3 Days in Taipei: Itinerary 2026: Taipei Local Guide (2026)

adriane · 2026-05-31T16:00:37+02:00

**🗺️ Day 1: Ximending & Historic Core** Start your morning at Ximending, Taipei's vibrant shopping district. Grab a breakfast of scallion pancakes at Yong He Soy Milk (No. 102, Section 2, Zhongxiao East Road) around 8 AM. Then walk to the historic Red House Theater (No. 10, Chengdu Road) for a quick photo stop before it gets crowded. **🏛️ Afternoon: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall** Take the MRT to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall station (Green Line). Explore the vast Liberty Square, the National Theater, and the memorial hall itself, which is open daily from 9 AM to 6 PM. The changing of the guard happens on the hour, so plan to be there at the top of the hour. **🍜 Evening: Ningxia Night Market** Head to Ningxia Night Market (No. 58, Ningxia Road) around 6 PM for dinner. It's smaller than Shilin but offers excellent local street food like oyster omelets and pepper buns. Expect to spend about NT$300-500 per person for a filling meal. **🏯 Day 2: Beitou Hot Springs & Tamsui** Take the MRT Red Line to Beitou station (about 40 minutes from Taipei Main Station). Visit the Beitou Hot Spring Museum (open 9 AM-5 PM, closed Mondays) and the public outdoor hot spring pools at Millennium Hot Spring (NT$80-150). Then continue to Tamsui for a sunset walk along the waterfront. **🎡 Afternoon: Tamsui Old Street & Fisherman's Wharf** Stroll Tamsui Old Street for snacks like a-gei (fried tofu stuffed with vermicelli) and iron eggs. Rent a bike or take a ferry to Fisherman's Wharf to see the Lover's Bridge. The ferry costs NT$50 one way and runs until about 8 PM. **🌃 Evening: Shilin Night Market** Return to Taipei and head to Shilin Night Market (No. 101, Jihe Road) for dinner. It's one of the largest night markets, famous for fried chicken cutlets and bubble tea. Arrive by 7 PM to avoid the worst crowds, and budget NT$400-600 for a full food crawl. **⛰️ Day 3: Elephant Mountain & Taipei 101** Start early with a hike up Elephant Mountain (Xiangshan) for panoramic views of Taipei 101. The trailhead is a 5-minute walk from Xiangshan MRT station (Red Line). The hike takes about 20-30 minutes, and it's best to go before 9 AM to avoid heat and crowds. **🛍️ Afternoon: Daan District & Yongkang Street** Take the MRT to Daan Park (Green Line) for a relaxing stroll, then walk to Yongkang Street for lunch. Try the famous Din Tai Fung (No. 2, Lane 181, Section 2, Xinyi Road) for xiaolongbao, but expect a 30-minute wait. Alternatively, visit the nearby Huashan 1914 Creative Park for art and shopping. **🚇 Getting Around & Transport Tips** Taipei's MRT is efficient and affordable, with single-journey tickets costing NT$20-65. Buy an EasyCard at any station for convenience; it works on MRT, buses, and even at convenience stores. Taxis are metered and start at NT$70, but Uber is also widely available.