
With 5 days in Taipei, you'll have time to experience the city's highlights. Beyond the iconic landmarks, Taipei's soul is found in its labyrinthine alleys, where hole-in-the-wall tea shops serve exquisite oolongs and third-wave coffee roasters brew alongside them. It's a city made for wandering, whether you're hunting for vintage treasures in the hip boutiques of Dadaocheng or joining locals for a sunrise hike up Elephant Mountain.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & First Impressions
Start your Taipei adventure by getting your bearings and exploring the city's most iconic landmarks. Take time to soak in the atmosphere and discover why this destination captures the hearts of millions.
Taipei 101
Experience Taipei 101, one of Taipei's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Taiwan's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Shilin Night Market
Experience Shilin Night Market, one of Taipei's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Taiwan's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 2: Local Life & Neighborhoods
Experience Taipei like a local today. Wander through authentic neighborhoods, discover hidden cafes, and get a taste of everyday life in Taiwan.
National Palace Museum
Experience National Palace Museum, one of Taipei's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Taiwan's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Longshan Temple
Experience Longshan Temple, one of Taipei's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Taiwan's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 3: Art, History & Discovery
Uncover layers of history that shaped Taipei. From ancient remains to modern marvels, today reveals the stories behind the city's evolution.
Elephant Mountain
Experience Elephant Mountain, one of Taipei's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Taiwan's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Beitou Hot Springs
Experience Beitou Hot Springs, one of Taipei's beloved attractions that offers a unique glimpse into Taiwan's culture and heritage.
💡 Tip: Check opening hours online and consider booking in advance during peak season.
Day 4: Day Trip to Wulai
Leave Taipei behind for a day and head to Wulai (40 min by bus).
Wulai
A mountainous aboriginal Atayal township in New Taipei City, known for its natural hot springs, waterfalls, and indigenous culture, offering a quick escape into nature.
💡 Tip: Highlights: Wulai Old Street for indigenous food like millet mochi and bamboo rice, Taking the little train to Wulai Waterfall, Soaking in the public hot spring riverside pools, Riding the Wulai Gondola for panoramic views.
Day 5: Dadaocheng & Hidden Gems
Spend your last day away from the main sights: slow down in Dadaocheng and seek out a few places most visitors to Taipei never find.
Dadaocheng
One of Taipei's oldest districts, where 19th-century Baroque and Fujian-style shophouses tell the story of the tea and fabric trade. It's a historic area undergoing a creative renaissance.
💡 Tip: Don't miss: Dihua Street (historic market street, especially lively before Lunar New Year), Xiahai City God Temple, The many traditional tea houses and dried goods shops.
Museum of Drinking Water
A small museum housed in a beautiful historic pumping station and water tower near Gongguan, showcasing Taipei's water history.
💡 Tip: Its real highlight is the chance to climb the ornate, castle-like water tower for a unique, 360-degree panoramic view of the city that few tourists know about.
Grass Mountain Chateau (草山行館)
The former summer residence of Chiang Kai-shek, located in the hills of Yangmingshan, now a museum and teahouse with stunning views.
💡 Tip: It combines history, architecture, and nature with far fewer visitors than the main Yangmingshan flower spots. The teahouse terrace is a magical spot for sunset.
Top tours and experiences in Taipei
The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.


Full-Day Private Northern Taiwan Tour from Taipei with Pickup
from €109
Check availability
The Award-Winning Private Food Tour of Taipei: The 10 Tastings
from €112
Check availability
5-Day Best of Taiwan: Sun Moon Lake, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Hualien
from €716
Check availabilityTours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Why Visit Taipei
Incredible Value and Effortless Exploration: Taipei offers high-quality experiences at relatively low costs, from affordable luxury hotels and delicious street food meals to inexpensive and ultra-efficient public transport. The comprehensive MRT and YouBike bike-share system make navigating the city incredibly simple and cheap.
A Warm and Hospitable Local Culture: Taiwanese people are famously friendly and helpful. Don't be surprised if a local helps you with directions or offers a food recommendation. This genuine warmth, combined with the city's outstanding safety, makes for a stress-free and deeply welcoming travel experience.
A Culinary Paradise Beyond Night Markets: Yes, you must try stinky tofu at Raohe and oyster omelets at Shilin, but also seek out the city's incredible diversity. Indulge in a multi-course Taiwanese feast at a 'rechao' (hot stir) restaurant, savor the legendary soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung's original location, and explore the burgeoning specialty coffee scene in Zhongshan District.
Find cheap transport to Taipei
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Ready to explore Taipei?
How much do 5 days in Taipei cost?
Plan on roughly €225 on a budget, €545 mid-range or €1,060 for a comfortable trip, per person and excluding travel to Taipei.
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (per night) | €30 | €75 | €140 |
| Food and drinks (per day) | €10 | €20 | €40 |
| Sightseeing and activities (per day) | €5 | €14 | €32 |
| Total per day | €45 | €109 | €212 |
| Total for 5 days | €225 | €545 | €1,060 |
Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport. Compare daily costs across cities
Where to stay in Taipei
Hotels close to the centre of Taipei, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.
Budget
Mid-range
Upscale
LuxuryHotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Travel Tips
- 1Book accommodation in the city center for easy access to attractions. Taipei is best explored by combining walking with public transport.
- 2The best time to visit Taipei is September to November. Shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant weather.
- 3The local currency is New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). Carry some cash for small vendors and markets.
- 4A few words in Mandarin go a long way with locals. Even "please" and "thank you" will earn smiles.
- 5Download offline maps and translation apps before your trip. WiFi can be spotty in historic areas.
- 65 days gives you time to see the highlights and discover some hidden gems.
Must-Try Food in Taipei
💡 Tipping is not customary in Taiwan. It's not expected in taxis, restaurants, or hotels. Some high-end restaurants may add a 10% service charge.
Neighborhoods to Explore in Taipei
Ximending
Taipei's vibrant, pedestrian-only youth culture and shopping hub, often called the 'Harajuku of Taipei'.
Da'an
A sophisticated, leafy residential district that's also the heart of Taipei's culinary and cafe scene.
Zhongshan & Nanjing East Road
A bustling commercial and business district characterized by its grid of shopping lanes, Japanese-era influences, and a mix of department stores, underground malls, and intimate dining lanes.
Day Trip Ideas
With 5 days in Taipei, you have time for a memorable day trip. Here are some great options nearby:
Jiufen
A historic gold-mining town built into a mountainside, famous for its narrow, lantern-lit stairway streets, teahouses with ocean views, and inspiration for the Studio Ghibli film 'Spirited Away'.
Yehliu Geopark
A unique coastal park on a cape, renowned for its otherworldly rock formations sculpted by sea erosion, the most famous being the 'Queen's Head'.
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