Take China Group Tours in 2025 to enjoy 30% discount compared to a private tour. Same Experience & Lowest Price!
Where & How Long to Spend Your Days in Taipei?
The Taipei City is your starting point, and the longer you stay, the more you can explore outwards.
The best way to plan your trip is to see the main city sights first. They are all close together and easy to reach with the MRT subway. Once you've seen the highlights, you can use your extra days to take trips to the beautiful nature just outside the city.
1-2 Days: Stick to the city center. Focus on the must-see spots. This means places like the famous Taipei 101 skyscraper, the huge Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, a historic temple like Longshan Temple, and of course, a famous night market like Shilin or Raohe for dinner.
3-5 Days: Use the simple formula: City Sights + Day Trips. Spend your first two days seeing the city highlights mentioned above. Then, use your extra days to explore the amazing areas around Taipei.
- Day Trip Block A: A trip to Yehliu Geopark, Shifen Old Street (for sky lanterns), and Jiufen Old Street (the magical mountain town).
- Day Trip Block B: A visit to the Beitou Hot Springs area and Yangmingshan National Park. These two areas are right next to each other.
- Day Trip Block C: A combination of Beitou Hot Springs and the riverside town of Tamsui. Both spots are on the same MRT line (the Red Line)
Add Your Own Flavor: Once you have your basic plan, you can add activities that match your interests.
- For Food Lovers: Remember that night markets are an evening activity. You can add a visit to a different night market each night! Also, make sure to try a traditional Taiwanese breakfast. Foodies can explore the best local spots with the Asia Odyssey Travel Food Tour.
- For Active People: Taipei is a great city for cycling. You can spend a morning riding along one of the beautiful riverside bike paths. It’s a great way to see the city like a local.
20 Must Do in Taipei: Top Things to Do & Non-Touristy Spots
Taipei Itinerary 1 Day: How to Spend 1 Day in Taipei
If you only stay in Taipei for one day, we need to be smart. Stay in one main area, usually the city center. This saves travel time.
I suggest you spend one day exploring the city's most popular attractions. Those Taipei spots that always appear on travelers' must-see lists. For example: Taipei 101, National Palace Museum.
Here's an itinerary suggested by a local guide from Asia Odyssey Travel with over 10 years of experience. Visit Taipei's hottest spots from north to south.
Start your morning at the National Palace Museum in Shilin District. After seeing ancient history, you'll jump to modern Taipei. Taipei 101 is the city's most famous landmark.
Visit Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Watch the changing of guards. The white and blue building is great for photos. Then visit Dadaocheng and Dihua Street, one of Taipei's oldest neighborhoods.
Optional Changes (Based on Your Taste)
This is a busy day, but you can make some small changes. Dihua Street has history and charm. If you like something more modern and lively, you can swap the last stop. You can ask to be dropped off at Ximending.
In the evening, if you stay near Taipei 101, you can also add Ningxia Night Market to your itinerary. If you like temples, visit Longshan Temple instead of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
For a deeper look: Explore our Complete Guide to Taiwan's Temples.
Taipei Itinerary 2 Days: How to Spend 2 Days in Taipei
You cannot see all of Taipei in 2 days. That's okay. Also, rushing through 20 attractions in 2 days means you won't remember them clearly.
But 2 days gives you enough time to explore the city center comfortably or make changes based on your interests. If you want to add rich content to your Instagram, the combination of Yehliu, Jiufen, and Shifen is also very popular.
Option 1: The Classic Plan
Day 1: National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Night Market.
Day 2: Longshan Temple, Dihua Street, Elephant Mountain.
Most first-time visitors pick this plan. They want to be able to say they "saw Taipei" and all its famous landmarks.
Option 2: The Food Lover's Route
Day 1: Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Lunch (Braised Pork Rice in Dadaocheng), Afternoon (Dadaocheng, Dihua Street), National Palace Museum, and Shilin Night Market for the evening.
Day 2: Taiwanese Breakfast (Fuhang Soy Milk), "Cooking Fun" kitchen class, Lunch at Chifan Canteen, Afternoon on Yongkang Street (for Yongkang Beef Noodles), Longshan Temple area (for Wang's Broth with Minced Pork and Mushroom), then head to the airport.
Food lovers believe, "I can only get authentic Taiwanese food in Taiwan." They will go to Yongkang Street for the world's best beef noodle soup (that is not an exaggeration). Sometimes, the best travel days are the ones where you just eat great food. Taste your way through the island on the Taiwan Food Tour by Asia Odyssey Travel.
Option 3: The Taipei + Jiufen Day Trip
Day 1: National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
Day 2: Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Old Street.
This plan attracts travelers who get bored easily in cities or who want those Instagram-worthy photos of mountains and coastlines. The day trip gives them a "real Taiwan" experience beyond the city sights.
Taipei Itinerary 3 Days: How to Spend 3 Days in Taipei
3 days in Taipei? That's a great choice. Honestly, it's the perfect amount of time. You can see the big, famous things without running around. And you'll even have time for a little adventure outside the city.
Most people do a mix: two days in the city and one day out. This is the most popular way to do it for a simple reason: you get the fun city vibe and you get to see the beautiful nature that makes Taiwan famous.
Here are a few plans. Pick the one that sounds the most like you.
The Classic Plan (What Most People Do)
This is the plan most first-timers choose. It’s popular because it works. You get a little bit of everything.
Day 1: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall → Longshan Temple → Taipei 101
Day 2: A day trip to Jiufen and Shifen
Day 3: National Palace Museum → Beitou Hot Springs
Night Market Lovers Tour
Some people come just for night markets. They want to try everything. This tour visits four different markets in three days. You eat 30+ different foods. You learn about Taiwan street food culture. Perfect for food bloggers and young travelers who stay up late. Taste the best of Taiwan's night markets with the Taiwan Food Tour from Asia Odyssey Travel.
Day 1: Afternoon at Longshan Temple & Ximending. Evening at Ximen & Shilin Night Markets.
Day 2: Afternoon at the National Palace Museum & Dadaocheng. Evening at Raohe & Ningxia Night Markets.
Day 3: Morning at Dongmen Market, see CKS Memorial Hall & Taipei 101 (from the outside), then go to the airport.
The "Easy & Scenic" Plan (Perfect for Families with Kids or Parents)
This plan is all about seeing beautiful things without anyone getting tired or grumpy. It's perfect if you're traveling with your parents or kids. You get to see the amazing museum (it's cool inside!), but you can skip the hard hikes.
- Day 1: Arrive and check into your hotel. Just relax.
- Day 2: National Palace Museum, then a gentle walk through Dadaocheng. Maybe Ningxia Night Market if everyone has energy.
- Day 3: Morning at Longshan Temple. Afternoon trip to Yangmingshan Park and the Tamsui waterfront for sunset.
12 Best Taiwan Night Markets (+ 8 Must-try Night Markets Food)
Taipei Itinerary 4 Days: How to Spend 4 Days in Taipei
4 Days in Taipei is a great duration for a first visit. Many travel experts and tourists agree that 3 to 5 days is the sweet spot. You can spend a couple of days exploring the city itself and then take a day or two for trips to nearby areas.
With four days, you can really get a good feel for the city's vibe, from its busy night markets to its peaceful temples in Taiwan.
The Classic 4-Day Taipei Itinerary
Most first-time visitors like to get a taste of everything Taipei has to offer. This usually means a mix of city sights, culture, food, and a day trip to see the beautiful nature outside the city. Here’s what a popular 4-day trip often looks like:
| Day | Tour Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Taipei 101 - Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall - Longshan Temple |
| 2 | National Palace Museum - Ximending |
| 3 | Yehliu Geopark - Jiufen Old Street - Shifen Old Street - Shifen Waterfall |
| 4 | Maokong Gondola - Beitou Hot Springs/Dihua Street |
Days 1 & 2: City Exploration. People usually spend the first two days hitting the big spots in the city. This includes landmarks like the iconic Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, National Palace Museum and Ximending,etc.
Day 3: Day Trip to the North Coast. A day trip to the northern coast is a highlight for many tourists. The most popular combination is visiting Jiufen Old Street and Shifen. Many tours also include a stop at Yehliu Geopark to see its strange and wonderful rock formations.
Day 4: Relax and Explore. The last day is often more relaxed. Some people might take a half-day trip to a place like the Maokong Gondola for tea plantations and city views, or to the Beitou Hot Springs to relax. Others might spend the time souvenir shopping on historic Dihua Street
An Alternative for the Adventurous: 4 Days Taipei Adventure
If you're young (or just young at heart!) and looking for a more active and off-the-beaten-path experience, this itinerary is for you. It’s designed to get your heart pumping and show you a different side of Taipei.
Day 1: Arrival and Settling In.
Day 2: Northern Coast Adventure. This is a classic day trip but with an adventurous spirit. You'll head out of the city to see nature's art at Yehliu Geopark, feel the power of Shifen Waterfall, and experience the magic of Shifen Old Street.
Day 3: Taipei's Culture and Views. Spend time at the National Palace Museum to see treasures from thousands of years of history. Visit the grand Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Get a look at the famous Taipei 101 and heading to Elephant Mountain for one of the best views of the city skyline, especially at sunset.
Day 4: City Cycling. Your last day is all about seeing the city from a different perspective. Choose a riverside cycling route for a refreshing morning ride. Taipei has fantastic bike paths that are mostly flat and perfect for all skill levels.
- Beginner's Choice: Ride from Dadaocheng to Tamsui (about 20km) for lovely river views, or do a shorter ride from Guandu to Bali (about 10km) and even take a ferry.
- Intermediate Challenge: The North Coast Route from Tamsui towards Jinshan offers stunning ocean views for a longer ride.
- Cool & Easy: The Old Caoling Tunnel route near Fulong Station is a cool, comfortable ride through a historic tunnel, with ocean views at the end.
Taipei Itinerary 5 Days: How to Spend 5 Days in Taipei?
Having 5 days in Taipei gives you a real advantage. You can see all the top spots in the city and also explore the beautiful nature nearby.
The Classic 5-Day Taipei Itinerary: A Bit of Everything
So, what do most people do with five days in Taipei? They usually go for a "best of" tour. This means they mix the busy city life with some peaceful nature. It’s a balanced trip that shows you why everyone loves this place.
Here’s a quick look at a typical 5-day plan:
| Day | Tour Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrival and a Taste of Shilin Night Market |
| 2 | Yehliu Geopark - Shifen Old Street - Shifen Waterfall - Jiufen Old Street |
| 3 | National Palace Museum - Longshan Temple - Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall - Taipei 101 |
| 4 | Beitou Hot Spring Museum - Thermal Valley - Yangmingshan National Park |
| 5 | Tamsui - Tamsui Old Street - Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf |
Tips and Ideas on How to Spend Your Days in Taipei
So you have your itinerary for Taipei, and you're ready to go. That's great! But sometimes, the best parts of a trip are the little things you learn along the way. Here are some simple tips to make your visit smoother, tastier, and even more fun.
Take the MRT to Travel around Taipei: The best way to explore Taipei is by using the MRT, which is their subway system. It's clean, safe, and goes almost everywhere you'll want to visit.
Get an EasyCard: This is the first thing you should do. An EasyCard is a reloadable travel card that you can use for the MRT, city buses, and even to pay for things at convenience stores like 7-Eleven or FamilyMart.
Just tap the card when you enter and exit the station. It’s so much easier than buying a single ticket every time you want to ride. You can buy one at any MRT station or at a convenience store.
Taxis and Uber are Good Options: If you're out late or your feet are tired, taxis are everywhere and not too expensive. Uber is also available and works just like it does at home.
Don't Skip Breakfast: Taipei has a unique breakfast culture. Find a local breakfast shop and try a warm soy milk (doujiang) with an egg crepe (dan bing) or a fried dough stick (youtiao). It’s cheap, delicious, and how many locals start their day.
Transportation in Taiwan: Easy Card, HSR, MTR & More (with Map)
Travel to Taipei with Your Local Guide - Asia Odyssey Travel
Explore Taiwan with Asia Odyssey Travel! We are a local travel company with an office in Taipei. We are here to help you enjoy the best of Taiwan. We offer simple, fun, and real local tours.
Our Taiwan Tours at a Glance:
✅ Taiwan Tours: 25+ Best Tour Packages
✅ Taiwan Group Tours: Great prices for classic, popular trips.
✅ Taipei Tours: All about city highlights from Taipei 101 to night markets.
Helpful Guides for Your Taiwan Trip:
Taiwan Travel Guide & Travel Tips: All you need to know before you go.
Useful Advice: Taipei to Jiufen, Taipei to Yangmingshan, Taipei Things to Do, Taipei Itinerary, Taipei City Map.
Contact us now and start planning your dream Taiwan tour.
Data in submission...
