2 Days in Tainan Itinerary: How I Spent An an Amazing 48 Hours in Tainan City

Tainan easily lands in my top two cities in Taiwan, coming in right behind Taipei. The city just has so much character, it’s the former capital of Taiwan, and you can really feel that history when you wander around. There are old buildings, tiny alleyways, and of course, loads of incredible food.

If you’re planning to explore another city outside of Taipei, I’d definitely recommend Tainan. It takes a bit longer to get there, but it’s absolutely worth it. That’s also why I suggest staying at least one or two nights rather than trying to rush it as a day trip.

So, here’s my little Tainan itinerary, based on my on experience spending a few days there. I’ve included the best things to do, where to eat, and some travel tips so you know exactly how to make the most of your mini city adventure from Taipei.

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2 Days in Tainan Itinerary – My Experience

I actually spent a few more days in Tainan to really explore the city (and eat my way through it), but I figured most people would probably have around two days, so putting together a 2-day Tainan itinerary just made sense.

From the moment I arrived, I knew this city was going to feel different from Taipei. Tainan is definitely less modern and a lot more traditional. But let’s be honest, the highlight for me was 100% the food. I spent an embarrassing amount of time just roaming around, hunting down the best food spots. That’s also why I absolutely recommend including a little food tour in this itinerary, you can DIY it like I did or book one of the many guided tours around town.

I usually explore cities on my own, and I did that here too. I checked out street food stalls, night markets, and loads of local eateries. But it wasn’t just about food. I also loved visiting the Confucius Temple (which, by the way, is one of the oldest Confucius temples in Taiwan), it’s beautiful and definitely worth a stop.

Even though Taipei already has a strong cultural feel, Tainan took it to another level for me. So yea, I totally recommend visiting Tainan and if you manage to have two full days here, you’ll be able to have a great time!

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

Public transport isn’t as great as in Taipei: Just a heads-up: Tainan isn’t super public-transport-friendly like Taipei. You’ll still find buses and taxis, but I always try to stay somewhere central so I can just walk to most places. That’s honestly the best way to explore Tainan anyway, you’ll stumble across random shops, temples, and cute alleys.

Stay central if you can: Trust me, you don’t want to spend half your day figuring out bus routes or waiting for a taxi in the heat. If you stay in or around the West Central District, you’ll be close to most of the street markets and little food streets etc. and you’ll be able to walk most places.

The language barrier is real: Especially in local restaurants, everything is in Chinese, and very few menus have English translations. Google Translate will be your best friend, download it beforehand so you can use the photo scan feature. I’ve ordered some pretty random things by accident, but that’s half the fun.

THSR station is far out: If you take the high-speed rail (THSR), know that the station is pretty far outside the city center. You’ll need to take a shuttle bus or local train back into town, which can be a bit of a pain. That’s actually why I often prefer the normal trains, they take a bit longer but drop you off closer to where you actually want to be.

It gets ridiculously hot: I visited in April, and there were days when I was seriously questioning my life choices walking around in that heat. I was basically drenched in sweat. If you’re visiting in summer, brace yourself.

Cash is still king: While bigger restaurants and cafes usually take cards, many smaller eateries, markets, and street stalls are cash-only. I’d recommend always carrying some on you, you don’t want to miss out on a random food stall just because they don’t take your card.

My Tainan Itinerary & Travel Guide

Ok, just a little disclaimer: this is my personal Tainan itinerary. There are obviously way more things to do, places to eat, and activities to try, but this is exactly how I’d spend two days in Tainan if I went again.

Feel free to mix things up, add spots that interest you, or swap things around depending on what kind of trip you’re after. This is just my way of giving you a starting point, so let’s get into it.

Day 1: Tainan Food Tour, Tainan Confucius Temple & Anping Old Street

Morning

I always start my mornings in Tainan with a good local breakfast and for me, that’s Ding Fu Fa. I definitely recommend going for the pork lard mixed rice and some meatball soup; it’s so good. It’s more of a brunch dish, but honestly, I’d eat it any time of day.

I also really need my coffee fix first thing in the morning. Unfortunately, in Taiwan (and especially Tainan), most nice coffee shops don’t open until 10 or 11 a.m., which just doesn’t work for me. I want my coffee at 7!

For that early morning caffeine fix, I always go to Carpenter Coffee, pretty much the only place I found that opens at 7 a.m. A total lifesaver. I usually grab my coffee there first and then head to Ding Fu Fa for breakfast right after.

Afternoon

After breakfast, I’d start a proper Tainan food tour (and by food tour, I don’t necessarily mean a guided one, unless you want to, of course. You can book a Guided Food Tour right here). I did my own self-guided version and just wandered around, trying anything that looked good.

A few great spots to start: Shennong Street, Yongle Market, and Zhengxing Shopping District. All of them are fun to wander around, snack your way through, and maybe do a bit of shopping too.

Afterwards, head over to the Confucius Temple. This is actually the oldest Confucius Temple in Taiwan, and it’s such a peaceful, beautiful spot to take a break. I loved exploring it and checking out all the old details. The outer gardens are free to enter, so you can explore a good part of the temple grounds without paying an entrance fee.

After that, make your way to Anping Old Street and the Anping Tree House. This area is so fun to explore, with its narrow alleys, street food stalls, and quirky little shops. You’ll find everything from shrimp rolls to the famous coffin bread (yes, that’s a real thing). I don’t things the Anping District is a must but it’s deifnitely fun checking out in my opinion!

Evening

If you still have energy left (and some room in your stomach), check out one of Tainan’s night markets. My top pick would be Garden Night Market it’s big, lively, and has pretty much every snack you can imagine.

Another great option for the evening is grabbing a drink at one of Tainan’s bars. Chikan Pharmacy Bar is a super fun spot, it’s a bit touristy, but it still has that speakeasy feel. It’s a gin and wine bar with a really cool atmosphere. There’s a minimum spend of around $20 USD per person (probably to stop people from just coming in to take photos), but it’s easy to hit if you’re having a couple of cocktails. I loved hanging out there and thought it was a great way to end the day.

Day 2: Taijiang National Park & Tainan Garden Night Market

Morning

On the second day, I’d start by heading out of Tainan to explore Taijiang National Park. It’s just outside the city and is known for its canals and mangroves. You can hop on a boat ride through the mangroves and check out the famous Sicao Green Tunnel, it’s a fun way to see a different side of Taiwan. There’s also the Sicao Dazhong Temple nearby, which is worth a quick look if you’re already out that way.

Midday

For lunch, I definitely recommend my favorite lunch in Taiwan: beef noodle soup. My top pick is Xin Dao Beef Noodle Restaurant, the beef is so tender it basically falls apart, and the broth is just perfect. After that, I’d stop by PariPari for a coffee (one of my favorite spots in Tainan) or, if you’re up for something a bit more unique, head to 台南-秘氏咖啡. That one’s more of a Hong Kong–style cafe, super traditional and quirky, and it definitely adds a cultural twist to your day. It’s inside Yongle Market, so you can wander around there too if you haven’t checked it out yet.

While we’re exploring the city center, it’s also worth popping into the famous Hayashi Department store. It’s one of the oldest buildings in Tainan with a lot of the original design still left.

Evening

Tonight, you’re definitely hitting up the Tainan Garden Night Market. It’s a bit outside the city center and we took the bus there (super easy) and then ended up walking back. The market is such a vibe: dumplings, grilled squid, ramen, peanut ice cream rolls… I pretty much wanted to try everything. There was even live music when we went, and the atmosphere was so lively and fun that we ended up staying for a while before heading home.

And by the way, walking back at night felt totally safe, Tainan (and Taiwan in general) always felt super safe to me, even late at night.

Where to Stay in Tainan

I mentioned this earlier, but I’d definitely try to stay somewhere central in Tainan. The main reason is that public transport isn’t that great here, and if you stay central, you can just walk everywhere, which is usually how I like to explore cities anyway. My dad always said the best way to really see a place is on foot, and I totally agree.

When you’re booking your hotel, I’d look at Tainan’s West Central District or Central District. Both areas put you right in the middle of many markets and shopping areas and make it easy to get around without stressing about buses or taxis.

Some of my favorite hotel options in these areas:

The Lakeshore Hotel Tainan

The Lakeshore Hotel is one of the more upscale options in town, but honestly, I was surprised by how affordable it still is. It’s super modern, has its own pool and gym, and feels way cheaper than what you’d pay for a similar place in the US or Australia. From my experience, that pool would be a total game changer since Tainan gets hot, and after wandering around all day, having a pool to jump into sounds perfect.

👉 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 so friendly, the rooms were spacious and bright, 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 my 2 Day Tainan Itinerary

What to do in Tainan?

Honestly, there’s so much. Eat your way through the city, visit the Confucius Temple, wander Anping Old Street, check out all the little alleyways and markets, and spend some time in Taijiang National Park.

How many Days in Tainan is good?

I’d say two days is a great amount of time. You’ll have enough time to eat a ton, see the main sights, and get a feel for the city without rushing too much. But if you have extra time, even better, I stayed longer and didn’t get bored at all.

Best things to do in Tainan at night?

Night markets! The Tainan Garden Night Market is my favorite, but there are others too if that one isn’t open. You could also check out some local bars like Chikan Pharmacy Bar is a super fun spot with a speakeasy vibe.

What is Tainan famous for?

Tainan is known for its incredible food and deep cultural history. While Taipei feels very modern, Tainan feels more traditional, with old temples and historical streets.

Final Thoughts on My Tainan 2 Day Itinerary

I ended up spending about four days in Tainan, mostly because I like taking my time and not rushing through places. But thinking back, you could definitely squeeze most of the highlights into a 2 day Tainan itinerary. Two days just feels more realistic if you’re visiting Taiwan on vacation, most people will (and should) spend more time in Taipei and use it as a base to explore the rest of the country.

I really loved Tainan, not just for the amazing food (which is reason enough on its own), but also for its character. It felt so different from Taipei, more traditional, more historic, and just full of charm. It really felt worth the trip. For example, I also visited Taichung, and while it was nice, it didn’t feel as unique or memorable to me, so I’m not sure I’d say it’s a must-see. But Tainan on the other hand is definitely worth it.

I hope this little guide to my 2 day Tainan itinerary helps you plan your own adventure and gives you a good idea of how to spend your time in this super cool city. Enjoy!