The 12 Best Things to Do in Taipei + 2 Things I’d Skip (2025)

Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Oliver

Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, ended up being one of my favorite cities I visited in 2025. Honestly, at the beginning of the year, I hadn’t even planned on coming here, but one thing led to another, and suddenly I had a flight booked.

From the second I landed, I could tell this place was going to be different. The culture, the food, the way people live, it all felt completely new to me, and I loved that.

I spent about a week in the city, and for me it wasn’t just about ticking off big sightseeing spots. It was more about just being here, eating, wandering, figuring things out as I went. I felt like every corner had something to discover, and half the time my favorite part of the day was just finding a good noodle shop or stumbling into a local café.

Of course, there are still plenty of great things to do in Taipei, and that’s what this list is about. I’ve put together my personal highlights from the trip, the things I genuinely loved doing and I also included a couple of spots that, in my opinion, didn’t quite live up to the hype.

The Best Things to Do in Taipei Taiwan – My Experience

Like I already mentioned in the intro, Taipei,for me at least, isn’t really about racing around and ticking off major sights. You know how some cities (like Bangkok) have you running from Buddha to temple to palace to night market? Taipei just didn’t feel like that.

What I loved most was finding the best food spots and then seeing what cool sights were nearby. That was the rhythm I naturally fell into. That said, I’m still a backpacker at heart, so of course I made my way to pretty much all the major things to do in Taipei.

There were a few places I really enjoyed. The night markets were such a highlight, the food is incredible and the atmosphere is so much fun. I also loved the Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, which is way more impressive in real life than I expected. And my day trip to Jiufen was definitely worth it too.

But not everything blew me away. And I’m not going to sugarcoat it, this is just my personal opinion and experience. The National Palace Museum, for example, just wasn’t my thing. It’s massive and packed with historical Chinese artifacts like bowls, scrolls, jewelry, spoons. If you’re into that, cool. But I didn’t find it exciting at all. Sorry, just being honest.

My Top Things to Do in Taipei

1. Visit Night Markets in Taipei

There are so many night markets in Taipei, it’s actually crazy. If you’ve never been to one before, they’re basically open-air food markets that start late in the afternoon and run until way past dark. It’s where locals come to eat, hang out, and escape the heat of the day. The energy is chaotic but also fun with bright lights, sizzling woks, and the smell of grilled meat in the air.

My personal favorite is Raohe Night Market. It’s not the biggest, but in my opinion, it has the best food. Don’t leave without trying the famous pepper pork buns from Fuzhou, they’re right at the entrance and absolutely worth the queue.

That said, there are a bunch of other night markets that are just as fun to wander through. Shilin Night Market is the biggest and most famous, and Ningxia Night Market has a slightly more local vibe with some great eats too.

2. Join a Food Tour

Trying to find good food spots in Taipei on your own can be a lot. Trust me, I’ve been there. Menus are usually only in Chinese, no one really speaks English, and half the time I didn’t even know what I was ordering. Sometimes fun, sometimes… not so fun.

That’s why doing a food tour is honestly the easiest (and least stressful) way to dive into Taipei’s food scene. You’ll head out with a local guide who knows all the good spots and get to try around 10 different dishes, no guessing, no confusion. I love doing this right at the beginning of a trip so I know what I actually like and what I want to eat more of later on.

Book Here: Taipei Food Tour

3. Hike Elephant Mountain

Elephant Mountain is one of those things people say you have to do in Taipei, and honestly, it’s worth it. It’s not a real hike, more of a steep staircase that takes about 15–20 minutes to climb, but the view over the city (especially of Taipei 101) is great.

I wouldn’t go in the middle of the day though, it gets hot and crowded fast. Early morning is probably the best time to go.

You don’t need any gear or hiking shoes, just a bottle of water and maybe a snack to enjoy at the top.

4. Head Up Taipei 101

If climbing stairs isn’t your thing, or you want a totally different view of the city, then going up Taipei 101 is a good option. It’s the most iconic building in the city and hard to miss. The whole thing looks like a modern pagoda, and while the shopping mall underneath is kind of just a regular mall, the observation deck on the 89th floor is what makes it worth a visit.

I went on a weekday morning and there was barely any line. If you go around sunset, it gets busy, but you’ll get to see the city in daylight and then lit up at night, which is pretty cool.

5. Enjoy Taipei’s Coffee Scene

One thing I didn’t expect to love in Taipei was the coffee. There’s a huge specialty coffee scene here with super minimal shops, great baristas, and really high-quality coffee beans. Don’t expect full brunch menus or avo toast though. These places are usually focused on coffee only. You’ll find espresso-based drinks, pour overs, and maybe some small pastries.

Two of my favorite spots were Summer Savage and After 5, both are beautifully designed, chill to hang out in, and serve some of the best coffee I’ve had in Asia.

6. Day Trip to Juifen

Jiufen is one of the most popular day trips from Taipei, and honestly, I think it’s worth it. It’s this small, hillside town that used to be a gold mining village, and now it’s known for its narrow alleyways, teahouses, red lanterns, and views over the coast. Some people say it inspired Spirited Away. I don’t know if that’s 100% true, but it definitely has that kind of vibe.

It’s about an hour from Taipei. You can get there yourself by train to Ruifang and then take a short bus or taxi, or you can book a guided tour that usually includes a few other stops like Shifen Waterfall or the Pingxi Lantern release.

Book Here: Day Trip to Juifen

7. Try Some Crispy Milk Donuts

One thing I noticed in Taiwan is that people love waiting in line for food. Seriously, I don’t think I’ve ever queued this much for a bowl of noodles or a fried donut. But hey, if there’s a crowd, there’s probably something good at the end of it.

That’s definitely the case with Crispy Milk Donuts. I don’t know what kind of magic they put in these things, but they’re insanely fluffy, warm, fresh out of the fryer, and somehow still super cheap. I’m not usually someone who queues for food, but I made an exception here and I’d do it again.

Don’t let the line scare you off either. I always had to wait, but never more than 10 minutes. Totally worth it.

8. Visit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall

If there’s one proper “sightseeing” spot I think is actually worth visiting in Taipei, it’s this one. The Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall is huge, super impressive, and genuinely just a cool place to walk around. You’ll find this massive white building with a blue pagoda-style roof, set in a giant plaza flanked by the National Theater and National Concert Hall, it all feels very grand.

I wouldn’t say you need hours here, but it’s one of those landmarks that’s easy to visit and makes you go, “Okay yeah, this is cool.” It’s also a nice spot to take some photos and just take in the space. And if you’re lucky, you might even catch the changing of the guard inside the hall.

9. Visit Lungshan Temple

This is probably the most famous temple in Taipei, and I get why. Lungshan Temple is beautiful, full of smoke, incense, people praying, and all kinds of intricate carvings and details. It’s definitely a more active temple, meaning it’s not just for tourists, locals actually come here to worship, so it feels alive.

Just make sure to be respectful. You’re totally welcome to walk around, take photos, and take it all in, but it’s still a religious space. I liked coming here around late afternoon when it was a bit cooler and the light hit the temple just right. It’s easy to pair with a visit to Ximending after, only about a 15-minute walk from here.

10. Dinner at Din Tai Fung

I know, I know, it’s a chain. But Din Tai Fung is kind of a big deal in Taiwan, and honestly, I really enjoyed my dinner there. The original shop is in Taipei, but it’s basically just a tiny takeout spot. I ended up going to the one in Taipei 101, which still felt pretty iconic. It’s a bit of a when in Rome kind of thing, you know?

They’re most famous for their xiao long bao (soup dumplings), which are these delicate little parcels filled with pork and hot broth. You poke a hole, slurp the soup, dip it in vinegar and ginger, and then eat the rest, trust me, they’re delicious.

Now a fair warning: the wait here can be brutal. You grab a number and sometimes the queue is like two hours long. We got super lucky and this lovely older couple gave us their ticket because they couldn’t stay, so we ended up only waiting about 30 minutes.

11. Explore Ximending Walking District

Ximending is one of those neighborhoods I often just end up in, maybe I came for lunch, maybe someone said it’s like the “Harajuku of Taipei” and before you know it, you’ve been wandering around for hours. It’s super walkable, full of neon signs, little boutiques, food stalls, and the kind of organized chaos that just fun to be a part of. I wouldn’t come here looking for anything specific, just come and take it all in. You’ll find bubble tea, weird snacks, beauty stores, street performances, basically everything. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s my favorite place in the city, but it’s a must-see just because it’s so different and alive.

12. Huashan 1914 Creative Park

This place is like Taipei’s artsy hangout spot. It used to be an old factory complex, and now it’s been turned into a creative space with galleries, exhibitions, pop-up shops, cute cafés, and lots of people walking around with matcha lattes. I wouldn’t necessarily plan a full afternoon here, but it’s a great little stop if you’re in the area or want a break from temples and markets.

2 Things in Taipei I’d Skip

National Palace Museum

Ok, I know this might make me sound like a hater, but we went to the National Palace Museum and… yeah, we were just really bored. And it’s not that I don’t like museums, I’ve been to plenty in places like New York, Berlin, Rome, even Vietnam and Cambodia, that I thought were super interesting. But this one just wasn’t for me.

It’s all about Chinese history and culture, which I do think is important, but the way it’s presented is just not very exciting. You walk through endless halls of artifacts, old ceramics, furniture, spoons, tiny buddhas, jewelry. I get it, it’s valuable stuff, but it just didn’t grab me.

If you’re already on the fence about going, I’d say skip it.

Dihua Street

Dihua Street came up in almost every blog and travel guide I read before coming to Taipei. It’s supposed to be one of the oldest commercial streets in the city and kind of a cultural gem.

But when we went, I honestly just didn’t get the hype. It felt like… a street. There were a few herbal medicine shops, tea houses, and some souvenir stores, but nothing that really stood out or made it a must-see for me. It wasn’t particularly pretty or lively either.

If you’ve got a lot of extra time and you’re nearby, sure, go for a wander. But if your itinerary’s already packed, I wouldn’t worry about skipping it.

FAQs About What to Do in Taipei

What are unique things to do in Taipei?

Join a local food tour, hike Elephant Mountain, and explore the night markets, especially Raohe Night Market.

What are the best free things to do in Taipei?

Hike Elephant Mountain, visit Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall, or wander through temples and local neighborhoods. Taipei’s super walkable.

What are good things to do in Taipei with kids?

Shilin Night Market has fun game stalls, and the Taipei Zoo is a fun option too, especially for families in Taipei. 

What to do with 3 days in Taipei?

Day 1: Big sights + night market.
Day 2: Elephant Mountain, museum, Din Tai Fung.
Day 3: Day trip to Jiufen.

Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Visit in Taipei Taiwan

Even putting this list together, I still don’t think Taipei is a city that’s all about sightseeing and honestly, it doesn’t need to be. What made me love Taipei wasn’t the temples or the museums (though a few were cool), it was the overall vibe. The food, the culture, the people, it just felt exciting being here.

So don’t stress about ticking off every attraction. Pick a few places you’re genuinely interested in, but also give yourself time to just wander, get lost, and hang out at a good beef noodle shop or a cool coffee spot. That’s where Taipei really shines.

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