Discover the Biggest Museum in Bandar Seri Begawan

Brunei, a small nation rich in cultural and historical heritage, boasts several museums that showcase its unique identity. These institutions serve as repositories of knowledge, preserving and displaying diverse artifacts that tell the story of Brunei’s past, present, and aspirations for the future.

1. Brunei Museum:

• The Brunei Museum, established in 1972, is the largest and oldest museum in the country.
• Situated in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan, the museum showcases a comprehensive collection of artifacts and exhibits that highlight Brunei’s rich cultural heritage.
• Visitors can explore galleries dedicated to Islamic art, traditional handicrafts, royal regalia, and historical artifacts that provide insights into Brunei’s royal lineage and its relations with neighboring countries.

2. Malay Technology Museum:

• The Malay Technology Museum, also known as the Muzium Teknologi Melayu, is a unique institution that showcases the traditional tools, techniques, and technologies used by the Malay people.
• Located in Kota Batu, the museum displays a wide range of artifacts, including traditional fishing equipment, farming implements, weaving looms, and household utensils.
• Interactive exhibits and demonstrations allow visitors to gain hands-on experience with traditional crafts and technologies, providing a deeper understanding of Brunei’s cultural and technological heritage.

3. Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum:

• The Brunei Darussalam Maritime Museum, situated in the heart of Bandar Seri Begawan, is a captivating institution dedicated to Brunei’s maritime history and traditions.
• Visitors can explore exhibits that showcase Brunei’s rich maritime heritage, including traditional boat-building techniques, navigational instruments, and artifacts salvaged from shipwrecks.
• The museum also houses a collection of model ships, providing insights into the evolution of shipbuilding in Brunei and its role in trade and exploration.

4. Royal Regalia Museum:

• The Royal Regalia Museum, located within the grounds of the Istana Nurul Iman, the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, houses a collection of royal regalia and ceremonial objects.
• Visitors can marvel at the ornate crowns, scepters, and ceremonial robes worn by the Sultan and members of the royal family during official ceremonies and state functions.
• The museum also showcases historical documents and photographs that provide a glimpse into the history and traditions of the Brunei monarchy.

5. Oil and Gas Discovery Centre:

• The Oil and Gas Discovery Centre, located in Seria, is a fascinating museum that explores the history and significance of the oil and gas industry in Brunei.
• Interactive exhibits and displays provide insights into the exploration, drilling, and production processes involved in extracting oil and gas from Brunei’s rich reserves.
• Visitors can also learn about the environmental and economic impact of the oil and gas industry on Brunei and its role in shaping the country’s modern development.

The 5 Biggest Museum near Bandar Seri Begawan

Royal Regalia Museum

• Address: Jln Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8611, Brunei
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.4 (819)
• Phone: +673 224 4545
• Website:
• Opening hours:
  
  Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Friday: Closed

  Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Sunday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
• Reviews:
  
  Naomi Reich✭✭✭✭

  2 months ago

  Nice museum with an eclectic collection of presents to the Sultan of Brunei, from heads of states, ministers and others representatives. You have to take off your shoes before entering and the entrance fee for foreigners is $5. Unfortunately some sections have such a cold floor that I couldn’t visit them even with socks. So take sockets, maybe an extra pair. And you need to lock any bags in the lockers, provided for free. Pictures can be taken, but not video.

  Blue & Green Traveling Team✭✭✭✭✭

  2 months ago

  Visiting this very small, but very rich country and seeing this museum shows you how much wealth they have. A must visit and see the lives of the Sultans past and present! You will not be disappointed.

  Khairool Adzelan Aman✭✭✭✭✭

  3 months ago

  Spend some time to learn of Brunei’s history, specifically Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah. Tips: Bruneian enter free, foreigners 5 Dollars for adults and 3 dollars for children. No camera or video, only phones allowed. You have to leave your belongings in the lockers at the entrance. Photos using your phones are allowed except in 2 areas, and videos are absolutely prohibited. Pro tip: use the panorama feature in your phone.

  Sharon✭✭✭✭✭

  3 months ago

  Our taxi driver suggested visiting the museum, so he took us there. You have to leave your shoes outside on a shelf, wear socks if you don’t want to walk barefoot. It was 5 Brunei dollars each. They give you a key to a locker to put your bag in and return the key when you are leaving.

  You are allowed to take photos, but no videos. The section with the replica of the throne no photos allowed, it is guarded by army officers.

  It is a fascinating insight to the Sultans life and his years studying at Sandhurst Military Academy up in the UK and travelling around the world.

  There are lots of gifts given to him by other countries which are fascinating.

  The museum is very clean, worth a visit. It wasn’t busy when we went, there is a car park opposite if you are driving, not expensive to park.

  Tuyet Mai Dinh Thi✭✭✭✭✭

  4 months ago

  Worth a visit. The Royal Regalia Museum provides a glimpse of Brunei’s royalty. The building has a beautiful dome. You must leave your shoes on a rack outside before entering and leave your bag in a locker.

Malay Technology Museum

• Address: VXM9+CVM, Simpang 482, Kampung Kota Batu, Brunei
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4 (215)
• Website:
• Opening hours:
  
  Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Friday: Closed

  Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

  Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Reviews:
  
  Parimila✭✭✭✭✭

  5 months ago

  The museum is about Malay Culture and how they used to live in previous days. The museum is well maintained and there are always staff nearby to help you out if you need any assistance. One of the recommended museums that the tourists can drop by whenever they come to Brunei.

  Avy .A✭✭✭✭

  a month ago

  A more accurate way of labelling this Museum to me would be ‘The Kampong Life Museum’. It’s more about how the villagers of the Kampong Ayer lives— a remodel of their homes and fishing equipments which are all made from bamboo and leaves. It helps us to see how sustainable our past is, using so much biodegradable items found in our nature.

  My favourite was seeing how they turned a wood trunk into a step ladder and a Sugarcane Juice crusher. Entry Cost for foreigners is B$3, only by cash.

  Tuyet Mai Dinh Thi✭✭✭

  4 months ago

  When we visited the museum, we were the only visitors there. It might not be the Technology museum that you have in mind. The museum is telling the story of people, who lived in Brunei both on the water and the land, and used traditional technology for life. You can take photos inside but you are not allowed to bring bags in.

  leo lobarbio✭✭✭✭✭

  6 months ago

  Worth visiting. An informative museum. The staffs are nice and helpful. Lockers are provided before entering the galleries. Galleries full of dioramas about the the malay way of life, living on stilts, different industries and livelihoods adapted on the swamps. A good itenerary for a day trip that includes the nearby museums, archaeological sites and grave sites of the former sultans. A trail nearby would lead to the ruins and excavations inside the forested area. The same area as the maritime museum.

  Reem Bader✭✭✭✭✭

  a year ago

  Very nice place. Sections of the museum show how Brunei people lived and worked. Their heritage and traditions. Very interesting

Brunei Energy Hub Dermaga Diraja

• Address: VWPV+Q54, Jalan McArthur, Bandar Seri Begawan BS8811, Brunei
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (31)

Balai Khazanah Islam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah

• Address: Simpang 26 Jln Pengiran Babu Raja, Bandar Seri Begawan BA2112, Brunei
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 4.5 (48)

Belait Museum

• Address: H5QR+GC3, Jln Maulana, Kuala Belait, Brunei
• Map: Click here
• Rating: 3.8 (28)

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Top Museum Alternatives in Bandar Seri Begawan

Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital city of Brunei, offers a rich cultural and historical experience through its museums. However, if you are looking for alternative options to museums, here are three popular alternatives in Bandar Seri Begawan:

1. Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery:

• The Kampong Ayer Cultural and Tourism Gallery provides visitors with a unique insight into the historic water village of Kampong Ayer.
• It offers interactive exhibits, displays, and models that showcase the history, culture, and lifestyle of the people living in this traditional water village.
• Visitors can learn about the architecture, fishing techniques, and traditions of Kampong Ayer through informative panels and multimedia presentations.
• The gallery also features a viewing deck that offers panoramic views of the water village and the city skyline.
• It is a great alternative to museums for those interested in learning about the local heritage and traditional way of life.

2. Royal Regalia Museum:

• The Royal Regalia Museum is dedicated to showcasing the regalia and artifacts of the Sultan of Brunei and the royal family.
• It houses a vast collection of gifts, awards, and personal belongings of the Sultan, as well as exhibits that portray the history and achievements of the royal family.
• Highlights include the crown jewels, the royal chariot, and a replica of the throne room.
• Visitors can also learn about the coronation ceremony and the monarchy system in Brunei through informative displays.
• The museum offers a fascinating insight into the country’s royal heritage and is an excellent alternative for those interested in Brunei’s monarchy and history.

3. Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque:

• The Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque is not a museum but is considered a prominent cultural and architectural landmark in Bandar Seri Begawan.
• The mosque is known for its stunning golden dome, marble minarets, and beautiful Islamic design features.
• Visitors can take a leisurely walk around the mosque’s gardens, which are beautifully landscaped and offer picturesque views.
• The mosque is also open to non-Muslim visitors who wish to explore its interior, which features intricate mosaics, stained glass windows, and a peaceful prayer hall.
• It provides a unique cultural experience and is a popular destination for photography enthusiasts.

These three alternatives to museums offer visitors a chance to immerse themselves in Brunei’s culture, history, and architecture in a different way. Whether you are interested in experiencing the lifestyle of a water village, learning about the monarchy, or marveling at the beauty of Islamic architecture, Bandar Seri Begawan offers a range of options beyond traditional museums.</p

Thank you for taking the time to read our article. For more in-depth reviews and comprehensive ratings on the Museum spots, please explore the recommended articles listed below.