The Ultimate Taipei Itinerary | 5 Incredible Days (2024)
Planning a trip to Taipei and want to make the most of your time? In this post you’ll find the perfect itinerary for solo travelers in Taipei including the best attractions and delicious cuisine for an unforgettable experience.
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Taiwan is known as the heart of Asia, so it would only make sense that Taipei is the heartbeat. Nestled beneath the active volcano Yangmingshan, there is so much to see and do – you don’t want to miss out on the best parts of this unique city.
I moved here back in 2019 and lived here for four years. Life in Taiwan is truly special and I can’t wait to share all my secrets with you so you have the best time in Taipei!
This guide is completely customizable, it’s set for five days but you can easily maneuver the activities and places to eat around to fit your wants and schedule.
Whether you’re looking for local food, scenery, nightlife, and/or cultural experiences, I’ve got you covered. Welcome to the best five day itinerary for Taipei, Taiwan.
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Where to Stay
If you’re wanting to stay in an area that has nightlife, I recommend staying in Xinyi, Da’an, or Ximen districts. They all have tons of restaurants, bars, and fun events happening pretty much 24/7, but especially from Thursday to Sunday.
Craving a calmer area? Then Zhongshan and Songshan districts are right up your alley. These areas are more ‘suburban,’ they have plenty of restaurants, stores, cafes, and bars as well – however, they tend to close earlier and don’t have too many people walking around at night.
The cost of your stay will depend on what kind of accommodation you’re in the mood for.
Hostels start around $17 USD/night and hotels and airbnb’s begin around $35-45 USD/night. I was surprised by the cost of accommodation when I first arrived, but learned Taiwan is a small island – real estate is expensive (especially in Taipei)!
not sure what to pack? check out my packing list & guide here ♥
How to Get Around
Taipei has extremely efficient and cheap public transportation so you can easily go to and from any location. I always used Google Maps to figure out how to get to and from place to place.
MRT
The MRT (metro/subway) is very convenient and easy to navigate; all the signs are in Traditional Mandarin and English so you don’t have to worry about finding your way. It’s also very clean and people are respectful on it – keep your voice lower, no eating or drinking (including gum and water), and try not to answer phone calls (but it’s not a big deal to answer one, again just keep your voice low). Here is the map, there are also plenty of maps when you arrive at any station.
Bus
The bus is equally convenient, but a little harder to navigate. On Google Maps the times for the MRT are typically accurate, however the times for the buses are nearly always wrong. So before your trip, I recommend downloading the app Bus Taipei to check for accurate times.
Friendly reminder: you need to wave a bus down for it to stop. If you don’t, it will pass you without stopping. To do that just stick out your arm as it approaches and the bus driver will know to stop 🙂
Youbike
YouBike is a fantastic way to get around Taipei. The kicker though is that you need a Taiwanese phone number to register. When arriving at the airport you can buy a SIM card, I recommend Chunghwa Telecom. Once you have the phone number, you can register here. There are stations with YouBike’s around every corner in the city so it’s a great way to see the city and it’s not expensive. The first four hours is $10 NTD every thirty minutes, after that it goes up to $20 NTD/30 minutes, and past eight hours the cost is $40 NTD/30 minutes.
Uber and Taxis
Uber is used here like anywhere else, be sure to have the app before arrival. Taxis are cheaper than Uber, but most taxi driver’s don’t speak English and won’t understand the address if it’s in pinyin (English alphabet letters). If you’re feeling courageous (and maybe have the address in Traditional Chinese), take the taxi! In my experience, they try to talk to you to see where you’re from and what you’re doing in Taiwan. It’s a fun interaction and warms the soul. Also, if you speak a little Mandarin, they will be very happy.
Insider Tip: If the taxi has a glowing red sign in the windshield that means it’s available, it you don’t see the glowing red sign then they already have passengers or are on their way to pick some up.
Your New Best Friend: the EasyCard
You can pay for the MRT and bus by cash, however I recommend getting an EasyCard for your trip – especially if you plan on staying longer than five days and want to use YouBikes. EasyCards are used for public transportation (you get a discount on your tickets too), renting YouBikes, any convenient store purchases, some retail store purchases, and even some doctor offices!
You can get an EasyCard at the airport, any MRT station, or convenient stores (the convenient stores offer cute EasyCards). The card costs $100 NTD (roughly $3 USD) and you can put any amount of money on it. There are machines at MRT stations to top up or you can also add money to it at any convenient store. For five days in Taipei, about $600 NTD should be enough. If you plan to take a day trip outside of Taipei or plan to use it to get to/from the Taoyuan airport (roughly $160 NTD one way), I would add a little extra to accommodate for that.
Extra Tips & Tricks for Traveling in Taipei, Taiwan
It can feel a little daunting in a new country, however the best and easiest option is taking the Taoyuan Airport MRT upon arrival to TPE.
After exiting baggage claim, follow the signs with Taoyuan Airport MRT (basically take the escalators all the way down). Once you arrive, you will need to buy a ticket ($160 NTD from Terminal 1 to Taipei Main Station). There is a small ticket office as well as machines to buy a ticket or you can (purchase and then) use an EasyCard.
You will see two options for trains: one is commuter and the other is express. Hop on the express train, then relax for about 35 minutes. After seeing some mountains and city views, you will have arrived at Taipei Main Station.
From there it’s very easy to get on the Taipei MRT, a bus, or grab a taxi/uber to get to your accommodation.
From Taipei to the Taoyuan Airport, it’s best to take the MRT to Beimen station (green line) and then follow the signs to the Taoyuan Airport MRT. You can also take the MRT to Taipei Main Station and then follow the signs, however it’s considerably more hectic so I recommend Beimen instead.
- Google Maps (or your preferred navigation app)
- Google Translate (or your preferred translation app) and be sure to download Traditional Chinese – this will help immensely with getting around, ordering food, talking to taxi drivers, etc.
- Airalo – an eSIM app. It won’t work for registering YouBikes, but you will have data upon arrival which is quite nice. Use my referral code HELENA4577 for $3 USD off your first purchase
- Bus Taipei for accurate bus times
- YouBike 2.0 (white bikes) / YouBike 1.0 (orange bikes) these apps will show you where the YouBike stations are and how many bikes/docks are available
- T-EX – high speed rail for travel on the west coast, outside of Taipei
When I was younger, I never got travel insurance. However, after traveling in Asia, I’ve learned the hard way it’s best to get it (food poisoning, scooter accidents, etc.).
I’ve personally used a travel insurance company called WorldTrips. They offer a multitude of different kinds of travel insurance so you can pick what’s best for you.
They are in the mid-range for price. Your travel insurance cost will depend on the cost of your trip, how long it is, etc.
For an upcoming two month trip in Central and South America, depending on the different plan you choose, you’re looking at the $200 – $300 range.
With that being said, if you don’t get travel insurance and you have any minor sickness or issue you can go to the clinics/hospitals and pay out of pocket.
In my experience, I paid anywhere from $20 – $60 USD total to see the doctor, get medicine, and have various tests done. If you have a major issue, then of course it’s likely to be far more expensive.
Taiwan is a very safe country. I would argue that it’s one of the safest for women around the world.
You can easily backpack solo here and not be on constant alert.
However, there are predators in every country, no matter how safe it is. Always keep your guard up.
It’s not uncommon for Taiwanese men to follow foreigner women, take photos of foreigner women on the beach, etc.
They aren’t aggressive, if you make a scene or yell at them, they will most likely leave you alone.
If you catch one taking a photo of you, you can go up to them and tell them to delete it – even if they don’t speak English, they’ll understand.
If there is someone following you, feel free to go to the nearest police station and they should take care of him.
Five Day Taipei Itinerary | Overview
Day One
Yong He Soy Milk → CKS Memorial → Lan Jia Traditional Taiwanese Snack → Gongguan Water Front → Ximen at Night → Hot Pot → Cafe Dalida/Hanko 60
Day Two
老漿家 → Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall → Taipei 101 Observatory → Master Spicy Noodle → Sunset at Elephant Mountain → Raohe Night Market → Taihu Brewery/P.S. I Love You Bar & Bistro
Day Three
Early to Rise → Dihua Street → Dadaocheng Pier Plaza → Authentic Braised Pork Rice → Longshan Temple → Ningxia Night Market → Bingzan → Haku
Day Four
秦小姐豆漿店 → Hot Springs → Conveyor Belt Sushi → National Palace Museum → Din Tai Fung → Uno/Ounce
Day Five
Taipei Fine Arts Museum → 芙蓉刀削麵之家 → Tamsui → Fujin Tree/Sashimi → Indulge Experimental Bistro/Beer Rush Taproom
The Perfect Five Day Itinerary in Taipei, Taiwan
Day One
We know where we’re staying and how we’re getting around, now it’s time to explore! In my ultimate guide, I’ve included the best of what Taipei has to offer for culture, food, sightseeing, and nature. There are so many things to do in Taipei, however one of the most important things to do to have the best itinerary is to eat your way through Taipei – so we’re starting out our trip in Ximen.
Breakfast: Yong He Soy Milk
You’ll most likely have to wait in line unless you arrive very early, however this is authentic Taiwanese breakfast – it’s worth the wait. When I lived here, I would bring all my friends to this restaurant for their first breakfast in Taiwan.
I recommend ordering their soy milk, fried bread sticks, and a biscuit flatbread with egg and cheese. Don’t forget to dip your fried breadstick into the soymilk!
They have an English menu available and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can order more (maybe even try their salty soy milk).
Insider Tip: When ordering food on menus in Taiwan, you want to write a horizontal line (like this: —) in the box next to the dish. If you want to order two of the same dish, you can write a “T” in the box instead.
Admire the Vastness of Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Once you’re full and happy (and maybe have a little culture shock) we’re going to CKS Memorial Hall.
It’s a beautiful square and monument in honor of the first president of Taiwan, Chiang Kai-shek. There are 89 stairs to reach the main hall in honor of his age when he passed. From 9am to 5pm, every hour on the hour, there is a changing of the guards ceremony you can watch.
I recommend taking your time wandering in and around the two large performance halls as well as walking through the gardens that surround the main hall. You can find ponds with koi fish and there is a machine to buy food to feed them, if you wish.
Insider Tip: It’s also beautiful to explore at night and if you’re into live music check out the Theater Trattoria bar inside the right-side performance hall. They play live jazz on Fridays and Saturdays. Not into jazz? Across the street is the bar Revolver, they often have live music upstairs and it’s a good place to meet people who are new to and/or traveling in Taiwan.
Lunch: Lan Jia Gua Bao Traditional Taiwanese Snack
We’re hopping on the MRT to the Gongguan MRT station.
We’ll head to Lan Jia Gua Bao Traditional Taiwanese Snack to get exactly that – it’s a Michelin star food stand that serves a classic Taiwanese burger called Gua Bao. If you’re feeling daring, you can also order the Vermicelli soup with intestines. It’s a traditional Taiwanese dish and quite tasty as well.
I highly recommend exploring this area and see what you can find. Gongguan is where all the university students are so it’s lively with delicious restaurants, tea shops, and fun stores around every corner.
Gongguan Waterfront Plaza
After filling up on delicious Gua Bao, we are going to take a gander to the Gongguan Waterfront Plaza. Here you can see the river and take in the scenery.
If you want a place to go rather than wander, you can walk farther south and check out Treasure Hill Artist Village – it’s an old building that has been transformed into an art center.
Wanting more culture? No problem, you can walk (or cycle) north to the Taipei City Hakka Cultural Park. It’s a park in honor of the Taiwanese Hakka people, there are usually some exhibitions and you can book a guided tour if you’d like. Check out the website: ssl.thcp.org.tw
Get Lost in the Neon Lights
After taking in nature, art, and history, we’re heading back to Ximen to see how it lights up at night.
Ximen is known for the best place to people watch; it has Japanese influence (think Shinjuku of Tokyo), is the heart of the LGBTQ+ community in Taipei, and is a hub for tourists and locals alike. Check out the many souvenir shops, try (my favorite!) brown sugar bubble milk tea, win prizes at the claw machines, and check out the plethora of quirky, fun stores.
There is so much to do, so take your time and enjoy it! If you’re wanting to get a piercing I recommend this shop, my friend got her ears pierced and I got my nose pierced here. They were very professional and kind, and it was completely painless.
Dinner: Hot Pot
A must-try Taiwanese dinner!
There are many different kinds, however, I suggest trying Mala Hot Pot. Nearly all Taiwanese people have a special love for this one. It’s roots are in the Sichuan region of China where they created a spicy peppercorn and chilli sauce. The spice remains only in your mouth, and in Taiwan it’s usually not *too* spicy. The pot will be split, so one half is a non-spicy broth and the other has the Sichuan spice. There are many Mala restaurants to try in Ximen, but I recommend this one. Friendly reminder: don’t drink the spicy broth.
Bonus: My favorite Hot Pot restaurant in Taipei is Rolling Thai. If you’re wanting to try a special and different kind of hot pot I cannot recommend this place enough! There is an English menu available and be sure to make a reservation through their online service.
Drinks
There are so many great bars in Ximen. If you’re looking for a relaxing outdoor environment I recommend Café Dalida. If they’re booked, then any of the bars alongside it are also nice. Rather be indoors with excellent cocktails? Head over to Hanko 60, but you will need to make a reservation in advance. If you can’t get a seat there, then you can try Geography Bar & Restaurant.
Insider Tip: Many Taiwanese people don’t drink, so nearly every bar offers plenty of mocktail options.
Day Two
Breakfast: 老漿家
Don’t be scared, I don’t know how to pronounce it either! Luckily, we don’t need to. This is a traditional Taiwanese breakfast shop in a modern setting. It’s open 24 hours so if you have a long night or a very early morning, you can come here to have some delicious local food. There is wifi as well and the staff speak a little English.
I recommend ordering the soy and peanut milk, radish cake, an omlette or scallion egg, a steamed bun, and the baked sesame roll with whichever toppings you would like in it.
Taipei 101 Observatory
What we have all been waiting for – the big kahuna of things to do for your Taipei itinerary. From the breakfast shop, walk to the observatory or take the MRT over to Taipei City Hall then walk through the streets as you work your way down to the Taipei 101 Observatory.
I highly recommend double-checking that the weather is good with limited to no amount of smog.
The cost of a basic ticket is $600 NTD (roughly $18.75 USD), they also have more options with higher and/or 360-degrees viewing options starting from $800 NTD ($25 USD) up to $3000 NTD ($95 USD). You can buy your tickets in advance here. You can also get tickets the day of, you just might have to wait in line longer.
I prefer to come during the daytime and as early as possible. Typically in Taipei the weather is clearer in the mornings compared to the afternoons so you can see the landscape and there are less people waiting in line. If you prefer coming at night, that is special, too.
As you work your way down from the observatory, you will pass a cafe which has the cutest bubble tea. There is a “cloud” of cotton candy on top which is the sugar you can mix in to the milk tea to sweeten it (or just eat it separately like I did) and then you can pour the bubbles in. Yum!
Lunch: Master Spicy Noodle
Master Spicy Noodle is hands-down my favorite noodle shop in Taipei. It is perfection in two bowls. The way they cook the noodles is incredible, the broth is out of this world, and the sauce for dipping the meat in is impeccable.
The classic dish is Spicy Braised Half Beef and Tendon Soup & Xiaohun Noodles, however if you aren’t a fan on tendon you can order the Spicy Braised Beef Soup & Xiaohun Noodles. It’s slightly more expensive than other noodle shops ($300 NTD and up) however it is soooo delicious. I also recommend ordering the Spicy Braised Tofu Skin – incredible!
Learn History at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall
Sun Yat-Sen was a man who was (and still is) respected for leading a successful revolution to overthrow the Qing dynasty in the early 1900s. Similar to the CKS Memorial Hall, there is an honorary changing of the guard, every hour on the hour, from 9am to 5pm. There are multiple art galleries within the building and all are free. You can find more information you may need here. Don’t forget to wander outside and enjoy the beautiful ponds as well as take in the the sight of Taipei 101.
Sunset Hike at Elephant Mountain
Once you’re filled to the brim with broth and noodles, it’s time to take a hike! (literally) You can take a bus or MRT to Xiangshan station. From there, you will walk through a large park and take a left up to the trail. It takes only about 20 minutes to reach the peak of Elephant Mountain. However, it’s steep and mostly stairs so don’t forget to bring water!
If you can, climb the large boulders to rest and watch the sunset – it’s absolutely beautiful. If you’re wanting to continue up the mountain, you totally should! Once you’ve passed the peak of Elephant Mountain, there is only a little more elevation before it tapers off and you walk along the ridge with plenty of gazebos offering beautiful night time views of the city.
Dinner: Raohe Night Market
You can’t have a complete Taipei itinerary without experiencing their night markets! Luckily, I got you on that. My two favorites are Ningxia and Raohe. Tonight, we’re feasting at Raohe. There is a beautiful temple that will greet you upon arrival with a fun, insta-worthy banner welcoming you. Overall advice for night markets: try anything and everything! Take your time and go through it all – try things you don’t know, things that look strange to you, and of course try the yummy-looking ones, too.
My Raohe Night Market recommendations:
- Pork Pepper Buns (right at the entrance, can’t miss it)
- Takoyaki
- Taiwanese sausage
- Fried Quail Egg
- Fresh veggie & fruit juice
- Papaya milk
- Avocado milk
- Mochi with peanuts/sesame
- Sweet potato balls
- Stinky Tofu*
*There are a few stinky tofu stands within this night market, the best one is at the very end of the night market on the left side (you’ll smell it when you arrive).
Drinks
If you’ve still got energy left after eating your way through the market, there are plenty of places to go to grab a drink or two. If you’re traveling solo I recommend Barcade or Taihu Brewery. Many foreigners as well as Taiwanese people love these spots and both have very chill, but fun vibes. For Taihu Brewery the location in Xinyi is better for outdoors and meeting others, while the other location near the Zhongxiao Fuxing MRT station is better if you want to be inside.
In the mood for cocktails rather than beer? Head over to my favorite bar P.S. I Love You for incredible cocktails. The bartenders are magical and cook up some of the most innovative and creative cocktails/mocktails you can imagine. You can ask them to make you something or order from the menu. Some of the bartenders speak English, while others less so, but they always enjoy interactions with foreigners so don’t be shy. Feel free to tell them I sent you, maybe you’ll get a shot on the house 😉
Day Three
Breakfast: Early to Rise
This is a very local Taiwanese breakfast shop. You’ll most likely only see Taiwanese people and not many, if any at all, tourists. I recommend trying all different kinds of the Taiwanese “pancakes” as well as the crispy scallion “pancake.” I put pancake in quotations because as an American, they were sadly not the pancakes I was first expecting. However, after living here for so many years, I fell in love with them! This was the first shop that I went to for an authentic Taiwanese breakfast.
Dihua Street
After filling up on another traditional breakfast, head towards Dihua Street. This has roots in the Japanese-control era of Taiwanese history. It’s a great place to go souvenir shopping, try traditional candy and local foods, check out their medicinal herbs, have a photoshoot in traditional clothing, as well as take note of the difference in architecture. Don’t forget to stop in the XiaHai City God Temple to pray for a happy love life, then afterwards drink some of the delicious tea (towards the inside to the right of the temple).
Insider Tip: If you would like to pray at any temple in Taiwan, you should first silently introduce yourself to the god(s). Include your full name, birthday, and where you’re from (including your address, if possible).
Dadaocheng Pier Plaza
The Dadaocheng Pier Plaza is a very nice place to take in more beautiful scenery and enjoy the warm weather. There are food and drink stands you can order from and sit on top of or take a walk around the area. You’ll find some people doing karaoke in the park, others doing Tai Chi, and others enjoying the sunny weather with friends and family.
Grabbing YouBikes and cycling down to Longshan Temple is a fun way to see more of Taipei, but if you’re not into cycling, you can take a bus or walk to the MRT to get to the blue line.
Lunch: Braised Pork Rice
Before heading into the temple, we’ll take a quick stop at Liang Xi Hao Xiyuan Branch. I’ve never met a Braised Pork Rice I didn’t like, and I would always go to this one after rock climbing with friends.
I recommend their Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice, Boiled Green Vegetables, Braised Tofu Puff, and Stir Fry Noodles.
Longshan Temple
For some culture, visit this nearly three-hundred-year-old temple. It was built during the Qing dynasty and it’s for worshipping Guanshiyin Buddha as well as other deities.
You might see some people holding red wooden blocks in their hands (called jiaobei) and dropping them on the ground. They are asking their god a question and the way the crescent-shaped blocks fall will show the god’s answer. You’re more than welcome to try them.
First you introduce yourself to the god at the temple (more detail = better), then you ask a yes or no question with the blocks in your hand and release them to the floor. If both blocks have the curved side facing up that means ‘no.’ If one block has the curved side down and the other has the curved side up that means ‘yes.’ If both have the curved side faced down that means your question is not important. If you get a yes, you need to ask it three times to confirm it is a true yes.
While it is laid back for clothing, be respectful and mindful as it is a place of worship. Kind reminder: step through the doors without stepping on the raised platforms in the doorway (the platforms are for protection from ghosts/evil spirits).
Bonus: If you’re not quite ready for dinner yet, you can hop over to the Taipei Botanical Garden.
Ningxia Night Market
Ningxia is smaller and more local, but with incredible dishes. An absolute must-try is Er Dai Goose. Order the goose soup with noodles of your choice – you’re welcome! It’s simple, but delicious – especially on a cooler night.
Other recommendations include: Yuen Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette, Taiwanese sausage with sticky rice, Liu Yu Zi, and you absolutely have to try the ice-cream burrito (it’s my favorite Taiwanese dessert).
Want to know exactly what you should eat and drink? Check out my post on all things Ningxia Night Market – I share hidden gems, michelin star food stands, and my personal favorites.
Drinks
If you’re in the mood for some drinks, head north on the red line to Yuanshan. There is a large building called Expo Dome and within that is a place called Maji Square that has a few bars and a club.
My friends and I preferred going to Haku – they play a large mix of genres and it has a slightly older crowd (mid-late twenties and up). The one next to it is Tiki, which plays more reggaeton, hip-hop, and pop music. The club Triangle usually plays pop and reggaeton; the crowd is on the younger end, typically university students and people in their early-mid twenties.
Day Four
Breakfast: 秦小姐豆漿店
If you’d like to try another local Taiwanese breakfast shop, I would recommend this one. However, if you’re feeling in the mood for something different, you can go to a local morning market such as the one in Shuanglian, practice your Mandarin, then cook up whatever you buy.
Another option is to check out some of the cafe’s between the Zhongshan and Shuanglian MRT station. It’s a cute area with loads of cafes, restaurants, and cute shops. If you haven’t already, I recommend spending some time walking around there.
Dive into Culture and History
Time to explore the extensive exhibitions in the famous National Palace Museum. This museum is home to over 650,000 artifacts, displays over 8000 years of Chinese history and 4000 years of Chinese artwork.
You can check their current exhibitions and ticket info here. The tickets are $350 NTD for a regular ticket and they do offer a combined ticket with Taipei 101 for $820 NTD.
The lines are typically long, so it’s recommended to purchase them in advance and get here as early as possible.
Lunch: Conveyor Belt Sushi
This is a classic restaurant nearly everyone goes to – Sushi Express is a fun experience, has good seafood, and is relatively cheap. You can take a seat and then grab the sushi from the conveyor belt as well as order other things from their menu. They will count up your plates and charge you based on how many plates you have.
Relax in Natural Hot Springs
Take the red MRT line all the way up to XinBeitou. This is where you can experience a lovely afternoon relaxing in the hot springs.
If it’s too hot for you to completely submerge in hot springs, then take a walk through the Thermal Valley and enjoy the beauty of natural hot springs. Additionally, there is a park a hop-skip away where you can dip your feet into hot springs if you’d still like to try it without fully immersing in them. Be sure to wash your body/feet before and after (hot spring etiquette).
Dinner: Din Tai Fung
Oh man, every guide will tell you to come here and for good reason. It’s incredible – especially their xiao long bao. I highly recommend the pork xiao long bao, fried rice, noodles with minced pork sauce, wontons, and stir-fried water spinach. For dessert, try the sesame mochi in sweet soup and chocolate xiao long bao.
I’ve seen other blogs claim you need to go to the original Din Tai Fung for the best quality, but I completely disagree. I’ve been to all of them and they’re all of equal quality. If you’re pressed for time, then you can go to the location in Tianmu. If not, head back into central Taipei for Din Tai Fung and drinks!
Insider Tip: If Din Tai Fung has too long of a wait, you can also check out Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao for similar food 🙂
Drinks
For a night out on the town, especially if it’s Thursday to Saturday, check out one of the most fun bars in Taipei: Uno. It’s a tequila-based bar with very fun owners and staff. You can’t go and not have a good time. After starting your night there, you might find yourself staying there or exploring more bars in the area. Another one of my favorites is Ounce.
Day Five
I like to leave one morning open for any of my travels to sleep in or go to a place we saw while exploring the city. If you want to try western food while in Taipei, I highly recommend Sugar Pea Cafe or Heritage Bakery. They have some of the best dishes and pastries I’ve ever had.
Let’s Get Artsy
Take a bus up to the Taipei Fine Arts Museum or the red MRT line to Yuanshan and walk over. I love their exhibitions and could easily spend an entire day in the museum. The ticket price is a mere $30 NTD. You can check out their website to see their exhibitions and get more info.
Lunch: 芙蓉刀削麵之家
I used to come here nearly once a week, if not more. Their xiao long bao and beef roll (on their menu it says Beef in Chinese Tortilla) is so good. I also recommend their fried shrimp dish with pineapples, honey-glazed spareribs, and the Red Bean pancake for a sweet dessert!
Enjoy the Outdoors in Tamsui
Take the MRT all the way up to Tamsui (pronounced dam – shway, not tam – suey). Walk along the waterfront and enjoy the views, browse the shops, try the turkish ice cream stand, check out Lover’s Bridge, and Shalun beach! Once you’re satisfied, you can bike back down to central Taipei, or take the MRT.
Dinner: Save the best for last
For your last night, you get options.
If you’re in the market for some high quality traditional Taiwanese food, I highly recommend Fujin Tree. It’s a modern take on classic Taiwanese dishes – come very hungry and bring friends if possible, they serve large portions!
Try their Steamed Chicken with Special Chili Oil, Braised Dongo Pork with Candied Dates, Fried Breadsticks and Oysters with Garlic Sauce, and Egg Tofu Foo Yung – you will be mind blown. If you can handle a little dessert, I recommend the Glace Green Mangou.
It’s more on the pricier side, about $420 NTD (roughly $13 USD) for one dish and up, but it’s well worth it!
If you’re wanting some fresh delicious seafood, then check out my favorite sashimi restaurant. The man working behind the bar is incredibly friendly and has worked there for decades. He doesn’t speak English, but he enjoys interactions with foreigners.
Be sure to try their salmon sashimi, oysters, shrimp perilla, lobster, and the flower sushi. The price is quite average here, if you’re alone you’ll probably spend around $500 – $800 NTD (roughly $16 – $25 USD) for 4-5 dishes.
Drinks
For your last night, it’s time to pamper yourself and go to Indulge Experimental Bistro. This bar is known for their creative drinks honoring different parts of Taiwan in their cocktails. You will need to make a reservation in advance, as it made the list for Asia’s 50 best bars. If you’re looking for something more casual, then we’ll head over to Beer Rush Taproom, or if you had a great time at P.S. I Love You, maybe go back there 😉
Travel in Taiwan | Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taiwan tourist friendly?
Yes! Taiwanese people are one of the kindest people you will meet. They are curious about foreigners too, so don’t be surprised if they come up to you on the street to ask you questions like where you’re from and what you’re doing in Taiwan.
Also, don’t be afraid to ask them a question if you get lost or need some kind of help – the vast majority will be very happy to help you!
Is it safe to visit Taiwan right now?
On the whole, yes it’s perfectly safe to travel to Taiwan. There is the looming threat of China and the tension between the two governments has been reaching new highs in recent years, however this has been a threat for decades and China has never attacked.
Taiwanese people live their days as normal and usually don’t talk about this issue either. You can always check the US government website for the latest precautions for travel in Taiwan to verify how safe it is.
Is five days enough time in Taipei?
You can easily spend weeks in Taipei. With that being said, five days will give you a great overview of the city with plenty of time to see the best attractions, try the delicious cuisine, and potentially take a day trip out of Taipei to the surround coastal areas!
When is the best time to visit?
Taipei has a hot and humid climate. If you’re not into sweating as you walk outside, then October to December or March to May is probably the best time for you.
It can get quite cold in the winter months (Dec – Feb) so if you plan to come then, be sure to check the weather before you leave to make sure you’ve packed properly.
Typhoon season is June to November, they usually aren’t too serious, but something to keep in mind.
Also be sure to pack an umbrella no matter what. It’s not uncommon for there to be heavy downpours for short periods of time during the day in Taipei. Alternatively, you can buy one on the street or in a convenient store once you arrive as well.
There you have it – the ultimate Taipei itinerary for five days. I genuinely hope you have an incredible time in this amazing city and of course, you can mix and match the ideas here to create your own tailored adventure.
Feel free to use this post as a reference! Would you add anything to this itinerary in Taipei or do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments below 🙂
happy trails ♥