With its legendary food scene, iconic landmarks, bustling night markets, and exciting mix of modern and traditional culture, Taipei is a place that should be on anyone’s travel bucket list. But with so much to do here, where do you begin? 

Taiwan’s vibrant capital had been high on my travel list for years, and while it was the food that first pulled me in (I’m looking at you, pork belly baos!), Taipei quickly proved it had so much more to offer. From historic landmarks and striking modern architecture to a thriving art scene, diverse neighbourhoods, peaceful parks, and beautiful natural surroundings, the city charmed me almost immediately. Add in the warm, welcoming locals and you’ve got a destination I’m already eager to return to.

While you could probably do a decent job of seeing the city in a few days, I think Taipei deserves at least 5 days. This will give you time to explore its varied neighbourhoods, delve into its fascinating culture, eat everything in sight, and maybe add a day trip or two into for good measure.

So, without further ado, I’d like to share my personal recommendations of the top things to do, see and eat in Taipei to guarantee a memorable stay.

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Top Things to Do in Taipei

Get Spectacular Views from Taipei 101

Taipei 101 is Taiwan’s most instantly recognizable landmark. Standing a whopping 508 meters high, this engineering marvel was the world’s tallest building from 2004 to 2021, and still dominates the skyline today.

From the tower’s 360 degree observatory on the 89th floor, visitors can get breathtaking panoramic views of the city through floor-to-ceiling windows. You can also get unobstructed views from the outdoor observation deck at Skyline 460 on the 101st floor, though this option is significantly more expensive.

During the day you’ll see the sprawling metropolis below in all its glory, as well as the lush green hills that surround the Taipei Basin. Meanwhile, the evenings will treat you to a show of twinkling car lights, glowing office windows, neon signs, and a beautiful sunset if you’re lucky.

• Admission: Adult tickets for the 89th floor observatory are NT$600, while Skyline 460 tickets will set you back NT$3000. It is best to book tickets in advance.
• Opening times: Daily from 10am to 9pm. The last entry for visitors to the observatory is at 8:15pm.

Hike up Elephant Mountain

While Taipei 101 offers great panoramas of the city, some of the best views are to be found up Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan). To get to the top you will need to hike up a steep, but relatively short, trail that will likely leave you covered in sweat. However, once at the top you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking views of Taipei, and a perfectly framed shot of Taipei 101. There are various viewing platforms to look out from on the mountain, including the famous six boulders observation deck.

The most popular time to head up Elephant Mountain is for sunset, when Taipei 101 is beautifully illuminated. It gets quite busy at this time, but the area is big enough that you can still enjoy the views and the pleasant atmosphere.

To get to the trailhead, take the metro to Xiangshan station and walk for around 5-10 minutes through Xiangshan Park. There are plenty of signs along the way. The hike to the top takes around 30 minutes with some stops. Remember to take water with you! 

Get Addicted to Bubble Tea 

Invented in Taiwan, bubble tea is ubiquitous and utterly delicious. Using a base of milk tea, green tea or fruit tea, you can customize how much sugar and ice your tea contains, and add tapioca balls or cubes of flavoured jelly.

Warning, the default level of sweetness can be insanely sweet. I had at least one a day while here, so I erred on the side of caution and went for around 25% sugar, just to slightly reduce the chances of getting diabetes.

Take a Day Trip to Yehliu Geopark

Located on the coast about 40km north east of the city, Yehliu Geopark is a surreal and beautiful nature park is famed for its fascinating rock formations. Naturally occurring from millions of years of erosion, weathering, and earth movements, they have been transformed into unique shapes, earning them nicknames like the ice cream rock, mushroom rock, and dragon head’s rock. The most well known though is the Queen’s Head, owing to its apparent likeness to Queen Elizabeth II (if she had really bad skin..)

Stretching nearly 2km into the ocean, Yehliu Geopark is a really interesting and picturesque place where you can easily spend a good few hours exploring the various trails, checking out the approximately 180 rock formations, and watching the waves dramatically crash into the shore.

The most convenient and direct way to get here is to take the 1815 bus from the Taipei Main Station or Taipei City Hall Bus Station. 

• Admission: NT$120. Tickets can be booked in advance.
• Opening times: Daily from 8am to 5pm. The last entry time is usually around 4.30pm, depending on the season.

Marvel at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

One of Taipei’s most recognizable buildings – the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall was built in 1980 to honour Chiang Kai-Shek, a politician and military leader who served as the leader of the Republic of China in mainland China and Taiwan between 1928 and 1975. It is a very impressive and imposing sight. Set within a huge public square, the monument is surrounded by picturesque parks with lakes, and other heritage buildings and gates that are worth checking out. 

Venture out to Tamsui

If you fancy a break from the hustle-and-bustle of Taipei then head to Tamsui. This charming waterfront town in the suburbs of New Taipei City has a wonderful seaside feel, offering a big change of pace from the city. You’ll see fishermen going about their day, people strolling down the pretty riverside promenade, food vendors galore, souvenir shops, ice cream parlours, and plenty of restaurants serving up the freshest seafood. Visitors can also catch a short ferry or bus to Fishman’s Wharf, a scenic boardwalk area known for its sunset views.

Tamsui can be easily reached by metro via the Tamsui–Xinyi Red line from the city centre in about one hour.

Try Traditional Taiwanese dishes

Taipei is recognized as one of the world’s great food destinations, so prepare to spend a lot of your time here eating! There are so many mouthwatering things to gorge on, but some must-try Taiwanese dishes include Niu Rou Mian (noodle soup with tender chunks of beef), Lu rou fan (Braised pork and rice), xiaolongbao (soup dumplings made famous by Din Tai Fung), and possibly my favourite – Gua bao (steamed buns stuffed with braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, coriander and peanut powder).

There are also plenty of tasty desserts to keep an eye out for, including Taiwanese mango shaved ice and pineapple cakes, the quintessential gift for those visiting Taiwan. 

Go shopping at Huashan 1914 Creative Arts Park

Set in an old Sake winery, this creative and cultural hub is the perfect place to experience Taipei’s cool artistic side.

In and around this complex you will find boutiques and shops selling handmade clothes, souvenirs, jewellery, ceramics, and original artwork by Taiwanese designers, as well as music and film venues. There are also cafes and restaurants here if you get peckish.

Be sure to visit the nearby Central Art Park, a pleasant green space filled with sculptures, mosaics, murals, and other artworks.

Pig out at Iconic Night Markets

Some of the best and funnest places to enjoy the city’s fabulous cuisine are its bustling night markets. There are a huge number of these scattered across the city including Shilin, Ximen, and Ningxia, but our favourite was probably Raohe market. 

They’re all pretty great though, with vendors typically serving up classic Taiwanese street food snacks like chou dou fu (stinky tofu), Huoyan Shaizi Niu (flame-seared beef cubes), Hujiao bing (Black pepper buns), and Cong You Bing (scallion pancakes). 

There really is so much to choose from that you’ll probably become a bit overwhelmed! Be sure to wash your food down with fresh papaya milk, a popular and delicious drink found at most markets.

Go Temple-Hopping

Taipei has dozens of brilliant, colourful, temples across the city that are free to enter and look around. The temples here combine elements from Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism, and provide a peaceful escape from the city; the quiet and aroma of incense creating a calming atmosphere. The 18th-century Lungshan Temple is arguably the most well-known here, although Qingshui Temple, Qingshan Temple, Tianhou Temple, Taipei Confucius Temple, Bao An Temple and Songshan Ciyou are all well worth a visit.

Explore Taipei’s Cool Neighbourhoods

One thing I really like about Taipei is its diversity, with every neighbourhood offering something different from the last. 

If you’re after a bustling, modern, chaotic, neon-lit experience then head to the pedestrianized Ximindeng neighbourhood. For something more upscale and fashionable, check out the Da’an district, particularly YongKang Street. If you’re after a more hipster and bohemian vibe with cool cafes, vintage-stores, and galleries, then check out Zhongshan or Chifeng Street in the Datong District.

Unwind in the City’s Green Spaces

Amidst all of Taipei’s concrete buildings, roads, and soaring skyscrapers are a number of tranquil green spaces where you can enjoy a peaceful stroll, or simply get a moment of quiet in the city. 

In the downtown area there is the 228 Peace Memorial Park, which features pavilions, monuments, and museums, while the admission-free Taipei Botanical Garden boasts over 300,000 species of plant!. The largest park downtown though is Daan Forest Park. This lush urban oasis spans 26-hectares and is filled with scenic footpaths, tranquil ponds, wildlife galore, and even an open-air amphitheatre.

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Where to Stay in Taipei

Accommodation in Taipei can be quite expensive, so if you are travelling here from SE Asia you may be in for a bit of a shock. Still, there are plenty of affordable options, especially if you’re happy to stay in a more budget-friendly hostel or guest house.

How to Get to Taipei

Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) serves as Taipei’s primary airport. It is located around 40km west of the city, so you will need to either use public transport or a taxi to get into the city.

The fastest option is the Express Train (Purple Line). This will get you into Taipei Main Station in around 35 mins for NT$160.  The Taoyuan Airport MRT commuter train (blue line) takes a little longer at approximately 50 mins and also costs NT$160. Keep in mind that trains don’t run between 12am and 6am. 

If you’re arriving between 12am-6am, you can take the 1819 bus, which operates 24/7, to Taipei Main Station. Journey’s cost around NT$130 and take approximately 50 minutes.

You can also take a taxi or Uber downtown. Taxis have a flat rate of around $1200NTD from the airport to the city centre, with journeys taking around 50 minutes. Uber’s are usually a bit more expensive.

Getting around Taipei

Taipei has an excellent and incredibly affordable public transport infrastructure that makes getting around the city a breeze. 

• By Metro: Taipei’s super efficient MRT metro system is probably the best way for visitors to explore the city. It’s very well-organized and easy to use, with signage in English and Mandarin. Fares are distance-based, and typically range from NT$20 to around NT$65 per journey. 
• For convenience you can purchase an EasyCard that you top-up when needed. There are also unlimited travel passes available: 24-hour (NT$180), 48-hour (NT$280), and 72-hour (NT$380).
• By Bus: Taipei has an extensive bus network that takes you all around the city as well as further afield destinations. Tickets cost NT$15 per zone. 
• Taxi/Uber: Both taxis and Uber are available in Taipei if you don’t want to use public transport. I typically use Uber whenever possible so I know beforehand what I’m going to pay.

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I hope this list has given you some ideas on what to do while in Taipei. It’s by no means exhaustive: there are many more things to do here, such as visiting museums, going to the thermal baths or taking a ride on the Maokong Gondola, to name a few, but if you are likely to be spending on a few days here, this list should give you more than enough to do! 

If you are going to Taiwan, check out my post on 20 things you should know before visiting Taiwan.

Ciao for now

Izzie, the Curious Sparrow