Wondering where to stay in Taipei first time? We’ve got you covered.
This city is a three-hundred-year-old city which means that you can expect historical buildings.
But over the years, many cultures settled in the city, including the Chinese, Japanese, and other Southeast Asian cultures.
Later, it got also Westernized due to American influence. The result is a modern city with old, authentic parts.
These kinds of fusions happen elsewhere in Southeast Asian cities, but not as much as in Taipei.
Because of that, you have many great areas to stay in and there is not one perfect area to start exploring the city, even though sometimes it almost looks like it.
This gives us a good variety of options and every recommended area comes with its advantages and disadvantages.
In this guide, we have selected the best areas to stay in Taipei for first-timers, so you can make the most of your time in this amazing city.
Each area has its own atmosphere, advantages, and disadvantages, which we will detail in the following paragraphs.
At the end of this article, you will find a map highlighting all the areas we recommend as well as the main attractions of the city.
Let’s start with an overview that allows you to quickly analyze which part could be the best option.
Now, let’s dive into our top recommendations!
The best areas to stay in Taipei first time are Zhongzheng, Xinyi, Zhongshan, Wanhua, Shilin, Datong, and Da’an.
We picked these areas because they are located centrally with good access to public transport and offer a good variety of hotels.
As you can expect in a city like Taipei, there are big differences in price classes.
For example, Xinyis and Zhongshan can be seen as luxury areas while Datong caters to budget-minded travellers.
Below, we’ll dive into each of these recommended areas in more detail to help you decide which one is best for you.
⚠️ Tip: Tap the area name to jump straight to that section of the article for more information!
Zhongzheng – Home to Taipei Main Station, this is the city’s most convenient hub for first-time visitors, offering easy access to the MRT, high-speed rail, and iconic landmarks like Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. It’s perfect for those who want to explore Taipei and beyond with minimal hassle.
Xinyi – Taipei’s sleek, modern district is where you’ll find Taipei 101, luxury shopping, and some of the best nightlife in the city. If you love high-end hotels, rooftop bars, and a stylish urban vibe, this is the place to be.
Zhongshan – A fantastic mix of old and new, this area blends trendy cafés, boutique hotels, and charming Japanese-era streets with easy access to shopping and cultural sites. It’s a great choice for travelers who want a balance between convenience and local character.
Wanhua – Taipei’s historic heart, home to the famous Ximending shopping district, vibrant night markets, and the iconic Longshan Temple. If you’re into street food, lively nightlife, and a youthful atmosphere, this is your spot.
Shilin – Best known for the massive Shilin Night Market, this district also offers green spaces, museums, and a quieter suburban feel while still being well-connected to the city center. Ideal for food lovers and families looking for a more relaxed stay.
Da’an – A trendy, upscale neighborhood packed with cafés, restaurants, and Da’an Forest Park, Taipei’s version of Central Park. It’s an excellent choice for foodies and those who want a laid-back yet stylish base in the city.
Arguably the best area to stay in Taipei for first-time visitors is Zhongzheng, a central district that’s home to Taipei Main Station.
When you’re exploring a major city like Taipei, using this fantastic public transport system is one of the most important factors when it comes to picking the right area and there is no better option than Zhongzheng.
When you make trips outside of Taipei, it comes in handy that you’re staying near the main train station as well.
You’re located near several city highlights such as the Taipei Botanical Garden, the Logshan Temple, the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Liberty Square, and the Nanjichang Night Market.
You can see Zhongzheng as the heart of the city.
Those interested in Taipei’s history and culture are located right where they should start.
And for sightseeing purposes, Zhongzheng is your go-to area.
But, there is something that not every traveller likes.
There is not much to do in the evening.
Those who want to explore Zhongzheng’s nightlife should consider staying elsewhere where when the sun has set, the area is still vibrant.
When it comes to hotels, you can expect good accommodations for a reasonable price. Don’t expect to find ultimate luxury, though.
There are other parts of Taipei that are more suitable for that.
But for most of us, a great hotel within our budget is easily found here.
For who: the sightseeing traveller, people who want to see the most of the city.
located in the heart of the city
best access to public transport
near some of the city highlights
reasonably priced hotels
no nightlife
there are better areas for the luxury traveller
Xinyi is the area where you can find the world-renowned landmark Taipei 101, and this building doesn’t need an introduction.
Visitors can take a trip up to the observation deck on the 89th floor for stunning views of Taipei and this is something basically every first-time visitor will do.
Xinyi is also known for its high-end shopping malls, including the iconic Taipei 101 Mall, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, and the Eslite Xinyi Store.
The area also has many boutiques, department stores, and markets.
As you can expect from a central location like Xinyi, you have perfect access to public transportation and other city highlights.
It’s also home to some of Taipei’s best bars and nightclubs, making it an ideal place for the party-minded traveller.
It’s also one of the oldest neighborhoods, with a rich cultural history that is still visible in its architecture and landmarks.
And then there is the food scene: the area is particularly famous for its street food stalls and night markets.
So, when you add this all up, it sounds like the perfect area to stay in.
But you have to keep in mind that the hotels in this part of Taipei mainly cater to the luxury traveller and those with a larger budget.
If your budget allows it, then definitely stay at Xinyi.
If not, and you want to enjoy all the perks of this area, find an accommodation that fits your budget close to Xinyi or with access to the metro that takes you directly to Xinyi.
But just to be clear, there are affordable hotels available in this part of Taipei, however, these are in high demand and often fully booked.
For who: travellers with a larger budget.
home to Taipei 101
home to many shopping malls
good nightlife scene
cultural and historically rich area
fantastic food scene.
pricy
crowded.
Zhongshan is a far better option for families or those who appreciate a laid-back atmosphere.
This area lies right above Zhongzheng, meaning that you’re not far from several major attractions.
Besides, it’s well-connected to other important areas as three different metro lines run through this part of Taipei.
Most importantly, Zhongzheng is a cultural-rich area where you can find attractions like the Xingtian Temple and the Taipei Fine Arts Museum and you’re located near the National Taiwan Museum as well.
In the past, the Zhongshan District was one of the most popular areas to stay at and there is still an abundance of luxurious hotels in this part of the city, however, nowadays, the Xinyi District took over that place.
While Xinyi nowadays is almost too perfect to be true, Zhongshan has something authentic.
You can enjoy older architecture and there are even older, yet more luxurious hotels available in this area.
If you like more polished areas, then pay (quite) a bit more and stay at Xinyi, but for more authenticity and a local vibe, definitely pick Zhongshan as the area to stay in and you won’t regret it.
In fact, it’s still an extremely popular area for tourists and during the day, it will be a busy area.
For who: families, those who appreciate a laid-back atmosphere.
culturally rich area
great access to public transport
authentic atmosphere and not too modern.
it gets crowded during the day.
Wanhua is one of the most interesting areas to stay at and can be split into two sections.
In the northern parts (Ximending), you can a bustling area that’s ideal for shopping and nightlife and full of neon lights, while in the southern parts, it feels like you go back in time.
Ximending is almost as if you’re walking in Tokyo.
The southern part of Wanhua is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Taipei, with a rich history and culture that dates back to the early days of the city.
The district is home to many historic landmarks and cultural sites, including Longshan Temple, the Red House Theater, and the Bopiliao Historic Block.
Younger travellers who want to explore Taipei’s nightlife would most definitely appreciate this part of the city.
Ximending, the bustling area, is a must-visit for every tourist visiting Taipei.
Generally speaking, Wanhua offers mostly mid-range hotels, meaning that when you travel with a somewhat stricter budget, you can find quite some good options here.
Wanhua is located right under Zhongzheng, so you’re located centrally and near several major attractions.
Note: due to its historical significance, several traditional festivals take place around Wanhua throughout the year.
For who: younger traveller.
great nightlife scene
direct access to the fascinating Ximending neighborhood
good food scene
affordable hotels widely available.
nightlife areas like this get crowded and loud.
It’s no secret that Taipei is a crowded and hectic city, but it’s good to know that there is an alternative, a less busy area.
And that large area is Shilin, which is located in the northern parts of Taipei and it also attracts many foodies.
Why? Because one of the main draws of Shilin for tourists is the famous Shilin Night Market, which is the largest night market in the city and home to an abundance of street food but also plenty of goods to buy.
You can also find several other highlights including the National Palace Museum, Yangmingshan National Park, and Shilin Sheong Temple.
In the northern parts of Shilin, you can find several hiking trails that take you to breathtaking viewpoints and there is even a historical trail named the Tianmu Historic Trail.
You have good access to public transport, including the metro line that takes you all to the other side of the city where you can find the Taipei City Zoo.
When you combine all these perks of this area, the spaciousness, the access to hiking trails, an abundance of food, and a less crowded area than the other areas, you can imagine that this is quite the perfect area to stay with family.
Just keep in mind that the area around Shilin Night Market does get crowded and loud until the late hours.
Also, when you want to avoid all the crowded areas, your access to public transport becomes more limited.
For who: families and foodies.
less busy area
home to the famous Shilin Night Market
good access to several major highlights
access to hiking trails.
when you want to avoid all the crowded areas
your access to public transport becomes more limited
Datong is considered the budget-friendly area of Taipei, although as we mentioned earlier, there are several other areas that offer a good variety of affordable hotels.
It’s located west of Zhongzheng and Datong and is part of New Taipei.
When you’re staying in the southern parts of this district, you have perfect access to two metro lines that connect you straight to the tourist epicenter of Taipei.
You can save quite some buck by choosing to stay here.
You have access to the New Taipei Metropolitan Park, a few interesting night markets, and some temples.
However, for sightseeing purposes, have to travel to one of the previously recommended areas.
That’s the compromise you have to make, and that’s why you can find affordable hotels so easily here.
For who: budget-minded traveller.
wide variety of affordable accommodations.
no major attractions nearby, for that, you have to travel east.
Da’an is the last area we recommend in this article.
Like Shilin, it’s a relatively quiet area as it’s mostly a residential area, and like Shilin, it also makes foodies absolutely happy.
But apart from night markets in this area (Tonghua Night Market, Yongkang Street, and the Shida Night Market), Da’an also offers loads of well-reviewed and somewhat famous restaurants.
We can fairly say that Da’an is an even better area to stay for foodies than Shilin.
In the southern parts of this district, you can find several universities.
We recommend you stay in the center, as the southern parts are less bustling and the connection with the metro is not always optimal.
The more central you are located, the easier it is to travel around, but simultaneously, the pricier the hotel room will be.
But if your budget allows it, and you truly love food, then Da’an is your best choice!
For who: foodies with a larger budget
great access to public transport
foodie’s paradise
central location.
you will pay a premium price for staying near the metro stations in the northern parts of this district.
