Taipei is one of Asia’s most rewarding city breaks. It’s easy to navigate, packed with incredible food, rich in culture, and surrounded by mountains, hot springs and scenic day trips.
It’s also a city that works brilliantly for first-time visitors because you don’t need to over-plan every second. This guide brings together the essential Taipei attractions, local experiences, food stops and easy add-ons so you can plan a trip that feels full, but not rushed.
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Visit Taipei 101
Taipei 101 is the city’s most famous landmark. The bamboo-inspired skyscraper dominates the skyline, and the observatory gives you a clear sense of how Taipei sits between dense urban districts and surrounding green mountains.
Most visitors head to the indoor observatory for panoramic views, but the experience is especially memorable near sunset.
Inside, you can also see Taipei 101’s huge tuned mass damper, an engineering feature designed to help stabilise the building during strong winds and earthquakes. It adds a genuinely interesting technical element beyond the view, especially if you like architecture, engineering or skyscrapers.
If you only have time for one major paid attraction in Taipei, Taipei 101 is the obvious choice. But there is another reason to go beyond the observatory: coffee.
Have Coffee at Simple Kaffa Sola Inside Taipei 101
If you love coffee, you may wish to add on a visit to Simple Kaffa Sola, located on the 88th floor of Taipei 101.
Simple Kaffa is one of Taiwan’s most respected specialty coffee names. Its founder, Berg Wu, won the 2016 World Barista Championship, a major international coffee competition that helped put Taiwan’s specialty coffee scene on the global map.
You’ll need to book or check the latest reservation process before you go, especially if you want a window seat that incurs a minimum spend.
Hike Elephant Mountain for the Best Taipei Skyline View
If you have seen a postcard photo of Taipei, there is a good chance it was taken from Elephant Mountain. The trail is short but steep, with lots of stairs, but the reward is one of the best views in Taiwan.
From the viewing platforms, Taipei 101 rises above the city with the mountains behind it. It’s the classic Taipei skyline shot, and it’s even better at sunset.
The hike is manageable for most travellers with basic fitness. Bring water, wear proper shoes and give yourself enough time to stop at the viewing platforms. Sunset is the most popular time to go, so arrive early if you want a good photography spot. Night views are also excellent, especially when Taipei 101 is lit up.
Buy a Monday Bruce Blind Box
For a fun, very Taipei souvenir, look out for a Monday Bruce blind box.
Monday Bruce is an original Taiwanese character brand about a rabbit navigating the realities of corporate life. Often shown with his must-have daily latte, tired expression and dry humour, Bruce captures the familiar mood of modern work culture. It’s funny, slightly gloomy and highly relatable for anyone who has ever needed caffeine to get through the workday.
If you like blind-box collectibles such as Sonny Angel or Smiski, Monday Bruce has the same mystery-box appeal, while also making a fun, relatable Taiwanese souvenir for anyone familiar with modern office life.
I first spotted Bruce at a small shop in the Huashan 1914 Creative Park, and later part of an exhibition at the Taipei 101.
Eat Your Way Through a Night Market
Taipei’s night markets are one of the biggest reasons to visit the city, Taiwan is packed to the rafters with Michelin-recognised eateries and more than a few are street food stalls found at night markets.
Raohe is one of the best for first-timers as it easier to explore than some of the larger markets. It’s also next to Ciyou Temple, so you get a beautiful cultural stop right at the market entrance.
Shilin is Taipei’s most famous night market and one of the largest. It’s busy, and very tourist-friendly, with a huge range of snacks, games, shops and casual restaurants. You might also consider Ningxia Night Market and Huaxi Street Night Market.
Look out for pepper pork buns, grilled squid, oyster omelette, fried chicken, sweet potato balls, herbal soups and fresh fruit juices. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the Michelin guide has some standout stalls to start.
For a full list of dishes to look out for, read my What to Eat in Taiwan: A First-Timer’s Food Guide.
Visit Longshan Temple
Longshan Temple is one of Taipei’s most atmospheric cultural sites. It’s especially beautiful in the early evening, when the lights come on and the surrounding streets become more lively. It’s also easy to combine with nearby Bopiliao Historical Block or Huaxi Street Night Market.
Explore Ximending
Ximending is best explored in the late afternoon or evening, when the shops are open, the streets are busy and the area has the most energy.
It’s also one of the best areas to stay in Taipei for first time visitors wanting convenience, nightlife and easy transport links.
Start at The Red House, a historic red-brick building close to Ximen Station. It’s a useful starting point because several of the area’s most interesting streets sit around it. The square behind The Red House is also known for LGBTQ-friendly bars and nightlife.
From there, walk over to Rainbow Crossing, one of Ximending’s most recognisable photo spots.
Check the Adidas Ximen store for Taiwan-exclusive pieces if you enjoy wearable souvenirs. If you like quirky Taipei finds, look for the underground mall around Ximen Station. It’s a good place for blind boxes, gachapon, small souvenirs and character merchandise. You may also come across a blind drink machine, where you pay for a mystery drink without knowing exactly what you will get.
For bubble tea, stop at Xing Fu Tang. It’s touristy, but it’s also a good first bubble tea stop in Taipei, especially if you want brown sugar pearls. You can see the tapioca pearls being made fresh on site. Around Ximending, don’t forget to pick up a cute bubble tea holder, which makes a cheap and practical souvenir.
Don’t miss a visit to the Wan Nian Building. From the outside, it doesn’t look especially exciting, but inside you will find small shops selling toys, gachapon, collectibles, retro-style finds and novelty items. It’s also a good place to look for fun EasyCards, Taiwan’s transport cards. Prices have gone up, especially for the more novelty designs, but they still make a practical souvenir because you can actually use them on the MRT, buses and in convenience stores. In the basement, you’ll find Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodles, a long-running beef noodle shop recognised by the Michelin Guide with a Bib Gourmand.
Watch Changing of the Guards at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is one of Taipei’s most recognisable public spaces, with a vast plaza and a blue-roofed monument. It offers useful context for Taiwan’s modern history and politics. You do not need to go deep into the history before visiting, but it’s Chiang Kai-shek remains a complex and controversial figure, and the memorial sits within a much bigger story of Taiwan’s identity, democracy and relationship with China.
Don’t miss the changing of the guard that takes place hourly.
Notice Taipei’s Quirky Details
Some of the best things to do in Taipei are not major attractions at all, they’re the small details you notice while walking around.
Look down because you may be walking over a decorative manhole cover. The Taipei City government launched over twenty uniquely-designed manhole covers across the city that are connected to their respective areas.
Go Hunting for Taipei’s Themed 7-Elevens
Taipei’s themed 7-Elevens are fully decorated around characters, brands or pop-culture themes, with themed walls, seating areas, displays, limited-edition products and photo spots.
Look out for branches themed around Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Lay’s and STARLUX. The STARLUX one is especially fun because it leans into the airline theme, making the store feel more like a tiny travel experience.
The reason these stores work so well in Taiwan is because convenience stores are already part of daily life. People use them for snacks, coffee, transport cards and quick meals. You can pick up limited-edition snacks, cute drinks, character merchandise, themed iCash cards, and coffee.
Save a few locations on Google Maps and drop in when you’re nearby.
Try a Taipei Food Tour
Taipei is one of the best food cities in Asia, but it can be hard to know where to start. A food tour is one of the most worthwhile paid experiences, that will usually introduce you to street food, local snacks, night market favourites, Taiwanese drinks and small eateries you may not find alone. It also helps with ordering, translation and understanding what dishes actually are.
After the tour, use my What to Eat in Taiwan: A First-Timer’s Food Guide to plan the rest of your meals.
Drink Bubble Tea Where It All Began
Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble tea, so having at least one proper bubble tea in Taipei is non-negotiable. You will find chains and independent shops everywhere, from MRT stations to shopping districts.
My personal favourite is Xing Fu Tang in Ximending, but I also tried Chun Shui Tang, 50 Lan and Chi Cha San Chen for my guide to the best bubble tea in Taiwan.
Visit Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Huashan 1914 Creative Park is a former industrial site transformed into a cultural and creative district. Today, it hosts exhibitions, pop-up shops, design stores, cafés, performances and events. It is a good option if you like design, independent brands and artsy urban spaces.
Visit Syntrend Creative Park for Tech, Gadgets and Collectibles
If you love tech, gadgets, gaming or camera gear, add Syntrend Creative Park to your Taipei itinerary.
Syntrend is a multi-floor digital lifestyle mall where you can browse phones, laptops, headphones, gaming accessories, cameras, audio equipment, smart home products, toys, figures and pop-culture collectibles in one building.
It is especially good if you are the kind of traveller who likes looking at gadgets even when you do not need to buy anything. You can easily spend an hour or two browsing, testing products, looking at displays and wandering between floors.
This is not an essential stop for every first-time visitor, but it’s absolutely worth adding if you like electronics, gaming, anime figures, or cameras.
Visit Maokong for Tea and Mountain Views
Maokong is a tea-growing area in the hills above Taipei, reached by gondola from near Taipei Zoo. The ride itself is part of the experience, with views over the city and surrounding mountains.
Once you arrive, you can visit teahouses, walk short trails and enjoy a slower, greener side of Taipei. It’s especially good if you want a break from dense city sightseeing without committing to a full day trip.
Day Trips from Taipei
Relax in Beitou Hot Springs
Beitou, in northern Taipei, is famous for thermal water and bathhouses. You can visit public hot spring baths, book a private hot spring room, or stay overnight in a hot spring hotel. The area also has the Beitou Hot Spring Museum and Thermal Valley.
Jiufen
Jiufen Old Street is a former gold mining town known for its narrow lanes, teahouses and red lanterns. Although Hayao Miyazaki has said it was not a direct inspiration for Spirited Away, it does have a striking resemblance to scenes in the film. Nevertheless, it can be easily visited from Taipei, and offers a perfect afternoon for drinking tea, sampling local bites and general dilly dallying.
Do not miss the peanut ice cream roll, the teahouses and the small shops tucked along the lanes. If you’re interested in food, check for Michelin-mentioned snacks before you go so you have a few specific stops in mind.
Shifen Waterfall and Shifen Old Street
Shifen is another popular day trip from Taipei, often combined with Jiufen. The area is best known for Shifen Waterfall and the old railway street, where visitors release sky lanterns. Be aware that sky lantern releases have environmental concerns, so consider that before taking part. You can still enjoy the old street, snacks and railway atmosphere without releasing one.
Related Taipei Guides
- Taipei Travel Guide for First-Timers: What to Know Before You Go
- What to Eat in Taiwan: A First-Timer’s Food Guide
FAQs About the Best Things to Do in Taipei
What should I not miss in Taipei?
For a first trip, do not miss Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain, a night market, Longshan Temple, Ximending and at least one easy day trip such as Beitou, Jiufen or Shifen.
Is Taipei worth visiting for first-time travellers?
Yes. Taipei is easy to navigate, food-focused, culturally rich and surrounded by mountains, hot springs and scenic day trips, which makes it a strong choice for first-time visitors to Taiwan.
How many days do you need in Taipei?
Three days is enough to see the main Taipei highlights, but four or five days gives you more time for night markets, cafés, shopping, hot springs and day trips.
What is the best area to explore in Taipei at night?
Ximending is one of the easiest areas to explore at night because it has shops, street performers, bubble tea, restaurants, LGBTQ-friendly nightlife and good MRT access. Night markets such as Raohe and Shilin are also strong evening options.
What is the best free thing to do in Taipei?
Hiking Elephant Mountain is one of the best free things to do in Taipei because it gives you the classic skyline view of Taipei 101 without needing a ticket.
Are Taipei’s themed 7-Elevens worth visiting?
Yes, if you enjoy quirky stops, character goods, limited-edition snacks or themed photo spots. They are not major attractions, but they are fun additions while exploring areas such as Ximending or Taipei’s shopping districts.
What should food lovers do in Taipei?
Food lovers should visit a night market, try bubble tea, consider a Taipei food tour and plan specific dishes using my What to Eat in Taiwan: A First-Timer’s Food Guide.
Where should I stay for sightseeing in Taipei?
For first-time visitors, Ximending is one of the most convenient areas because it has nightlife, shopping and easy transport links. For more area comparisons, read my Where to Stay in Taipei guide.
