Enchanted by the grandeur of Istana Nurul Iman Palace

Not situated in the glamorous cities of Europe nor nestled in the mysterious lands of Africa. Yet, the world's largest palace reigns in Brunei - a tiny kingdom in Southeast Asia. It may seem unbelievable, but it's true. The Istana Nurul Iman Palace has been recognized by the Guinness World Records as the most opulent royal palace in the world. Let's explore this architectural marvel, its magnificence, as well as the culture and history of this affluent nation with Mytour!

About Istana Nurul Iman Palace

Istana Nurul Iman Palace, also known as the Royal Palace of Brunei. It's one of the grandest, most magnificent, and beautiful castles in the world. This majestic mansion is even larger than the Palace of Versailles in France or Buckingham Palace in England. The castle serves as the residence of the Bruneian royal family and the 29th Sultan - Hassanal Bolkiah.

Istana Nurul Iman Palace is renowned as the largest castle in the world (Image Source: Collection)

The palace was completed in 1984 with the official name Istana Nurul Iman. In Arabic, this name means “Palace of the Light of the Faith”. To construct the world's largest mansion, the Bruneian royal family had to spend a whopping $1.4 billion. This is truly a staggering figure. The Bruneian Royal Palace covers a total area of 200,000 m² with a 22-carat gold-plated roof, 257 bathrooms, 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, gold-plated escalators...

It's no exaggeration to say that the palace is the symbol of the king's power and reflects the wealth of the oil-rich nation of Brunei. Moreover, on the palace roof is a helipad that leads directly to the international airport. This is also where the royal family's multi-million-dollar aircraft collection is housed.

Where is Istana Nurul Iman Palace located?

Istana Nurul Iman Palace is located in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan in the oil-rich nation of Brunei. Situated on a hill covered with lush greenery and overlooking the Brunei River, the palace boasts a cool and refreshing environment. Its facade faces directly south of the capital, making it one of the most prime locations in the country.

Royal Palace of Brunei is nestled in the heart of the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan (Image Source: Collection)

Not only serving as the residence of the royal family, but the palace also functions as the workplace and residence of the Bruneian government. Therefore, the palace is only open to tourists for external visits, and entry into the interior is not permitted, except on major national holidays in Brunei.

• Address: Jln Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BA2112

• Ticket Price: Free admission

Best Time to Visit Istana Nurul Iman Palace

With its extravagant and world-class architecture, Istana Nurul Iman is a dream destination for many tourists. However, there is only one day each year to explore the entire palace, which is during Hari Raya celebration. This festival occurs for only 3 days, marking the end of the Muslim fasting month.

Visitors to Istana Nurul Iman Palace can indulge in delicious cuisines and receive blessings from the king. Statistics show that approximately 110,000 visitors come to tour the palace during this festival.

At this time, visitors can comfortably admire the bedrooms, living rooms, and royal meeting rooms adorned with pure gold at the palace. Additionally, you'll have the chance to marvel at various artworks and traditional costumes. If you want to explore the entire Brunei Royal Palace, you should visit during the Hari Raya festival!

Distinctive Architecture of Istana Nurul Iman Palace

Brunei is one of the largest Muslim countries in Southeast Asia. Therefore, Istana Nurul Iman Palace draws inspiration from Arab-Islamic architecture. Besides, the mansion also incorporates elements of Malay and European styles. The palace is a masterpiece of art, blending multiple cultural influences seamlessly. This majestic castle was designed by the renowned Filipino architect, Leandro V. Locsin.

The entire palace interior is adorned with pure gold, creating a luxurious and magnificent atmosphere (Image Source: Collection)

All buildings within the palace are constructed from natural stone, particularly limestone and wood. Additionally, intricate details crafted from precious stones, gold, silver, and Islamic patterns create a luxurious, sacred space here. However, the most prominent feature of the palace is its gleaming gold-plated dome. This further enhances the opulent beauty of this wealthiest palace.

Moreover, the palace boasts a picturesque garden with various ornamental plants and fountains. All of these elements create a poetic, dreamy natural landscape here. For the people of Brunei, Istana Nurul Iman Palace is a sacred pride. It's where Muslims place their full faith in the revered monarch.

Famous Attractions near Istana Nurul Iman Palace

After visiting Istana Nurul Iman Palace, tourists also have the opportunity to explore interesting attractions near the palace. Below are some famous tourist destinations that you should visit in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan.

Jame Asr Hassanil Bolikah Mosque

Jame Asr Hassanil Bolikah Mosque is one of the most sacred mosques in Brunei. Originally built for the wedding ceremony of Crown Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, it later became a famous landmark.

Jame Asr Hassanil Bolikah Mosque is one of the most beautiful Islamic masterpieces in Southeast Asia (Source: Collection)

The building is primarily constructed from black and white stone, all intricately carved with captivating, unique patterns. It's also the largest-capacity mosque in Brunei, accommodating up to 5,000 people. Visitors can explore the corridors, grand halls, and a 44-meter tall minaret here.

Kampong Ayer Floating Village

Few know that Kampong Ayer is one of the largest floating villages in the world. Situated on the waterways of the Brunei River, it's approximately 4.2 km away from the Brunei Royal Palace. The village has a history spanning over a thousand years, characterized by houses built on stilts. This unique feature creates an extensive network of intricate canals.

Moreover, the houses in this ancient village are adorned with captivating patterns and vibrant colors. Beyond being a residential area, Kampong Ayer boasts excellent amenities like schools, mosques, floating markets, shops, and grocery stores.

Kampong Ayer Floating Village is one of the largest ancient villages in the world, with over 1,000 years of history (Source: Collection)

Typically, residents of the floating village use boats, kayaks, and canoes as water transportation. To explore this village, tourists must hire boat services to move through different areas. Perhaps the most picturesque scene is the poetic beauty when the sunset falls. For those interested in exploring culture, Kampong Ayer Floating Village is an enticing destination.

Royal Regalia Museum

The Royal Regalia Museum is one of the capital's most famous architectural landmarks. It houses invaluable artifacts including jewelry, ancient costumes, and antiquities used in Brunei's royal ceremonies.

The most prominent exhibit is the solid gold throne, weighing over a ton, displayed in the museum. Upon stepping into the royal museum, visitors will sense the solemn, luxurious space of Islamic faith and culture. Additionally, the museum features a room showcasing gifts from world leaders who have visited Brunei, highlighting Brunei's hospitality and respect for other nations.

Unique Features of Istana Nurul Iman Palace

Renowned as the world's most luxurious palace, Istana Nurul Iman Palace boasts numerous other fascinating aspects. Here are some exclusive highlights found only in the Brunei royal palace:

Istana Nurul Iman Palace is one of the most expensive castles in the world (Source: Collection)

• Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the largest palace globally, surpassing Buckingham Palace in England and Madrid in Spain.

• The Brunei royal family spent a staggering $1.4 billion to construct the world's most expensive palace.

• The Brunei royal palace is safeguarded by the Brunei military.

• The entire palace is equipped with energy-efficient appliances.

• Every nook and cranny in Istana Nurul Iman Palace is fitted with natural air conditioning.

• The royal residence features 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, 564 chandeliers, 51,000 light bulbs, 44 staircases, 18 elevators, 5 luxurious swimming pools... These are the staggering figures about Istana Nurul Iman Palace recognized by the Guinness World Records.

Essential Tips for Visiting Istana Nurul Iman Palace

Before exploring Istana Nurul Iman Palace, travelers should take note of the following tips to ensure a complete and enjoyable visit:

• As Istana Nurul Iman Palace is the royal residence of the Brunei royal family, visitors must adhere to certain rules and etiquettes during the tour. This includes dressing modestly and respectfully; smoking and eating are strictly prohibited in restricted areas.
• The palace is only open to visitors on major festive days. Therefore, it's advisable to check the information online before planning a visit.
• There are many restricted photography zones within the palace. Therefore, visitors should comply with all regulations to avoid any potentially awkward situations.
• Brunei is a Muslim-majority country. Therefore, visitors should show respect for their religious beliefs.
• During the tour, visitors should follow the instructions of security personnel and take care of their personal belongings and documents, such as passports, visas, IDs, and bank cards, to avoid any unnecessary risks.

Although Brunei is not the largest country in terms of land area, it boasts the world's largest palace - Istana Nurul Iman Palace. We hope that with the information shared by Mytour, you will gain valuable insights. If you plan to book affordable international tours, please contact Mytour via the hotline Mytour. The Mytour team will provide free consultation on travel services along with some attractive offers.