Arrived in Taipei, I had no expectations. I had long heard fellow travelers praise Taiwan and its capital, but I made the intentional decision not to study before my trip. After all, this is not the most ideal way to see Taipei. The city itself is vast and wide, but thankfully public transport is easy to navigate and well connected. If you want to experience the city’s hidden gems and top attractions, here are what you should do in Taipei for the first time.
First time in Taipei
When landing in Taipei, it is easy to catch public transport from the airport to the city. There is a direct train from the airport to the city, and stops several times before arriving at Taipei’s main station.
Once you enter the city, there are several options to avoid. Public metro is easy to use and navigate, but if the hotel is near the station, the city is flat and you can also take a wide path to roll your suitcase. The last option is to take a taxi directly to the hotel door, which I think is the most enjoyable option!
Where to stay in Taipei
Taipei doesn’t have a shortage of hotels and guest houses. I decided to book a stay at Citizenm. I was looking for a central hotel, so I love their simplicity, affordable prices and more than anything else: the views! My main recommendation for staying at Citizenm is to choose a room with a higher floor. This allows you to enjoy the views of the city.
Where to eat in Taipei
Taipei is a city essentially built for foodies. There are endless Taiwanese delicacies to try, but more importantly, the choice of sweets. Taiwan is also the birthplace of bubble tea (boba tea), so you can expect to find tea shops in almost every corner.
My favorite food was the little tea shop in the name Matcha 1. As a matcha fan, this was the only place I researched for my trip as I was looking for the best matcha in town. After all, this matcha store is highly celebrated with rave reviews. Despite being a little out of the way, I pointed to visit not just once but twice for the best matcha soft serve ice cream in the world (or the best matcha ice cream I’ve ever enjoyed!)!
My next recommendation is food. We came across this place near the hotel in search of coffee. Not only did they have great coffee, they specialize in toast with famous Taiwanese cheese – served with almond butter! If that sounds strange, don’t overthink it. This promises to be one of the best I’ve had in Taiwan. Perfectly recommended for a cheap breakfast.
Next is Cookie dpt. I now own and run a cookie shop in Brisbane, as many of you already know. Burkibake HouseSo when I travel, I often find sweets and bakeries as I am often at the top of my list. Although this wasn’t my cookie style (it was much drier and more dense than my favorite covered cookies), it was a cool shop to visit and it was great to see cookie trends reach Taipei. If you want to try my style of cookies, you might want to check out My online cookie class.
If you like bubble tea, Tao Tao Tea House It was my favorite discovery (and trust me, I drank my weight in bubble tea on this trip).
Things to see in Taipei
The Taipei 101 Observatory is the number one choice with city views, and is especially beautiful at sunset.
Beitou Hot Springs It is a popular location, 30 minutes from downtown, and is a great way to escape the bustle of the city.
Enjoy the hike? Xiangshan Trail It’s a short 45-minute hike that offers a spectacular view of Taipei, especially at sunset.
If you want to go on a day trip, Jufen It is a beautiful mountain town with a real tea shop. It feels like it’s going back in time.
