures, and the sections selling cooked dishes are particularly good for a simple, cheap breakfast. Traditional Malay cakes, grilled corn, and freshly brewed local coffee are among the early-morning staples. Wander the perimeter of the market and you will find vendors selling handwoven baskets, traditional kain pelikat (checked sarong cloth), dried fruits, and locally harvested forest products. The market is within easy walking distance of the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, making it a natural first stop on a morning walkabout through the city.

Jerudong Park holds a special place in Brunei's popular imagination as one of the largest and most elaborate outdoor parks in Southeast Asia. Originally developed in the 1990s as a gift to the people of Brunei, the park spans an enormous area of landscaped grounds and features an impressive range of rides, carnival games, and entertainment facilities. The star attraction for thrill-seekers is the Big Red Warrior, a sprawling obstacle course that tests agility, balance, and nerve through a series of climbing walls, rope bridges, and aerial challenges.

Beyond the rides, Jerudong Park has a large food court with a wide selection of local and international options, making it easy to spend an entire day here without venturing elsewhere. Live performances, cultural shows, and seasonal events add to the festive atmosphere on weekends. The park is particularly enjoyable for families travelling with children aged five and above, as the range of attractions is well calibrated across different age groups. The grounds are set amid lush greenery on the outskirts of Bandar Seri Begawan, and the scale of the complex — best explored with a car rental — makes a dedicated half-day visit highly worthwhile.

A cruise along the Brunei River offers a completely different perspective on the capital and its surroundings, and it is among the most enjoyable ways to spend an evening in Bandar Seri Begawan. Most river cruise operators run two-hour journeys that depart from the waterfront esplanade and glide past the illuminated Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque, the historic Omar Ali Saifuddien Bridge, and the entire spread of Kampong Ayer as the sun sets and the lights begin to reflect off the water. The contrast between the glittering golden domes and the traditional stilted village is visually striking.

The cruise route typically extends to Jong Batu, a rocky outcrop in the river that carries local mythological significance, and several operators offer buffet dining on board, allowing guests to sample Bruneian cuisine while taking in the scenery. Fireflies are occasionally visible along the riverbanks after dark, adding a magical element to the evening journey. Ticket prices are reasonable and the experience is suitable for all ages. Book through your hotel concierge or a licensed tour operator for the most comfortable arrangements.

The Seria Energy Lab, formerly known as the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre, is a purpose-built interactive education centre located in the town of Seria — approximately 90 kilometres southwest of Bandar Seri Begawan. Seria is historically significant as the heart of Brunei's oil industry, and the lab pays tribute to that heritage while translating it into an engaging, hands-on learning environment for visitors of all ages. Themed around the science of energy — from fossil fuels to renewables — the exhibitions use interactive displays, working models, and multimedia installations to explain complex concepts in accessible ways.

Workshops and guided demonstrations are offered throughout the day, covering topics ranging from petroleum geology to environmental sustainability, and the outdoor area features additional science-themed play equipment for younger children. The facility is exceptionally well-maintained and genuinely informative, providing an educational dimension to the Brunei itinerary that sits alongside the country's more conventional sightseeing attractions. The town of Seria itself also rewards exploration: the historic Billionth Barrel monument, which marks the extraction of Brunei's one billionth barrel of oil, is located nearby and makes for a memorable photo stop.

Tasek Lama Recreational Park is a remarkable green lung sitting right at the edge of Bandar Seri Begawan, offering a genuine slice of tropical jungle experience without requiring any travel beyond the city boundary. The park is laced with well-marked walking trails that climb through dense secondary forest to a series of scenic viewpoints overlooking the city, and several small waterfalls along the route provide natural rest stops where visitors can cool off in the shade. The trails range from gentle, flat loops suitable for a short stroll to more demanding ascents that reward walkers with panoramic views.

The waterfalls are at their most dramatic during and immediately after the wet season, when the streams run full and the forest is at its most intensely green. Monkeys, monitor lizards, and a wide variety of birdlife inhabit the park, making it a rewarding destination for wildlife enthusiasts even in the early morning. Entry is free, and the park is open daily from dawn to dusk. It is an ideal way to start a Brunei morning: a brisk hour-long walk through the forest before breakfast, emerging refreshed and ready for the day's cultural sightseeing.

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Traveloka is Southeast Asia's largest online travel platform, trusted by over 100 million users across the region to book flights, hotels, activities, and more with confidence. For travel to Brunei from Malaysia, Traveloka offers one of the most comprehensive selections of direct and connecting flight options into Bandar Seri Begawan, with real-time pricing and instant confirmation so you can lock in your plans without delay. The platform's hotel inventory covers everything from budget-friendly guesthouses in the city centre to full-service properties with river views, all bookable in Malaysian Ringgit with transparent pricing and no hidden charges.

Beyond flights and hotels, Traveloka gives Malaysian travellers a single app to manage every element of a Brunei trip. Browse and book guided tours of Ulu Temburong National Park, river cruises along the Brunei River, and cultural experiences in Kampong Ayer — all curated and listed on the platform so you can read reviews, compare prices, and confirm bookings in minutes. If you plan to explore beyond Bandar Seri Begawan — whether to Jerudong Park, the Seria Energy Lab, or the forests of Temburong — the car rental service on Traveloka makes it simple to pick up a vehicle at the airport and travel at your own pace.

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