Imagine a house so big you need a map just to find the bathroom. Now, multiply that by about a thousand. Honestly, when people talk about "big houses," they usually think of Hollywood mansions or maybe Buckingham Palace. But those are basically garden sheds compared to Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei.
This place is massive.
✨ Don't miss: Weather Ashland WI 54806: What You Need to Know Before Heading to the Bay
It’s the official residence of the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah. Located just outside the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan, it sits right on the banks of the Brunei River. The name literally translates to "Palace of the Light of Faith." It was finished in 1984, the same year Brunei got its independence from the UK. The cost? A cool $1.4 billion back then. In today’s money, you’re looking at something closer to $4 billion.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Size
You’ll see a lot of "largest palace" debates online. People love to bring up the Forbidden City in Beijing or the Louvre in Paris. But there’s a catch. Guinness World Records specifically labels Istana Nurul Iman as the world’s largest residential palace. That means it’s actually lived in. It’s not a museum. It’s not a relic.
The floor space is roughly 2,152,782 square feet. That is 200,000 square meters for the metric folks. To put that in perspective, you could fit four Buckingham Palaces inside it. It’s got 1,788 rooms. If you slept in a different room every night, it would take you almost five years to do a full circuit.
The Absurd Stats of Istana Nurul Iman
- 257 bathrooms. No waiting in line here.
- 5 swimming pools. Because one is never enough.
- A banquet hall for 5,000 guests. That is one hell of a dinner party.
- A mosque. It holds 1,500 people and has a massive gold dome.
- Air-conditioned stables. These are for the Sultan’s 200 polo ponies. Yes, the horses live in better climate control than most of us.
- 110-car garage. Though the Sultan’s total collection is rumored to be around 7,000 cars, only the "daily drivers" (mostly Ferraris and Bentleys) stay in the main palace complex.
The architecture is a weirdly beautiful mix of things. Filipino architect Leandro Locsin handled the outside, giving it those long, sweeping Malay roofs. Then you’ve got Khuan Chew—the same woman who did the Burj Al Arab in Dubai—handling the interiors. We’re talking 38 different types of marble, solid gold doorknobs, and silk from China.
🔗 Read more: Is the La Pedrera night experience actually worth the price?
How to Actually Get Inside
Most of the year, the gates are locked tight. You can stand outside and take a selfie with the guards (who are surprisingly chill and used to it), but you aren't getting past the driveway.
However, there is a loophole.
Every year, during the Islamic festival of Hari Raya Aidilfitri (the end of Ramadan), the Sultan hosts an "Open House." It lasts for three days. It’s one of the few places on earth where a random tourist can walk into a reigning monarch's home and shake his hand.
It is absolute chaos, but in a good way. Over 100,000 people show up. You stand in long lines, you get fed a free buffet meal, and if you’re a kid, you usually get a "green packet" with some cash in it. Men get to meet the Sultan; women meet Queen Saleha. It’s a massive logistical operation that feels more like a city festival than a house visit.
Pro-Tips for the Hari Raya Visit
- Arrive early. I mean like 7:00 AM early. The heat in Brunei is no joke, and the lines get brutal by noon.
- Dress right. You don't need a tuxedo, but you need to be respectful. Long pants for guys, shoulders and knees covered for everyone. No flip-flops.
- Take the water taxi. Traffic on the main road is a nightmare during the open house. You can hire a wooden boat from the Bandar Seri Begawan waterfront for a few bucks. They’ll drop you at a private jetty where shuttle buses pick you up.
Why Istana Nurul Iman Matters for Brunei
It isn’t just a house. It’s the seat of government. The Prime Minister’s Office is tucked away in there. It’s where the Sultan signs laws, meets world leaders, and holds state functions. For Bruneians, the palace is a symbol of national identity and the wealth generated by the country’s massive oil and gas reserves.
Some critics point to the opulence as over-the-top. And yeah, gold-plated door handles are definitely a "choice." But in the context of Brunei’s history, the palace was a statement of sovereignty. After decades under British protection, the Sultan wanted something that said, "We’re here, we’re wealthy, and we’re independent."
📖 Related: What Continent Is Israel Located In? What Most People Get Wrong
Seeing It Without the Crowds
If you aren't in Brunei during Hari Raya, don't sweat it. You can still get a great view.
The best way to see it is from the water. Rent a water taxi (the locals call them penambang) at the waterfront. Tell the driver you want to see the palace. They’ll take you upriver. From the water, you can see the 22-karat gold domes reflecting the sun. At night, the whole thing is lit up like a Christmas tree. It’s probably the most iconic view in the country, especially with the jungle backdrop.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Dates: If you want to go inside, you have to time your trip with Hari Raya Aidilfitri. Since the Islamic calendar follows the moon, the dates shift every year. Check the 2026 or 2027 lunar calendar before booking flights.
- Download Dart: It’s Brunei’s version of Uber/Grab. It’s way more reliable than trying to find a street taxi near the palace gates.
- Visit Persiaran Damuan: This is a park across the river from the palace. It has the best land-based views for photography without getting hassled by security.