Five days is a decent chunk of time to explore Taiwan’s capital city, Taipei.
But it puts you in an awkward position – should you stay in Taipei the whole time, or should you venture beyond?
In this article, I will answer that question and tell you how to plan each of your days. My suggestions come from checking countless Taiwan itineraries in my Facebook group.
There are in fact so many different ways you could go about it. Use this five-day itinerary as a basic guideline, then customize according to your specific interests.
Also read my Taipei city guide, where to stay in Taipei, 3-day Taipei itinerary, and 7-day Taiwan itinerary.
My Printable Itinerary: 5 Days in Taiwan
If you purchase the paid version of my five-day itinerary for Taipei, you will get over 7000 words (21 pages) of instructions for every step of your 5-day itinerary. I sell this as a printable pdf because it is too long (and valuable!) for a blog post.
The paid itinerary will tell you exact how long you’ll need for every stop, how to get between them (right down to which MRT exit numbers to take), a list of restaurant options for every meal of your trip, and insider tips.
It also comes with two alternative itineraries: one which squeezes in Sun Moon Lake and Alishan, and another which focuses on kid-friendly attractions.
In this blog post, I will just give a general overview of the classic itinerary.
How to Plan Your 5 Days in Taiwan
As I mentioned above, five days is a hard time frame to work with. You could just stay in Taipei the whole time and do some day trips.
This is actually what I recommend most, so you don’t waste any of your precious time checking in and out of hotels and hauling your luggage to other cities.
This is what we will do in the below itinerary. We’ll spend three three full days exploring Taipei city, which is enough to cover the top sights plus some off-the-beaten-track ones. Then, I’ll help you to choose two day-trips from the city.
A second option is to spend three days in Taipei, then a night at both Sun Moon Lake and Alishan, two of Taiwan’s most famous destinations. I explain how to execute this in my paid itinerary.
Itinerary: Day 1 in Taipei
On the first day, I suggest visiting the top attractions in the Old City of Taipei, namely Longshan Temple, Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, and Ximending.
You can certainly DIY it, but another option one of these free walking tours. While these tours are “free”, they are run by volunteers, so you should tip the guides at the end (the amount is up to you).
In the afternoon, you’ll have a couple options before heading to Taipei 101 or Elephant Mountain for sunset, followed by dinner at Tonghua Night Market.
Morning
I enjoy starting a day of exploration at Longshan Temple, the most important temple in the city.
My main reason it that there’s at serene morning chanting ceremony led by nuns. This takes place every day from 6:00 to 6:45 AM and 8:00 to 8:45 AM.
In my Longshan Temple guide, I show you how to pray, toss moon blocks, ask Yue Lao for love, and get a free red bracelet.
Your first morning should also include Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. This landmark blue-and-white hall was built for a former dictator, with a free museum about him inside.
The hall sits is found in a huge square with two classical Chinese buildings on either side (National Theater and National Concert Hall). The stunning Liberty Square Arch gives the best view of the square.
If you visit early in the morning (around 6 to 8 AM), there are usually groups of elderly people doing qigong or taichi around the square. Starting at 9 AM, there’s an hourly guard changing ceremony in front of the main hall.
In the late morning, when shops start opening around 11 AM, make your way to Ximending. This is a popular pedestrian neighborhood full of souvenir shops, cafés (including cat cafés and bubble tea shops), restaurants, and street art.
This is also one of the best areas to stay in Taipei. Read about more things to do in Ximending.
Afternoon
After lunch in Ximending, you may want to proceed directly to Taipei 101 area if you’d like to visit both Taipei 101 Observatory AND climb Elephant Mountain for the sunset.
If you get my paid itinerary, I have more details to help you decide how much time you need for all options, depending on the season and time of sunset.
However, if you’re OK to only do one of those (either Taipei 101 OR Elephant Mountain), you’ll have some extra time now.
Use this time to visit Huashan 1914 Creative Park, a cultural center in a Japanese-era sake distillery with art displays and cafés.
Another option is to visit Da’an Forest Park for some fresh air or nearby Yongkang Street for a mango shaved ice.
Next, ride the MRT to Taipei 101, the country’s most famous landmark and once the tallest building in the world. See my Taipei 101 guide.
From the MRT station, you’ll go into B1 of the building and take an elevator to the fifth floor to check-in for Taipei 101 Observatory.
The line can take up to up to one hour on busy days. Buying your tickets online (Klook / KKday) doesn’t save any time or money, unless you purchase the fast-track entry (double the price). The 101F add-on is not worth the money, in my personal opinion.
So why do so many people still buy it on Klook or KKday? Well, then you can pay for it before your trip, collect Klook points, and use promo codes to get a discount on either platform.
Another more thrilling option for Taipei 101 is Skyline 460 (Klook / KKday, starting at 2 PM or 3 PM)
This gives you instant entry, a VIP elevator to the top, standing on the actual roof of Taipei 101 (with a harness for protection), and entrance to the normal observatory. Read all about my Skyline 460 experience.
If you time it right, you can watch sunset from Taipei 101 and see the city lights come on at night.
Perhaps you’d prefer to watch the sunset from Elephant Mountain, which is right next to Taipei 101. Ride the MRT to Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) station, from where it’s a 45-minute walk to the famous viewpoint, including steep stairs for half of it.
Read my Elephant Mountain guide for all the info.
Evening
After going up Taipei 101 or Elephant Mountain, walk or ride the MRT a few stops to Tonghua Night Market. Read my guide to find the best foods.
A sit-down dinner option is Din Tai Fung (Taiwan’s most famous restaurant, for xiaolongbao) at B1 of Taipei 101. Expect long lines, but you can get in faster if you pre-order (Klook / KKday). Yet another option is the 5-star buffet in Taipei 101, A-Joy (Klook).
After dinner, if you still have energy, see my recommended speakeasy cocktail bars, craft beer bars, and other things to do at night in Taipei (with drinking and non-drinking options).
Itinerary: Day 2 in Taipei
Start your second day in Taipei with a traditional breakfast. After that, I’ll give you a choice of two morning activities, either a museum or hiking.
In the afternoon, we’ll head to Beitou Hot Spring, Tamsui and Fisherman’s Wharf for sunset, then finish at Shilin Night Market.
Morning
Rise early for breakfast at Taipei’s most famous breakfast shop, Fu Hang Soy Milk, which opens at 5:30 AM. The line can take up to one hour, but I think it’s worth the wait!
Read my Fu Hang Soy Milk guide to figure out what you’ll order before you get to the front of the line. If that doesn’t sound like fun to your, here are my other favorite breakfast shops in Taipei and how to read the breakfast menus.
Next, you have two different options for your morning schedule, based on your interest. For a museum morning, go to National Palace Museum (Klook / KKday), which has the largest collection of Chinese artifacts in the world.
With kids, consider instead Taipei Children’s Amusement Park (Klook / KKday), a DIY pineapple making class (Klook / KKday / my guide, adults also can do it!), or National Taiwan Museum (animal-focused, with dinosaur exhibit across the street).
If you’d rather be in nature, take a bus up to Yangmingshan National Park. Read my Yangmingshan guide, learn how to get there, and simplify the planning by skipping right to my favorite hike there, Qingtiangang Grassland.
For this option, start your day as early as you can, as it does require more time.
Afternoon
No matter which morning activity you chose, head now to Xibeitou MRT station for Beitou Hot Spring (if coming from Yangmingshan, there are buses to Xinbeitou). Because several things at Beitou are closed on Mondays, don’t do this day on a Monday.
From the MRT or bus stop, visit Ketagalan aboriginal museum, Beitou Hot Spring Museum, and the impressive Thermal Valley. All three are free.
To take a hot spring bath, there are three kinds: co-ed with bathing suits, nude and sex-separated (Japanese-style), or private hot spring rooms for couples. I give my recommendations for all three types in my Beitou Hot Spring guide.
Next, take the MRT to Tamsui (the final stop going north on the Red Line) and walk along the lovely riverside promenade, where the Tamsui river meets the sea, with options for snacks.
Catch a river ferry to Fisherman’s Wharf, where you should aim to catch the sunset from Lover’s Bridge. See my Tamsui guide.
Evening
Return to Taipei by MRT, stopping at Shilin Night Market on the way. It may no longer be considered the best one in Taipei, but I feel it is still worth visiting for its 3D baby tiger, large games area, and it still has many good food stalls.
Check my Shilin Night Market guide to find the best foods.
The bizarre, poo-themed Modern Toilet Restaurant in Shilin Night Market is an option if you want to sit and eat (on a toilet, that is…) See my Modern Toilet guide.
Or, if you never made it to Din Tai Fung yesterday, you could stop at the Tianmu or Mitsukoshi Nanxi locations instead.
Itinerary: Day 3 in Taipei
The third day of this 5-day itinerary is special, because it’s not included in most of my other Taiwan itineraries.
Because you have more time in Taipei city than most travelers do, you’ll be able to visit Maokong Gondola plus several more off-the-beaten-track places on this day.
This day will include a fair amount of walking – hop on a YouBike (read my YouBike guide) or order an Uber whenever needed.
Morning
Spend the morning exploring Dihua Street, the “oldest street in Taipei”. Don’t go until 9:00 or 10:00 AM, when the shops start opening – that’s right, I’m actually letting you sleep in a little!
Follow my Dihua Street guide to walk all the way up the traditional market street. This is also a great area for buying tea and other traditional souvenirs. It’s also a good place for renting qipaos for your photos.
Next, walk, YouBike, or Uber to Dalongdong Baoan Temple and Confucius Temple, two contrasting temples.
The former is one of the most elaborately decorated in the city, with potential for UNESCO World Heritage status (if they ever give any to Taiwan), while the latter is super serene and simple in design.
Your next stop will be Lin An Tai Historical House, a traditional Taiwanese mansion which was totally moved from the city center to a park. After that, watch airplanes flying right over your head at Airplane Alley beside Songshan Airport.
You’re most likely starving at this point – go to Addiction Aquatic Development for a fresh seafood lunch. Read my Addiction Aquatic guide for how to navigate all the options.
Afternoon
Now rest your tired legs as you take a long MRT ride to Taipei Zoo for riding Maokong Gondola. At the top, take a stroll to see fields of tea, enjoy the views of Taipei, visit a traditional teahouse, or have some tea-flavored ice cream.
Read my Maokong Gondola guide for everything to know about visiting
On the way back down, you have the option to visit Taipei Zoo. Get off at the second-last stop (Taipei Zoo South Station), which is the upper zoo entrance.
From there, you can work your way downhill through the zoo. But the zoo is huge and takes hours to visit, so if you plan to do this, you might need to skip some earlier activities on this day.
Evening
Return to the city center by MRT and get off at Songshan Station for Raohe Night Market, considered by many to be the city’s best. Read my Raohe Night Market guide to find the best foods.
Itinerary: Day 4 Jiufen Shifen Day Trip
Now it’s time to get out of the city. For Day 4, I recommend the most famous day trip, which for most people includes Jiufen Old Street (my guide), Shifen Old Street (for setting off sky lanterns on the train tracks, see my guide), and a few other places in the area.
I suggest adding only 1, 2, or maximum 3 of the following. Some but not all are stops on the Pingxi Railway Line.
- Yehliu Geopark
- Jinguashi Gold Ecological Park
- Bitoujiao Trail
- Houtong Cat Village (see my guide)
- Sandiaoling Waterfall Trail (see my guide)
- Shifen Waterfall (see my guide)
- Pingxi and Jingtong Old Street
- Shen’ao Rail Bike (see my guide)
- Keelung Night Market (see my guide)
You can DIY the day trip, but the transportation details can get quite complicated, because they totally depend on which of the above places you choose, and each one has different options for getting there.
Because of this, many travelers take an organized day trip on Klook (here or here) or KKday (here or here). These will drop you off at each place and give you time to explore on your own.
To figure out travel to and between all of these places on your own, I’ve covered it all in detail in my paid itinerary.
If you DIY your day trip, consider finishing at Keelung Night Market, one of the best in the country, then take a train back to Taipei. But you’ll have to rush if you want to make it back in time for TaipeiEye.
If you take one of the organized day trips, most of them return to Taipei Main Station at around 6 PM. Therefore, consider having dinner at Ningxia Night Market (see my guide) nearby.
Then, catch the 8 PM traditional Taiwanese opera performance at at TaipeiEye, which is also not far away. You’ll even get the chance to take photos with the costumed performers.
TaipeiEye only has performances on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, so you may have to switch around your days accordingly. See the performance schedule, read my guide to TaipeiEye, and buy your tickets on Klook / KKday.
Itinerary: Day 5 Another Day Trip
For your fifth and final day in Taiwan, you can choose another place to do a day trip to.
Because Taiwan is so small and connected, the possibilities here are vast. Here are a few possibilities:
- Shiding & Pinglin Tea Plantations: The most beautiful tea plantations around Taipei, Pinglin Tea Museum, and cycling past tea farms. Read my Shiding and Pinglin guide and consider this tour.
- Wulai: Closest aboriginal village to Taipei, with aboriginal foods, hot springs, Wulai Train Car, Wulai Waterfall, and Wulai Gondola. Read my Wulai guide and other places to experience aboriginal culture in Taiwan.
- Yilan: Jiaoxi Hot springs, waterfall hikes, surfing at Wai’ao, dolphin and whale watching (Klook / KKday), Kavalan distillery, Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm (Klook / KKday / tour), National Center for Traditional Arts, and Luodong Night Market.
Read my Yilan guide and consider this tour or hire a driver.
- Taipingshan: National Forest Recreation Area with giant trees, hikes along old train lines, Bong Bong Train, and cooking eggs or soaking at Jiuzhize Hot Spring. Read my Taipingshan guide and you’ll need to hire a driver or take this tour (Klook / KKday).
- Xpark Aquarium: Excellent aquarium in Taoyuan, easily accessible by HSR from Taipei (could be on the way to/from the airport!) with shopping and dining at Gloria Outlets. See my Xpark guide.
- Taichung (guide), Sun Moon Lake (guide), Tainan (guide), Alishan (guide), and Kaohsiung (guide) are all possible as day trips from Taipei.
And there we have it! If you really plan to do this itinerary, if you’re going with kids, or if you’d like to see how to fit in nights at both Sun Moon and Alishan, then I highly recommend you spend a few bucks on my paid version, which has three times the content and details!