Is Taipei Worth Visiting? My Honest Review (2025)

Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Oliver

Taipei being one of my favorite cities in 2025 was definitely not something I saw coming, but here we are, and I’m a big fan. The city has an incredible mix of culture, kind and welcoming people, cool things to see, and my personal highlight, some of the best food I’ve ever had.

I just spent about a week in Taipei as part of a 3-week trip through Taiwan, and I really loved it. It’s one of those places that’s fun to explore on foot, but also different from anywhere I’d been before. Until now, most of my travels had been in Southeast and South Asia, so this was my first time experiencing a more Chinese-influenced culture, and it was exciting in a totally new way.

In this little guide, I’ll try to answer the question Is Taipei worth visiting? (spoiler: I think yes), and as always, this is based on my own personal experience. Hopefully you’ll get a sense of what the city is like and whether it might be a good fit for you too.

Is Taipei Worth Visiting? My Quick Answer

Yes 100%, Taipei is worth visiting. Here’s the short version in case you’re not in the mood to read the whole article.

I ended up in Taipei kind of by accident. I was traveling through the Philippines and saw a cheap flight to Taiwan, so I booked it on a whim. I ended up spending 3 weeks traveling around the country and honestly, even if you just have a week, I’d say fly into Taipei, explore the city, and use it as a base for some day trips. The transport system is amazing and you can get around super easily.

As for the city itself, Taipei is absolutely worth it. It’s got some of the best food in Taiwan, beautiful temples, great museums, super friendly people, and it’s one of the easiest cities to travel in. I honestly would go back just for the amazing food in Taipei.

What I Really Liked About Taipei Taiwan

• The food is incredible: This is the number one reason I loved Taipei. From street food to night markets to restaurants, I was obsessed. Beef noodle soup, xiao long bao, fried buns, you name it.
• The night markets are so much fun: Raohe Night Market, Shilin Night Market, Ningxia Night Market, Linjiang Night Market… I went to so many and every one had something different. It’s like a never-ending food tour.
• Surprisingly good coffee: I wasn’t expecting much, but the coffee scene in Taipei is just so good. So many cool little cafes, great flat whites, and super aesthetic coffee shops.
• Incredible temples and museums: Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, the National Palace Museum everything felt super rich in culture without being overly touristy.
  
• People are ridiculously friendly: Everyone I interacted with was helpful and kind, even with the language barrier.
  
• Way more affordable than I thought: It’s not Southeast Asia cheap, but definitely cheaper than Japan or Korea. Food, transport, and even some accommodation were great value.
  
• Fascinating culture: This was my first time in a more Chinese-influenced place and it felt totally different from Southeast Asia. I found it super interesting and refreshing.
  
• Super safe city: I felt totally comfortable walking around, even at night. Great city for solo travelers.
  
• Public transport is amazing: The metro system is cheap, spotless, and ridiculously efficient. You don’t need a car or even a taxi.

What I Don’t Like About Taipei

Honestly, there’s not a lot I didn’t like about Taipei. But just to keep it transparent, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• It’s not super walkable: Taipei is pretty spread out, so you’re not going to stroll from one end of the city to the other. You’ll definitely rely on the MRT or Grab for longer distances. That said, public transport here is amazing, so it’s not a huge issue.
  
• Not all neighborhoods are equal: We stayed in a couple different areas and it made a big difference. Some areas in Taipei are perfect for walking around, grabbing food, and exploring but others, not so much.
  
• Language barrier can be real: A lot of places don’t have English menus, and not everyone speaks English (which is totally fair, it’s Taiwan). It just means ordering food or figuring things out can take a little more effort. I used Google Translate a lot, especially the photo scanner for menus.
  
• Less traditional sightseeing: Compared to some other big cities, there aren’t a ton of must-see landmarks you’ll be ticking off all day. For me that wasn’t a downside, but if you’re looking to hit 10 major sights in 2 days, Taipei’s more about just being there, eating, exploring, and experiencing the atmosphere.

Top Things to Do in Taipei

Eat everything: Milk donuts, beef noodle soup, xiao long baos, there is so much incredible food in Taipei. I’ve got a full guide on what to eat in Taipei and honestly, you could build your whole trip around the food.

Night markets: Hit up Raohe, Shilin, and Linjiang night markets. They’re chaotic and fun, packed with amazing food and atmosphere.

Day trip to Jiufen: A beautiful little mountain town just outside the city, full of lantern-lit alleys, tea houses, and old-school charm.

Taroko Gorge: Not technically in Taipei but it’s one of the best day trips you can do. Stunning cliffs, tunnels, and incredible nature.

National Palace Museum: A massive museum with one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art. It’s actually way more impressive than I expected.

Longshan Temple: One of Taipei’s most famous temples.

Taipei 101: Go up to the observatory deck for an unbeatable view of the city. Yes, it’s touristy but totally worth it.

Dihua Street: An older neighborhood that still feels super local. Great for tea shops, old-school snacks, and just wandering around.

Chiang Kai shek Memorial Hall: Massive plaza, striking architecture, and the changing of the guards is actually pretty cool to watch.

Who Should Travel to Taipei?

Taipei is perfect if you’re into Asian food like dumplings, baos, dim sum, noodle soup, bubble tea… if that’s your thing, you’ll love it here. But it’s not just about the food. If you’ve always been curious about Chinese culture but feel like traveling to China might be a bit intimidating, then Taiwan is a great place to start. It’s got a similar cultural vibe but it’s way easier to ease into and most nationalities get a visa on arrival so that part is stress-free.

Also, if you’re already traveling around Southeast Asia, Taipei is a great side trip. Flights can be super cheap (I paid $80 from Manila), and it’s a fun way to switch things up if you’ve been doing the usual Bali, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand route.

Is Taipei Going to be a Trending Travel Destination

This is something I’ve been thinking about, will Taipei blow up tourism-wise? Honestly, it kind of already has, just not from the places you might expect. Most of the tourists I saw were from China or other parts of Asia. When I was in Taiwan, especially outside of Taipei, I barely saw any other Western tourists. In the city of Taipei, yes, a few more, but even there it wasn’t like Bangkok or Bali where you’re surrounded by other travelers all the time.

That said, I’ve started seeing more and more content about Taipei popping up on Instagram and TikTok. And I get it, Taipei is fun, it’s affordable, the food is amazing, and it’s super easy to get around. Especially if you’re already in Southeast Asia, it’s such an easy flight. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if more people started putting Taipei on their radar soon.

Travel these days is leaning more toward real experiences, exploring culture, eating local food, seeing new things, rather than just lying on a beach at an all-inclusive resort. And Taipei fits that shift perfectly.

FAQs About Visiting Taipei

Is Taipei safe?

Yes, Taipei is super safe. I walked around at night, took the metro alone, and never once felt uncomfortable.

What to do in Taipei for 3 days?

Eat your way through night markets, visit Taipei 101, check out temples like Longshan, and do a day trip to Jiufen or the hot springs.

What are some unique things to do in Taipei?

Try a traditional Taiwanese breakfast, drink bubble tea at the original shop, or explore quirky places like the Modern Toilet Restaurant or Cat Village.

When is the best time to visit Taiwan?

March to May or October to November when the weather is cooler, skies are clear, and it’s not too humid.

Is Taipei expensive to visit?

Not really. Street food is cheap, public transport is affordable, and you can find great value hotels and Airbnbs.

Final Thoughts on Is Taipei Worth Visiting

I love Taipei, and I definitely think it’s worth visiting. Honestly, Taiwan as a whole is worth a trip but Taipei will most likely be your first stop, and probably where you’ll spend most of your time.

What stood out most to me was the food, it’s easily one of the best food cities I’ve ever been to. But beyond that, I really loved the culture. Wandering around, seeing Chinese signs everywhere, not fully knowing what was going on… it felt like a real adventure again. Everything was new, different, and exciting to me.

So if you’re thinking about a trip to Taiwan, definitely go for it and make sure Taipei is at the top of your itinerary.

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