JameโAsr Hassanil Bolkiah is the biggest mosque in Brunei, and also one of the most iconic. Itโs even featured on the $10 Bruneian Dollar notes!
I visited this one in 2018 and was pretty wowed by the massive scale. Itโs very much worth a look if you happen to be passing through Brunei.
This travel guide will explain how to get there, and everything you need to know before you go!
Tropical scenery + Islamic type architecture. This is what mosques look like in SE Asia.
What To Expect
With 29 golden domes and four 60 meter tall minarets, the size of this building is really impressive and the design is ornate.
You can take a taxi to the mosque, or Brunei also has a local taxi app called Dart. Itโs cheaper and better than the taxis โ kind of like a Bruneian version of Uber.
Another easy way to visit the mosque is to stop there on your way to/from the airport.
Viewing the mosque from the main parking entryway.
When I arrived in Brunei, I hired an airport taxi to my hotel and asked the driver to stop at the mosque first; he was happy to wait around for a couple extra Brunei Dollars, while I walked around the mosque and took photos.
Brunei is a very safe country with a low crime rate, so I was able to leave my suitcase of clothes and stuff in the trunk with no worries at all. Half an hour was enough time to spend here, although if you looked around inside you could definitely stay longer.
If you come here after dark, the entire mosque is lit up on the outside and looks bright gold.
The mosque has 29 golden domes since itโs dedicated to the 29th Sultan of Brunei.
One of the artistic walls on the outside of the mosque.
A fountain near the mosque entrance.
The green courtyard near the mosque.
Going Inside The Mosque
- Monday-Wednesday and Saturday โ 8:00-12:00 AM or 2:00-3:00 PM
- Sunday โ 10:30-12:00 AM or 2:00-3:00 PM
Youโll have to wear a special robe and take off your shoes to go inside the mosque. Thereโs no entry fee, and the robes are provided free.
The inside of the mosque is just as ornate and fancy as the outside, but sadly you arenโt allowed to take pictures.
Rules and times of entry are posted outside.
The stairways leading into the mosque.
The showy chandelier near the door to the mosque.
How To Get There
The JameโAsr Hassanil Bolkiah mosque is located in the city center of Bandar Seri Begawan, just 10 minutes drive from the Brunei International Airport (BWN).
You may also be able to find accommodation within walking distance of the mosque, which is what I did when I visited Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque.
The mosque as seen from the parking lot. Isnโt that a cool winding staircase?
Where To Stay In Brunei
Where I Stayed
I stayed at Qing Yun Resthouse Bandar near the BSB riverfront, in a private air-conditioned room for $33 USD per night. Brunei is not the cheapest country to travel, so this was a pretty good deal.
The location was perfect. The hotel was just a 5 minute walk from the famous Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and Royal Regalia Museum. It was also right on top of a shopping complex with lots of restaurants.
Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.
See Also
- Brunei Travel Guide โ Tips, Info & Photos
- Top Things To Do In Bandar Seri Begawan & Brunei
- Brunei Pictures That Will Make You Want To Travel