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Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of Brunei, serving as the country's commercial, cultural, and governmental centre. Renamed in 1970 to honour Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, this modern municipal area blends tradition with contemporary urban life.

Quick facts

Population
50,000 (city)
Currency
Brunei dollar (BND)
Language
Malay
Timezone
+08 (UTC+8)
Local time now
03:07:31

Hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers a range of accommodation options for visitors. Hotels in the city include The Brunei Hotel, Britannia House, The Capital Residence Suites, Jubilee Hotel, and Radisson Hotel. See all hotels →

The Brunei Hotel
261 m from centre
Britannia House
316 m from centre
The Capital Residence Suites
453 m from centre

Airports in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan is served by Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Brunei, the country's main international airport. The city also has access to military and regional air facilities that support travel and commerce in the region. See all airports →

Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Brunei
6.1 km from centre
Military Air Force A.B.D.B
6.6 km from centre
Lapangan Terbang Limbang
11.9 km from centre

Car Hire in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers several car hire options for visitors and residents. Local rental companies including Avis, Syarikat Mufakat Enterprise, Bayu Ilham Motors, and Brunei Pickup Rental provide vehicle rental services throughout the capital. See all car hire →

Avis
1.4 km from centre
Syarikat Mufakat Enterprise
8.7 km from centre
Bayu Ilham Motors
8.9 km from centre
Brunei Pickup Rental
11.1 km from centre

Things to Do in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers visitors a rich blend of cultural and historical attractions. From the iconic Brunei Clock Tower to the Pusat Sejarah Brunei museum and historic royal burial grounds at Makam Raja Ayang, the capital provides insight into Brunei's heritage and traditions. See all things to do →

Brunei Clock Tower
117 m from centre
Makam Raja Ayang
148 m from centre
Pusat Sejarah Brunei
241 m from centre
Dewan Majlis
265 m from centre
Mercu Dirgahayu 60
323 m from centre
Mahligai
330 m from centre

Restaurants in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers a diverse selection of dining establishments to suit various tastes and preferences. From casual eateries like Home Dish and Babu's Kitchen to venues such as Excapade and those located in Wisma Baru, the capital provides visitors and residents with plenty of restaurant choices throughout the city. See all restaurants →

Wisma Baru
159 m from centre
Excapade
japanese · 162 m from centre
Home Dish
167 m from centre

Swimming Pools in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers swimming facilities for residents and visitors. Kolam Renang Anggerek Desa is among the swimming pools available in the capital city. See all swimming pools →

Kolam Renang Anggerek Desa
4.7 km from centre

Spas in Bandar Seri Begawan

We're still gathering spas listings for Bandar Seri Begawan — check back soon.

Nightlife in Bandar Seri Begawan

We're still gathering nightlife listings for Bandar Seri Begawan — check back soon.

Bars in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers a selection of bars where visitors and locals can enjoy drinks and socialise. Fryday is among the venues available in the city for an evening out. See all bars →

Fryday
2.8 km from centre

Cafes in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers a variety of cafes for visitors and locals seeking quality beverages and relaxation. Popular spots include Matcha Mana, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Syazwan Cafe & Catering, Kedai Kopi Cahaya Indah, and Gloria Jean's, each providing their own unique atmosphere and menu options. See all cafes →

Matcha Mana
141 m from centre
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
coffee_shop · 142 m from centre
Syazwan Cafe & Catering
178 m from centre

Shopping in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers a variety of shopping options for visitors and residents alike. From modern shopping complexes such as The One and Kompleks Yayasan SHHB to established department stores like Hua Ho Department Store and supermarkets including First Emporium & Supermarket and Sim Kim Huat, the capital provides diverse retail experiences. See all shopping →

Kompleks Yayasan SHHB
279 m from centre
The One
1.1 km from centre
First Emporium & Supermarket
1.1 km from centre

Nature & Wildlife in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers several parks and gardens for nature enthusiasts to explore. From Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien to Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas, Batu Satu Park, Therapeutic Garden, and Taman Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, visitors can enjoy green spaces throughout the city. See all nature & wildlife →

Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien
20 m from centre
Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas
371 m from centre
Batu Satu Park
987 m from centre
Therapeutic Garden
1.2 km from centre
Taman Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah
1.3 km from centre
Taman Peraginan Tasek Lama
1.5 km from centre

Climate snapshot

Bandar Seri Begawan has a tropical climate typical of Southeast Asia, with warm temperatures year-round. The city experiences high humidity and significant rainfall throughout the year, with no distinct dry season.

Interesting Facts About Bandar Seri Begawan — Weird & Wonderful

  • Bandar Seri Begawan was formerly known as Brunei Town until its renaming in 1970.
  • The city is part of Brunei–Muara District, the smallest yet most populous district in Brunei, which is home to over 70 percent of the country's population.
  • Bandar Seri Begawan is nominally the country's only city and is home to Brunei's seat of government.
  • The city covers an area of 100.36 square kilometres (38.75 sq mi).

Frequently Asked Questions About Bandar Seri Begawan

What is the population of Bandar Seri Begawan?

Bandar Seri Begawan has a population of 72,133 as of the 2025 estimate.

What is the official language spoken in Bandar Seri Begawan?

The primary language spoken in Bandar Seri Begawan is Malay, which is the official language of Brunei.

What currency is used in Bandar Seri Begawan?

The Brunei Dollar (BND) is the currency used in Bandar Seri Begawan and throughout Brunei.

Which district is Bandar Seri Begawan located in?

Bandar Seri Begawan is part of Brunei–Muara District, the smallest yet most populous district in Brunei.

Why was Bandar Seri Begawan renamed?

The city was renamed in 1970 in honour of Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei and father of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah.

Map of Bandar Seri Begawan

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