What is the largest palace in the world by volume, located in Brunei?

The world’s largest palace by residential floor area is Istana Nurul Iman in Brunei.

Istana Nurul Iman is the official residence of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and the seat of Brunei’s government. The palace stands beside the Brunei River, southwest of Bandar Seri Begawan, and was completed in 1984. Its name combines Malay and Arabic words meaning “Palace of the Light of Faith.”

Designed by Filipino architect Leandro V. Locsin, the complex blends Bruneian Malay and Islamic influences, including large golden domes and sweeping vaulted roofs. It contains about 2,152,782 square feet, or 200,000 square meters, of floor space. The palace has 1,788 rooms, 257 bathrooms, a banquet hall for as many as 5,000 guests, and a mosque for 1,500 worshippers.

The wording “largest palace” can cause confusion because rankings use different measurements, such as total site area, indoor floor space, or historical importance. Guinness World Records identifies Istana Nurul Iman as the world’s largest residential palace under its floor-space standard. It is generally closed to tourists except during annual Eid celebrations.