The best 24 hour Taipei Itinerary: affordable eats, Iconic Views, and more

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Updated: January 2026

Taiwan, especially Taipei, is one of my favorite travel destinations. This 24 hour Taipei itinerary is designed to help you experience the city in a way that makes you full, while still leaving you excited to come back for more.

So is one day in Taipei worth it?

If you’re spending just 24 hours in Taipei, chances are it’s during a stopover or a last-minute addition to a longer trip.

Maybe you’re reading this and your focus is already on your final destination, and you’re realizing that a short layover doesn’t leave much room for trial and error.

I found Taipei to be a fascinating city, and although I would recommend more than one day in Taipei, I think you’ll find this 24 hour Taipei itinerary to be worth your time.

After spending two weeks exploring Taiwan (and making a few travel mistakes along the way), I put together this one day Taipei itinerary to help you make the most of your time, without the stress. It highlights affordable eats, iconic views, and the everyday charm that makes Taipei so easy to love, even on a tight schedule.

Note: This guide assumes you will be staying overnight for one night

👉 If you have a bit more time, be sure to check out my four-day Taipei itinerary or the full Taipei Guide.

Taipei 101 - one of the must - do activities on your 24 hour Taipei Itinerary — Taipei 101 in the reflection

Morning/Early Afternoon:

Ximengding Walking District

If it’s early enough, grab some dim sum in Taipei. The Golden Lion and the Plum Blossom Room are two popular spots.

Check out Ximengding Walking District. This lively street is filled with shops, performers and street food. It really comes alive at night, but daytime won’t leave you disappointed.

For food – Taste Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup at Lao Shandong, cool down with bubble tea from Xing Fu Tang, or grab 大力麻吉 Bbq mochi (I liked the condensed milk with peanuts).

You can also check the Red House historic building, filled with local shops.

Late Afternoon:

Elephant Mountain

After, head for a short hike up Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan Trail).

Mileage: 0.7 miles
Elevation: 450 foot gain

The trail consists of uneven stone steps with quite a few stone steps, but the reward of postcard-worthy views of Taipei 101 is worth it.

Taipei 101

No trip to Taipei is complete without visiting the city’s most iconic landmark – Taipei 101. Once the world’s tallest building, this architectural marvel still dominates the skyline with its impressive design and breathtaking views. Walk around the Taipei 101 area if you have time, but try head to the sky deck for sunset.

For NT$600, you can take a high-speed elevator up to the observation deck for 360-degree panoramic views of both the city and the stunning surrounding mountains.

👉 You’ll receive discount coupons for select cafés at the top, but honestly, the food is just okay. If you can, hold off for better snacks elsewhere – you’ll thank me later!

Rahoe Night Market - one of the must - do activities on your 24 hour Taipei Itinerary — Bustling crowds at Rahoe Night Market

Evening

Raohe Night Market

As the sun sets, Taipei comes alive with bustling night markets – and my favorite is Raohe Night Market. It’s arguably the liveliest market currently. If you want a little bit of chaos mixed with Michelin recommended stalls, this is for you.

Two foods I really enjoyed were the fresh mochi from Mochi Baby and the famous pepper pork buns from Fuzhou Pepper Buns.

👉 Not sure where to stay? Read more on where to stay in Taipei

Morning

Breakfast and Departure

If you’re an early rise – and for some reason, still hungry… head to Fuhang Soy Milk. The line gets very long, quickly. They open at 0530 and since you have a plane to catch, I’d recommend getting there close to open.

If you still have time, wander around the streets to see if you can catch locals doing their morning Tai Chi routines. Or, check out the underground mall in Taipei Main Station.

Make sure you get to the airport early – you’ll definitely want to bring home some coffee beans from Simple Kaffa.

Getting to taipei

The easiest way to reach Taipei from the airport is to take the Express Train (Purple Line) at Taoyuan Airport MRT. You’ll reach Taipei Main Station in just 30 minutes.

If you want a slightly cheaper option, you can take the Commuter Train (Blue Line) which takes about 50 minutes.

Getting Around Taipei Like a Local

Public transportation in Taiwan is easy to navigate, generally very clean and safe. Just like “rush hour” in the states, there are busier transportation times on the MRTs around work hours. Generally, these are 0730-900 and 1700-1900 on the weekdays.

Like Japan, you have multiple options to pay for your transportation. Locals generally use EasyCard (悠遊卡, Yōuyóu kǎ). You can also use your credit card at ticket machines or buy a cash ticket.

You can purchase a Yōuyóu kǎ at any convenience store or MRT station. The activation fee is about NT$100 (roughly $3 USD). You can use the card on the MRT, buses, some taxis, convenience stores and supermarkets. I recommend using a credit card or cash if you only have a 24 hour stopover in Taipei.

Tip: If you plan on using ride shares more than public transport, consider purchasing an RT Airport MRT transport pass instead.

Elephant mountain view - must do activity on your 24 hour Taipei itinerary — Iconic skyline from Elephant Mountain featuring Taipei 101

So is one day in taipei enough?

Probably not, but this 24 hour Taipei Itinerary will give you a full belly and a full heart.

If you’re looking to make a stopover in Taipei, one day will give you a taste of delicious food, skyline views and just enough culture to keep you coming back for more.

Hi, I’m Amber —

A Michigan native now living in Washington with a deep love for travel and the outdoors. What started with church mission trips and traveling across the U.S. as a nurse has grown into a passion for exploring the world through hiking, food, culture, and the beauty of God’s creation. Sometimes I’m joined by my goldendoodle, Millie, but I’m always traveling with my camera. My goal is to help you feel inspired and confident that travel is possible — no matter where you’re starting from.