17 Best Things to Do in Taipei 2026: Night Markets, Temples, Views and Easy Day Trips
Taipei is one of Asia’s easiest cities to love: night markets, temples, hot springs, mountain views, excellent transport and day trips that do not require heroic planning.
The best things to do in Taipei are eating at night markets, hiking Elephant Mountain, visiting Longshan Temple, seeing Taipei 101, exploring Ximending, soaking in Beitou and taking a day trip to Jiufen/Shifen. Taipei is better with breathing room; do not treat it as just a two-night stop before leaving Taiwan.
Best picks for Taipei
Night markets + temples
The food and everyday city rhythm are stronger than a packed attraction list.
Elephant Mountain
The free classic Taipei skyline view, best around golden hour if weather cooperates.
Jiufen and Shifen
The easiest first Taipei day trip if you want old streets, lanterns and mountain scenery.
What to do in Taipei
Taipei is easy to navigate, so the best plan is to group days by area and food. Do not put every night market on a spreadsheet; pick a few and repeat what you like.
Eat through night markets
Shilin is famous, Raohe is compact and strong, Ningxia is excellent for food, and Tonghua/Linjiang is easy from central areas.
Best forFood and budget nights.
Elephant Mountain
A short but sweaty climb for the classic Taipei 101 view. Go late afternoon and bring water.
Best forSkyline photos.
Taipei 101
Worth it if you want the observation deck or a polished rainy-day stop. Otherwise, admire it from outside and Elephant Mountain.
Best forViews and rainy days.
Longshan Temple
One of Taipei’s best first cultural stops, especially if you pair it with the older Wanhua area.
Best forTemples and old Taipei.
Ximending
Bright, busy and easy for food, shopping and people-watching. It also makes a practical first-timer base.
Best forFirst-timers and evenings.
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Big, central and easy to combine with other sights, but do not spend half the day here.
Best forClassic central stop.
Beitou hot springs
An easy MRT hot spring half-day. Choose public baths or a private room depending on budget and comfort.
Best forSoft reset day.
Tamsui
Riverside wandering, snacks and sunset energy at the end of the MRT line.
Best forEasy afternoon trip.
Maokong gondola
Tea houses, mountain air and city views. Best when the weather is clear.
Best forTea and views.
Dihua Street and Dadaocheng
Old shops, tea, fabric streets and a gentler alternative to the busiest central zones.
Best forSlow wandering.
National Palace Museum
A major museum, but it works best if you actually like museums. Otherwise, keep it as a rainy-day option.
Best forMuseum day.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Good for exhibitions, shops, cafes and an easier creative afternoon.
Best forCafes and design.
Jiufen
Old streets and mountain views. It is popular for a reason, but go with realistic crowd expectations.
Best forClassic day trip.
Shifen
Lanterns, railway-street scenery and waterfall add-ons. Often paired with Jiufen.
Best forFirst day trip combo.
Yangmingshan
A nature day north of Taipei with hot springs, trails and seasonal scenery.
Best forNature without a long transfer.
Taipei cafes and breakfast shops
Do not sleep through breakfast every day. Soy milk, scallion pancakes and local cafes are part of the trip.
Best forSlow mornings.
Ride the MRT properly
Taipei is a city where public transport genuinely improves the trip. Choose bases near useful stations.
Best forEveryone.
How to plan your time
Four days is the minimum I would want for Taipei if day trips are included. Five days is better.
Where to stay
| Area | Best for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ximending | Best first-timer base. | Food, shopping, transport and late-night energy. |
| Taipei Main Station | Best transport base. | Useful for day trips and onward travel. |
| Zhongshan / Dadaocheng | Best cafes and slower feel. | Good if you want a more polished neighbourhood base. |
| Da'an | Best comfort and local feel. | Good for longer stays and calmer nights. |
What to book before you go
Accommodation
Compare location first, then price. A cheap room in the wrong area can cost more in time and transport.
Search Taipei StaysHostels
Use hostel filters if you want budget/social stays rather than only private hotel rooms.
Compare Taipei HostelseSIM
Install mobile data before flying so maps, bookings and messages work when you land.
Get A Taipei eSIMInsurance
Price travel insurance before the trip. SafetyWing starts from about $2/day and trips need to be at least 5 days.
Get Travel InsuranceTours
Compare timed tickets, day trips and activities where transport, queues or local context genuinely matter.
Compare Taipei ToursMistakes to avoid
- Only staying two nights: Taipei deserves more, especially with Jiufen/Shifen.
- Doing every night market: pick a few and enjoy them properly.
- Ignoring rain: keep museums, cafes and hot springs as flexible backups.
- Booking far from MRT: a cheaper room can cost time every day.
Final pick
For a first Taipei trip, stay near Ximending or Taipei Main Station, eat at night markets, hike Elephant Mountain and add Jiufen/Shifen. That gives you the city, the food and the classic day-trip scenery without overcomplicating things.
Set up Taipei before you land
Book a practical base, install mobile data and compare one day trip if you want Jiufen/Shifen handled.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Taipei?
Four to five days is ideal. Three days works if you only choose one day trip.
What is the best Taipei night market?
Raohe and Ningxia are excellent food-first options. Shilin is famous and bigger, but not always the easiest.
Is Taipei easy for first-time travellers?
Yes. Transport is excellent and the city is very manageable.
Disclosure: This guide contains affiliate links. Plans, ticket prices, schedules, hotel rates and insurance wording can change, so treat the checkout page or official site as the final source before booking. Last updated June 2026.
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