Istana Nurul Iman - 10 Things to Know Before Visiting

There is little visitors can do except for viewing the palace from outside of its premises. Even during the short period when visitors have access to the palace premises, it is restricted to very few areas of the palace.

Istana Nurul Iman is constructed quite extravagantly. The palace has a banquet hall that can accommodate up to 5,000 guests, a mosque for the Sultan and his family, an air-conditioned stable for the Sultan's horses, a garage that can fit up to 160 cars, and many other over-the-top features. The palace was constructed in 1984 at a cost of USD 1.4 billion.

In addition to its size, the palace is also notable for its luxurious interior design, which includes an abundance of gold and marble throughout. Furthermore, the palace grounds are meticulously landscaped and include several fountains and an artificial lake. 

On special occasions, the palace grounds are used for royal ceremonies and events. The Istana Nurul Iman is one of the most iconic buildings in Brunei and is a symbol of the country's wealth and power.

For the most part of the year, Istana Nurul Iman is closed to the public and can only be admired from the outside. On the ten days during which the public has access to the palace, Brunie will be overcrowded with 200,00 people.

1. If you are planning to visit the palace when there is access to the public, take care of your hotel bookings in way advance as over 200,000 people come to Brunei. 
2. Make sure to dress conservatively. shorts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothing are not allowed inside the palace grounds.
3. Be prepared for a security screening. All visitors are required to pass through a metal detector and have their bags searched before entering the palace grounds.
4. If you just want to admire the palace from the outside, Istana Nurul Iman is best visited early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the heat of the day.

1. The interior designer of the palace has also worked on the construction of Burj Al Arab in Dubai
2. The Palace has a breathtaking collection of paintings by world-known artists. One painting of Renoir was bought by the Sultan in 1980 for 70 million USD.
3. The windows and doors of the palace are decorated with tiles of pure gold. The door handles are also made of gold.

As there is no access to the interior of the palace complex, most visitors only take 30 minutes to an hour to admire the palace from the outside. 
 

From Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei, visitors can reach the palace by taxi. It is only 4 kilometers away from the capital.

There is no entrance fee for Istana Nurul Iman, even when the palace is open to the public.

Istana Nurul Iman is not open to the public, except for three days during the annual Islamic celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr. The palace receives about 110,000 visitors then and the guests are gifted with food and green packets containing money for young children. The palace is also open to Muslims during the 10 days of Ramadhan for prayer gatherings.