One Day in Taipei: My Perfect Itinerary, including Top Attractions

At first glance, Taipei might seem like any other bustling Asian metropolis, but trust me, it will surprise you in the best possible way!

It has cool architecture, beautiful parks, historic temples, a fantastic vibe, and an even better food scene!

If you’ve been following me for a while, you probably already know that I live in Taiwan and LOVE Taipei City! I visit it often – sometimes for a quick side trip and other times for a few days.

With that in mind, I crafted the perfect one day itinerary so that you, too, can experience the best highlights of this awesome city. But before we dive into the deets, let’s address the elephant in the room:

Can you REALLY see everything in Taipei in just one day?

Unfortunately, no. But even with just 24 hours, you can still get a great overview of the city, check out its main tourist draws, and, most importantly, have a blast!

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How this Itinerary Works

I’ve put a lot of thought into this itinerary, as I know you have limited time. But in a nutshell, I really wanted to streamline things so that you can maximize your 24 hours in Taipei. 

So, we’ll start in the west of the city and then move to the east. We’ll also use the MRT (subway) to zip around the city, but some walking will still be involved. Here’s a quick overview of what your day will look like: 

I recommend getting an EasyCard if you want an even smoother trip. It’s basically a top-up card that you can use on most transport modes in Taiwan (train, bus, subway) without wasting time buying individual tickets or figuring out how to use the ticket vending machine (it is pretty easy, though!). 

Anyway, back to the point. 

The EasyCard is going to make life a whole lot easier! 

It’s best to pre-order it for collection at the airport so you can use it from the get-go. If that’s not an option, no worries; you can also grab one at any local convenience store.

Now that you know a bit more about how this itinerary works, let’s get to the fun stuff!

How to Spend 1 Day in Taipei: My Perfect Itinerary

Longshan Temple

I know starting at Longshan Temple may be a cliche, but since we’re moving from west to east, it makes sense to start here.

So, hop on the MRT Blue Line, alight at Longshan Temple, and head to Exit 1. It’s a 6-minute walk from the station. 

Longshan Temple, in Taipei’s historical Wanhua district, is a Chinese folk religious temple built by Chinese settlers from Fujian in the early 18th century. 

It’s the city’s oldest (and most famous) temple and definitely a must-visit spot. The temple has daily chanting ceremonies at 6–6:45 am, 8–8:45 am, and 3:45–5 pm. But it’s a great place to visit in the early morning as this is when most worshippers pour in to pray for good fortune and health and even seek their true love from its matchmaking god.

It’s primarily dedicated to Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy; you can see her in the main hall) but also honors a few other Taoist and folk deities. There are lots of nooks and crannies to explore here, but remember to take special note of the beautiful traditional Chinese architecture, with its colorful dragon carvings, detailed woodwork, and ceramic tiles. It’s truly impressive! 

I also love the waterfall and small koi pond at the entrance, which adds to the calm atmosphere, while the scent of incense and the soft sound of chanting make this place feel even more special. While it’s easy to visit alone, this 2-hour walking tour is a cool way to learn a little more about the temple’s rich history. 

If you need a quick bite to fuel you till lunchtime, you can pop into a local breakfast shop. Just search 早餐 on Google Maps. 

You should know, though, that traditional Taiwanese breakfast differs quite a bit from Western fare. So, don’t expect to see a farmhouse or an English breakfast on the menu! Instead, expect things that are quick to make and easy to take out: burgers, sandwiches, fried noodles, dumplings, etc. — you get the idea. 

I love the dan bing (an egg pancake), scallion pancakes, and luo bo gao (radish cake). So many blogs recommend trying yao tiao (deep-fried dough sticks dipped into hot soy milk). If you’re curious, try it, but I think it’s super oily and tastes like cardboard! 

Ximending Walking District

Ximending is a lively shopping district that doesn’t lack things to do! It’s often compared to Tokyo’s Shibuya, and it’s not hard to see why. 

It’s hip, colorful, and absolutely packed with shops, street food stalls, neon signs, and entertainment. 

Also, if you love street art, this is definitely the best place in the city to get a good dose of it! Lane 96, in particular, is a real gem, as it’s plastered with colorful murals! Just search “America Street” on Google Maps, and you’ll see exactly what I mean! 

While Ximending only really comes alive at night, there are many cool things to see and do during the day. Since you have limited time, I recommend squeezing it in here on your itinerary instead of missing out on it altogether. 

So, head back to the Longshan MRT Station. Ride one stop on the MRT Blue Line to Ximen Station (take Exit 6) to be right in the action of this eclectic area. This is also your very first obligatory photo stop — the Rainbow Six Crossing. 

Across the street, you’ll find the historic Red House, a beautiful red brick building. The building has served several purposes over the years, but it’s mainly an exhibition space nowadays.

Other highlights include popping into the Hello Kitty-themed 7-11, browsing the quirky Japanese souvenirs at Don Don Doki, and walking along Tattoo Street. 

If you want to see another temple, the Taipei Tianhou Temple along Chengdu Road is tiny but has pretty red lanterns dangling from its roof. It’s not really a must-do, in my opinion, but it’s still cute. You only need a few minutes to see the whole place. 

Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall

Next is Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, one of Taipei and Taiwan’s most iconic landmarks, located in Liberty Square. 

To get there, take the Green MRT line from Ximen Station, alight at Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall station, and use Exit 5. It’s an 8-minute walk from there. 

This place is free to visit, and the building is truly stunning. It features traditional Chinese architecture with a white facade and a beautiful blue-tiled roof. Plus, the most gorgeous, neatly kept gardens surround it!

Most people come to snap a selfie with this famous cultural landmark and watch the changing of the guards (every hour on the hour). But if you want to learn a little more about Chiang Kai-Shek’s life and his role in Taiwan’s history, there is a fantastic selection of exhibits about his life in the museum underneath the main hall. 

Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

The Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, built in 1972, honors Dr. Sun Yat-Sen, the founder of modern China and a key figure in overthrowing the Qing Dynasty. 

Since you’re on a tight schedule, I need to be real with you; you probably don’t have time to go inside. I went with my dad once (a real history buff), and we spent more than 2 hours combing through all the exhibitions). 

That said, it’s still worth stopping by here, even just to admire the hall’s grand traditional architecture. It features sweeping rooflines inspired by Chinese palaces and sits in a spacious park with neatly kept gardens, koi ponds, sculptures, and shady pathways. Another perk? You’ll get your first good glimpse of Taipei 101 from here!

It’s pretty easy to get here from Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, too. Just head to Dongmen MRT Station. Catch the Yellow MRT Line, ride one stop, and get off at Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station. It’s a 6-minute walk from Exit 4. 

Lunch at Toasteria Cafe

Something to know, though, is that Taipei actually has two Toasteria branches. One is just around the corner from Chiang-Kai Shek, and it takes roughly 12 minutes to walk there. See the location here on Google Maps. (If you want to eat at this branch, I suggest going there before heading to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall; otherwise, you’ll need to travel back and forth.)

The other one (my favorite) is a little further away from here in Da’an District. From Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall, take the Blue MRT line from Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station and ride two stops. You need to get off at Zhongxiao Dunhua, follow the signs to Exit 1, and walk for 5 minutes to the restaurant. 

Watch the Sunset at Elephant Mountain

Elephant Mountain is next on your list of things to do in 24 hours in Taipei. 

It’s the top spot in the city for a quick hike with an amazing view. The trail isn’t long, but I must warn you — it is steep! You’ll definitely get a good workout on the way up. 

To get there, take the Red MRT line all the way to its last stop, Xiangshan. Head to Exit 2. The trailhead starts here and is roughly a 14-minute walk from the station. If you’re coming from Sun Yat-Sen or the Toasteria on Dunhua South Road, it’ll be a lot quicker to get an Uber or even a YouBike, as this will take 15 minutes instead of 30 minutes. 

The hike up to the top takes about 20-30 minutes from the trailhead. Once you reach the top, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking view of Taipei, with Taipei 101 standing out in the skyline. It’s a perfect spot for photos, especially around sunset or night when the city lights up.

Dinner at Din Tai Fung

After all that hiking, I bet you’re starving! The most obvious choice is Din Tai Fung. It’s one of Taiwan’s most famous restaurants, if not the most famous! 

Just head back to Xiangshan Station and take the Red MRT line to Taipei 101/World Trade Center Station (one stop away). Take Exit 5. Din Tai Fung is on the basement level of the tower, opposite Starbucks. 

So what is Din Tai Fung? 

Well, Din Tai Fung is a traditional Taiwanese restaurant famous for its xiao long bao (aka soup dumplings). The dumpling skin is super thin, the filling is tasty, and when you bite into one, juice pops out at all corners—I can’t think of a better way to describe them as simply pure pockets of joy!  

The only thing you need to know is that it’s a very popular spot—not just for locals but also for tourists. So, if you want to eat here, you really should make a booking in advance or order a set meal to skip the lines. There is ALWAYS a queue! 

I’m not a huge fan of waiting in lines, but I have also been to Din Tai Fung dozens of times. So, should you try it? Absolutely! But, if you forgot to book a table and the lines are just too long, there are many other options in the food court (same floor) or even at ATT 4 Fun, just a few minutes walk away. 

Enjoy the Nightscape from Taipei 101

After dinner, head to the fifth floor of Taipei 101, where you can access the elevator to the tower’s observatory. 

You probably already know this, but Taipei 101 is the tallest structure in Taiwan and used to be the tallest building in the world back when it was completed in 2004. 

The sleek green bamboo-shaped tower stands 508 meters tall, and if you’re looking for the best view of the city, it’s hard to beat this one!

The observation deck on the 89th floor offers spectacular views over the city, especially at night when all the lights twinkle.  

There are a couple of souvenir shops and coffee shops on the same floor, but a real highlight is seeing the massive damper (basically a 660-ton ball) up close. It stabilizes the building and reduces swaying during strong winds and earthquakes. 

If you are up for it, you can also take the staircase to the 91st floor to an outdoor observation deck. This is somewhat of a secret spot with minimal tourists, so defo check it out if it gets too crowded on the main floor.

Another tip I have for you is to pre-book your tickets online, as they sometimes sell out during peak hours. While it’s not impossible to get tickets if you just show up, it’s good to know that the lines are usually long, which can waste a lot of time.  

Grab a Beer at Taihu Brewing Xinji

If you still have energy, enjoying an ice-cold beer is the perfect way to round off your one day in Taipei!  

One of my favorite spots to do just that is Taihu Brewing in Xinyi — a cool spot to try local craft beer. It’s just a 12-minute walk from Taipei 101, making it super convenient and easy to reach.

I’ve written a whole post on cool places to check out in Taipei at night, but what I love about Taihu is its vibe! It’s such a hip spot! 

There’s not really space to sit inside the bar as it’s quite small, but there are many tables outside to chill, mingle, or just people-watch (the locals practicing their dance moves are especially entertaining!). I usually order the lager, but they have a good selection of beers, including IPAs. 

If you still want to party, there are some great trendy bars in Xinyi, like CÉ LA VI and FRANK Taipei. Expect prices to be on the high end, and note that the fancier spots usually have dress codes. 

If that’s not your scene, another option is to check out one of the city’s famous night markets. Tonghua Night Market on Linjiang Street is the closest and most accessible, with a quick 10-minute taxi ride. Of course, you can also head back to Ximending to see all the neon lights lit up! Just behind the Red House, you’ll also find a bunch of cool outdoor bars that are also LGBTQ-friendly. 

Are You Ready for All the Excitement Taipei Has to Offer? 

Spending one day in Taipei is guaranteed to leave you craving more of this wonderful city, so hopefully, it won’t be too long before you can come back for a longer visit! Although this 1-day itinerary covers the essential highlights, feel free to check out my other Taiwan guides if you’re staying longer! 

Before you go, here are a few extra tips for your trip:

• Figure out how to get from the airport to Taipei, download these travel apps, find the perfect place to stay in Taipei, and see my top travel tips.

• If you have a long layover in Taipei and need space to store your luggage, there are lockers at Taoyuan Airport and the HSR and MRT stations. Just a warning: If you decide to store your luggage at Taipei Main Station, ensure you know exactly how to get back to your locker! The station is a maze! 

• Remember to get data for your phone to access Google Maps, translations, and train schedules. You can grab an eSim for Taiwan here. 

• Don’t want to explore Taipei solo? I get it; solo traveling is not for everyone. My advice? Join a guided tour. There are lots on the internet, but this classic day tour ticks all the boxes (IMO)!  

Happy exploring, and remember to let me know how your trip goes! 

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