It feels crazy to write this, but I’ve now been exploring Taipei for more than a decade, including a year (and some change) living there right before covid-19. It feels crazy, and it feels boastful, though bragging is not the point.
Rather, I want to contextualize my recommendations: I’ve lived them, over a timespan that now amounts to more than a quarter of my life. Some are relatively standard travel tips, of course, but others are chance discoveries, still others insights that only come from years experience.
The idea is that you’ll come away from this page with what you need. For some, that’s an actionable Taipei itinerary; for others, it’s information—and inspiration—to fill in the blanks of what you’ve already built.
Where to Stay in Taipei
I’ll be perfectly frank: Taipei hotels leave a lot to be desired. Obviously, there are some legitimately high-end gems, such as the newly-opened (and much-lauded) Capella Taipei. So, too, are reliable stalwarts like the older W Taipei and Mitsui Garden Hotel Taipei perfectly good bases, depending on which part of the city you want to stay in and how much you have to spend. Ditto for citizenM Taipei North Gate, which is equidistant from Ximending and Taipei Main Station.
With these exceptions, however, I usually prefer to get an Airbnb in Taipei, especially if I’m not traveling alone. Here, too, there’s a lot variance—single rooms masquerading as whole apartments; musty and outdated interiors that needed to be updated decades ago. But there’s also quite a lot more availability on the whole, and the price points tend to be much fairer as well.
How to Structure Your Taipei Itinerary
Walk the tourist trail
Although Taipei isn’t as much of a bonafide tourist trap as other Asian capitals, there are nonetheless some must-sees. A great touristic day in Taipei might see you start at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, for example, then head down Xinyi Road (potentially stopping for a lunchtime stroll through Da’an Park) en route to Taipei 101. At sunset, hike up Xiangshan mountain for a panorama, then enjoy nighttime along the Ximengding pedestrian area.
Head off the beaten path
Of course, many of my favorite things to do in Taipei are far from mainstream. For example, I love exploring secondary and tertiary Taipei temples, from those in the city center like Bao’an Temple, to Guandu Temple, which sits farther north. Other travelers might head to Tamsui, which is home not only to the famous sunset spot of Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf, but also the picturesque Tamsui Old Street. Yet another unique option is to visit the hot springs area of Beitou.
Eat your weight in niu rou mian (and other food)
Whether you prefer to eat when it’s light out or feed yourself in Taipei night markets, this section is for you. A major Taipei food area is Yongkang Street, which is home not only to the original Din Tai Fung, but dozens of other spots to eat Xiaolongbao (and the equally famous and equally delicious Niu Rou Mian, or Taiwanese beef noodle soup). When it comes to night markets, the most famous one is Shilin Night Market north of the city center, but I also love Raohe Street Night Market in Songshan and Guting‘s Shida Night Market.
Gain some perspective
In addition to Xiangshan (aka Elephant Mountain), which I mentioned above, one of my favorite things to do in Taipei is to hike, whether simply to get a great view (as is the case from Seven Stars Peak in Yangmingshan National Park) or to get a workout, as is the case with many hikes near Maokong near Taipei Zoo. Furthermore, I’ve become fond of different Taipei viewpoints, such as Bishan Kaizhang Shengwang in Neihu and Lao Di Fang, where you can watch planes land at Songshan Airport.
TIP: You can also of course go up in Taipei 101, though I personally find that this is a mixed bag—you can’t see Taipei 101 itself, most notably!
Get out of town
Assuming you haven’t already checked out my article about day trips from Taipei (and haven’t just clicked it now), I’ll briefly outline some of my favorite excursions here. Broadly speaking, these include mainstream options and more alternative ones. The vast majority of travelers choose the former fork in the road, heading northward to Keelung or Jiufen, whose respective highlights are Miaokou Night Market and Jiufen Old Street. More unique options include the aboriginal town of Wulai, south of Taipei, and Quanhua Temple in rural Miaoli County.
How Long Do You Need in Taipei?
I’ve spent more than a year in Taipei on a single occasion before, so trust me when I say it: There’s no such thing as “too long” of a stay in the city. Of course, most of you are not would-be expats, so I understand the timescale we’re working with. In general, with this in mind, I’d say three days is a good starting point—three full days this is. This affords you an entire day to tackle Taipei’s tourist trail, plus one for off-the-beaten-path stuff and another for a day trip.
Want to take more day trips, or to take your time exploring different areas of (or just night markets) in Taipei? In this case, the question of how many days in Taipei you need is a simple matter of arithmetic. Want to do a day split between the north-coast treasure troves of Jiufen and Keelung? Add a day to the three I’ve suggested above. Alternatively, if you simply want a slower pace, you could double this initial allotment.
Other FAQ About Visiting Taipei
Is Taipei worth visiting?
Taipei is a city that never disappoints—it’s 100% worth visiting. Some travelers love it for individual attractions, from Taipei 101, to Longshan Temple, to a spate of unforgettable night markets. Others love the vibe (which sits somewhere between Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia) and decide to stay while, in some cases forever!
What’s the best area to stay in Taipei?
If you’re looking for a convenient base for sightseeing, somewhere between the “triangle” of Ximen Station, Taipei Main Station and Dongmen Station is your best bet. However, I also love slightly more local neighborhoods (these are great if you don’t mind finding an Airbnb apartment), which include the areas around stations like Songshan, Guting and Zhongxiao Dunhua Stations.
How long should I spend in Taipei?
I usually suggest spending a minimum of three days in Taipei. This gives you a full day to explore the “tourist trail” between Longshan Temple in the west and Taipei 101 in the east, plus a day for going off the beaten path and one to take a day trip, such as to Jiufen Old Street. Anything on top of this is just a bonus!
The Bottom Line
I hope—and trust—that my Taipei itinerary is exactly what you’ve been looking for. Some of you are totally blank slates, and will directly execute the Taipei trip plan I’ve given you. For others, you’ve already begun thinking through Taiwan trip ideas, maybe extensively. The information and insights I’ve offered will serve more as flourishes and flair; you’ve already composed the proverbial score. In any event, I do trust that reading through this page for the last few minutes (or many minute, as the case may be) will have given you what you seek. Need personalized assistance putting your Taipei trip together? Commission a custom Taiwan itinerary, let me sweat the details.
