Complete Taipei Travel Guide: Best things to do, iconic nights markets, recommended day trips and more

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Taipei is Taiwan’s capital and in my opinion, one of the easiest cities in Asia to explore independently. I spent about two weeks in Taiwan, with most of them being in Taipei and the surrounding area.

I was able to see first hand how reliable the public transportation was, taste the delicious and affordable food, and took a few popular day trips just outside the city.

This Taipei travel guide covers the best things to do in Taipei, foods to try, Taipei night markets, iconic day trips from the city, recommended neighborhoods to stay in, and other practical tips.

👉 Check out itinerary recommendations for 24 hours in Taipei and 4 days in Taipei

Best Things to Do in Taipei

Explore Iconic Sights

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – A massive white marble complex with ceremonial guard changes and open plazas.
Longshan Temple – One of Taipei’s most important temples, blending Buddhist and Taoist traditions.
Taipei 101 – Ride one of the world’s fastest elevators for panoramic city views.
Ximending – A pedestrian-heavy area known for shopping, street food, and youthful energy.

Eat Your Way Through Taipei

Food is central to Taipei life, and you don’t need reservations to eat well.

Must-try foods:

Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
Beef noodle soup
Lu rou fan (braised pork rice)
Oyster omelets
Bubble tea (Taiwan is the birthplace)

rahoe night market, taipei travel guide — The chaos at Raohe Night Market in Taipei

Night markets to visit:

Night markets are an essential part of the Taiwan experience. In Taipei there are over 20 night markets to choose from, but many of them offer different experiences. Here are three markets I’d recommend checking out:

Shilin Night Market – Traditionally the most famous and largest market, but started to lose popularity after COVID
Raohe Night Market – Compact, walkable and currently the most popular night market
Ningxia Night Market – Smaller than the other two, having a slightly more local feel

My personal favorite night market in Taiwan was Raohe. There was a lot of energy here and it was a little chaotic – exactly what I wanted the night market experience to be like.

👉 Get a taste of some of the cities most iconic street food stalls and take a tour of the iconic Raohe Night Market

Get Outdoors Without Leaving the City

Elephant Mountain – A short but steep hike with postcard views of Taipei 101.
Yangmingshan National Park – Volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and seasonal flowers.
Beitou – A relaxing escape with public and private hot spring baths.
Maokong – Tea plantations, cafés, and gondola views over the city.

One of my favorite things about Taipei is how nature is seemingly integrated into neighborhoods. I’m a sucker for tea tourism, so I really loved Maokong.

👉 Head to the tea plantations via the Maokong Gondola

Best Day Trips from Taipei

Jiufen – Lantern-lit streets, tea houses, and ocean views.
Shifen – Famous for releasing sky lanterns and visiting Shifen Waterfall.
Yehliu Geopark – Unique coastal rock formations shaped by wind and sea.

These destinations are easy to combine into a single day using trains or guided tours. I’d recommend getting an early start as these spots can get a bit crowded. I really enjoyed our trip to Jiufen despite the crowds.

👉 Tour around Yangmingshan National Park or Jiufen

Where to Stay in Taipei

Ximending – Central, lively, and great for first-time visitors.
Da’an – Leafy streets, cafés, and a more local pace.
Zhongshan – Stylish hotels, restaurants, and easy transit connections.

Taipei’s MRT system makes location less critical. I was in and out of Taipei from various locations, but enjoyed my stay near Taipei Main Station.

👉 Check out the full guide on Where To Stay in Taipei

How Many Days in Taipei?

Like I mentioned earlier, Taipei is a great spot to explore on it’s own, or as a base with local side trips. I would at least recommend spending two full days exploring the city, but as with many other cities, the longer you stay the more it opens up.

2–3 days: Highlights, food and night markets
4–5 days: Add day trips, hiking, tea districts, and hot springs
6+ days: Slower travel pace with increased nature, cafés, and neighborhoods

Practical Taipei Travel Tips

Public transit is clean, safe, and English-friendly
English is NOT widely spoken
Cash is still useful at night markets
Tap water isn’t typically consumed – refill with filtered water
Credit cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants
Taiwan is one of the safest destinations in Asia

Taiwan Lantern Jiufen, Taiwan — Lanterns across Taipei

Final thoughts on traveling to taipei

If you enjoy food-driven travel, walkable cities, scenic hikes, and cultural depth without chaos, Taipei is absolutely worth visiting.

It’s a city that’s easy to enjoy on your first visit and still rewarding the second or third time around – making it a strong anchor for any Taiwan itinerary.

👉 If you found this Taipei Travel Guide helpful, check out what to do if you have 24 hours in Taipei. If you’re staying longer, check out the 4 day Taipei Itinerary

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.