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    Istana Nurul Iman

    144 Reviews
    #11 of 160 things to do in Bandar Seri Begawan
    Historic Sites, Points of Interest & Landmarks, Sights & Landmarks
    Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha, Bandar Seri Begawan BA1000, Brunei Darussalam
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    US$41.29*
    and up
    Half Day City Tour and Optional Water Village Experience
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    US$77.13*
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    Full Day City and Water Village Tour with Lunch in Brunei
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    US$175.00*
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    Full Brunei Experience - City Excursion - Water Village and Mangrove Safari
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    With 1,788 rooms, a banquet hall that can seat over 4,000 guests, a 1,500 people capacity Mosque, 5 swimming pools and a 110-car garage, the 200,000 m² (2.15 million sq ft) Sultan of Brunei's lavish Royal Palace, build by the Philippine's Ayala Corporation in 1984, is the world's largest residential palace, situated on top of a hill overlooking the capital and the Brunei River. Its golden domes and sweeping rooflines make for an awe-inspiring view, even from a distance and are a glittering example of Brunei's enduring royal heritage. Though only accessible to those on official business, the Palace, which name means "The Palace of the Light of Faith", is however open to the public for three days a year, when His Majesty usually holds an "Open House" to greet his subjects and visitors alike on the occasion of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the religious festival following the fasting month of Ramadan. On other days, the sumptuous palace, which is also Brunei's seat of government, can be viewed through the main entrance gates, from the nearby Damuan promenade or from various angles on the Brunei river.

    About Istana Nurul Iman

    With 1,788 rooms, a banquet hall that can seat over 4,000 guests, a 1,500 people capacity Mosque, 5 swimming pools and a 110-car garage, the 200,000 m² (2.15 million sq ft) Sultan of Brunei's lavish Royal Palace, build by the Philippine's Ayala Corporation in 1984, is the world's largest residential palace, situated on top of a hill overlooking the capital and the Brunei River. Its golden domes and sweeping rooflines make for an awe-inspiring view, even from a distance and are a glittering example of Brunei's enduring royal heritage. Though only accessible to those on official business, the Palace, which name means "The Palace of the Light of Faith", is however open to the public for three days a year, when His Majesty usually holds an "Open House" to greet his subjects and visitors alike on the occasion of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the religious festival following the fasting month of Ramadan. On other days, the sumptuous palace, which is also Brunei's seat of government, can be viewed through the main entrance gates, from the nearby Damuan promenade or from various angles on the Brunei river.
    4.0
    144 reviews
    • Excellent36%
    • Very good33%
    • Average25%
    • Poor5%
    • Terrible1%
    Travellers talk about
    “open to the public” (10 reviews)
    “residential palace” (6 reviews)
    “fasting month” (5 reviews)
    LOCATION
    Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha, Bandar Seri Begawan BA1000, Brunei Darussalam
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    Ways to Experience Istana Nurul Iman
    Half Day City Tour and Optional Water Village...
    4 Reviews
    from US$41.30
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    Full Day City and Water Village Tour with...
    5 Reviews
    from US$77.10
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    Full Brunei Experience - City Excursion...
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    from US$175.00
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    "open to the public"
    in 10 reviews
    "residential palace"
    in 6 reviews
    "fasting month"
    in 5 reviews
    "idul fitri"
    in 3 reviews
    "shaking hands"
    in 2 reviews
    "stunning palace"
    in 2 reviews
    "square feet"
    in 2 reviews
    "polo ponies"
    in 2 reviews
    "floor space"
    in 2 reviews
    "sultan's palace"
    in 5 reviews
    "taking photos"
    in 2 reviews
    "river cruise"
    in 2 reviews
    "air conditioned"
    in 2 reviews
    "brunei river"
    in 3 reviews
    "water taxi"
    in 3 reviews
    "celebration"
    in 15 reviews
    "rotana"
    in 12 reviews
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    1 - 10 of 104 reviews

    Reviewed 3 March 2018 via mobile
    Open for 3 days every year after the Islamic month of Ramadhan

    Come to Brunei and visit this attraction after the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan when this huge palace will be opened for 3 days, inviting the people including tourists for a Hari Raya festivity. This year of 2018, the palace is expected to be opened...More

    Ask RYumiLee about Istana Nurul Iman
    1  Thank RYumiLee
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 7 February 2018 via mobile
    Can't enter -- just see it on your river cruise.

    Not worth going by car as you can't enter and can barely see what's inside from the gate. It's better to pass by the palace on your staple Brunei river cruise. It is however a stunning palace.

    Ask Nadya R about Istana Nurul Iman
    Thank Nadya R
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 13 December 2017 via mobile
    Not worth it

    You can't go in and you can't really see it from the outside, only from across the river. Waste of money for the taxi.

    Ask nussknacker007 about Istana Nurul Iman
    1  Thank nussknacker007
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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    Reviewed 19 October 2017 via mobile
    Can only be seen from.a.distance

    Cannot see too much the tour will take you around the back and then stop at the front gate for a photo shoot of the gates as you cannot see the building

    Ask Richard H about Istana Nurul Iman
    1  Thank Richard H
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 21 September 2017
    O K Mosque ,nothing special.

    Brunei is an oil rich sultanate not a tourist hub, People go to Brunei to work in oil or other industries. Not much there for tourists to see or do.

    Ask him b about Istana Nurul Iman
    1  Thank him b
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 15 August 2017
    Sultan's palace

    This is the palace of sultan of brunei, the richest monarch of the world. Visit during Hari Raya if you want to get inside and meet the royal family. I heard that the line would be extremely long.

    Ask minimize940314 about Istana Nurul Iman
    1  Thank minimize940314
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 13 July 2017
    A spectacle of richness

    You can only enter the Istana during the Muslim New Year. From outside, you can see 2 guard posts which is guarded 24 hours. Recommend taking pictures but from the parking lot opposite the Istana.

    Ask Jason L about Istana Nurul Iman
    1  Thank Jason L
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 7 July 2017 via mobile
    Visit during Hari Raya to meet the sultan and Queen!

    For 3 days only they open the palace to the general public, let you have a meal for free, and then show you to queue up to meet the royalty. I shook the Queen's hand and had a brief chat about what I was doing...More

    Ask sarah b about Istana Nurul Iman
    Thank sarah b
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 6 July 2017
    Royal Gateway to meet Sultan was closed

    I visited Istana Nurul Iman and indeed did not meet his Majesty. This place was the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, and the seat of the Brunei government. According to local Bandar Seri Begawan media reports, Istana Nurul Iman, the Sultan...More

    Ask Sivarnee H about Istana Nurul Iman
    1  Thank Sivarnee H
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
    Reviewed 13 June 2017
    Got Lucky

    It is hot when we visited. Too bad we were not here after Ramadan, which they allow visitors inside the Palace. Either way it feels great to see, pride and honor that the architect behind this structure is a Filipino.

    Ask online_dreamer about Istana Nurul Iman
    Thank online_dreamer
    This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC
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    Ask a question
    Questions & Answers
    Joiee W
    22 June 2015|
    Answer
    Response from BruneiTourism | Property representative |
    Dear Joiee, Hotels nearby the Royal Palace include Bad'iah Hotel and Le Gallery Suites.
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