3 Days in Taipei Itinerary: How I Spent an Amazing 72 Hours in Taipei City (2025)

Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Oliver

Honestly, at the start of the year I had no idea I’d end up in Taipei and definitely no clue I’d end up loving it this much. Out of everywhere I’ve visited this year, Taipei has easily been my favorite city so far.

The food? I’m obsessed. The culture? Unlike anything I’ve experienced before. The people are super friendly, and there’s just so much cool stuff to do and see here.

I ended up spending a full week in Taipei, but I actually think 3 days in Taipei is probably the perfect amount of time for most people visiting on a holiday. Just enough time to explore, try loads of great food, and enjoy the whole vibe without feeling rushed.

After traveling all over Taiwan, I’ve been putting together guides based on my experience to help you guys plan your trip. In this one, I’ll take you through my personal 3 days in Taipei itinerary with all my favorite night markets, food spots, and must-see sights included. Let’s get into it.

3 Days in Taipei Itinerary – My Experience

I really think Taipei is one of those cities that’s more about getting a feel for the place than ticking off a list of sights. There are some big ones (sights I mean) of course, but it’s not like Bangkok where you’re racing from temple to temple. For me, Taipei was all about eating my way through the city, getting lost in random neighborhoods, and figuring out what the locals were lining up for.

Most of my days were built around food, I’d map out a few restaurants or street stalls I wanted to try, and then just explore whatever was along the way. Honestly, it worked out great.

That said, I know not everyone has a full week like I did, so this 3-day Taipei itinerary includes all the essentials: Taipei 101, Elephant Mountain, night markets, Chiang Kai-shek… but also enough time for good coffee, amazing meals, and a few slow mornings. Because sure, sightseeing is great but slurping beef noodle soup on a plastic stool surrounded by locals? That’s the stuff I remember.

A Quick Taiwan Travel Guide – Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Taipei

English is NOT widely spoken, and most signs and menus are only in Chinese. People are helpful, but don’t expect fluent English. Download Google Translate and use the photo feature, it’ll save your life at restaurants.

Public transport here is amazing. Grab an EasyCard and use the MRT, it’s clean, cheap, super efficient, and it even works for the airport transfer.

Weekends get super busy. Locals travel a lot on weekends, so trains and hotels can book out fast and get way more expensive. Plan ahead if you’re traveling Friday to Sunday.

Cash is still king. A lot of smaller places and night market stalls don’t take card, so always have some cash on you. ATMs are easy to find.

Night markets are a big deal. They’re not just for tourists, locals go too. So expect crowds, especially on weekends. Go hungry and try everything.

The weather is no joke. Taipei gets hot, humid, and sticky, especially in summer. Always carry water, wear sunscreen, and don’t underestimate the power of AC breaks.

My 3 Day Itinerary Taipei

Before we jump into the itinerary, just a heads up, Chinese is the main language in Taiwan, so most signs, menus, and even the names of restaurants and cafes will be in Chinese characters. I’ll sometimes have to use the Chinese name because there is no English name available and link everything to Google Maps so you can check them out for yourself and see some photos.

Day 1: Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall & Raohe Night Market

Morning

I stayed near Taipei 101 and honestly, I think it’s a great base. The area is super walkable and full of cute cafes and local restaurants, so I’d definitely start your first morning in Taipei with a classic Taiwanese breakfast.
I would head to 秦小姐豆漿 信義店, they serve traditional soy milk and savory breakfast dishes like dan bing and fan tuan (egg crepes and rice rolls). After that, grab a proper coffee at 小川珈琲所, a cozy little third-wave café just around the corner. Both spots are local favorites and set the tone perfectly for your first day.

Once you’re caffeinated, walk over to Taipei 101, the iconic pagoda-style skyscraper. You can head up to the observatory on the 89th floor for an amazing view of the city, or just wander around the fancy shopping mall at the base.

Midday

Next up, We hop on the red MRT line and ride straight to Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. Make sure you have an EasyCard for the MRT, it’s super easy to use and works everywhere.

The memorial feels like Taipei’s version of the Lincoln Memorial, huge open plaza, giant statue, and some of the most impressive architecture in the city. The National Theater and Concert Hall flank the square, and it’s a great spot for photos.

From there, we walk over to Lungshan Temple, one of the most beautiful temples in Taipei. It’s a peaceful space, full of incense and detail, and visitors are welcome, just be respectful.

At this point, I’m always hungry again, so I’d head toward Ximending, which is just a short walk from the temple. This is Taipei’s cool, neon-lit shopping and street food district.

I always stop at Chef Yu Fried Buns for some insanely good pan-fried buns, then grab a crispy milk donut (yes, you’ll have to wait in line, and yes, it’s amazing), and wash it all down with a brown sugar boba tea from Xing Fu Tang.

Evening

For dinner, we’re hitting the night markets, obviously.

You’ve got a few options here: Shilin Night Market is the most popular and the biggest, but it’s also the most touristy. My personal favorite is Raohe Night Market. Take the green MRT line across town and make your way straight there.

Raohe has the best food by far. It’s more manageable in size, the vibe is fun, and it’s packed with great eats. The one thing you have to try: the pepper pork buns from Fuzhou Pepper Buns. It’s the very first stall right at the entrance and there’s usually a line, but it moves quickly and it’s so worth it. The buns are hot, crispy, juicy, peppery perfection.

Day 2: Elephant Mountain & National Palace Museum

Morning

We’re starting the day with what Taipei does surprisingly well and that is coffee. And I say that as someone who lived in Australia for three years, so I don’t say this lightly.
Today’s coffee spot: either Summer Savage or After 5 which are two of the best coffee shops in the city for a flat white or latte.

Afterwards, since we’re already in the area, we’re heading to the National Palace Museum. It’s a massive part of Taiwanese (and Chinese) culture and history, with an incredible collection of ancient artifacts and treasures. The building itself is beautiful, and while I didn’t personally find it super exciting (museums aren’t always my thing), I know a lot of people love it. Worth checking out, for sure.

Midday

For lunch, we’re heading to Dihua Street, one of the oldest streets in Taipei. The area has this traditional charm, full of old tea shops, herb stores, and little boutiques. It’s a fun place to wander around.

My lunch pick here is Fuhong Beef Noodles with some of the best beef noodle soup I had in Taipei. Rich broth, tender beef, cozy vibes. I love beef noodle soup especially on a cold or rainy day!

Afternoon / Evening

After lunch, we’re burning off some of those noodles with a little hike up Elephant Mountain. Now, “mountain” is a bit dramatic, it’s more of a stair-heavy hill. The Elephant Mountain Trailhead is close enough to Taipei 101, and the hike takes around 15–20 minutes to the main viewpoint. The views over the city are amazing, especially at sunset, just be warned, it can get crowded. If you prefer fewer people (and cooler temps), go in the early morning or early afternoon instead.

Evening

You’ve got two great options tonight:

Option 1:

Head to another night market. If you didn’t go yesterday or just want more, try Shilin Night Market (biggest and most famous) or Ningxia Night Market (smaller but amazing for food). 

Option 2:

Skip the market chaos and go for a proper sit-down dinner at Din Tai Fung in Taipei 101. It’s a bit iconic at this point, and their xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are just so delicious. Yes, it’s a chain. Yes, it’s a bit touristy. And yes, it’s still absolutely worth it. However you have to prepare to maybe wait in line up to 2 hours. But they let you draw a number so while you are waiting you can go shopping at the Taipei 101.

Day 3: Day Trip to Juifen

For Day 3, I’d definitely recommend getting out of the city for a bit and doing a day trip to Jiufen, the famous little mountain town that inspired Spirited Away (well, kind of). It’s got a cool misty old-town charm, narrow alleyways packed with street food and tea houses with stunning views.

Option 1 – DIY Jiufen Trip:

This is what I did, and it’s super easy. Just take the train from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang, then hop in a local bus or taxi to Jiufen (takes about 10–15 mins from the station). Make sure to get there before lunch so you can enjoy all the food before the crowds take over. We actually stayed in Jiufen for a night and hiked Teapot Mountain, which was an awesome experience too.

Option 2 – Book a Day Tour:

If you want zero stress, you can also book this group day trip that includes Jiufen, Shifen, Yehliu Geopark, and a few other cool spots along the coast. There are loads of them on GetYourGuide with stunning reviews, and it’s a great way to see a bunch of places in one go, especially if you’re short on time or don’t want to deal with transport.

Where to Stay in Taipei

Taipei’s a pretty big city, and while you can technically stay anywhere thanks to the great public transport, I personally prefer staying somewhere walkable, like where I can just roll out of bed and grab a coffee or breakfast without needing to jump on a train first thing.

My favorite area to stay in is around Taipei 101 in the Xinyi District. It’s modern, clean, and full of cool restaurants, bars, and coffee shops. Everything you need is within walking distance, and it just feels like a fun neighborhood to be based in.

Another great option is the Ximending District, which is a little more chaotic but also super lively and fun, especially if you’re into shopping or staying out late. Anywhere near Taipei Main Station is also convenient if you’re planning lots of day trips or want easy access to public transport.

Here are a few of my favorite stays in Taipei:

• Miramar Garden Taipei: A really great choice if you’re looking for something comfortable and a little fancy. Great value for a proper hotel.
  
• Humble Boutique Hotel: Probably my favorite boutique hotel in Taipei. Super stylish, clean, and in a great location.
  
• Star Hostel Taipei: A great budget hostel right in the middle of it all. If you’re trying to keep things cheap but still want to stay central, this is a good option.

FAQs About My 3 Day Taipei Travel Itinerary

How should I spend 1 day in Taipei?

If you only have 24 hours in Taipei, I’d definitely recommend doing a food tour or heading to a night market. Also make time for the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, it’s one of the most iconic spots in the city.

How can I spend 3 days in Taipei with kids?

Some of the food markets are super fun for kids, Shilin Night Market especially has loads of little games and stalls almost like a country fair. It’s a good mix of food and entertainment.

What to do in Taipei for 2 days?

With just two days, I’d probably spend both exploring the city, visiting the National Palace Museum, hiking up Elephant Mountain, and eating everything I can. But if you’re itching to get out of the city, you could squeeze in a day trip to Jiufen on your second day.

What are some unique things to do in Taipei?

One thing I’d 100% recommend is a food tour. Sure, you can just wander the markets yourself (and I did plenty of that), but having a local guide show you the best stuff is actually super worth it. I learned a lot and ate even more.

How to do 3 Days in Taipei on a budget?

Honestly, doing Taipei on a budget is super doable. Stay at a hostel, dorm beds can go for under $20 USD a night and stick to walking or using the MRT, which is cheap and super efficient. Eat at night markets or grab street food (which is where the best food is anyway).

Final Thoughts on 3 Day Taipei Itinerary

As you’ve probably figured out by now, I really love Taipei. It’s one of the most fun, exciting, and unique places I’ve visited. I had the best time eating food I’d never tried before, exploring a totally different culture, and just enjoying the energy of the city.

For most of you coming to Taiwan, I do think 3 days in Taipei is the perfect amount of time. You get two full days to really explore the city and one extra day for a day trip and Jiufen would be my go-to. It’s the ideal balance of sightseeing, culture, food, and fun.

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