Top Activities to Do in Taipei

After spending three incredible days exploring Taipei, here are the experiences we genuinely think every traveller should add to their itinerary.

Experience Taipei’s Morning Culture at Yong He Soy Milk

One of the best ways to understand a city is through its breakfast culture, and Taipei does this beautifully.

We started our first morning at a local Taiwanese breakfast spot near Ximending, where locals were grabbing soy milk, crispy scallion pancakes, sesame flatbreads, and egg rolls before work. It was noisy, fast-paced, casual, and completely authentic — exactly the kind of travel moment we love.

Taiwanese breakfasts are simple but incredibly satisfying, and honestly, this became one of our favorite food experiences of the trip.

Visit Lungshan Temple for a Real Cultural Experience

Lungshan Temple ended up being much more than just a sightseeing stop.

Walking inside, you immediately notice the intricate carvings, lanterns, incense smoke, and the quiet rhythm of locals praying around you. Unlike some tourist-heavy temples, this still feels deeply active and spiritual. We spent time simply observing worshippers, listening to chants, and appreciating how naturally spirituality is woven into everyday life in Taipei.

If you visit, don’t rush it. Sit for a while and absorb the atmosphere.

That’s where the magic is.

Watch the Sunset from Elephant Mountain

If there’s one view that truly captures Taipei, it’s from Elephant Mountain at sunset.

The hike itself is short but steep, mostly stairs, and takes around 20–30 minutes depending on your pace. But once you reach the viewpoints overlooking Taipei 101, the effort feels completely worth it.

We arrived just before sunset and watched the city slowly light up beneath a golden sky. It’s one of those moments that photographs never fully capture.

This was easily one of the highlights of our Taipei trip.

Explore Taipei 101 Beyond Just the Observatory

Most people visit Taipei 101 for the skyline views, but the area around it deserves attention too.

The Xinyi district feels modern, polished, and energetic — filled with shopping complexes, cafés, rooftop bars, and beautifully designed public spaces. Even just walking through the area gives you a completely different perspective of Taipei compared to the older districts.

The observatory itself offers incredible panoramic views, especially in the late afternoon before sunset.

Pro tip: time your visit before heading to Elephant Mountain so you can experience Taipei from both above and below.

Eat Your Way Through Taipei’s Night Markets

Taipei’s night market culture is genuinely unmatched.

After trying multiple markets, we realized they each have a completely different personality. Some are chaotic and massive, while others feel more local and food-focused.

Our favorite experience? Wandering through stalls trying random dishes we couldn’t pronounce — grilled skewers, oyster omelettes, bubble tea, dumplings, fried chicken, and Taiwanese desserts we’d never seen before.

The best approach is simple:
Don’t commit to one meal. Snack your way through the market.

That’s the real experience.

Spend an Evening in Jiufen’s Lantern Streets

Jiufen feels like stepping into another world.

Perched on the hills overlooking the coast, this old mining town is filled with narrow alleyways, red lanterns, tea houses, and endless food stalls. As evening approaches and the lanterns begin glowing, the atmosphere becomes almost cinematic.

We spent hours slowly wandering the streets, stopping for tea, desserts, and viewpoints overlooking the ocean and mountains.

If there’s one place near Taipei that truly feels magical at night, it’s Jiufen.

Release a Sky Lantern in Shifen

Touristy? Yes.

Still worth it? Absolutely.

Writing wishes onto a sky lantern and releasing it into the evening sky in Shifen is one of those travel experiences that feels surprisingly emotional in the moment.

The railway street, old-town atmosphere, and glowing lanterns create an experience that feels uniquely Taiwanese. Even with visitors around, it still manages to feel memorable and personal.

Sometimes the popular experiences are popular for a reason.

Discover Taipei’s Creative Side at Songshan Cultural Park

One thing that caught us off guard about Taipei was how creative the city feels.

Songshan Cultural & Creative Park perfectly captures that side of Taipei — old industrial buildings transformed into galleries, design spaces, cafés, and concept stores. It’s relaxed, stylish, and very easy to spend a few hours exploring.

It’s also a nice contrast after several days of temples, markets, and sightseeing.

Walk Through Taipei’s Historic Streets in Dihua

Dihua Street quickly became one of our favorite areas in Taipei.

It’s quieter, more traditional, and filled with old shopfronts selling tea, herbs, fabrics, dried fruits, and handmade products. The blend of preserved heritage buildings and modern boutique cafés gives the street a really unique charm.

Unlike some tourist areas, this part of Taipei still feels very local and lived-in.

Perfect for a slow afternoon walk.

Slow Down and Enjoy Taipei’s Atmosphere

The biggest thing we learned in Taipei is that the city isn’t meant to be rushed.

Some of our favorite moments weren’t major attractions at all:

• sitting inside a tea house in Jiufen
• watching locals pray at Lungshan Temple
• walking through quiet backstreets in Dadaocheng
• grabbing late-night snacks after a long day

Taipei has an energy that slowly grows on you.

It’s modern but traditional.
Busy but calming.
Fast-paced but incredibly welcoming.

And that balance is exactly what makes the city so special.

Final Thoughts from Travey Club

Taipei ended up being one of the most enjoyable city breaks we’ve experienced in Asia.

It offers incredible food, efficient transport, beautiful mountain views, rich culture, and some of the warmest local experiences — all without feeling overwhelming.

Whether it’s your first time visiting Taiwan or your fifth, Taipei always seems to leave you wanting just one more day.

Travey Club is your personal travel planning partner, dedicated to crafting truly bespoke itineraries shaped around how you travel. We believe every journey is unique—no single template, and no purely AI-generated plan, can fit all travel needs. Rather than booking flights or hotels, we focus on thoughtful, human-led planning for our members, working alongside trusted travel agents who manage reservations. Our itineraries highlight key experiences, while Travey Club brings them together through personalized insight, expertise, and attention to detail—ensuring every trip feels intentional, seamless, and distinctly yours.

Look at our three days Taipei Itinerary :  Travey Club