One or two days in Brunei might not sound like much, but it turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly rewarding visits in Southeast Asia. Compact, calm, and authentic, the capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan is perfect for a well-planned 24-hour visit packed with culture and nature. Brunei is easy to reach using Singapore Airlines miles, making it great redemption for award flights.
Introduction
The island Borneo is one of the world’s most unique islands: it’s shared by three countries, Indonesia, Malaysia and tiny Brunei. It is covered in some of the oldest tropical rainforests on Earth, home to rare wildlife like proboscis monkeys and orangutans.
Brunei ranks among Asia’s richest countries by GDP per capita, thanks to its oil and gas reserves. Despite its small size, it has one of the highest standards of living in the region, and its citizens do not pay personal income tax. It is also considered one of the Islamic nations in Southeast Asia, with beautiful mosques and a strong emphasis on Malay Muslim Monarchy values.
Know before you go
Brunei is a conservative Islamic Monarchy, and visitors are encouraged to respect its religious traditions. Alcohol is not sold or served in public; travelers over 17 may bring in limited quantities for personal use, but these must be declared at customs and consumed only in private. Smoking is tightly regulated: cigarettes are not available for sale and smoking is prohibited in any public area of Bandar Seri Begawan. Nightlife is not existent. Aside from lively food markets like Gadong, there are no bars or clubs and the city winds down early. Dress modestly in public to show respect for local customs.
Pro Tip: Brunei has a car-free Sunday program called Bandarku Ceria (My Happy City). Main roads in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, close to vehicles every Sunday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Take that into account!
How to get there by air
Brunei has their own airline carrier, named “Royal Brunei Airlines”, sometimes with great fares with a long layover in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan. Due to my schedule, I initially booked Hong Kong – Bandar Seri Begawan – London in Economy for just 270 euro. Later, due to change of plans I decided to book an award flight on Singapore Airlines. Brunei is easy to reach using Singapore Airlines miles, making it great redemption for award flights.
Where I Stayed
I based myself at the Radisson Hotel Brunei, which is arguably one of the best choices in the city for a short stay. As VIP Status holder, which I simply acquired through status match, the experience was excellent, with attentive service and a suite upgrade. Its central location makes it easy to explore many of the main sights on foot, which is ideal when you only have one day in Brunei.
Street Food and Night Markets
Food is one of the highlights of Brunei, and you do not need to go far. Right across from the Radisson, there is a small local food market that is perfect for a quick and authentic introduction to Bruneian cuisine. You will find a lot of Malay food as well as American inspired foods inside the food stalls.
In the evening, Gadong Night Market is a must-visit. This is where the city feels most alive, with stalls serving grilled meats, local specialties, fresh juices, and desserts at very affordable prices. It is largely frequented by locals, which makes the experience feel genuine rather than tourist-focused.
Exploring Around the Mosque
The Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is the most iconic landmark in Brunei, and its surroundings are just as rewarding to explore on foot. The main prayer hall sits beneath a 52‑metre golden dome covered in millions of Venetian glass mosaic pieces overlaid with real gold leaf, while the slim marble minaret remains one of the tallest structures in central Bandar Seri Begawan.
Just outside the mosque, the riverfront park stretches along the riverfront with perfect lawns, flower beds and plenty of open space for strolling around (it was completely deserted when I was there!). One of the most popular photo spots is a huge rectangular frame placed so that you can capture the mosque perfectly centered inside it. This is the place to get your classic “I’ve been to Brunei” shot.
Elsewhere in the park, you’ll find random rows of imported baobab trees from Madagascar.
From the riverfront, you can follow a walkway towards the mangrove‑lined jetty, all within easy walking distance of the mosque. You’ll be able to look for animals who live in the Mangrove. I was able to spot a monitor lizard and some macaques.
More inwards and closer to the park is a hidden artsy street. Jalan Roberts is one of Bandar Seri Begawan’s oldest streets, named after E. Roberts, the first Head of Public Works in 1906, and today it’s also one of its most photogenic corners. A short walk from the waterfront brings you to a row of vintage shophouses with classic wooden shutters, now repainted in bright colours that echo the street’s mid‑20th‑century cinema and market history.
On the opposite side, still within Jalan Roberts Street, The Big Wall, Brunei’s largest mural, created by local graffiti collective Guerrilla Artchitects. The artwork blends the national flower (Bunga Simpur), orchids, Kampong Ayer scenes and flowing Jawi calligraphy.
Brunei River Safari
One of the highlights of visiting Brunei is exploring the mangroves along the Brunei River. Logically, the best way to explore the Mangroves, is by boat. As Brunei consider small boats as a daily transportation method, you won’t have issues finding a boat to bring you to wherever you like.
Although many recommend to book or reserve a tour beforehand, I can guarantee you it is not necessary to do so. It is very easy to organize everything yourself, if you’re interested, I have written a dedicated blog post about How to: Self-Guided Proboscis Monkey Safari Tour in Brunei. Not only will you be able to easily spot proboscis monkeys, you’ll get the chance to encounter crocodiles, monitor lizards, macaques and so on.
Water Village Kampor Ayer
Kampong Ayer has been inhabited for more than a thousand years and is often described as the historic heart of Brunei: a maze of around 42 villages and roughly 30,000 residents connected by tens of kilometres of wooden and concrete walkways. Venetian scholar Antonio Pigafetta called it the “Venice of the East” in the 16th century, and even today the water village functions as a complete town, with mosques, schools, clinics, shops and boat‑builders all operating on stilts above the river.
Practically, getting there is very simple and inexpensive: public water taxis from the Bandar Seri Begawan waterfront charge 1 BND per person for a short crossing to the village, with locals paying similar nominal fares for everyday hops across the river.
To better understand Kampong Ayer’s story before or after your walk, it’s worth stopping at the Kampong Ayer Cultural & Tourism Gallery, a small museum on the water with free entry. Inside, galleries and old photos trace life in the village from early trade routes to modern stilt infrastructure, while the viewing deck and tower give a great viewpoint of the river.
Once you’re walking around, do keep an eye on where you walk, as some of the older wooden jetties and boardwalks can be uneven, with gaps, loose planks or sections under repair, so closed shoes and a bit of caution go a long way.
Final Thoughts
Brunei is often skipped in Southeast Asia itineraries, but it offers a unique mix of tranquility, wildlife, and culture that is hard to find elsewhere. In just one day, you can experience vibrant food markets, stunning architecture, river safaris, and traditional village life.
