Is Tainan Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Tainan, Taiwan’s former capital, is hands down one of the most underrated cities I visited. It’s actually my second favorite city right behind Taipei and that says a lot, because I absolutely loved Taipei.

Tainan feels like Taiwan’s “old soul.” It’s more traditional, a bit slower, and definitely less shiny than Taipei but I mean that as a positive. I loved wandering past temples, exploring little side streets, and seeing locals lining up for breakfast way before 8am.

But let’s be real: the main reason for me to come here was the food. Everyone in Taiwan will tell you that Tainan has the best food in the country, and honestly? They’re right. From milkfish soup to rice in pork lard, I basically spent four days eating non-stop.

I stayed for about four nights, which felt just right. In this guide, I’ll answer the very basic question of is Tainan worth visiting (spoiler: probably yes), share my personal experience, and give you some tips to help you decide if it deserves a spot on your Taiwan trip.

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Is Tainan Worth Visiting? My Honest Review in 2025

Is Tainan Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer

Ok, so in case you can’t be bothered to read the whole article (no judgment), here’s my quick answer: yes, 100% worth it.

It only takes about four hours by regular train from Taipei, so you could easily squeeze it in as a quick one- or two-night trip. But if you have more time, I definitely recommend staying longer and making Tainan a proper stop on your Taiwan itinerary.

I spent about four nights here and loved every minute. The city feels super lively, with endless little alleyways to wander, amazing night markets, and honestly, some of the best food I had in Taiwan. I tried everything: street food stalls, old-school local eateries, and even cute cafes serving surprisingly good flat whites. I know I sound like a total foodie (sorry, not sorry), but I was genuinely obsessed with the food scene in Tainan.

To me, Tainan felt more like an immersive experience than just a checklist of sights. I loved just wandering around and enjoying the local atmosphere. That said, there are still plenty of things to do, like taking a boat ride through the mangroves at Taijiang National Park, visiting the Confucius Temple, or exploring Anping Old Street.

What I Loved About Tainan Taiwan

I mean… it’s obvious, but let’s just say it: I loved the food in Tainan. The food scene here is insane with cute little restaurants located in tiny alleyways, cozy cafes serving great coffee, and some of the best night markets I’ve ever been to. Honestly, it’s kind of embarrassing how much I planned my days around what I wanted to eat next. (No regrets, though.)

But it wasn’t just about the food. The overall vibe in Tainan felt totally different from Taipei. It’s a lot more chill, a bit slower, and the whole city feels less modern, in a good way though. Just wandering around with no plan was one of my favorite things to do. You find temples hidden down side streets, random art, cute shops, it all felt very authentic and easygoing.

What I Did Not Like About Tainan

Even though I really loved Tainan, there were a few things that weren’t my favorite. First, the city is definitely more spread out and not as well connected as Taipei. You’ll probably end up walking a lot or needing to figure out buses and taxis if you want to see different neighborhoods.

It also feels a bit older and less polished, which I personally liked, but I know it might not be for everyone. If you’re used to Taipei’s super modern vibe, shiny MRT stations, and endless shopping malls, Tainan might feel a little “rough around the edges.”

And while I loved the slower, laid-back atmosphere, at times it felt too slow, especially at night outside of the night markets. Some areas can feel pretty quiet or even a bit empty.

One thing that really bothered me was how difficult it could be to walk around. The sidewalks are often covered in scooters or turned into seating areas for restaurants, so it feels like people here don’t really expect anyone to actually walk. Half the time, I felt like I was zig-zagging through parking lots or squeezing past tables just to get down the street.

That’s about it, though. Nothing major, just small things to keep in mind so you don’t expect a second Taipei.

The Food in Tainan is Amazing

There are way too many good places to eat in Tainan, but here are a few of my absolute favorites from my trip. I’ll have a full food guide coming soon with even more spots, but these definitely stood out:

田麵匠: I loved this place so much. It definitely has a bit of a minimalist hipster vibe, but the noodles and dumplings are incredible (and super affordable). Honestly, it would even make a cool casual date spot. This is definitely a must visit for dinner or lunch.
Ding Fu Fa: Hands down the best Taiwanese breakfast/lunch I had in the entire country. They serve fish balls in soup and this rice dish with pork lard that was honestly life-changing. So simple but so good, I still think about it.
Xin Dao Beef Noodle Restaurant: One of my all-time favorite spots in Taiwan. It’s a small place with maybe five tables, very modern vibe, and the best beef noodle soup I’ve ever had. The beef was so tender it basically fell apart, and the broth was super savory and rich. Absolute perfection.
Pari Pari: My favorite coffee shop in Tainan. They make a great latte, and the whole place has this moody, artsy feel. It’s upstairs inside a little art shop, and you even have to ring a bell to get in, feels kind of exclusive and fun.

Things to Do in Tainan City

Anping Old Street: Super busy and full of street food, little shops, and random things you’ll suddenly “need.” Great for snacking and wandering aimlessly.

Anping Fort & Anping Tree House: The fort is cool for some quick history, but the real highlight is the tree house, an old warehouse completely taken over by banyan trees.

Confucius Temple: The oldest Confucius temple in Taiwan. Peaceful, pretty, and a nice break from the chaos of the night markets.

Night markets: You can’t come to Tainan and skip these. The big one is Garden Night Market, but Wusheng Night Market is also great and feels a bit more local.

Taijiang National Park: We took a boat ride through the mangroves and tried to spot some birds. Feels totally different from the city and makes for a fun half-day escape.

Getting lost in the lanes: Honestly, one of my favorite things to do here. Just wander around, find hidden temples, tiny cafes, random shops. The area around Shennong Street is definitely the best for that.

Where to Stay in Tainan

When I stay in Tainan, I always make sure to pick somewhere in Tainan city center or in the West District. That way, I can usually walk almost everywhere I want to go. During my trip, I barely needed public transport at all, the only time I used it was to get to the Garden Night Market.

Here are a couple of hotels I really recommend for your stay in Tainan:

The Lakeshore Hotel Tainan

The Lakeshore Hotel is definitely one of the more upscale options in town, but I was honestly surprised by how affordable it is. It’s super modern, has its own swimming pool and gym, and still feels way cheaper than what you’d pay in the US or Australia. From my experience, the pool would be a total game changer. Tainan gets hot, and after walking around all day, having a pool to cool off in would feel amazing.

Book here: The Lakeshore Hotel Tainan

MSUG Hotel

The MSUG Hotel is a really cute boutique spot that feels super thoughtful and detailed. This is actually where I stayed, and I couldn’t have been happier. The hosts were super friendly, the rooms were spacious, and the views were great. It felt surprisingly upscale for such a small and affordable hotel. Big recommendation from me!

Book here: MSUG Hotel Tainan

FAQs About Visiting Tainan

What to do in Tainan?

Eat! Okay, but seriously, eat as much as possible. Beyond that, explore Anping Old Street, visit the Confucius Temple, check out Chihkan Tower, check out Hayashi Department Store, and wander through all the little alleyways and hidden temples.

What are the best day trips from Tainan?

A popular choice is visiting the salt fields in Jingzaijiao, which is super unique and photogenic. You could also explore Cigu Lagoon or go bird-watching at the wetlands nearby. Some people even do a day trip down to Kaohsiung (about 40–60 minutes by train) if you want a quick city change.

What is Tainan famous for?

Tainan is most famous for its food. Locals are very proud of their traditional dishes like milkfish soup, danzai noodles, and coffin bread. It’s also known for being Taiwan’s oldest city, with tons of historic temples and old streets that give it a strong cultural vibe.

What is better Tainan vs Kaohsiung?

Totally depends on what you’re into. Tainan is more traditional, chill, and all about food and history. Kaohsiung feels bigger, more modern, and has a cool waterfront area with art spaces and more nightlife.

Final Thoughts on Is Tainan Worth Visiting

I really liked Tainan, and if you’re thinking about visiting one city outside of Taipei, I’d go with this one. Kaohsiung is fun too, but Tainan just feels like it has way more culture and character. The whole city feels older, more lived-in, and there’s something about it that just felt right, to me anyways.

And yes, the food is a huge part of it. From tiny local eateries to little cafes hidden in alleyways, I loved basically everything I tried here. I fully admit I planned most of my days around what I wanted to eat next and honestly it was amazing. I think food is one of the best ways to explore a culture!

For me, Tainan is definitely worth visiting. It’s not trying too hard, it’s not overly modern, and it doesn’t feel touristy at all. If you’re into food, local vibes, and exploring a city that feels a bit more raw and real, you’ll love it here.

I hope this little guide on ‘is Tainan worth visiting’ helps you figure out if Tainan deserves a spot on your itinerary. Personally? I’d say go for it.