Are you planning a trip to Taipei and have two or three days to spare? Perfect! You can experience a lot during this time: From ancient temples and modern architecture to hot springs, street food and rooftop bars, not to mention one of the most exciting food cultures in Asia.
This guide provides a complete, practical itinerary for two or three days, including attractions and the best places to eat.
📌 Quick overview: What can you expect?
- Historical highlights: Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
- Modern must-sees: Taipei 101, Xinyi District, Elephant Mountain
- Cultural highlights: National Palace Museum, Beitou Hot Springs
- Street food & night markets: Raohe Street, Yongkang Street
- Culinary: Xiao Long Bao, bubble tea, ramen, pepper cake
🗓️ Day 1 – Historical Taipei & night market flair🗓️ Tag 1 – Historisches Taipeh & Nachtmarkt-Flair
Morning: Longshan Temple
Start your journey with spirituality and tradition.
- Longshan Temple (龍山寺): The most famous temple in Taipei – colourful, lively, impressive
- Walk through Wanhua, Taipei’s oldest neighbourhood, which is full of small shops and street stalls, and has a real local atmosphere
Afternoon: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall
The monumental national memorial to Taiwan’s former president.
- Large square with the look of a temple complex
- Changing of the guard every full hour until 5 pm
- Great photo opportunities and peaceful atmosphere
Evening: Raohe Street Night Market
One of the best and most authentic night markets in Taipei.
- Compact, clearly organised, huge selection
- Right next to Songshan Ciyou Temple
- Ideal for snacks and bubble tea
🗓️ Day 2 – Modern Highlights & City View
Morning: Elephant Mountain Hike (Xiangshan Trail)
Start the day with a 30-minute hike and enjoy the best view of the Taipei skyline from Elephant Mountain!
- Nature meets city panorama
- Best in the morning or at sunset – sometimes hot and crowded in the afternoon
- Ascent via well-paved steps
Afternoon: Taipei 101 & Xinyi District
Continue into the futuristic financial and shopping district.
- Taipei 101 (台北101): Formerly the world’s tallest building (508 metres)
- Viewing platform on floor 89 – with a high-speed lift
- Xinyi District: boutiques, shopping malls, cafés
🗓️ Day 3 – Culture, hot springs & creative corners
For all those who want to experience something outside the vibrant city – with a focus on culture, design and wellness:
Morning: National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院)
One of the most important museums in Asia, it has exhibits from the Chinese imperial era.
- Jade art, calligraphy, porcelain, rare books
- Beautiful Zhishan Garden
Afternoon: Beitou – Taipei's thermal paradise
Further north lies Beitou, a district renowned for its steaming sulphur springs and spa culture.
- Thermal Valley (地熱谷): mystical, glowing green lake
- Beitou Hot Springs Museum: Japanese-inspired bathhouse
- Public and private spas (e.g. Villa 32, Grand View Resort)
🍽️ Top recommendations: Restaurants in Taipei
- Din Tai Fung (Xinyi): Xiao Long Bao (soup dumplings)
- Ichiran Ramen: Japanese tonkotsu ramen
- Xing Fu Tang: Brown Sugar Boba with caramel (really delicious!)
- Yongkang Beef Noodles: Beef noodle soup
- Raohe Night Market: Gingerbread, tofu, pancakes, mochi
Conclusion: Taipei in 2 or 3 days – compact and versatile
Whether you’re enjoying dumplings and bubble tea, taking in the sunset from Elephant Mountain, or unwinding in a hot spring bath, Taipei offers a variety of experiences in a compact setting. It’s the perfect place for stopovers, weekend trips, or as an introduction to touring Taiwan.
Our tip: Be sure to travel with an empty stomach, a good camera, and an open mind, because Taipei is a city that you can see, taste, smell, and feel.
