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Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan is the capital and largest city of Brunei, serving as the country's primary commercial and cultural centre. Named in 1970 in honour of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the city is home to Brunei's seat of government and is the country's only nominally designated city.

Quick facts

Population
50,000 (city)
Currency
Brunei dollar (BND)
Language
Malay
Timezone
+08 (UTC+8)
Local time now
11:01:46

Hotels in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers a range of accommodation options for visitors to Brunei's capital city. Whether you're looking for established hotels like The Brunei Hotel and Radisson Hotel, or serviced residences such as The Capital Residence Suites, you'll find suitable lodging in the city centre and surrounding areas. 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

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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 to help you explore the capital and surrounding areas. Local providers including Avis, Syarikat Mufakat Enterprise, Bayu Ilham Motors, and Brunei Pickup Rental give you flexibility in choosing the right vehicle for your needs. 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 range of cultural and historic attractions to explore. From the iconic Brunei Clock Tower to the Pusat Sejarah Brunei, the capital provides insight into the nation'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 dining scene with a range of restaurants catering to different tastes and preferences. From local favourites like Home Dish and Babu's kitchen to establishments such as Wisma Baru, Excapade, and Haider Sdn Bhd, visitors and residents can find various culinary experiences throughout the capital. 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 pool facilities for residents and visitors looking to enjoy aquatic recreation. Kolam Renang Anggerek Desa is among the swimming venues available in the capital. 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

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Fryday
2.8 km from centre

Cafes in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan offers a variety of cafes for visitors and locals alike. From specialty coffee shops to tea venues, cafes like Matcha Mana, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Syazwan Cafe & Catering, Kedai Kopi Cahaya Indah, and Gloria Jean's provide different dining experiences throughout the capital. 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 range of shopping options for visitors and residents alike. Key retail destinations include The One, Hua Ho Department Store, Kompleks Yayasan SHHB, First Emporium & Supermarket, and Sim Kim Huat, providing everything from everyday essentials to a variety of goods. 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

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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 experiences a tropical climate typical of Southeast Asia, with warm, humid conditions throughout the year. The city is subject to monsoon influences, bringing periods of significant rainfall, while maintaining consistently warm temperatures across all seasons.

Interesting Facts About Bandar Seri Begawan — Weird & Wonderful

  • The city was formerly known as Brunei Town until its 1970 renaming in honour of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien III, the 28th Sultan of Brunei.
  • Bandar Seri Begawan is part of Brunei–Muara District, which is the smallest yet most populous district in Brunei, home to over 70 percent of the country's population.
  • The city covers an area of 100.36 square kilometres (38.75 square miles) and is officially designated as a municipal area.
  • As the country's largest urban centre and seat of government, Bandar Seri Begawan is both a political and commercial hub for the entire nation.

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, making it Brunei's largest city and urban centre.

What district is Bandar Seri Begawan in?

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

Why was Bandar Seri Begawan renamed in 1970?

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

What is the timezone in Bandar Seri Begawan?

Bandar Seri Begawan operates on Asia/Brunei timezone.

Is Bandar Seri Begawan the only city in Brunei?

Yes, Bandar Seri Begawan is nominally the country's only city and serves as Brunei's largest urban centre.

Map of Bandar Seri Begawan

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