Taipei 3 Day Itinerary: A Foodie and Travel Lover’s Ultimate Guide
Taipei is a city that really surprised me – in a good way! It is a mix of modern city vibes but also home to beautiful temples, mountain views, hidden cafes, and night markets with the most delicous food. In fact, I’d call Taipei, a foodie city. It even has it’s fair share of Michelin-recommended street food at affordable prices. This 3 day itinerary will guide you through the best of Taipei. I’ve got you when it comes to the best places to visit and the best places to eat.
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Before you go:
💱Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NTD or TWD). You can generally divide the currency by 30 to convert it to USD.
💶 Budget for a trip to Taiwan: On average, you’ll likely spend around $113 a day in Taiwan including accomodation, food, and public transport.
💜 Is tipping required in Taiwan? No, tipping is not customary in Taiwan. Rounding up a bill or leaving small change at cafes is appreciated. High-end hotels may charge a service fee
☀️ Best time to Visit: Shoulder season is best from March to May or September to October. Do avoid June to August due to heat and typhoon risks.
🏥 Travel Insurance in Taiwan: It’s a good idea to get insurance when traveling to Taiwan. I recommend SafetyWing which will cover you in case of trip cancellations or any accidents during your travels.
How long should you stay in Taipei?
Taipei is the capital city of Taiwan and there’s a lot to see and do. 3 days in Taipei or more is ideal to explore the main highlights like Taipei 101, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Ximending, and night markets like Shilin or Raohe. A half-day trip to Jiufen could also fit into this Taipei 3 Day Itinerary too.
Where to stay in Taipei
- Zhongshan: This was my personal favorite area to stay in Taipei because it had so many cute cafes and it also had a street market with so many nice handmade goods. I loved my stay at At Home Hotel which was a nice budget option nearby.
Top Hotel Picks: $ At Home Hotel | $$ Grand Victoria Hotel - Ximending: More central and near the shopping and nightlife. Stay here if you prefer the busy city life and action.
Top Hotel Picks: $$ Amba Taipei Ximending | $$ Inhouse Hotel - Taipei Main Station: If you want easy access to public transport or plan to explore other parts of Taiwan, staying near Taipei Main Station is ideal. I stayed at the stunning Palais de Chine Hotel and it was really centrally located.
Top Hotel Picks: $ Poshpacker Hotel | $$$ Palais de Chine Hotel - Songshan: Here you have a laid-back, local vibe. It is a modern area with business districts, hip cafes, and great night markets.
Top Hotel Picks: $$$ arTree Hotel | $$$ W Hotel - Da’an: This is the most charming and tranquil areas in Taipei, known for its parks and green spaces. So if you love a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere, stay here.
Top Hotel Picks: $$$ Madison Taipei Hotel
Foodie’s Guide to Taipei
I love the food scene in Taiwan in general! Taipei is a food lover’s paradise with so many bustling night markets and cheap Michelin eats around town. Plus, the cafe culture is also amazing.
Pro-tip: Join this food tour which will take you to all. the best eats in Taipei! The great thing about it is you get to sample as many of the Taiwanese foods below as possible!
Here’s my top picks and must-try foods in Taiwan.
Must-Try Foods in Taiwan
- Beef Noodle Soup
- Xiao Long Bao
- Stinky Tofu
- Chicken Rice
- Scallion Pancakes
- Oyster Omelet
- Gua Bao
- Black Pepper Bun
- Sweet Potato Balls
- Taiwanese Chicken
- Taro Balls
- Pineapple Cake
- Boba Milk Tea
- Shaved Ice
Best Night Markets in Taipei
- Shilin Night Market – Most Famous & Largest, try the Michelin rated Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun
- Raohe Street Night Market – Best for First-Time Visitors, try the Michelin rated Hai You Pork Ribs
- Ningxia Night Market – Best for Local & Traditional Foods
- Tonghua (Linjiang) Night Market – Local Favorite
- Nanjichang Night Market – Hidden Gem for Serious Foodies
- Huaxi Street Night Market – For the Adventurous Eater
- Lehua Night Market – Best in New Taipei City
Michelin Rated
- Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao
- Fuhong Beef Noodles
- Wang’s Broth
- Liu Shandong Beef Noodles
- Fuhang Soy Milk
- Yu Pin Yuan Iced and Hot Tangyuan
- Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun at Raohe Street Night Market
- Shih Chia Big Rice Ball
Best Bubble Tea
Best Cafes
Taipei 3 Day Itinerary
Taipei Itinerary: Day 1
On Day 1 of your 3 days in Taipei, you should do the iconic landmarks and food stops.
10 am – Soak in the views from Taipei 101
Start your morning at Taipei 101. Afterall, this is the number one attraction in Taipei. Taipei 101’s Observation Deck has stunning panoramic views of the city. But be sure to visit on a clear day. Unfortunately, the day I went was super foggy and we couldn’t see much out of the windows.
Taipei 101 got it’s named since it has 101 floors. It was once the tallest skyscrapers in the world when it was completed in 2004. But in 2010, the Burj Khalifa in UAE surpassed.
Tickets cost around $18 USD and can be purchased ahead here.
Getting pictures of the building itself is difficult right in front so I’d recommend going to this secret spot (pictured above) so you can get the whole building in. It’s about a 15 minute walk from Taipei 101 itself.
If you’re looking for the best views of Taipei, you could also do a short hike up Elephant Mountain at sunset and you can also see Taipei 101 from here.
12 pm – Lunch at Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung has numerous locations in Taiwan and even the world. They have one in London too! The thing is, it tastes a lot better in Taiwan as they make them so fresh and right in front of you too. Plus, only served straight from the stove. They have a glass wall around the chef’s kitchen where you can see the dumplings in the making. The dumplings were really the best I’ve ever had – no exaggeration.
Don’t miss the soup dumplings (xiao long bao) too – just be sure you eat them the correct way. You need to hold them in the spoon and poke a small hole in the dumpling, then sip the broth first.
During my visit, I tried the Din Tai Fung in Taipei 101, just after going to the Taipei 101 observatory. But expect a long wait! In fact, it could be over an hour and they don’t take reservations!
2pm – Visit the Zhongshan Market & stop by a cafe
One of my favorite areas of Taipei is Zhongshan. Here there’s so many adorable cafes and coffee shops. The streets are super cute and have a local and authentic vibe. To me, it feels like a step away from the bustling city streets. My favorite cafe for an amazing coffee is Bu Bu Store.
Plus, on the weekend next to Zhongshan MRT is a market full of handmade items and accessories for purchase. I loved strolling this area.
4pm – Explore the Ximending area
Ximending in Taipei is often called the Shibuya or Harajuku of Taiwan due to its bustling atmosphere. The part next to the station with the Taipei Rainbow Crossing definitely resembles Shibuya Crossing, with its colorful billboards and heavy foot traffic. This area is a hotspot for shopping, street food, and entertainment.
Don’t miss Taiwan’s famous themed 7-Eleven’s. My favorite? The Hello Kitty one located in the Ximending district! As soon as I found out about this adorable spot, I had to visit.
Not only do they have the cutest Hello Kitty decor, but even the coffee comes in an adorable Hello Kitty cup!
Other themed 7-Elevens in Taipei include Pokémon, Snoopy, Ultraman, and more.
6:30 pm – Dinner at Fuhong Beef Noodles
Fuhong Beef Noodles is a Michelin rated cheap eat in Taipei in the Ximending area. Open 24 hours a day and the cost of the noodle dishes is only 100 NT. Their famous beef noodle soup is made with tender beef chunks in a rich, flavorful broth. You can pick your choice of thick knife-cut or thinner noodles.
8pm – get a foot massage
Treat yourself to a relaxing foot massage after a day of sightseeing. There’s a ton of endless options of foot massages in Taipei and trust me it’s good! I would recommend this one which you can book online ahead and they have amazing reviews.
When you visit, you should get a reflexology chart which will explain how different pressure points on your feet correspond to specific organs in your body. The level of pain you feel during a massage will link to your problem areas.
Mild discomfort is normal, but sharp or extreme pain may suggest stress or issues in the related area. For example, pain in the arch is linked to digestion, the heel to the lower back, and the ball of the foot to the heart and lungs.
Taipei Itinerary Day 2
10 am – Day trip to Jiufen
Jiufen is a charming mountain town in New Taipei City, about an hour from Taipei. It’s famous for its winding alleyways, red lanterns, and tea houses. It is also often compared to the setting in Spirited Away.
You can book a tour like this one and it will take you to both Jiufen and Shifen in one day!
Shifen is where you can find a beautiful waterfall and in the town you can release lanterns after making a wish.
In Jiufen wander the famous Old Street which has many shops and street food. Peanut candy is one thing you should try – a soft pancake served with peanut butter. Another must visit is the A-MEI Tea House where you can have a selection of sweets and tea with a view.
8 pm – Bubble Tea & Dinner
After returning from Jiufen, you can have dinner at Chun Shui Tang which is the original home of bubble tea and they have amazing noodle dishes and other good food to try.
Taipei Itinerary Day 3
10 am – Visit Taipei National Palace Museum
The Taipei National Palace Museum has one of the world’s largest collections of Chinese art and artifacts. After your visit, don’t miss the Zhishan Garden outside. It’s a beautiful classical Chinese-style garden inspired by Song and Ming dynasty. The garden is a great spot to relax after visiting the museum, and it’s free to enter with a museum ticket. If you’re not visiting the museum, there’s a small entrance fee (about 20 NTD).
12 pm – Have lunch at Silk Palace
The Silk Palace is a unique place to try for lunch because the food is inspired by museum artifacts. In fact, one of the highlights of the menu is the Meat-Shaped Stone Dongpo Pork which resembles the famous jade sculpture.
And for dessert, the steamed buns with edible faces are inspired by the Jadeite Cabbage.
2 pm – Visit an herbal tea shop
I visited the Healing Herb as part of my Taipei 3 day itinerary. Here, you can pick a tea based on your health needs. They will share a form for you to fill out with what types of health issues you’d like to see improvement in. That could be digestion, stress, or energy. After making your selections, they create a personalized blend for you which you can enjoy in the store.
3 pm – Dress in traditional attire for free
if booked ahead with the Visitor Center – it’s was such a fun experience getting dressed up and walking around the Taipei’s oldest district, Dadaocheng.
4 pm – Explore Dadaocheng Wharf
Walk all around the streets of Dadaocheng if you love street photography! And make your way over to Dadaocheng Wharf for views of the riverfront with the city skyline behind.
8 pm – Eat dinner at Rahoe Street Night Market
End your 3 days in Taipei with dinner at Rahoe Street Night Market which is undoubtefully one of the best night markets in Taiwan.
Try the sweet potato balls, Stinky Tofu, Chicken Rice, Scallion Pancakes, Oyster Omelet, among other Taiwanese specialties.
If you want to make sure to hit the best highlights of the Rahoe Street Night Market including the best food to try, then I’d highly recommend this food tour to the night market.
Have more time? How to spend 4+ days in Taipei
If you have more than 3 days in Taipei, then I’d add the folllowing to your Taipei itinerary so you can have 4+ days in Taipei.
- Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall and Song Shan Cultural Park
- Visit Rongjin Gorgeous Time, it looks like a bit like Japan and is a hidden gem in Taipei.
- Hike Elephant Mountain for views of Taipei
- Taipei Makong Cable Car
- Check out Longshan Temple
- Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
- Xiahai City God Temple
- Day trip to Beitou and Yangmingshan National Park
- Explroe Dihua Street, a historic street with shops, tea houses, and cute cafés.
Don’t miss these other posts!
🇹🇼 Taiwan Travel Guide
📅 7 Day Taiwan itinerary
🤎 Solo Travel Guide to Taiwan
🧋Things to do in Taichung
