So, you’ve booked that Taiwan trip, decided where to stay, picked out all the best things to do in Taipei: now it’s time to figure out how to get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei city center!
Frankly, I was a little nervous about how I was going to get from the Taipei airport to the city center, because it was my first time going to a country that uses Chinese characters in its signage.
I had been to Japan before, so I wasn’t altogether unfamiliar with a character-based alphabet.
Then again, Japan is renowned for its organization, and I wasn’t sure how Taiwan would be in comparison.
I was worried that with the language barrier and not even being able to read basic signs, it’d be a nightmare to get into the city center from Taipei airport.
Luckily, it was pretty easy!
It actually was quite simple to get from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station,
From there, I then was able to take the MRT to my hostel, since I was staying in Shilin.
While I was worried at first, I shouldn’t have been: Taipei is an ultra-modern city with fantastic infrastructure!
There are multiple ways to get from Taipei Airport to the city center without any hassle or fuss — let’s get into them all!
Before Leaving Taipei Airport
Let me remind you of one thing to note before leaving the airport.
In Taipei, it is important to always bring cash with you!
Upon arriving at Taipei airport, you can withdraw money from ATMs at the airport (for the best rate) or exchange currency (at a much worse rate).
I found that my credit card and debit card often didn’t work in Taipei, even at some convenience stores, as many systems only accept local cards.
Plus, you’ll want cash on hand for buying any street snacks that catch your eye!
A Few Notes about Taoyuan Airport
Taoyuan is a rather large airport due to the high demand for flights in and out of Taiwan.
Originally there was only one passenger terminal at Taoyuan, which was Terminal 1.
Eventually, the huge number of passengers streaming into Taipei Airport made them decide to build Terminal 2, a newer terminal.
They were planning to open a third terminal by 2020 due to the huge volume of passengers — but the pandemic derailed that, and the timeline is now set for 2025.
Taipei Taoyuan International is a large airport for such a small country: T1 hosts 18 boarding gates, and T2 hosts 20 boarding gates.
It is also the main hub for airlines like China Airlines and EVA Air, which handles many flights from the USA’s West Coast, especially SFO and LAX.
In terms of how to get from Taipei airport to your hotel, your options depend on your time of arrival.
Depending when your flights lands at Taipei Taoyuan Airport, you’ll have to decide the best mode of transportation to take, which could be either a train, bus, taxi, or a Taipei airport transfer.
We’ll go into all of those options now!
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei Main Station by MRT
One simple way to get from Taoyuan airport to Taipei City Center is to take the Airport MRT, which started its operation in 2017.
It took a whopping 20 years of work to finish (the landscape around it is no joke — see the photo above!)!
Still, it’s worth the effort as it’s made getting into Taipei city center a breeze compared to previous options.
It’s also significantly reduced travel times during peak periods when buses would inevitably experience traffic delays.
Plus, the Airport MRT trains have spacious areas where you can place your luggage, and it is accessible for passengers with disabilities.
To get to the MRT station, it takes about 15-20 minutes of walking from immigration.
It is a bit of a walk, but once you arrive at the station, it’s all a breeze!
The cost of the fare is NTD$ 160 (equivalent to about $5 USD) from Taoyuan airport to Taipei Main Station.
However: the trains are not available 24/7, so this is not an option if you arrive late at night and don’t want to wait at the airport until the morning.
The MRT only operates from 6 AM until the last train at midnight, and it takes about 35 minutes on the express line.
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei by High Speed Train
If you want to get to the city center in the fastest way possible, the MRT is the slightly better choice, as it takes only 35 minutes vs. 40 minutes.
It takes 20 minutes for the bus from the airport to get to the HSR station, since it’s a few kilometers away from the airport.
Then, it takes 20 minutes on the high-speed train. So really, even though it’s considered “high speed”, it’s actually not the quickest way to get to downtown Taipei from the airport.
However, some people get excited to experience a high-speed train, and it’s quite easy to take without much of a price difference (plus if you’re staying in Banqiao, it’s the fastest way to get there).
From the airport, you would need to ride the U-Bus to the THSR, which takes 20 minutes.
If you’re traveling during a busy season, this can be a good way to avoid the crowds on the MRT!
Once you arrive at the station, you can board the THSR which will bring you to Banqiao or Taipei HSR station.
If you are looking to experience the THSR, first you need to purchase U-Bus tickets for around NTD $25 (less than $1 USD) so you can board the bus that takes you to the THSR Taoyuan Station.
From there, you’ll need to buy a ticket on the THSR for around NTD $180 (around $5 USD).
All in all, you will spend about NTD $185 (around $6 USD) for the total trip via high speed rail!
Getting from Taipei Airport to City Center by Bus
It is very easy to get to the bus station from the airport (just a short walk from the arrival hall).
It is also the cheapest option to reach the city center, making it the best choice for light travelers and budget-conscious ones.
This is how I personally got into Taipei when I visited, as I didn’t want to walk all the way to the MRT!
Make sure that you carefully note the bus numbers, because each one has different stops!
I will list the ones that can drop you near the heart of the city, Taipei Main Station.
It’s the easiest, but it’s not the fastest way: it will take you about an hour or more of travel, due to traffic and several stops made along the way.
Two buses can drop you near the Taipei Main Station – Bus 1819 and 1961.
Only the Kuo Kang Bus 1819 is available 24/7, making it one of the two choices you have between midnight and 6 AM.
There are roughly 15 to 20-minute intervals between each bus. Bus 1819 has a fare of NTD$ 140 (around $5 USD).
If you arrive after midnight and are wary of taking public transit, I would suggest that you take an airport transfer instead. I’ll explain that in a bit!
This way, you’ll be met at the airport, picked up smoothly, and dropped off right at your hotel’s door.
Meanwhile, there’s also the CitiBus West Bus 1961, but it only operates until 1 AM.
The West Bus 1961’s last stop is in the Ximending area, which is one of most popular areas to stay in Taipei.
Bus 1961 has a fare of NTD $100 (around $4 USD), so it’s the cheapest way to get from Taipei Airport to the city center.
If your final destination is in Xinyi District, East Bus 1960 is a good option, especially if you are staying near the Taipei City Hall area and Taipei 101.
The fare costs NTD $145 (around $5 USD) and the last bus is at 1 AM, but it only departs every 20-40 minutes.
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Your Taipei Hotel by Airport Transfers
For someone who wants a smooth arrival option on a budget, airport transfers are easily the best choice.
You have the convenience of having privacy in your own ride and also the efficiency as you reach your hotel!
They are a little more pricy than getting a taxi right at the airport, because the driver will wait for you, help you with your luggage, and drop you off directly with your hotel.
That said, it’s the best way to guarantee a quick and seamless transit from Taoyuan airport to Taipei, so it’s worth the price for many!
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei City Center Hotels by Taxi
Airport taxis are available just outside the arrival halls, and you can also ask the Tourist Service Center if you have trouble finding it.
Taxis are available 24 hours and this is one of the only methods of transportation if you arrive later than midnight, because most of the buses (except Bus 1819) and the trains are no longer available.
Just a reminder, that taxi prices have a minimum fare of NTD $1100 (around $36 USD) and often ends up costing about NTD $1500 ($48 USD) with traffic.
During night hours, the taxi price can go as high as NTD $1500-2000 (around $48-64 USD).
The average Uber fare is about the same, ranging from NTD $1,200 to NTD $2,500 during surges.
The fare is based on the meter, and there is also 50% surcharge for travel at night, plus highway toll fees are also not included in the fare but will be addded on at the end.
Generally, taxi drivers in Taipei are pretty honest, but I always recommend you find the actual taxi line-up rather than going with someone trying to get you to their taxi.
The fare differential between a taxi and an airport transfer is rather minimal, so I think airport transfers are the way to go.
I would recommend a taxi or Uber only if you didn’t plan in advance to book an airport transfer, which is about the same price and less stressful.
If you are: arriving late at night, are traveling with a family, have heavy luggage, stressed about navigating the transit system, or traveling for business — take an airport transfer or a taxi.
Otherwise, if you don’t mind a more leisurely way into the city, the MRT or bus is your best budget bet.
Getting an eSIM Card at Taoyuan Taipei Airport
If you are the type of person who always likes to book their Uber anywhere, then the best thing I would suggest is to get an eSIM!
Even though Taipei Airport has free WiFi, you might want an eSIM for being around the city center or exploring without racking up international fees.
The eSIM is valid in 10 Asian regions, is inexpensive, and is easy to activate with a simple QR code!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Taichung is one of the most interesting cities in Taiwan. Culture, cuisine, creativity – it’s got it all.
Better yet, Taichung is still not so busy with tourists, who tend to stay in Taipei.
However, Taichung is rather spread out, and there is no central MRT system like in Taipei that makes it easy to zip around.
There are public buses, but it can be confusing to figure out, especially if you’re only there for a few days (I ended up relying on Uber on my time there out of frustration/laziness).
So picking the best Taichung neighborhood is essential to maximizing your time in Taichung!
Otherwise, you’ll spend either a lot of time or money on transit.
Think about what you want to see during your stay in Taichung.
Whether you’re interested in exploring the Instagram heaven of Rainbow Village, the foodie hotspot of Fengjia Night Market, or tasting the delicious pineapple cakes at Miyahara, there’s a spot for you!
This guide to where to stay in Taichung will help you pick the perfect Taichung accommodations close to what you want to see!
Note: This post was written in 2019 after my trip to Taichung, and was given a thorough update in June 2023 to remove and replace hotels that had closed over the years due to the pandemic, and also to ensure the recommended hotels maintained a high-quality rating. Enjoy!
My Top 3 Picks for Taichung Accommodations
#1TOP PICK
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The Splendor ✔️ Rooftop pool ✔️Some rooms with their own Jacuzzi
Stray Birds Taichung Hostelis strategically situated near the artsy spots, museums, and malls in the West District.
The hostel has very clean and quiet rooms, which are either shared or private.
If you are worried about privacy in a hostel, don’t stress — there are cubicles that separate each bunk bed!
Outlets are installed basically almost everywhere – it’s a millennial/Gen X-ers dream!
Congee (Chinese rice porridge) and toast are served daily for breakfast, but if you want to try something else, then there are many delicious cafes nearby the hotel.
You can also relax in their huge lounge and make friends over board games, puzzles, and DVDs.
You should note that all the bathrooms are shared, but there is a separate dry area where you can sit and fix your hair or do make-up.
If this is something that does not bother you, then it is a very budget-friendly place to stay in Taipei!
The name itself tells you that its main theme: it’s extremely environmentally-friendly!
In fact, Green Hotel won first place in Taichung for having the lowest carbon-emitting hotel!
Both the exterior and interior of the hotel are modern and touches of nature are visible everywhere — including the leaf motif in the design.
Their room configurations are simple and neat, with all of the amenities you need like a TV, refrigerator, and work desk.
If you need some assistance, then they have a 24-hour service desk that can help you with any tours, concierge service, or luggage storage.
The bathroom walls are made from clear glass but they have curtains to cover it if in case you need to.
Instead of walking to nearby locations, you may borrow their bikes for free and check out nearby attractions like the National Museum of Science, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and the Calligraphy Greenway!
A trendy hotel with an unforgettable architecture in an ultra-hip neighborhood?
The Place is the ultimate Taichung accommodation for design geeks and people who want a unique stay!
With its unique design featuring colorful geometric cubes that appear to spin off the top of the building, The Place is an Instagram dream… but it’s also just a plain nice place to stay!
The rooms are quite unique, extremely minimalist in their design with bright white linens and walls that reflect back all the light that streams in through the large, uniquely shaped windows.
Small pops of bright, primary colors offset the otherwise white rooms and make the rooms extra aesthetically pleasing.
The interior also has great common areas that pay attention to design and detail, making it a joy to hang out at this hotel, whether you’re in your room or in the lobby or restaurant.
The bathrooms too are very modern: look for ones with a bathtub or even a spectacular city view!
If you are traveling with a mini budget, then MINI Hotel is perfect for an East District accommodation!
Of course, don’t expect huge beds and spacious areas — the hotel brands itself as a mini hotel and is proud to be so!
That said, it’s not for claustrophobic people!
However, its private compact rooms are perfect for solo travelers as well as couples who don’t mind staying in close quarters.
What you will love the most is the view from the rooftop of the hotel where you can sit and relax in the coffee table chairs — good if you need a break from your mini room!
They have colorful themed walls in the hallways alongside wooden furniture that are inspired by vintage pieces.
Unlike the name suggests, Old School is rather new on the Taichung hotel scene — it was opened in 2017, so most of the facilities still have that new feel.
It is an excellent choice due to its short distance to night markets, malls and the Taichung Railway Station (only a 6-minute walk).
The interiors are modern and the lobby has clear glass panels that showcase the outdoor garden — it’s very Instagrammable!
The rooms are where you see where the hotel drew its inspiration, with a shabby chic look, wooden furnishings, and white sheets.
But that said, it has modern touches, like its USB charging ports — so convenient for charging devices and freeing up space on your adapter!
Foodies will be thrilled with their breakfast because they also serve tasty local breakfast food (not just boring Western continental breakfasts)!
At first glance, the Inhouse Hotel Taichung may seem like a boring old office building, but the interior will surprise you — it honestly looks gorgeous inside!
From the moment you step in, you’ll feel luxurious, with its elegant lobby with sparkling chandeliers and beautiful marble floors.
The moment you walk in, they will welcome you with a warm cup of tea. It’s that kind of personalized luxury!
The hotel has a wide array of rooms that have stylish interiors, all huge and cozy, with a private bathroom and tub.
They have a fantastic buffet breakfast included, which will get you excited to get out of bed and start your day.
The smallest but busiest neighborhood in Taichung, this neighborhood was once the main center of business and industry in Taichung, though that’s changed a little over time.
Most of the buildings here date back to the Japanese-occupied era, making it one of the earliest-developed areas in the city.
Due to this, most of the roads are narrow, and it is quite difficult for new businesses to get established.
One of its night markets, Second Market, has been in operation since 1917!
A delicacy you shouldn’t miss are its suncakes, which are pastries made from malt, stored in fancy boxes, and given as gifts (or eaten all by yourself — I won’t judge).
The budget-friendly Loosha Hostel has both private rooms (standard twin) and dormitory type rooms (with options for female-only rooms or mixed gender).
Common areas include a shared kitchen and lounge available 24 hours, where you can make use of their fridge, toaster, and microwave.
There are also fun ways you can connect with your fellow travelers, enjoying their provided board games, ping-pong table, and pool table.
If you are going to book a shared dormitory room, be aware that the bathrooms are a bit far away.
If this bothers you, then it is best to get a standard room with a private bathroom.
In particular, solo female travelers reported feeling safe, because the ladies’ dormitory rooms are separated and has a keycard feature before you can access the room.
The décor of the hotel is mostly inspired by vintage pieces, bringing you back in time to another era.
Combining vintage and modern elements — think a lobby inspired by vintage suitcases meets modern and sleek rooms — BlueSky Hotel is a great mid-range hotel in Taichung.
From its vintage suitcase wall to its Art Deco inspired elevators, BlueSky Hotel is a favorite among Instagrammers!
The rooms are modern, each with their own en-suite bathroom that is updated with trendy subway-tile walls, modern showers, and well-stocked with free toiletries and a hairdryer.
They serve free breakfast and you can choose from Asian or Western food — either served fresh and hot every morning!
Note that some rooms do not have a city view, so you would need to check before you book.
Another branch of the popular Taiwanese sustainable hotel chain, Green Hotel, the Green Hotel Midori location is also a great choice for where to stay in Taichung.
This hotel also incorporates vintage charm into its modern design, with elements like rotary phones and wall sconces.
But the primary element is its modernity, including its glass-encased bathrooms (with privacy curtains), some of which have deep soaking tubs to relax in.
Enjoy a variety of rooms, but their nicest is their superior quadruple room, which has city views to die for!
Note: Choose your room type carefully, as there are some rooms without windows and some without soundproofing, though all these cons are noted when booking.
The North District lies between the Central and Beitun districts.
You’ll find many universities and schools in this area, and it’s considered one of the best areas to live and study in Taichung.
There’s the Yizhong Street Market, which is not as big as Fengjia but still has fantastic selection, where you can find some awesome snacks like the traditional Feng ren shaved ice (a great summer treat if you’re visiting Taiwan this time of year)
Some of the other popular tourist spots within walking distance of the North District are:
Yes, I’ve recommended it before, but I’ll do it again: the Inhouse Hotel group has some of the best luxury boutique hotels, in many of the best locations in Taiwan!
Another such location is the Inhouse Hotel Grand in the North District of Taichung.
The lobby is luxurious and eclectic, where wooden chairs, floral-print carpets, and indoor potted bonsais all work together in harmony.
Their rooms are similarly beautiful, with a French flair, offering peace and quiet with soundproofing as well as relaxation with their large bathrooms and soaking tubs.
This hotel includes the use of amenities like swimming pool, fitness center, and even free parking!
There is also something for everyone on their breakfast, but it is mostly continental style.
Keep that in mind if you are looking for local fare — you may want to go out and explore the cafés and restaurants outside instead!
This is also a great accessible hotel choice in Taichung: they have great facilities for guests with disabilities, including supports like Braille, emergency cords in the bathroom, and wheelchair accessible rooms.
The word Xitun means Western Village, and the Xitun Road at the heart of the neighborhood is one of the older roads in Taichung.
This is the place to stay for foodies (and this is where I stayed when I was in Taichung!) — as the very popular Fengjia Night Market is in this district!
This area also has lots of themed shops and cafés, which are one of Taiwan’s quirkiest contributions to café culture!
The location of the hostel is basically in the Fengjia Night Market itself!
The rooms are simple, suitable both for solo travelers as well as couples, with pretty painted pink walls and white sheeted beds with modern bathrooms — quite lovely!
This hostel has limited amenities, but its location couldn’t be better.
Plus, staying near Fengjia will make it easier for you to explore everything without any hassles coming home.
Named for its verve for a life well-lived, La Vida Hotel oozes happiness!
The hotel’s lobby is an aesthetic wonder, with beautiful interior design made of wood, ironwork, and stone — plus a huge garden wall with hanging plants outside!
There are standard, business, and quadruple rooms, each with a mini fridge, 46-inch smart TV, and modern bathrooms with a walk-in shower, bathtub, and bidet.
There is a variety of food (from Asian to Western dishes) that you can choose for breakfast; this means you will not get tired of seeing the same menu being served daily!
It is also close to the Fengjia Night Market so you can get some local drinks and food to try and mix up your luxury with some budget-friendly local culture!
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
When you think of Venice and its countless canals, one image jumps out above all others: the iconic gondola ride.
While it may seem cliché, taking a gondola in Venice is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s not to be missed.
Having traveled to Venice twice while living in Italy, I can tell you from my own personal experience that a Venice gondola ride will give you an entirely different perspective on the gorgeous city.
So, without any further ado, here’s everything you should know about this bucket-list experience.
About the Venetian Gondola
First things first: let’s talk about these quirky little boats and what makes them so unique.
Gondolas are traditional flat-bottomed Venetian boats with slender, curved shapes, allowing them to navigate the narrow canals of the Venetian Lagoon.
The gondolas have an asymmetrical hull, designed to counterbalance the weight of the gondolier standing on the stern, facing the bow.
Gondolas first appeared in Venice sometime around the 11th century. The first known depictions of the unique boat date to the 15th century, when artists Bellini and Carpaccio included them in their paintings.
At the time, gondolas were adorned with sumptuous decorations and were a luxury means of transportation reserved for the elite.
In the 16th century, the Italian government banned lavish gondolas and passed an order to paint them all black that stands to this day, so you’ll notice that nearly all gondolas are painted black.
The presence of the gondolas along Venice’s canals reached its peak in the 17th century when something like 10,000 gondolas would sail around the city.
Nowadays, the number is much lower, with only around 400 gondolas that official gondoliers use mainly for tourist rides.
If once gondolas were part of Venice’s public transportation system, now they are exclusively a tourist attraction.
I don’t know about you, but I would have loved to visit Venice at a time when you could hail a gondolier to take you to an appointment a few canals away!
While those days may be long gone, at least we can still experience riding in a gondola in Venice, enjoying a charmingly decorated boat while we admire the stunning city.
The Rigorous Process of Becoming a Gondolier
At the time of the Republic of Venice, the local aristocracy would have private gondoliers.
They were called “gondolier de casada” and were considered almost part of the family!
Today, this figure no longer exists, and the gondolier profession is mainly for tourism.
While much has changed since the days of the Republic of Venice, some traditions are still observed.
Gondoliers still have their traditional uniform, consisting of a striped T-shirt, black trousers, and the optional straw hat.
Another tradition that hasn’t changed is that the profession of gondolier isn’t open to just anyone with an oar.
Positions are limited, and the process of becoming an official gondolier is not a simple affair.
Historically, the profession was passed down from father to son, but today, there’s an official school for gondoliers (and women can be gondoliers now, too).
The requirements are tough! Anyone who wants to become a gondolier in Venice must have a good knowledge of the history and art of Venice, speak a second language, be an able oarsman and a good swimmer, and have a water rescue certification.
Access to the gondolier school is limited to those who pass the selection process. At the end of their studies, gondolier students must pass a final exam.
Next, they do an internship with a professional gondolier and must pass a practical exam.
At this point, those who pass can be substitute gondoliers. Finally, substitute gondoliers with sufficient experience can request an official gondolier license!
Currently, there are roughly 430 official gondoliers in Venice and 180 substitutes.
Should You Take a Gondola Ride in Venice?
Yes, going on a gondola ride in Venice may sound corny, but it’s one of those things you can’t leave Venice without trying at least once!
Gliding along the lovely canals, passing by impressive palaces and under iconic bridges will reward you with a whole new perspective on the gorgeous city.
Of course, some could argue that gondola rides are not worth the expense.
While it’s true that gondola rides are not cheap, you can find more affordable options, like group rides.
If you ask me, it’s more than worth it to splurge on a gondola ride in Venice for a once in a lifetime experience.
After all, it’s not like you’ll be taking gondolas everywhere, every day of your stay.
All in all, I think it’s worth it to take a gondola ride in Venice, especially if it’s your first time in the city.
How Much Does a Venice Gondola Ride Cost?
The cost of a gondola ride depends on whether you book online or hop on the first gondola you see while strolling around Venice.
In general, if you want to be spontaneous and just hop in a gondola when you get to Venice, you’ll be looking at a price tag of 80 euros during the day or 100 euros at night.
The good news is, these prices aren’t calculated per person but per ride.
Gondolas can fit up to five people, so if you’re traveling with friends or family, you can share the cost.
If you’re traveling solo and don’t want to spend that much, you can join group rides.
A standard gondola ride takes 30 minutes. If you want to ride longer, though, be aware that the cost of the ride increases proportionately to the duration.
For example, you’ll pay 120 euros if you want a 45-minute ride and 160 for a one-hour ride.
For the bargain hunters and hagglers among you, here’s where you can negotiate the price in some cases.
For longer rides, and depending on the number of people, you may be able to get a lower price.
If you book your gondola ride online, you can pay significantly less sometimes — but also a lot more for unique personalized experiences.
A gondola ride with a serenade by night, for instance, can cost as much as 400 euros.
What Do You See on a Gondola Ride?
Depending on the ride options you’ve chosen and the starting point, the gondoliers may stick to the Grand Canal or go along smaller canals.
In general, the Grand Canal tends to be busier, so a ride along the secondary canals will be more picturesque and relaxed.
Getting a gondola ride with a tour guide will make the experience more interesting.
Your knowledgeable local guide will tell you about the buildings and areas you pass by, so you don’t just look around wondering what that cool building over there is all about.
Usually, gondola rides pass by the most iconic landmarks in Venice, such as the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs, and Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute.
When Is the Best Time for a Gondola Ride?
When it comes to the best months to travel to Venice and enjoy a gondola ride, shoulder seasons are ideal.
From April to early June, or between late September and the end of October, you can get nice weather without the sticky, summer heat of July and August.
As for the time of day, try to go on a gondola ride early in the morning. At this time, the canals aren’t too busy, and the gondoliers are just starting their day.
In the middle of the day, the canals tend to get more crowded, and, especially in summer, it gets hotter.
Remember, there’s no shade on a gondola, so you want to avoid the hottest hours with the sun beating down from overhead.
Of course, a gondola ride in the evening is also a great idea, but thanks to high demand, this popular option is more expensive.
If you can spend the extra money and are looking for a romantic experience, definitely go for the evening ride.
Should You Book a Venice Gondola Ride in Advance?
While booking a gondola ride in advance isn’t technically a must, it can be a good idea for many reasons.
For instance, if you book online, you can skip all of the stress that comes with finding a ride on-site, possibly negotiating the price, and spending time asking around to find the best solution.
Another reason why booking online is a good idea is that you can find better prices.
Aside from finding many group rides, you may even also come across promotions on existing tours, allowing you to save some extra money.
Given the price of a gondola ride, even a small discount can make a difference!
If you’re the detail-oriented planning type (and if you’re reading this, you probably are!), booking a gondola ride in advance will allow you to better structure your Venice itinerary.
Since you’ll already know the start and end point of the tour, you can plan other activities around that area before and after your gondola ride.
Last, but certainly not least, by booking a gondola ride online, you don’t risk missing out on the experience.
Although it’s hard to not stumble across a gondola ride in the entire city, if you want to be spontaneous, you may need to wait a long time for your turn, especially in the busiest seasons. In winter, this is less important.
If you don’t have much time in Venice, booking your ride in advance is highly recommended.
Most Popular Gondola Ride Tours for Every Budget
There are countless options for gondola rides online, so many that it can be daunting to choose one.
So, to narrow things down a bit and make your life just that much easier, here are a just few of the best options for every budget.
I’ve chosen two shared gondola ride options and two private options to keep your options to a minimum (decision overwhelm can be so real when you travel!).
If you’re on a tight budget but want to cross this experience off your bucket list, this Venice gondola ride may be the best option.
You’ll join a shared gondola ride with a maximum of four other people and experience an enchanting ride along Venice’s canals.
The ride begins in Piazza San Marco, where your host will tell you a few facts about the history of gondolas and the gondoliers before you start your ride.
You’ll also get access to a free app with commentary on the itinerary your boat is taking.
During the 30-minute ride, you’ll sail along the Grand Canal, passing beautiful buildings like the Peggy Guggenheim Collection Palace, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, The Gritti Palace, and Punta della Dogana.
You’ll then sail along the smaller canals, passing by Teatro La Fenice and the Mozart House, ending at San Moisè Square.
As your gondola sails along Venice’s canals, your guide will tell you about the history of the places you pass by, curious facts about gondoliers, and fascinating stories.
Before the 30-minute gondola ride, you’ll also get a 20-minute walking tour of the area around the meeting point, where you’ll check out the Biennale Café and the San Moisè Church and learn about the history of Venetian gondolas.
The whole experience lasts just a bit less than an hour, but it’s a nice way to enjoy the fascinating gondola ride and learn a few cool facts about this unique tradition!
If you can spend a bit more, and especially if you’re traveling with a small group or with your family, you can get a private tour for the same price, if not less, than the group ride.
The cost of the private ride covers up to five people, so the price per person depends on how many there are in your group.
This 30-minute tour starts at Bacino Orseolo, in front of the Hard Rock Café, and follows a few smaller canals before reaching the Grand Canal.
You’ll pass under the iconic Rialto Bridge, admire the gorgeous palaces Ca’ Farsetti, Palazzo Grimani, and Palazzo Manin, and sail back to the starting point.
You can also choose the slightly more expensive gondola ride at night, a 60-minute ride only available at night, or even a special ride with a serenade.
The latter, aside from being quite a bit more expensive, is limited to three people (since you have a few musicians on board with you!).
This private gondola ride has the same prices and options as the previous one but takes a different route.
You’ll start the ride at St. Mark’s Basin and slide along picturesque little canals, passing through Rio del Palazzoa and making your way under the iconic Bridge of Sighs.
Then, you’ll be passing along Rio di Santa Maria Formosa and Rio di San Severo before returning to the starting point.
The extended 60-minute ride follows the same route, but includes an additional portion along the Grand Canal as well.
As with the previous tour, you have the options of taking the nighttime ride or even the one with the serenade.
If you’re looking for a romantic experience, the evening ride with the serenade is guaranteed to be an unforgettable experience. Of course, you’ll need to be prepared to spend a significant amount!
Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.
I went to Taipei curious and hopeful, but with low expectations. I expected a city more like Singapore: flashy, busy, crowded.
While Taipei is certainly busy, I found it so much more down-to-earth, calm, and easy to breathe in than other large cities in Asia I’ve visited.
To say Taipei was a surprise is an understatement. I didn’t imagine the amount of green spaces, even in bustling central Taipei.
I didn’t think I’d be able to hike amongst volcanoes or see sulfuric thermal valleys with steam rising skywards like a dense fog — all without leaving Taipei proper.
I certainly didn’t imagine pristine waterfalls and suspension bridges just a short train ride away, nor did I expect to meet some of the friendliest people of my travels (no small feat after visiting nearly 60 countries).
I spent about 2 weeks in Taipei, doing day trips from Taipei to surrounding areas, and honestly, I still didn’t even come close to running out of things to do in Taipei.
In short, Taipei is one of the most rewarding metropolises I’ve ever visited.
Delicious, unpretentious food cooked in front of your eyes for a few dollars, the most orderly and efficient metro I’ve ever used, and the welcome smiles transcending language barriers — these are the things that stick in my mind after leaving Taipei.
While most of these things to do in Taipei are focused on the city proper, Taipei is so well-connected that I’ve included several side trips that you can easily do in case you’d like to get out of Taipei for a bit and see the beautiful surrounding Taiwanese nature.
Taiwan is super well-connected by metro and bus, making getting around pretty easy for the most part, even if you don’t speak or read Chinese (I most certainly do not).
I’d at least recommend a trip to Shifen Waterfall or Jiufen (or both!), as both were huge highlights of my time in Taipei and easily doable as a half-day or full-day excursion.
Whether you have one day, five days, or a lifetime in Taipei, I doubt you’ll ever run out of things to do!
Getting into Taipei
Most likely you will fly into Taoyuan International Airport. There are three simple ways to get into Taipei from there
MRT
Hop on the MRT from the Taoyuan Airport and you’ll arrive at Taipei Main Station in 35 minutes. This ticket costs 160 Taiwanese dollars, a little more than $5 USD. Be sure to select the express train to get there quickly.
From there, you can then transfer to the regular citywide MRT, where tickets are even cheaper (based on zone, but roughly 20-40 Taiwanese dollars per ride, less than $1.50 USD).
This is only an option from 6 AM to 11:30 PM, so if your flight is outside of those times, you will need to select another option.
Bus
There are two buses that take you downtown. #1960 will bring to to Xinyi near Taipei 101. It costs 145 Taiwanese dollars, about $5 USD.
The next is 1819 or 1961. Either of these bring you to Taipei Main Station where you can easily get to wherever you need to go by MRT. Bus 1819 is a 24-hour bus. The other buses, 1961 and 1960, only run from 6 AM to 1 AM.
But 1819 costs 125 Taiwanese dollars, about $4 USD, whereas 1961 will cost 90 Taiwanese dollars, about $3 USD.
Private airport transfer
If you get stressed out with airport arrivals (same) and have any compunctions about figuring out Taipei’s public transport system after a long flight, I recommend just booking a private airport transfer to make your life easier.
It’s inexpensive and easy as can be, since they personally greet you with a sign with your name, assist you with your luggage, and drop you off right to your door.
It’s a nice treat to yourself to make arriving in Taipei stress-free!
If you only make time for one of the many things to do in Taipei, you’ve got to check out a night market.
Taiwan is famous for its delicious and inventive night markets, where street vendors specialize in a single dish and prepare it to perfection to long queues of salivating visitors.
For my first five days in Taipei, I stayed within walking distance of the Shilin Night Market, which is the most popular of the Taipei night markets.
It’s considered by Taiwanese to be the most “touristy” night market, but since I was visiting Taipei in the off-season (January), the crowd was mostly locals.
A few of my favorites: Japanese-style takoyaki (octopus balls covered in BBQ sauce, mayo, and bonito flakes), the flame-grilled beef sprinkled with cumin, the suckling pork wraps, the pepper pork buns baked in clay ovens until crispy, the steamed leek buns…
I’m drooling just typing this and a few seconds away from opening up Skyscanner just to fly back and eat ALL THE FOOD.
Check out the lesser-known night markets, too.
Shilin is fantastic, but it’s not the only Taipei night market worth visiting!
During my two weeks in Taiwan, I also went to Feng Shia Night Market in Taichung, which is said to be the largest night market in the world and supposedly, it’s where all the newest street food inventions are given a trial run.
On my last night in Taipei, I also went to Raohe Night Market, which is a slightly more local night market that was recommended to us by a local who worked at the pop-up craft beer bar at one of the creative parks.
The food was delicious (you can’t miss the pepper pork buns) to see another night market. Plus, it has a super central location, so you have no excuse to miss it!
Check out this great guide from Migrationology about the Raohe Night Market to help you plan your visit.
The sheer number of stalls at the night markets and the fact that a lot is written in Chinese can make this markets slightly more intimidating initially than the more tourist-focused Shilin Market!
If you prefer a guide to help you work your way through the night markets, this Taipei street food is a fantastic choice – it includes a bike tour around the city, some night market tastings, and a complimentary drink at the end of your tour!
Aside from its night markets, Taiwan is also famous for having invented bubble tea (though technically in Taichung, rather than Taipei — but close enough!)
Bubble tea is basically an iced tea, usually quite milky and sweet, served with tapioca pearls called boba.
You use an extra-wide straw to suck up the boba, giving you something to chew as you drink. The boba don’t really taste like anything — the point is the chewiness.
The Taiwanese are obsessed with the texture of food, and chewy textures are one of their favorites.
Curious? Read all about the beloved “Q texture” found in Taiwanese food.
How many capital cities can boast a national park within their city limits — let alone a national park complete with volcanoes, hot springs, and sulfur pits?
Taipei is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which makes it quite geologically active. In fact, just two weeks after I left Taiwan, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit the country.
But the small risk of earthquakes is just part of the reason why Taiwan’s landscapes are so visually stunning, full of mountain peaks, waterfalls, and hot springs.
In Yangmingshan National Park, you can hike to the highest peak in the park, Mount Qixing, enjoy the hot springs all around the park, walk across the beautiful Jingshan suspension bridge, see the aptly-named “Milk Lake”, and so much more.
We kind of bungled our day in Yangmingshan by sleeping in and getting there too late in the day to properly enjoy all the sights, but we still enjoyed our day out of Taipei.
However, if I did it again I would probably take a guided tour to make sure I saw all that I wanted to see, such as the sulfur fumaroles and all the best hot springs.
Taipei is positively covered in hot springs — and you don’t even need to venture to Yangmingshan National Park to find them, as they are quite literally out in the open in the city for all to use and enjoy!
Just take the metro out to Beitou on the red MRT line and you’ll find plenty of hot springs available, including a free hot spring foot bath being enjoyed by all the locals in a public park!
But the biggest draw to me was “Hell Valley,” which you will most definitely not want to dip your toes into, considering the hot springs are nearly boiling!
It was gorgeous to see the milky, whitish blue water sending up a layer of mist towards the sky — the smell, though, not so much!
There are also a lot of hotels in the area that offer thermal waters and spa treatments if you’re looking for a bit of a getaway within the city, but I haven’t tried this personally.
Grand View Resort is one of the nicest hotels in the Beitou area and has a sauna, steam room, white sulfur waters, outdoor pools, stone spas, and great views, plus a shuttle service from the Beitou MRT!
Stroll along the Tamsui Old Street boardwalk.
Tamsui Old Street is one of the coolest places to visit in Taipei. Simply take the red MRT train to the end of the line at Tamsui and walk along the waterfront to enjoy the historic neighborhood of Tamsui.
There are countless food vendors to enjoy, plus the area around the boardwalk is super gorgeous around sunset with the many bridges and mountains across the river.
It’s popular with families but I also really enjoyed walking around ordering from all the different street food vendors and drinking way too much bubble tea.
I recommend going at sunset so you can photograph the beautiful Tamsui Lovers’ Bridge, which is gorgeous silhouetted against the sky.
Drool over delicious xiao long bao.
One of my favorite foods to eat in Taipei is the tasty xiao long bao, aka Shanghai soup dumplings.
I’ve yet to go to Shanghai, but I’d be willing to bet that Taiwan’s version of the xiao long bao gives Shanghai’s a run for their money.
Soup dumplings are usually either pork or a mix of crab and pork, filled with a piping hot dose of broth and wrapped up neatly in a pleated dumpling skin.
They are steamed to perfection and served with a soy and rice vinegar mixture as well as some thin ginger matchsticks which you place in the soy-vinegar sauce.
To eat a soup dumpling, dip it in the soy-vinegar-ginger combo, place it in your spoon, poke a hole or take a small nibble of the skin to slurp out the sauce, and then eat the dumpling all in one bite.
It sounds tricky, but by your second or third dumpling, you’ll have gotten the hang of it.
Din Tai Fung is the quintessential, Michelin-starred place to go, but lines can stretch up to two hours at peak meal times – hardly an enjoyable way to spend your Taiwan trip!
Get a breath of fresh air at the lush Taipei Botanical Garden.
Sure, there is tons of nature within a short distance of Taipei – from the waterfalls of Shifen to the mountains of Yangmingshan National Park to the hot springs of Wulai.
However, if you really want a quick hit of nature without even leaving the city center, it’s definitely worth taking a stroll through Taipei’s gorgeous botanical gardens.
The Taipei Botanical Garden is over 100 years old and is home to over 2,000 different species of plants and takes up a massive 82,000 square meters of central downtown Taipei – further showing how much the Taiwanese value being close to nature, even in their cities.
It’s just a short walk away from the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and entrance is free, so there’s really no excuse not to visit this lovely garden if you have time while in Taipei.
Go to the top of the Taipei 101 (and drink at the world’s tallest Starbucks, if you must).
Formerly the world’s tallest building for 6 years (before being unseated by the Burj al Khalifa in Dubai), the Taipei 101 is the most recognizable icon of Taipei and even Taiwan as a whole.
It’s a beautiful skyscraper, inspired by Chinese pagoda-style architecture and looking — to my hungry eyes, at least — a bit like an ornately layered cake (others say it looks like a stack of Chinese takeout boxes, and I can’t disagree with that either).
The building is truly remarkable. It’s one of the greenest skyscrapers in the world, with a platinum certification in environmental-friendly design.
It’s also built to withstand both the typhoon winds and earthquakes that often shake Taiwan, thanks to the unique pendulum damper inside.
And in true Taiwanese form, apparently, this steel damper has even been given the adorable mascot treatment by Sanrio and now a “Damper Baby” mascot exists. You can’t make this up.
If you hate crowds and lines (which are usually about ~1-2 hours), you can buy thisskip the line pass which will allow you to be at the top of Taipei 101 with no wait involved!
It’s a bit extra than buying a regular ticket in person, but waits to go up to the tower can be upwards of an hour.
Personally, for me on my vacation, a few extra bucks is worth it — your opinion may differ depending on budget, schedule, travel style, and patience!
If you want a killer photo of Taipei 101, you can’t miss hiking up Elephant Mountain, one of the easiest but most rewarding hikes in Taiwan!
It’s more of an eternal staircase than an actual hike, to be honest.
Simply take the red line to its beginning stop and follow the signs for Elephant Mountain; it’s pretty hard to miss.
After about 20-30 minutes of huffing and puffing, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over Taipei.
Try to get up there before sunset so you can have the best photography opportunities, although when the city lights up after dark it’s spectacular in a whole different way.
I recommend bringing a tripod if you want crystal-clear night shots!
Bask in the bright lights in Ximending.
Ximending is one of the most bustling areas of Taipei, and it kind of reminds me of Tokyo’s Shinjuku or Osaka’s Dotonbori.
With neon lights everywhere, groups of friends out for nighttime strolls, and delicious restaurants everywhere, it’s definitely one of the best places to go out in Taipei after dark.
Oddly, though, there aren’t a lot of bars in this area — nor in much of Taipei, either.
It became a bit of running joke between my friend and me that we could never find a proper bar in all of Taipei (until we caved and researched a pub on our final night).
Still, even though we ended up beerless, we had so much fun wandering around Ximending at night and enjoying the energy of all the young Taiwanese out and about.
If you want to taste the very best of Taipei and suffer no FOMO, I’d recommend signing up for a Taipei tasting tour!
This tour lasts three hours and will cover 10 food samples, including scallion pancakes, sushi, meat pies, mochi rice cake, tempura, pork rice, and so much more.
While you snack hop, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Taipei’s history and how the confluence of cuisines mixing over the years to create a uniquely Taiwanese food scene.
On this tour, you’ll get to explore hole-in-the-wall eateries, local markets, hidden alleys, and other places packed with locals — yet not so well-known by tourists yet.
The price is super affordable for the amount of food it covers, so I’d highly recommend this as one of the top things to do in Taipei!
Check out Taipei’s unique creative parks.
Taiwan has several “creative parks,” which are an interesting combination of pop-up shops, handmade craft stalls, nature, and selfie “parks” where you can take photos with a variety of the cartoon characters the Taiwanese are so enamored with.
I had never seen anything quite like these, so I visited two in Taipei and one in Taichung.
Huashan 1914 Creative Park was really cool, but I was a bit sad to see that their upside-down houses display that was so beloved by Instagrammers had been dismantled.
We also saw what looked like a really interesting color-themed selfie park that was in the process of being built, that we couldn’t visit.
Basically, these creative parks are in constant flux, so just go and prepare to be surprised!
We did, however, stumble across a Canada-themed (I know, I’m confused too) pop-up craft beer bar with a lovely, super friendly bartender who kept us full of samples of different craft beers.
We also visited Songshan Cultural Creative Park, which had more nature and was super beautiful to wander around but had fewer galleries and things to see.
Eat at a themed restaurant.
Taiwan is well-known for its kooky themed restaurants, the most notorious of which being Modern Toilet, which is — you guessed it — toilet themed. I couldn’t help but join in on this hilarious gimmick.
I mean, how often do you get the chance to eat out of a miniature toilet bowl while sitting on a toilet while people around you eat poo-shaped meatballs and pay $10 for the honor?
The food wasn’t great, and the price was definitely on the expensive side for Taiwan, but the hilarity was definitely worth it in my eyes.
However, it’s definitely a one and done experience, I’d say.
If the idea of eating at a toilet themed restaurant makes you squeamish, that’s understandable.
There’s also the more benign Hello Kitty cafe, a Lego cafe, and even an alpaca café (however, this is located way out of the center of Taipei and is quite a trek unless you are a huge llama enthusiast!)
Eat and shop your way down Yongkang Street.
Yongkang Street was one of those lucky finds!
I originally went here because it is the location of the original branch of Din Tai Fung.
When I saw the insane line, I decided it’d be better to eat elsewhere and had delicious xiao long bao and dan dan mien (another one of my favorite Chinese staples) at a small restaurant just down the street.
But Yongkang Street is great for more than just dumplings!
There are also lots of cute quirky shops just waiting to be explored, a great coffee shop, and an inexplicably large number of umbrella shops (which seem to be a thing in Taiwan for whatever reason!).
This was one of the cutest streets I found in Taipei, and it’s in a very central location between Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall and Daan Park, so it’s definitely worth a wander if you’re starting to run out of things to do in Taipei.
Dine or drink in trendy Zhongxiao.
If you’re in need of refreshing your wardrobe when you’re in Taiwan, Zhongxiao is the place to go! But this is also the best area to go out in Taiwan.
As I wrote above, one thing we found when we were in Taiwan is that there is a puzzlingly low number of bars in the city.
Drinking doesn’t seem to be that popular of a pastime for young Taiwanese — or if it is, the bars are quite well hidden away from the eyes of foreigners.
However, Zhongxiao is the exception to the rule. While there isn’t a proper bar area, there are a few good bars in Taipei if you look for them, most of which are clustered in Zhongxiao.
We enjoyed a night out at ON TAP, which was fun, unpretentious, and had passable Mexican food.
Long-suffering readers of this blog will know that I commit foodie sacrilege in basically every city I visit, which usually means eating Asian food in Eastern Europe, but in a major plot twist, this time involved eating Mexican food in Asia.
I’m a Californian who misses home, what can I say?
It’s also home to some delicious Korean food (again committing foodie sacrilege) and cute coffee shops and boutiques, so night or day, this is a great spot to check out in Taipei.
Taiwanese food is famous for its stinky tofu, soup dumplings, and bubble tea, but if you ask a young Taiwanese person their favorite food, odds are they’ll say — Taiwanese fried chicken!
This ain’t no KFC, though — it’s much, much better. Taiwanese fried chicken is different than any other chicken I’ve tried.
It’s pounded thin until it’s really flat and tender, breaded and spiced, deep-fried to golden perfection, and then coated with a little extra spices.
I ate a piece of chicken that about twice the size of my face at Hot Star Fried Chicken in Ximending and adored every bite.
The sweet potatoes were also really delicious there — I highly recommend getting them too!
Visit Liberty Square and the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall.
I won’t pretend that I understand the full history of the relationship between mainland China and Taiwan.
It’s complicated to a degree that I can’t even comprehend, let alone distill into a bite-sized informational nugget on a listicle of things to do in Taipei.
What I do know though is that Chiang Kai-shek ruled over Taiwan from 1945 to 1975 with an iron fist, placing the country under martial law for decades, making enemies of journalists and dissenters.
However, he was successful in keeping Taiwan independent from Communist mainland China, a thing for which many Taiwanese are grateful.
Today, his legacy is controversial – in fact, this monument will likely change its name and function in the future.
For now, though, it’s one of the most iconic areas of Taipei and a common meeting and gathering spot. With the National Concert Hall, the National Theatre, and the DaXiao Gate all within walking distance.
Despite the complicated history, Chiang Kai-shek Memorial is one of the most beautiful feats of architecture in Taipei.
See the stunning 18th century Longshan Temple
Longshan Temple is the most famous temple in Taipei, and it’s very active with local Taiwanese going about their prayers. Visitors are welcome (just dress respectfully, as you would in any place of worship).
There are some interesting customs that the Taiwanese observe when praying that I’ve never seen elsewhere.
For one, there are small, painted pieces of wood that are shaped somewhat like a segmented orange. It’s common for people to pick up the painted crescent-shaped wood, hold it in their hands, toss it to the ground, and pick it back up again.
They’re apparently called “jiaobei blocks” or “moon blocks”, which are thrown in pairs and used as a divination method — learn more here, as the custom is really interesting
I really love observing other cultures’ religious customs (especially as someone who is not particularly religious) and Longshan Temple is a great place for those curious about Taiwanese religious customs to learn more about them.
Things to Do Near Taipei (Within 2 Hours)
Admire the “Niagara Falls of Taiwan,” Shifen Waterfall
Shifen Waterfall is not technically in Taipei proper, but it is so easy to get there that it deserves a spot on this list.
Within about two hours and under 5 dollars, you can be walking in the beautiful park that is home to Shifen Waterfall.
I’ve written a complete guide to visiting Shifen Waterfall if you’re interested in making this trip, but for now, I’ll let the photos do the talking. Simply gorgeous!
Note: I recommend combining a trip to Shifen Waterfall, Shifen Old Street, and Jiufen, via a tour, which is easier than planning your trip out using public transportation and not much more expensive.
Yes, this is a super touristy thing to do in Taipei (well, technically Shifen) but it was so much fun, so to hell with it.
For 100-200 Taiwanese dollars (about $3-6 USD) you can purchase a lantern, write your messages on it, take all the selfies, and set it off into the sky with all the other tourists on the train tracks.
It was pretty fun to photograph all the other balloons going up into the sky as well.
Aside from setting off lanterns, you can also eat at all the various street stalls selling fried and steamed Taiwanese snacks!
You should also check out the nearby suspension bridge, or rent an electric scooter (or walk, it’s really not that far) to nearby Shifen Waterfall.
Head to Jiufen Old Street.
Jiufen is another trip well worth making while you’re in Taipei. I’ve heard it called “the Santorini of Taiwan” and honestly, I can see it!
The city of Jiufen is built on a hill overlooking the spectacular coastline, making it a perfect place to take in the sunset in one of the many teahouses on the hill.
The entire city is covered in orange lanterns and food stalls, and there are gorgeous tea houses dotting the mountainside overlooking the coastline at sunset.
In fact, the city is often cited as being the inspiration for Japanese director Miyazaki’s film Spirited Away (though that has also been debunked by the director) — and there does seem to be a kind of magic in the air.
However… a place this beautiful is impossible to enjoy alone. Expect to share the magic with approximately 75,000 other people, all trying to cram down a few tiny staircases.
Claustrophobes and my fellow anxiety sufferers, be warned — descending the stairs after the sun sets is a neverending hellscape of people.
We got stuck in a slow-moving river of people for what felt like ages (but was probably 10 minutes). And we visited in January, which is about as off-season as it gets!
You could go with a tour to Jiufen, but that would just compound the chaos, in my opinion. It’s easy enough to go independently.
The buses are really crowded on the way back, so I’d suggest taking a collective taxi back to Taipei.
I believe it cost about 300 Taiwanese per person ($10) for the one-hour journey back to central Taipei. Well worth it.
See the rock formations of Yehliu Geopark.
I ran out of time in Taipei to get to do this, but it was on my list and it’s easily doable as a day tour so I figure I’d include it for you, anyway.
Yehliu Geopark is an amazing natural phenomenon located on the north coast of Taiwan, just two hours outside of Taipei — a perfect day trip.
Here, rocks have been carved away by twin forces of sea and wind erosion, leaving behind alien-esque rock formations including the famous Queen’s Head rock.
It’s perfectly possible to do with public transport, but you can also take a guided tour that will show you the port city of Keelung as well(see prices and availability here) and save you a bit of a headache with local transportation.
Go tea tasting and see the beautiful Thousand Islands Lake.
If you really want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Taipei metro area, a day tour to Thousand Islands Lake is a fantastic escape.
It’s especially pleasant when combined with a trip to the Pinglin Tea Plantation where you can sample a few different Taiwanese teas while admiring views of turquoise lakes and terraced tea fields.
Again, transportation around Taiwan can be a bit tough to figure out if you don’t speak or read Chinese, so this is a place where a guided tour comes in handy.
I believe Taichung is definitely worth at least a two day itinerary – especially since you’ve got to check out the largest night market in Taiwan at Feng Jia.
That said, if you only have a day and you want to visit Instagram heaven, check out the Rainbow Village just outside of Taichung.
This is easily done in a single day thanks to Taiwan’s high speed rail connections, which connect Taipei and Taichung in a mere 45 minutes — for a price (about $22 each way).
If you have more time and you’d like to save some cash, you can also take the regular train, which costs about a third as much and take twice as long.
From Taichung, it’s a cheap Uber or taxi to Rainbow Village, or you can work out the local buses (I’m lazy and took an Uber).
I’ll be honest, before I researched Rainbow Village, I thought it was just an Instagram gimmick.
But the story is so much cooler than that — it’s all the work of one man, nicknamed “Rainbow Grandpa,” who began painting the village where he grew up in order to prevent it from being bulldozed — and succeeded so far that it’s now a protected heritage site!
Making A Longer Taiwan Itinerary
If you’re planning to visit more of Taiwan than just Taipei, I’ve got you covered.
Have more time? Tack on Tainan or Kaohsiung further down the west coast after Taichung (perhaps adding on Kenting National Park if it’s summer).
Alternately, or head the east coast and stay a bit in Hualien to be at the gateway to Taroko National Park.
Where to Stay in Taipei
Taipei is a vibrant, bustling city with so much to see. I spent about 12 days in Taipei, experiencing different neighborhoods along the way.
When I first arrived in Taipei, I stayed near Shilin, which was great for visiting the night market every single night! It’s also super convenient with the excellent Taipei MTR serving Shilin easily.
However, if you want a more central location, I’d recommend staying around Ximen or Zhongxiao. I also stayed in Xinpu and really enjoyed the vibe around that area – it is much more local-feeling but there were plenty of great restaurants and street food to be found!
Though to be honest, the MRT is so convenient and extensive that no matter where you stay, you are not far from anywhere in the city with the MRT.
I’ve broken down where to stay in Taipei into three budget ranges, which can roughly be defined as follows:
Budget: Under $25 per night for a dorm bed
Mid-range: $50-100 per night for a hotel room
Luxury: $150+ for a hotel room
Budget: For a super-affordable stay with excellent aesthetics and a good location, I recommend LuckyOne Hostel in Datong. The hostel is very well-designed in a way that I wish more hostels were — simple things like the top bunk being high enough that the person on the bottom bunk can sit comfortably, reading lights and outlets next to each bed, etc. have all been considered in the design. Check rates, availability, and reviews here.
Another great option is Ximen Duckstay Hostel(the name is hilarious, I know) which has an amazing central location in Ximen, one of the most bustling areas of Taipei in the evening. The rooms are small but well-designed, with designated places to keep your luggage to keep the floor clear, privacy curtains, reading lights, etc. There’s also a hostel bar so it’s good for solo travelers who want to socialize, as Taipei doesn’t have the best bar scene. Check rates, availability, and reviews here.
Mid-range: Taipei is home of one of my favorite affordable hotel chains, citizenM ! I love booking rooms with citizenM because I know that I’m going to get a well-designed room at an affordable price, without having to pay for a bunch of luxuries I won’t use. The deisgn is fun and quirky, with a real sense of personality that is missing from many hotel chains. You always know when you are stepping into a citizenM and I love that. The location is also great. Check rates, availability, and reviews here.
Luxury: If you’re looking for luxury meets a dash of quirkiness, I highly recommend Eslite during your stay. Located in Songshan Creative & Cultural Park, this 5-star hotel is beautifully appointed with tons of amazing details like unending shelves of books in the lobby (swoon!). With perks like private balconies, enormous beds, sunken bathtubs, in-room sound systems, you can stay in style at Eslite without paying an insane amount. Check rates, availability, and reviews here.
5 Things You Shouldn’t Forget to Pack for Taipei
A guidebook: While I obviously love reading travel blogs, I also love traveling with a guidebook like Lonely Planet Taiwan – it is thoroughly researched and full of ideas that a lot of blogs haven’t covered.
Chinese-English phrasebook: The language barrier in Taiwan is still pretty large for English speakers, especially in places like small hole-in-the-wall restaurants, and then the different writing system adds another barrier as it’s harder to learn what certain words mean in a character-based language vs. an alphabet-based language. I recommend a Chinese-English phrasebook especially if you want to get a bit off the beaten path during your time in Taipei.
Rain jacket or travel umbrella: Taipei can be quite rainy year-round due to its subtropical climate. If you are traveling in spring, winter, or fall, you’ll definitely want a rain jacket. I traveled in Taiwan in winter with my Marmot PreCip rain jacket and it was perfect (though Taipei was pleasantly warm for January, with temperatures around 60 F / 15 C most days). In the summer, it will be way too hot for a rain jacket, so then I suggest a travel umbrella.
Mosquito repellent if traveling outside of winter: I traveled in winter so I had no problems with mosquitos but if you are there in spring, summer, or fall be warned that the mosquitos in Taiwan are notoriously vicious and can carry un-fun diseases like dengue. When I travel to mosquito-ridden places I tend to travel with both a mosquito repellent spray and mosquito repellent wipes that I carry in my purse for touch ups during the day/night, especially around dusk.
Travel insurance: While Taiwan and Taipei are both very safe, that’s no reason to skimp on travel insurance! I use SafetyWing Nomad Insurance whenever I’m abroad, as it’s affordable and comprehensive, at about $12/week of coverage.
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So, if you’ve been to Taiwan, what are your favorite things to do in Taipei — am I missing anything?
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
While many tourists consider Paris a perfect spring or fall travel destination, visiting Paname (locals’ slang for Paris)in the colder months is a bit less popular.
If you ask me, Paris in winter is seriously underrated, and there’s more to it than you might expect!
Of course, you might catch one of the rare weeks of freezing cold and snow, but generally speaking, the weather is rather mild!
That is, as long as you don’t mind a few drops of rain here and there.
Just give it a chance, and you may even come to agree with Owen Wilson in Midnight in Paris: “Paris is the most beautiful in the rain!”
So pack your warmest (and chicest, this is Paris after all) winter clothes for Paris and hop on a plane for a magical winter adventure in the city of love and lights.
Whether you’re fascinated by art, history, fashion, design, or delicious food, our list of 33 cozy and fun things to do in Paris in winter has something for every type of traveler.
Bienvenue à Paris!
Paris Winter Weather: What to Expect
Paris doesn’t do anything by halves; even the winters are undeniably chic and enjoyable.
Winter in Paris is a delightful scene — gorgeous lights illuminating the buildings as the short days come to an end, and cozy bistros and cafés looking each more inviting than the last.
But let’s talk temperatures real quick: expect temperatures just above freezing, a crisp 35°-45°F (1°-7°C). But don’t let those numbers send you running!
While snow will make an occasional appearance, it’s rather rare — you’re more likely to deal with rain, anything from a slight drizzle to a downpour.
Just don’t forget your umbrella – consider it the quintessential Parisian winter accessory!
The Best Things to Do in Paris in Winter
Get in the festive mood at the Paris Christmas markets.
Christmas in Paris can be surprisingly cozy despite the hectic daily big city life.
If you are planning your trip to Paris in December, make sure to include at least a few of our favorite Marché de Noël (Christmas markets) on your itinerary.
Here are three we recommend:
La Magie de Noël, Tuileries: Located right in the heart of Paris, this Christmas market is the biggest and most fun!
Next to the many artisan shops and food chalets, you’ll find amusement rides, even including a ferris wheel!
Marché de Noël La Défense: La Défense, the Financial and Business District, is the only area in Paris which could pass as a city skyline.
The futuristic modern architecture surrounding this Christmas Market makes for a truly unique atmosphere, combining festive tradition and urban design.
Marché de Noël Montmartre: If you prefer a smaller, cozier Christmas market, you’ll love this one.
Located in beautiful and charming Montmartre, the Marché de Noël de Montmartre offers around 20 selected wooden chalets selling unique handcrafted gifts and Christmas sweets.
Make sure to walk around Montmartre while you’re here and take in the stunning view from Sacré Coeur!
Wander down the Champs Elysées.
The Champs-Elysées formerly housed the largest Christmas Market in the city.
While the market itself was moved south to Les Tuileries a few years ago, Les Champs (as Parisians call the boulevard) still steals the show when it comes to Christmas decorations!
The streets characteristic trees, bare of their usual foliage, get decked in beautiful lights that create a gorgeous straight-line down to the illuminated Arc de Triomphe.
It’s quite a spectacle!
Admire the Christmas storefronts and window displays.
There are several gorgeous holiday window displays you’ll find around Paris in winter, especially at the flagship designer stores and the high-end department stores.
The Christian Dior flagship store on the Champs-Elysées is a favorite for its beautiful holiday decor, as is the Louis Vuitton on Place Vendôme, and the shops along Avenue Montaigne.
For larger-scale window displays, there’s the classic Galleries Lafayette, as well as the newly-reopened department store, La Samaritaine, as well as Bon Marché, Au Printemps, and BHVMarais.
Warm up with a petit four and chocolat chaud at Angelina’s.
Maison Angelina was founded in 1903 and is still the most iconic place in Paris to drink hot chocolate and eat petit fours, beautifully-decorated bite-sized patisseries.
It may be the most expensive hot chocolate you’ll ever drink, but keep in mind you’re paying for the whole experience, and it really is unlike any other!
This charming salon de thé (tea room) was built duringthe belle epoque and features typical Parisian architecture from the early 20th century with Art Nouveau ceilings and ornaments.
For a fun historical tidbit, Angelina’s was a favorite amongst French artists, including Coco Chanel.
Take advantage of the smaller crowds at the Louvre Museum.
Let’s face it – it’s downright impossible to leave out the Louvre, and especially in the winter, you shouldn’t, because this is a great time to visit Paris if you are into art!
In fact, in the warmer months, peak tourist season can make visiting a museum a real nightmare – you may have to fight your way through to get just a glimpse of the Mona Lisa between all the phones and crowds.
However, for you intrepid winter travelers, you get to enjoy one of the perks of off-season travel: namely, smaller crowds!
Any trip to Paris is improved by a stroll through these luxurious settings, admiring the unimaginable range of art here!
Unless you just want to see the La Joconde (aka the Mona Lisa) or La Vénus de Milo, you could easily spend several days wandering around the former palace and admiring some of humanity’s finest work.
If your time is limited though, you’ll want to make a plan to see your top priority pieces so you can go in prepared and make the most of your visit.
And even in winter, the Louvre is still quite busy, so save time for the art — book skip-the-line tickets so you can jump ahead of the crowds who didn’t plan ahead.
The only thing worse than a line in the cold is a line in the cold that could have been avoided!
After you’ve had your fill of art, it’s time to shift gears and take in Paris’ world-famous fashion scene!
The Parisians call the ultra-French, ultra-chic luxury department stores les grands magasins, including Le Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and Le Bon Marché.
Make sure to stop by around Christmas, as the festive decorations are positively mind-blowing!
The guiding principle here is ”more is more”, and every year the boutiques seem to compete to show off the most luxurious Christmas decorations.
You’ll be in shopping heaven here, able to find anything your heart desires here — whether you’re more in the mood for window shopping or updating your wardrobe.
While Printemps and Galeries Lafayette have taken on a bit of a more touristy vibe over the last decade, Le Bon Marché has kept a more authentic Parisian feel to it.
This department store has smaller boutiques within it and features some very special pieces, all while prioritizing quality over quantity.
Wander up to a wintry Sacré-Cœur.
The historic bohemian neighborhood of Montmartre is the perfect place for a winter walk — and no better destination than the Sacré-Cœur Basilica at the top of the hill working as an easy visual endpoint.
Take the winding cobblestone streets up the hill to the magnificent Sacré-Cœur, a marvel in white marble dominating the Montmartre skyline.
The views of Paris from here are like no other!
Best of all, it’s free to visit and is open daily from 6 AM to 10:30 PM, making it easy to pop in at any time day or night.
Keep an eye out here, though — this is a place where scammers and pickpockets sometimes like to operate, as visitors are too enraptured by their surroundings to look around properly!
This 1.5-hour tour will show you both Montmartre’s highlights (the Moulin Rouge, the Sacre-Coeur) as well as its hidden gems (its windmills, its art history, the last remaining vineyard in Paris!).
Try your hand at being a pâtissier for a day, with an expert baker guiding you through making tricky components like meringue and ganache and teaching you how to pipe the perfect macaron.
The best part? Bringing home a box of your handmade treats as bragging rights — if you have the self-control, that is.
In the 17th arrondissement, you’ll find the beautiful Parc Monceau,a favorite amongst local Sorbonne students and Parisians enjoying un café on a Sunday.
Le Jardin du Palais Royal is a small, very elegant park located near the Louvre.
This area is adored by locals for a walk on their lunch break, a quick coffee break at Café Kitsuné, or a lazy afternoon spent reading.
Another great park, Les Tuileries, is located between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
Start your walk from the pyramid at the Louvre and walk down to Concorde with a magnificent view of the Champs Elysées.
Don’t worry too much about the cold, either!
You’ll find many small vendors offering a hot beverage or a crêpe to enjoy around the beautiful fountain, perfect to warm you up.
Stroll through the beautifully converted Musée d’Orsay.
A former train station, this building was transformed into a museum in the 80s and now hosts over 400 Impressionist masterpieces.
The unique architectural history alone makes this art museum well worth a visit.
When planning your visit, be sure to bundle up!
The Musée d’Orsay’s location in the 7th arrondissement means you can combine this with a winter walk through the very chic area of St. Germain or along the Seine river.
While this museum is less popular than the Louvre, it’s still quite busy, even in winter.
Save time (and avoid waiting in the cold) by booking your tickets ahead of time.
For all you cinephiles out there, make sure to catch a screening at La Filmothèque in the Latin Quarter.
This cozy, very old school movie theater (cinéma) offers screenings of Hollywood classics.
This theatre shows everything from Kubrick’s horror and sci-fi masterpieces to dreamy Hepburn romances.
If you’re in Paris in the winter on a rainy day, why not settle in for a cozy screening in this refuge from the cold?
Of course, Paris has a long cinematic history, and you’ll be happy to know that most cinémas screen international movies in the original language (most Parisians do speak English after all, even when they pretend they don’t…).
If you want to flex your French skills, make sure to catch a movie at Le Grand Rex, one of Paris’s most iconic movie theaters, as all movies screened here are in French.
Enjoy a winter walk through a piece of Parisian history.
Take advantage of the peace of Paris winter mornings to start your day with some fresh air and a walk in a piece of Paris history.
Père Lachaiseis technically a cemetery, but it’s also a serene harbor of quiet in the 20th arrondissement.
Great artists like Edith Piaf, Jim Morrison, and Oscar Wilde have been laid to rest in this cemetery — come here if you need a moment of solitude to think or just wish to pay respects to these cultural icons.
For a memorable winter night out, treat yourself to a night at the opera!
The Opéra de Paris, located in the breathtaking Palais Garnier, was founded in the 17th century as part of the Royal Academy.
This opera house offers a variety of classic performances and is also home to the world-famous prestigious French ballet company.
The palatial building itself is simply gorgeous with ornate chandeliers, painted vaulted ceilings, and detailed pillars: seeing a show here is just the cherry on top of the cake!
If you don’t have the funds to watch a show at the opera house, no worries: for just around 15 euro, you can visit the opera house building and admire the architecture.
While the Opéra de Paris is quite traditional in its choice of operas, you’ll find more modern interpretations and performances at Opéra Bastille.
Did you think we would leave our guide to Parisian fashion at just the shopping? Of course not!
January isn’t just the first month of the year, it’s also the time for Fashion Week.
If you’re hoping to attend a show, we’re sorry to tell you, that is a closed circle (and if you’re part of that circle, you don’t need us to tell you!).
Lucky for you, though, the fashion can’t be contained to just the shows!
Take a walk around the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th arrondissement for some people watching.
You can also mingle at Rue Saint-Honoré, Avenue George V and Montaigne, and keep your eyes on Les Tuileries and Grand Palaisareas to get a glimpse of the fashion madness.
If you ever wanted to go crazy with your outfit choice, this is the time! Hang around long enough and you may even be photographed — or perhaps see some celebs in eye-catching couture!
For a deeper dive into the rich history of fashion design, make sure to visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, Palais Galliera and Le Musée des Arts Décoratifs to get inspired.
Want to pretend like you’ve got a Fashion Week invite?
On Fridays at the Galeries Lafayette Haussman, you can attend a 30-minute fashion show, catwalk and all.
Catch a play at La Comédie Française.
The world’s oldest theater company, La Comédie Française, is a French cultural institution so prestigious that any actor associated with it is credited in movies as a member.
The company has produced some of the most celebrated French artists and continues to be home to top tier rising talent.
No matter which play you choose to see, you’re in for a great night at the theater and there’s no way you’ll be disappointed.
For the traveler on a budget, La Comédie Française is also a lot cheaper than a night at the opera.
If you don’t mind not having the best seats, you can get tickets for under 20€… not bad for world-class art!
Other famous theaters in Paris include Le Théâtre du Châtelet, Théâtre Chaillot and Théatre de l’Odéon.
If you’ve seen Baz Luhrmann’s famous movie about the scandalous Moulin Rouge, you’ve probably got at least a vague idea of the Parisian love for cabaret.
Since you’ll be visiting during the winter months, you’ll probably want a fun way to spend your evenings outside of the cold.
Many of the most notoriously mind-blowing cabarets in Paris offer special deals that include dinner, champagne, and a show – check out the Moulin Rouge for the most classic experience, but there’s also Paradis Latin and Crazy Horse.
And don’t worry, while the Parisian cabarets are far from their scandalous reputation nowadays, you’re still in for a ton of fun!
Take in the views, art, and architecture at Fondation Louis Vuitton.
Located in Neuilly-sur-Seine, just outside of Paris, the Fondation Louis Vuitton always has interesting exhibitions planned.
But what truly sets it apart is the incredible futuristic architecture designed by American architect Frank Gehry — and the views you get of the city as you peek through its glass panels.
Make sure to check out the rooftop for another great view of the city!
Don’t worry about its location being outside of Paris — you can easily get there with the shuttle service offered when you book online ahead of time.
Rich and hearty French cuisine offers some of the best winter comfort food in the world — loads and loads of melted cheese!
Although most these dishes are not technically Parisian, you can find delicious fondue served in a caquelon earthenware pot and raclette (sliced melty cheese) in quite a few restaurants throughout the city.
Les Marmottes is a great option located in the 1st arrondissement. Designed just like a traditional chalet in the French Alps, this restaurant offers you a raclette buffet as well as fondue and delicious tartiflette in a warm, convivial atmosphere.
Le Chalet Savoyard can be found in Rue de Charonne in the 11th arrondissement. This restaurant is considered the top of the top when it comes to cheese – fondue is served in 14 different varieties!
Monbleuhas just recently opened its doors to welcome cheese lovers to a mindboggling 300 square meters of cheese heaven! This restaurant doubles as a Fromagerie, a French cheese shop, and offers traditional raclette.
Le Petit Chaletcan be found in the most surprising of locales… a spa! This authentic gem is located at Le Roch Hötel & Spa, perfect if you want to hide from the rain at the spa before you indulge in a few thousand calories of pure deliciousness.
Stroll through the passages couverts.
Les passages couverts, the covered passages of Paris, are essentially shopping arcades from the 19th century which survived the Haussmann renovations.
These passages make for a lovely escape from the cold!
Beautiful individual boutiques, art galleries, cafés, small brasseries, bookstores… with these little stores and bistros to duck in and out of, you could spend your entire winter in Paris trip strolling through les passages!
Feel free to wander on your own and see what you can discover, but if you’re looking for a guide to the top spots, read on for our favorite picks:
La Galerie Vivienne in the prestigious 1st arrondissement, not far from Parc Royal, is simply majestic.
Even if you’re not in the mood to shop, you have to come here for the passage’s beautiful architecture and its colorful mosaics.
Le Passage des Panoramas was built in 1799, just 10 years after the French Revolution in tumultuous times.
It’s a small passage with old boutiques, some of which have been operating for generations.
In between the art shops you’ll find authentic cafés for a quick break on a busy day.
Le Passage Jouffroy is particularly beautiful at nightfall when the last rays of winter sun hit the glass ceiling of this beautiful arcade.
The covered passage offers a large variety of shops, and locals (or visitors!) can even do their grocery shopping here!
Discover the city’s dark past at Les Catacombes de Paris.
One of the most iconic (and macabre) Parisian landmarks, the Paris Catacombs are an underground labyrinth.
These winding tunnels house the remains of millions of Parisians in an ossuary, built when the city was facing health issues and needed to move the cemeteries underground.
The Catacombs were opened to the public in 1809 with the intention to encourage visitors to reflect on time and death.
Be warned! The maze is rather narrow and can be quite busy — plus it’s located 20 meters underground, so it’s not for the faint hearted or claustrophobic.
Visiting Les Catacombes in winter can be a very special experience.
Despite the intimidating look of its bones and skulls, it’s not intended to be a scary place: it’s more about the lives of the millions of people that have walked the streets of Paris and the stories they’ve left behind.
You don’t want to get lost in the catacombs (not unless you’re trying to reenact As Above, So Below, that is), so all visits to the catacombs are guided.
If you are planning a visit to Paris in late January or early February, you may arrive just in time for Le Nouvel An Chinois!
While Paris doesn’t have New York’s Chinatown, Chinese culture is an important part of life in Paris, especially in the 3rd and 13th arrondissement, where the traditional parades take place.
But even if you don’t make it in time for the parade, make sure to check out the exhibitions and ateliers in the area, as many of the local art galleries focus on Chinese and Asian artists in the winter months.
Get tropical at Jardin Des Plantes.
No matter how cozy the winter months can be, sometimes it’s just all too much, too cold, too harsh, too rainy, too depressing – that’s when you need a break from it all.
Great news, though, you don’t even have to leave Paris to make your escape!
Paris’s botanical gardens, Le Jardin des Plantes, is home to several tropical greenhouses, open to visitors for a small fee.
Step into the warmth, breathe in the tropical air and take in the calming energy, surrounded by nature, right in the middle of the metropolis
Just a few steps away from the greenhouses you’ll find the National Museum of Natural History, another cozy place to visit on a Parisian winter day.
Founded over 200 years ago as an extension to the royal botanical gardens, the Natural History Museum houses an impressive collection that makes for a great visit!
Read a book in a beautiful library.
There are many beautiful places to read in Paris, including several branches of the public library.
The public reading room at the Richelieu location, the Salle Ovale, finally opened at the end of 2022 after a decade-long, 260 million euro renovation.
Besides the Salle Ovale, you can visit the nearby Mazarin Gallery, showcasing a selection of the library’s selection of maps, manuscripts, and stamps.
Among the artifacts are a few handwritten pages from Proust’s seminal work In Search of Lost Time, as well as Hugo’s manuscript for Les Misérables and handwritten pages of Mozart’s score for Don Giovanni.
Another public library option is LibrarySainte-Geneviève: a true French Hogwarts!
Located in the Quartier Latin, a few steps away from Le Panthéon, Sorbonne University and Lycée Henri IV, the library houses a staggering 2 million books and documents.
The reading room is magnificent, featuring a high ceiling with an ironwork structure, surrounded by historical documents dating back to the 12th century.
Some of the finest French writers and intellectuals have called this space a home away from home, including Victor Hugo.
Explore a piece of literary history at Shakespeare & Company.
Another great place for book lovers is the famous English-language bookstore, Shakespeare & Company.
Founded in 1951 (with the original store dating back to 1919) as a meeting point for anglophone writers, intellectuals, and artists, this bookstore is still an important landmark in Paris to this day.
James Baldwin, Allen Ginsberg and Henry Miller were all frequent visitors to this wonderful space.
Come prepared to stay a while, since you can come here not only to shop, but also to read!
Head upstairs to snuggle up in the reading room and stay as long as you want.
Update your wardrobe à la Parisienne during the January sales.
One more note for the fashion aficionados – if you visit the city in January or February, you may want to leave some extra space in your suitcase as it’s shopping month!
Francetakes the winter sales very seriously, and you’ll very likely find discounts everywhere, even in smaller boutiques and exclusive designer stores.
The sales last for 4 weeks, with each week offering new discounts on Wednesdays.
If you don’t mind taking your chances, it can be worth it to wait for the second week to get better deals, but keep in mind some items sell out super fast!
Fair warning – be prepared for crowds. The stores get unbelievably busy during the sale weeks in Paris.
If you can, try to avoid the shops on the weekends, especially around Rue de Rivoli.
An alternative to the busy Rive Droite shopping streets is Rue de Rennes and the area around St. Germain, which tends to be a little less touristy and crowded.
Marvel at the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle.
Since its neighbor on the Île de la Cité, the Notre Dame, is still out of commission, La Sainte-Chapelle has finally been getting its due.
But it really needs no comparison!
The crown jewel of Gothic architecture in Paris, La Sainte-Chapelle is a great spot to visit, and it’s certainly no consolation prize.
Step into the chapel and be surrounded by over a thousand stained-glass scenes in brilliant jewel tones — you’ll instantly forget about any cold outside.
For about €12, you can step into this living kaleidoscope and be surrounded in color.
While you’re in the Île de la Cité area, stop by the Notre Dame to see how the reconstruction work is going.
In case you were living under a rock, in 2019, the world watched as the iconic Notre Dame was overtaken by fire.
At first, estimates for its repair stretched into a decade or more. Luckily, it’s looking like this stunning French landmark will reopen by the end of 2024.
Its facade is basically entirely reconstructed, and while there is still ongoing work going on, take a walk past the Notre Dame to see how the renovation work is going.
Celebrate the magic of Christmas at Disneyland Paris.
Looking for a truly magical experience at the happiest place on Earth?
If you have some time to spare during your time in Paris, you can check out Disneyland, located just outside of Paris in Chessy.
In the month leading up to Christmas and until early January, DisneylandParis transforms into a magical festive wonderland with countless themed attractions and events.
Photo Credit: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
If you’re looking for something beyond the historic, look no further than Palais de Tokyo’s collection, since this museum is entirely dedicated to modern and abstract art.
You may not understand all the pieces or love all the installations, but this museum is always a thought-provoking encounter with some impressive work.
It’s also home to the Monsieur Bleu restaurant with a striking view of the iconic Eiffel Tower!
Treat yourself to an exquisite hotel stay.
Winter is a great time to splurge on a hotel and treat yourself to a luxurious experience in one of Paris’s finest establishments – after all, you’ll need a cozy home base to return to after any excursions in the cold.
There are the classics, of course, the Ritz, Le Lutetia, the Four Seasons George V or Le Meurice… But these days, Paris has a lot more exciting hotels to offer.
One new addition is Le Cheval Blanc, located in La Samaritaine, a legendary department store which just reopened after decades of abandonment.
Located in the trendy 9th arrondissement is Soho House, which has been built in Jean Cocteau’s childhood home. A modern, urban and yet very Parisian chic experience awaits you here.
The ReMIX Hotel is located in the up-and-coming 19th arrondissement and features a beautifully nostalgic 80s theme.
Another option for art lovers is L’Hôtel Rochechouart in Montmartre:upon entering, you’ll have to do a double-take to make sure you didn’t accidentally travel back in time!
The unique Art Déco design feels like a relic from the roaring twenties – make sure to check out the speakeasy underground.
Anna is 20-something writer from France, currently living on the beautiful island of Bali. After earning a degree from Sorbonne Université in Paris, she spent a few years working in fashion before embarking on what was supposed to be a 1-year trip through Europe, North Africa and Asia — which ultimately turned into moving to Bali. Aside from traveling and writing, her passions include surfing, film photography, drinking unhealthy amounts of coffee, and reading through the night.
The City of Love has so much to see and so many delicious foods to try. If you have a sweet tooth, you have to take a macaron class in Paris.
When it comes to French cuisine, duck confit, and cassoulet are must-try dishes. Still, no Parisian meal is complete without a macaron (or five) for dessert!
Crunchy on the outside, airy on the inside, and stuffed with creamy filling, macarons are the kind of sweet you can’t help but binge.
… Unfortunately, they’re one of the pricier cookies to binge on, but that’s why it makes all the more sense to learn to make macarons in Paris!
Macarons come in more colors and flavors than you can imagine. When you go to a Parisian pastry shop, you’ll want to try every single one!
Best of all, they’re not too difficult to make, as long as you’re taught by an experienced chef.
One quick macaron class in Paris and you’ll be whipping these things up all the time and impressing literally everyone!
Besides, France is home to some of the best chefs and bakers in the entire world. Why not learn some of their secrets while you’re there?
You’ll never look at store-bought sweets the same way after taking a macaron making class in Paris, so it’s time to get cooking… er, baking!
Unique Features: – Children 12+ are welcome to join (with a parent) – Large class allows space for a large group – Short class is easy to fit into a busy schedule
Whether you like chocolate, pistachio, or any funky flavor in between, this class will teach you how to make all sorts of flavors of macaron… All that in only 90 minutes!
This is also a great class to try if you’re a beginner cook. It’s short and sweet (in more ways than one!), and you get to take the recipe home and get some practice.
“Quick hit on the magic of making macarons with all the tips and tricks shared. Small group, great instructor and yummy samples of your work! Totally the best macrons I ever had. Location was perfect – private area in Galleries Lafayette. Couldn’t ask for more of a Parisan experience! Totally recommend.”
Your cooking group can feature up to 18 people, so things can get pretty lively at Galeries Lafayette. Bringing lots of family and friends is highly encouraged!
On top of that, the class is super affordable for how fun and informative it is, so you can easily fit it into your vacation budget.
However, if you want a small group with lots of 1:1 attention, this may not be the right fit for you.
After the class, the Opera district will be waiting right outside the door. Talk about an exciting day out in Paris – now it’s time to take it on with a sugar high!
Well, what could be more immersive than going to a French home and cooking in a chef’s very own kitchen?
The class covers a lot of ground in three hours, so you can expect to keep busy.
Not that you’d mind, with the awesome company, intimate setting, and of course – delicious treats!
You’ll be learning how to make macarons and a number of amazing fillings.
Besides the classic chocolate and cocoa, you’ll learn more creative types like lemon and raspberry with tonka bean, among others!
This isn’t your average macaron class, that’s for sure!
“I did the course with my 12 year old daughter. We learned a lot, it was fun and the macarons were delicious. Now we also understand the price of these works of art in the patisseries. I thought it was great that Frederic paid attention to details, including how to hold the wooden spoon, and explained to us exactly what to look out for. And all in a very friendly way.”
⌛ Tour Length: 2.5 hours | 🌟Rating: 4.9/5 stars (80+ reviews) | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: – Learn from an academically trained chef – Work from a chef’s atelier for a proper Parisian experience – Wide variety of flavors and fillings
After all, she learned her craft at the Lenôtre Culinary Institute – now that takes some cooking chops!
Like any true professional, Noémie makes sure nobody gets left behind. Even small children can join, and they’ll be learning a lot!
She’ll teach you how to make two different kinds of macarons and a number of tasty fillings to add variety to your macarons and impress your loved ones with.
“Quick hit on the magic of making macarons with all the tips and tricks shared. Small group, great instructor and yummy samples of your work! Totally the best macrons I ever had. Location was perfect – private area in Galleries Lafayette. Couldn’t ask for more of a Parisan experience! Totally recommend.“
This may be a Paris macaron class, but it teaches you the Italian meringue method.
What this means is, you’ll be using hot sugar syrup as the base for the filling.
This method of cooking macarons is a bit harder than the French one, so mastering it will make you feel like an expert baker!
“Excellent activity learning to make macarons. Great venue and location with super friendly and knowledgable staff/owner. All steps explained, good equipment, recipes provided and enjoyed sharing in the small group to make different flavours. Lovely end to afternoon with chatting, sharing tea/coffee and eating our bakes with enough to take home. Exceeded expectations and thank you!”
This is another macaron making class in Paris that takes place in the chef’s private apartment. There’s no better setting, if you ask me!
The groups here are relatively small, but teamwork is essential.
You’ll need to agree on two flavors and work together to make the best macarons you can.
“Caroline was great with my kids and we all had a fun time. Caroline, was very personable and great with all ages- and we had a sweet treat to take home :)”
This is agreat Paris macaron making class if your vacation schedule is full, since it teaches you the basics in only a couple of hours.
Note that you need to book well in advance to secure a place here.
That should tell you just how great the class is!
Featuring no more than 7 people per group, this is the perfect class if you want one-on-one time with the cook.
“Right from the location in the Marais to the comfortable space for the class, this was one of my favourites. Delphine was our teacher and she was great in explaining, showing and her patience. Very happy to take home a box to share with family too. All around this class was so worth the price!“
⌛Tour Length: 1.5 hours | 🌟Rating: 4.5/5 stars (5+ reviews) | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: -Extremely child-focused; kids aged 6 and up can participate -Short class that doesn’t take up much of your time -Snacks for your kids to enjoy as they cook
If you’re traveling with your children, this might be the best macaron making class in Paris for you.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a little helper around the kitchen, or to inspire them to start thinking of how to cook and bake for themselves?
Kids as young as 6 are welcome to join this class.
The chef is a true professional, so people of all ages and experiences can follow along!
“Caroline was great with my kids and we all had a fun time. Caroline, was very personable and great with all ages- and we had a sweet treat to take home 🙂“
⌛Tour Length: 3 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (15+ reviews) | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: -Teaches how to make desserts besides just macarons -Work with a partner to make these treats -Takes place near Montmartre, a major shopping district
You’ll need to book a slot for at least two people to participate during most of the year.
Note that you’ll need a third person during the holidays, so it can also be a great family activity if you have a kid over 12!
The class goes into a lot of detail – you’ll go over several techniques for making the tastiest meringue and ganache.
Besides macarons, the class will teach you how to make another traditional French dessert. Molleux and madeleine, anyone?
“Extremely well organized, friendly and well paced. Would certainly book another class with ?succulent Paris. Still enjoying the plentiful fruits of our labours. Would not hesitate to recommend these ladies to friends. Thank you Auriel and Marion.”
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
While the island — a long, thin island shaped like a parenthesis — may look small, there’s a deceptive amount of things to do in Roatán, the most bustling of Honduras’ Bay Islands.
Roatán is a busy cruise port, and many people visit Roatán as part of a Western Caribbean cruise line stop — but I’d argue that one day in Roatán as a brief excursion from your cruise ship is not enough to enjoy this stunning Caribbean island.
From meeting adorable rescue sloths to diving one of the world’s largest reefs to enjoying beach days admiring the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, there’s so much to do in Roatán that it merits a vacation all of its own.
I spent about a week exploring Roatán island in May 2023, and so I’ve created this guide to all the wonderful things there are to do in Roatán.
Whether you’re visiting independently or as part of a cruise shore excursion, I’m here to help you make the most of your time with this Roatán travel guide!
The Best Things to Do in Roatán, Honduras
Go scuba diving (or get certified!) along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef
Towering coral pinnacles, gently wavering purple gorgonian sea fans, rare black coral, vibrant sponges (some almost iridescent to the point of being neon): the underwater landscape of the island of Roatán is absolutely picturesque…
… and we haven’t even gotten to discussing the marine life yet!
Sea turtles — both hawksbill and green sea — call these reefs home, often with shark-suckers tagging along on their shell for the ride.
You’ll also see an eagle ray or two if you’re lucky!
In terms of fish life, you’ll be absolutely spoiled here: sharp-nosed pufferfish are everywhere, as well as purple-yellow fairy basslets, yellow-and-blue queen Angelfish, black-and-yellow French Angelfish, and the silly-looking colorblock rock beauty.
Other fish species you might see are three types of butterflyfish (spotfin, banded, and foureye), schools upon schools of blue tang and ocean surgeonfish, bluehead and yellowhead wrasses, and all sorts of parrotfish (stoplight, rainbow, and queen being the most common).
Rarer fish you might spot include: the stunning indigo and barred hamlets, filefish (orangespotted, whitespotted, and scrawled are relatively common — the elusive tiny slender filefish is rarer and harder to spot), the adorably pouty smooth (or spotted) trunkfish, and the gorgeous honeycomb or scrawled cowfish.
For fans of macro life, you can spot flamingo tongues, banded coral shrimp, and my personal favorite, the purpe Pederson cleaner shrimp (who love a particular kind of anemone, but will occasionally perform dental visits on groupers), and pipefish like the Harlequin pipefish and the shortfin pipefish.
Sharks, unfortunately, are no longer common visitors to Roatán’s reefs because there is a dive company that feeds the sharks in order to “guarantee” shark sightings on a dive — which has changed the sharks’ behavior, and it’s now quite rare to see a shark while diving in Roatán.
If you want to travel ethically, I recommend not doing the shark dive here, because it has been proven that it has changed the feeding behavior of sharks, who no longer swim basically anywhere but this dive site, according to the dive shop I went with.
All I know is I can compare my experience diving in Cozumel with my experience diving in Cozumel: I saw perhaps a dozen sharks while in Cozumel in 15 dives, and I didn’t see one single shark in either Roatán or Utila in 14 dives.
Note: I wore a 5mm wetsuit while diving in Roatan and it was perfect for me personally. I get cold while I dive, but that’s just me!
Getting Certified
With calm waters and minimal current, stunning marine life, and extremely low prices (though not as low as Utila), it’s no wonder than Roatán is a popular place to get PADI Open Water certified.
Depending on the dive shop you choose, expect to pay about $300-350 USD for a PADI Open Water certification course, including materials, rental, instruction, and fees. The course typically takes 3-4 days.
It’s also a popular place for more experienced divers to advance their certification with AOW, Rescue Diver, Specialty Certifications like Wreck Diving and Deep Diving, or even Divemaster courses!
Fun Diving
Roatán is also great for fun diving!
The dive sites are quite close to dive shops, meaning short boat rides and no need for long on-boat surface intervals (great for people like me who get seasick on motionless boats!).
I did a total of 9 fun dives in Roatán, including one night dive. I had a blast and would rank Roatán in my top 3 dive destinations I’ve visited (right after Cozumel and above Moorea/Tahiti!).
Where to Dive in Roatán
I chose to dive in the West End because I didn’t plan on renting a car for the entirety of my stay in Roatán and I wanted to be in a more lively area.
I went with Roatan Divers as they had the best reputation and would happily go back to dive with them again — I see no reason to dive with any other shop on the West End!
That said, other dive shops that rate highly include Sun Divers Roatan and Coconut Tree Divers, which may be worth looking into as well.
I didn’t get a chance to dive in East End, although I wish I did, because I wasn’t able to dive some of the more famous Roatán dive sites like Mary’s Place.
Generally, East End offers a few quiet dive shops like Barefoot Divers as well as a handful of dive resorts like Coco View Resort with a house wall that you can dive as much as you want from the shore!
Go wreck diving at the El Aguila shipwreck
Assuming you’re at least Advanced Open Water certified, diving El Aguila is a must-do in Roatán!
Resting on the sea floor about 100 feet deep, this cargo ship was deliberately sunk in 1997 to make an artificial reef.
According to my divemaster, It was first sunk in a shallower area in front of Anthony’s Key Resort, likely to appeal to snorkelers… but then a hurricane passing through had other plans, and the rough waters made the ship tumble off the reef wall into deeper waters.
Now, it’s one of the most unique dive sites in Roatán: it’s fun to see how the marine life has started to reclaim the wreck, with sea sponges and sea fans growing on the boat’s stern and hull.
But in my opinion, the coolest part is spiraling up the mast, which is now home to all sorts of interesting soft corals that house some interesting macro life.
After you dive El Aguila, you’ll typically explore the shallows, where you’ll see all sorts of beautiful fish marine life in the coral formations.
Note: If you don’t have a Wreck Diving specialty, you won’t be able to enter the wreck. However, there’s plenty to see on the outside if you just have your AOW.
Pro Tip: If you’re Nitrox-certified, this is a great time to use Nitrox! Since you’ll max out at about 100 feet deep, you can use 32% Nitrox to have longer bottom times without needing to worry about hitting NDL limits.
Go on a snorkeling boat trip to admire Roatán’s coral reefs
If you’re not SCUBA certified (and don’t want to be), snorkeling is still a great way to experience Roatán’s reefs.
While there are a few reefs you can access from the beach, like Half Moon Bay and West Bay Beach, a snorkeling boat trip will bring you to more remote snorkeling locations where there will be few fellow tourists.
Several tour operators in Roatán offer fantastic snorkeling boat tours that take you to some of the best spots around the island that other people can’t get to without a boat!
One option is Roatan Snorkeling Adventure — they have a 3-hour tour that brings you to two different snorkeling spots, and it includes all snorkeling equipment and roundtrip transport from your hotel or cruise ship.
Another option is the Jolly Roger Roatan Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling Cruise. Similarly, they have a half-day tour with two snorkeling stops, and they include a lunch buffet and open bar in the tour cost, plus any snorkeling gear you need.
Finally, another option is West Bay Tours, with its full-day snorkel tour with 3 stops: the Blue Channel, a cool sunken ship, and Starfish Alley. You’ll see everything from colorful coral canyons to starfish-studded sandy bottoms!
Enjoy a zipline experience through the canopy
Another fun thing to do in Roatán is explore its lush and varied landscape on an exciting zip line tour!
From soaring over lush jungles to catching glimpses of the spectacular coastline, ziplining in Roatán is an exhilarating experience that’ll get your adrenaline pumping.
I didn’t zipline during my stay in Roatán — I’ve ziplined in Costa Rica and Arizona before, and to me, twice is enough — but our driver (and Honduran local) recommended Bodden Tours and their Mayan Jungle Canopy Zipline park.
Their most famous offering is their “Zip-n-Dip” package. This tour starts with a heart-racing zipline ride where you can admire the breathtaking views of the island from above!
Then, you’ll be taken to a monkey and sloth sanctuary, where you can learn about and interact with rescued animals.
The tour concludes with a relaxing time at West Bay Beach, one of Roatan’s most beautiful and popular beaches.
This particular tour is perfectly coordinated with cruise ship schedules, departing one hour after the ship arrives and ensuring that you’re returned one hour before the ship departs.
This seamless scheduling gives cruise passengers a worry-free experience as they explore Roatan’s natural beauty.
At a price of $65, the “Zip-n-Dip” tour offers a unique blend of excitement and relaxation, making it excellent value for money.
In addition to Bodden Tours, there are other companies that provide thrilling zip line experiences, such as South Shore Canopy Zipline and King Kong Extreme Zipline. These operators offer similar packages.
If you’re not visiting on a cruise, you can drive to or taxi to the Mayan Jungle Canopy Zipline and just book an independent zip line tour.
Eat the delicious Honduran classic, the baleada
You haven’t visited Roatán if you haven’t tried the local classic, the baleada!
Made of a huge freshly-made flour tortilla, stretched and baked on the grill in front of your eyes, the perfect baleada will retain a slight chew and pull to it.
You can order it sencilla (simple) with a delicious refried bean-style spread with some salty cheese sprinkles, or order it filled with a variety of fillings.
Avocado, ground beef, chorizo, and egg (or any combination thereof) are a few of the most popular fillings for the baleada.
The baleada with all its fillings is then folded in half like the largest taco you’ve ever seen — but you’ll likely need a knife and fork for this bad boy!
If you want the best baleada on the island, hit up Yahongreh? in the West End, open from 7 AM to 2 PM daily except Mondays.
Watch the sunset on West Bay Beach (or from your hotel pool!)
One of the most popular spots to watch the sunset in Roatán is on West Bay Beach, since it has a practically uninterrupted view of the horizon so basically everywhere on the beach will have stellar sunset views.
A bit crazy and jam-packed with tourists during the day, the vibe on West Bay Beach settles down a bit at night, as the beach chairs empty out and people either go for dinner or cocktails and the beach itself becomes a little more tranquil.
While Half Moon Bay in West End is beautiful, it’s not quite as great for sunsets, since you won’t get to see the sun as well.
We also had great sunsets where we stayed at Cocolobo — the small infinity pool lined up perfectly with the setting sun for epic views!
This part of the West End juts out a bit, giving you a completely uninhibited view of the sunset.
If you can have your own stunning sunset — I highly recommend it — but if not, West Bay Beach is a great public option.
Spend the day relaxing at a beach club with a day pass
Even if you’re not staying at an all-inclusive or a beachfront resort, you can always get a beach club pass to get to enjoy the amenities at a fraction of the price of a long resort getaway.
If you’re visiting as part of a cruise stop, you can buy a shore excursion that includes transportation to a beach club and all the day’s amenities there.
If you’re visiting Roatán as an independent traveler, you can hop on a water taxi to West Bay from West End and obtain a beach club day pass from any of the West Bay resorts you choose.
Infinity Bay Spa and Beach Resort: Known for its stunning beachfront location and luxurious amenities, Infinity Bay offers day passes (recommended to book a week in advance) that provide access to their infinity pool, beach loungers, and facilities. It costs $30 per person for basic access (beach, pool chairs, pools, WiFi; no food) or $80 for an all-inclusive day pass (buffet lunch, unlimited cocktails, plus all beach amenities). You can also buy a day pass that includes transfers from your cruise ship post for just $10 more ($90 total).Book your day pass with transfer here.
Paradise Beach Hotel: This resort also offers day passes, with access to the beach, pools, and other facilities. It costs $65 per person, including transport, roundtrip transportation, a reserved beach lounger, but not food or drinks (those must be paid separately). You can book your day pass here.
Snorkel in Half Moon Bay
For a fun shore-accessible snorkeling spot, head to Half Moon Bay in the West End.
You don’t have to swim out too far in order to see the reef beginning, and there’s quite a bit to see in the shallows — and it gets better the further out you go.
You’ll see brain coral, soft coral sea fans, and elkhorn corals, which are a perfect house for parrotfish, angelfish, and the territorial damselfish that like to protect their preferred patch of reef.
If you’re lucky, you may spot schools of tangs or wrasses, eagle rays, sea turtles, or even moray eels!
Always remember to be respectful of the reef — that means you should avoid touching the coral or disturbing the marine life — and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect this fragile ecosystem.
There aren’t any rental shops offering snorkel rentals here on Half Moon Bay that I could see, unlike West Bay Beach, so be sure to bring your own mask, snorkel, and fins from home if you plan to snorkel here.
I recommend doing that anyway — it’s way more fun to be able to enjoy impromptu water activities and snorkeling with your own gear that you’re comfortable with!
Explore the delicious foodie scene of West End
During my week or so exploring the West End of Roatán, I got to eat at quite a few delicious restaurants (so many, in fact, that a post on restaurants in Roatán is definitely in the works!).
Here are a few of my favorite spots to eat in the West End:
Loretta’s Island Kitchen for delicious coconut fish and lobster pasta, some of the best home-cooking on the island
Yahongreh? for delicious baleadas and breakfast sandwiches
Sandy Buns for obscenely large plates and a Texas-style menu (seriously, share anything you get — one plate is more than enough for two)
Stowaway for an eclectic tapas-style menu bringing inspiration from Spain and the Caribbean, with things like shrimp and mango ceviche and Spanish tortillas
Crisp for delicious fresh salads and poké bowls when you want something healthy, with lots of vegetarian options
Anthony’s Chicken for delicious jerk chicken and some of the best rice and beans on the island
Learn how to spearfish lionfish
One of the coolest things I saw people doing in Roatán was spearfishing lionfish.
If you don’t know, lionfish are beautiful but invasive in the Caribbean, and their impact on the reefs is devastating.
Lionfish are voracious hunters, but they have no meaningful natural predators in the Caribbean (spearhunters don’t count!).
This creates a serious imbalance in the reef ecosystem, damaging the fish populations which thus puts the entire coral system at risk, since the balance is so precarious.
Generally speaking, spearfishing is not allowed in the protected marine park around Roatán, but there’s an exception for lionfish.
The Roatan Marine Park offers lionfish workshops for $70 USD — license and spear included! — where you learn how to safely spearfish lionfish independently.
These workshops are on Mondays and Wednesdays at 4 PM in West End, and a minimum number of 3 divers or snorkelers need to be present; for groups of 4 or more, they can offer the workshop at a different time.
You’ll need to watch a video beforehand and have your own BCD and reg (or have rented one from a shop), as this is not a dive shop experience but rather a grassroots conservation effort organized by the marine park.
Typically, you use a small Hawaiian-style pole spear to catch the lionfish. You can then place them in containment devices, like a lionfish zookeeper, to safely store the fish (remember — their spines are venomous).
Best of all, you’ll have some delicious food at the end of it (though of course, you’ll have to learn to properly prepare it, avoiding those spines!) — and you’ll be eating the most sustainable fish there is!
Eat lionfish everything.
On that note, you’ll find lionfish all over the menu in Roatán — and it’s one of the best things you can eat, both for taste and for the reef health!
I loved the coconut-fried lionfish fingers we had at La Sirena in Camp Bay, which was spectacular.
We also tried lionfish ceviche, and in Utila, a place called Mister Buddha even offered lionfish tempura sushi!
Spend a peaceful day at Camp Bay Beach
The stunning white sand beach of Camp Bay Beach is little-visited, and that’s both a blessing a shame.
It just may be one of the most beautiful beaches in Central America, and yet there’s very few people there because it’s so hard to get to.
It’s about a 1 to 1.5-hour drive from West End, and you’ll be driving about 10 kilometers down a dusty gravel road (you’ll want a 4×4 car rental, ideally, to handle the roads and their potholes safely).
Still, getting there, you’ll see it was worth the long and dusty road: the beach is absolutely stunning and stretches for ages with white sand and stunning, calm turquoise-blue waters, all fringed by beautiful palms.
There’s very minimal amenities here — a few beach loungers and sometimes there’ll be a food vendor serving up basic eats, like BBQ chicken — so pack what you’d need for a day and don’t rely on anything being there!
Meet the sloths, monkeys, and macaws at Daniel Johnson’s Monkey & Sloth Hangout
I’m always wary of places that call themselves animal sanctuaries — often, they’re green-washed animal tourism that doesn’t actually keep animal welfare in mind.
I was pleasantly surprised at how ethically ran Daniel Johnson’s Monkey & Sloth Hangout was. They do allow interaction with animals, but in a very limited way.
For example, they will place a sloth on you for you to hold, but it’s completely forbidden for you to stroke or pet the sloths (they get quite uncomfortable with this, but they don’t mind hanging onto you as if you were a tree as long as you stay still!)
Similarly, they will allow the playful capuchin monkeys to jump all over you, but you’re not allowed to pet them — but they’ll absolutely jump and climb all over you, especially when you’re given a few sunflower seeds to hold in your open palm!
You can also meet macaws, who will also be happy to perch on your arm (again, no touching or stroking the birds).
The macaws were really cool because a red and a green macaw had mated, creating a lot of beautiful hybrid macaw parrots that you usually won’t find in nature!
Our tour guide explained that the reason why this sanctuary came about was that many exotic pet owners purchased sloths or monkeys, not realizing what hard work they’d be.
For example, these particular sloths on Roatán can really only eat two things that naturally grow on the island— hibiscus flowers and a very particular type of leaf (cecropia)that is really hard to find on the island.
Lazy exotic animal owners got sick of trying to source food for these sloths and gave them to local animal sanctuaries like Daniel Johnson’s, especially during the pandemic. Similarly, people who found monkeys were too much work also surrendered their animals.
The sloths are completely free-roaming in the mangroves around the premises.
The monkeys are in large enclosures with enrichment toys, and they are let out one or two at a time to have free time to roam around the premises without getting lost.
There’s also one monkey who is always out and about, free-roaming, because she is the youngest and smallest monkey which makes her get over-groomed (aka: her hair completely pulled out) by the older monkeys.
She loves to jump on your shoulder and surprise you!
There are packages that include transfers for cruise ship visitors and those without rental cars, but if you visit independently with a car as we did, we paid $12 per person for a tour for two.
Go horseback riding
Another thing to do in Roatán is go horseback riding — exploring the island’s natural beauty from a unique perspective (and getting to interact with some lovely equines along the way!)
On the mainland of Roatán, you can find a few places that offer horseback riding. One option is at Jungle Top Adventures, a ziplining company that also offers horseback riding options.
You can visit independently if you have your own rental car and are planning to spend some time independently on Roatán.
If you are part of a cruise excursion, you can book a tour like this one, which combines ziplining, horseback riding, and beach time.
In the East End of Roatán (car required), you can also visit El Rancho Barrio Dorcas, where this peaceful rural ranch offers horseback riding tours led by knowledgeable guides. The trails take you through the hills, offering magnificent views of the island’s coastline and interior.
If you want to get off Roatán in favor of a smaller little island, there’s also the opportunity to horseback ride while on a day trip to Little French Key.
This cay is actually private island resort, and it offers horseback riding as one of its many activities. Little French Key offers a range of packages including different combinations of activities, so the cost may vary.
Take a glass bottom boat tour
If you don’t swim, snorkel, or dive but you still want to see the bottom of the ocean, a glass bottom boat tour is a fantastic option!
Most of these boat tours depart from West Bay Beach and don’t need to be booked in advance — you can just walk along the beach and find one.
Roatan Glass Bottom Boat is the big company operating off of West Bay Beach, and it brings you over the reef with a large viewing area beneath your feet — see all the colorful coral and fish beneath you on a 45 minute tour!
You can also contact Ruthless Roatan Charters to see about their glass-bottom boat tours.
Go on an ATV island tour
If you like a little adrenaline in your day, an ATV tour may be a fun way to explore Roatán, especially if you’re visiting on a shore excursion and have limited time.
A tour like this one offers a half-day experience where you get to go on an ATV ride around the island, as well as visit a monkey and sloth sanctuary.
One experience many people say you can’t miss on Roatán is taking a day trip to Little French Key, a stunningly beautiful private island retreats.
Off the coast of Roatán, the appropriately-named Little French Key is beloved for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters perfect for snorkeling inm and a range of fun activities to suit all types of travelers.
It’s just a short boat ride from the mainland of Roatán, but you’ll feel a world away!
Whether you relax on one of comfortable loungers, shaded by a palm-thatched umbrella, and alternate sun-soaking with dips in the warm Caribbean sea, or get a little more active, Little French Key has a variety of activities for you to enjoy.
You can snorkel (equipment for rental if you don’t have your own), or you can take a glass-bottom boat tour if you prefer to stay dry!
There’s also a small animal rescue center here, complete with monkeys and parrots among other animals, or you can also go for a horseback ride or go paddle boarding.
And if you get hungry, Little French Key has a restaurant that serves a variety of dishes, including local seafood and international cuisine.
Visit Punta Gorda on a Sunday to see the Garifuna culture
Every Sunday, the normally-sleepy Punta Gorda comes to life with their Garifuna culture showcased front-and-center.
You’ll get the chance to hear Garifuna music and try local Garifuna food, a unique experience you can only have in parts of Honduras, Guatemala, and Belize.
The Garifuna are an Afro-Indigenous population with a distinct language and culture that is distinct.
We unfortunately weren’t able to time our visit for a Sunday, but we visited Punta Gorda on a sleepy Saturday, and we found the town very charming.
However, note that it is quite difficult to go to Punta Gorda as it’s located pretty much all the way on the East End of the island, and takes about 1 hour to get there by car.
It’s great if you have a rental car or are willing to hire a driver for a half-day excursion.
Typically, the scene picks up around 2 PM and winds down early in the evening.
Go kayaking through the mangroves
Upachaya Eco-Lodge and Wellness Resort, nestled on the north side of Roatan in Man O’ War Harbor, offers a unique way to explore the island’s natural beauty through their mangrove snorkeling and kayaking tour.
Mangroves, vital to the health of coastal ecosystems, create a unique environment that’s a haven for diverse marine and bird life. Upachaya’s tour is a wonderful opportunity to explore this unique ecosystem up close.
Limited to a maximum of ten participants, the tour ensures a personal and non-intrusive experience.
Starting off with a brief safety and information session, you’ll then embark on a tranquil kayak journey through the calm, clear waters of the harbor.
The dense mangrove tunnels create a serene and magical setting for the tour. As you paddle through, you might spot a variety of bird species nesting in the trees and fish darting in the shallow waters beneath your kayak.
But you won’t just kayak – snorkeling is also a possibility, and one that’s quite unique!
The mangrove tree roots provide a shelter that is a welcome respite to many different types of small fish, crabs, and the like. Snorkeling here gives you a unique perspective of this under-appreciated ecosystem!
Take a catamaran cruise
One of the most popular things to do in Roatán is take a catamaran cruise — better yet, one with an open bar!
On board a spacious catamaran, you’ll admire Roatán’s stunning coastline and Caribbean views. But the real fun begins when the catamaran drops anchor and you have the chance to don your snorkel and get exploring!
Using the snorkeling kits provided, you’ll dive into the clear waters and discover Roatan’s reef.
Home to a myriad of colorful fish and intricate coral formations, this underwater ecosystem is one of the most impressive in the Caribbean!
Back on board, you can take advantage of the open bar, offering everything from tropical cocktails to mocktails to fresh juices to cold beer. Whatever you drink, you’ll enjoy it with one of the best views on the island.
Central America is known for its delicious chocolate, and Roatán is no exception!
Located in West End, the Roatan Chocolate Factory offers free tours of its chocolate-making facilities, and teaches you the process from bean to bar.
If you prefer to just learn through tasting, you can sample their chocolates — they’re stunning, with flavors like coconut, chili, and passionfruit — or order up something at the café.
The café is also adorably designed, so it’s a nice place to cool off and while away a bit of time while you’re exploring the West End.
They offer all sorts of chocolate-ified drinks, like frozen chocolate shakes, as well as tasty chocolate cakes and treats.
Explore the boutiques of West End Roatan
There are a number of fun boutiques located in the West End of Roatán, selling everything from black coral jewelry to upscale clothing.
A particularly fun shop, the Rusty Fish, makes things only out of recycled items!
While visiting the West End, be sure to spend a little time popping into some of the small stores, where you can find all sorts of worthwhile souvenirs.
While it’s not possible to visit Utila as a day trip due to the ferry schedule (learn more about getting from Roatan to Utila here), it’s still worth spending some time on Utila if you are visiting Honduras as an independent traveler and not as a cruise passenger.
On our trip, we spend six nights on Roatán and three nights in Utila and it was almost perfect…
I wish I had had one more day on Utila, personally, since we did so much diving that we didn’t get enough time to visit one of the pristine cayes like Water Caye or Jewel Caye.
We did, however, get to explore Pumpkin Hill (and Pumpkin Hill Cove), fit in four day dives and one night dive, explore Chepes Beach, visit the Utila Chocolate Factory and Iguana Station, and eat our hearts out!
Visit Gumbalimba Park
A popular spot for families, Gumbalimba Park is located near the family-friendly resorts of West Bay, Roatan.
This diverse park offers a variety of attractions and activities, from an animal preserve — with free-roaming monkeys who like to hop on your shoulder and an iguana sanctuary — to ziplining canopy tours.
Among the tranquility of nature, the park also features a beautiful pool area and a tranquil beach, perfect for relaxation after a day of activities.
Take a dip in the refreshing water or lounge on the sun chairs to soak up the Caribbean sun!
Open 8 AM to 4:30 PM daily except Sundays, the Carambola Gardens are a great place to escape the sometimes-busy vibes of Roatán, especially on a cruise day.
Tucked away in a quiet nook of Sandy Bay not far from Anthony’s Key Resort, this 40-acre botanical garden is a beautiful place to lose yourself for a little bit.
There are some jungle trails you can explore, lined with exotic flora, most endemic to the island.
The trails will bring you to different zones, each showcasing a particular plant species or ecosystem, such as the rainforest area (with mahogany and cacao trees) and the orchid area (with beautiful brilliant flowers).
Depending on the season, you may even see its namesake tree in bloom — carambola is the word for starfruit, and there’s no shortage of starfruit trees bearing fruit.
The trails will also lead you to a little ridge, where you can see stunning views over the West End and Sandy Bay!
Prices are $15 USD for entrance, including a brief tour of the gardens.
Rent a car and explore Roatan’s quiet East End
We loved having our own car to explore Roatán’s East End area on our own!
We visited Daniel Johnson’s Monkey and Sloth Hangout, Punta Gorda, Camp Bay Beach, and La Sirena de Camp Bay all on one day out and about, and it was the perfect quiet little excursion for us.
If you stay longer in the East End area, or are renting a car for more time, you’ll be able to explore some other scenic beaches and quiet areas of this less developed part of the island.
Do yoga with a sea view at Sundowners
Every morning at 9 AM, you can do yoga with a stunning ocean view on the second floor of the popular beachfront bar, Sundowners Beach Bar in the West End.
It’s a great way to stretch out your back after a few too many dives (am I the only one who feels like a hunchback after I dive a few too many times in a row?) or just start the day off on the right foot, centered and grounded.
A drop-in class costs just $10 USD and includes mat rental.
Visit the Roatán Butterfly Garden
For a peaceful escape from cruise ship crowds and rowdy revelers, step into the Roatán Butterfly Garden, a hidden gem located in West End.
This serene and colorful oasis is home to a variety of butterfly species; the garden is a carefully designed habitat that supports a diverse population of butterflies.
From the striking blue morpho to the delicate longwings, the variety of butterflies here is truly striking!
Guided tours are available, allowing you to learn about the life cycle of butterflies, their importance in the ecosystem, and the threats they face in the wild.
But the garden isn’t home to just butterflies. As you explore, keep an eye out for the other residents. You may spot exotic birds, like the vividly colored macaws and parrots, and other creatures like iguanas.
Enjoy Roatán’s night life scene
I don’t drink, so I didn’t really go out and experience the nightlife scene of Roatán, but it is thriving in the West End for those who choose to seek it out!
Sundowners Beach Bar is a popular spot for music and dancing, and there are frequent karaoke nights at Blue Marlin.
Eat with hummingbirds over the sea at La Sirena de Camp Bay
I’ve saved one of the best things to do in Roatan for last!
Having a meal at La Sirena de Camp Bay is an experience you’ll never forget: the owner, Walter, has created a little oasis at basically the very end of the island, so you feel like you’re at the edge of the world.
Hummingbirds dart all around you, drinking from a feeder, as you enjoy the view of the waves at this restaurant elevated above the crystalline waters.
Local kids nearby frolic in the waters, and the chalkboard menu reflects the catches of the day and local seafood that is so prized here.
We went with lionfish ceviche and coconut-fried lionfish fingers and both were absolutely delicious — accompanied by some coconut water, it was one of the best meals we had all trip.
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
No trip to Italy would be complete without a visit to Venice, the aptly-named City of Water.
From its scenic canals to its trademark gondolas to its breathtaking Gothic architecture, Venice is truly unlike any other place in the world
Not to mention, their approach to cooking is different than other Italian regions, including its cichetti tradition and its handmade egg pastas, popular among Northern Italian cuisine.
So while you’re at it, you should definitely take aVenice cooking class so you can bring those flavors and techniques back with you.
Fettuccine, ravioli, and other kinds of pasta are just the tip of the iceberg – wait until you’ve tried local risotto, baccalà mantecato, and sarde in saor, among other iconic antipasti (called cicchetti here in Venice).
Your local Italian restaurant back home just can’t measure up to the real deal — and taking a cooking class in Venice is the best way to cope the reverse culture shock of coming back home from an epic Italian vacation.
So try a Venice cooking class and learn to make authentic dishes from Italy’s finest chefs!
My Top 3 Picks For Venice Cooking Classes
No time to read the full article about these cooking tours and just want my top 3 picks and the highlights of each?
Venetian Cichetti Cooking Class ✔️ Make 6+ kinds of cichetti, Venetian tapas with seasonal ingredients ✔️ Max group size of 6 for plenty of 1:1 attention
⌛ Class Length: 3 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.8/5 stars (60+ reviews) | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –Cooking in a traditional Venetian home with a local -Learning to prepare filled pasta and another fresh pasta -Delicious aperitivo of prosecco and snacks
This Venice cooking class teaches you to prepare traditional Venetian dishes in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere — a local old-school family home!
It sets the perfect atmosphere for a day of home cooking.
Experience authentic Venetian hospitality during this three-hour cooking class, taught by a local Venetian.
You’ll learn to make two different pasta recipes – one stuffed pasta and one fresh pasta.
Learn to make pasta dough from scratch: mixing the dough, rolling, and shaping.
For the stuffed pasta, you will learn how to prepare a delicious filling and how to fold and seal the pasta.
“It was wonderful! I gained confidence in cooking Italian. I met a wonderful couple and an excellant teacher in a beautiful historic building. It was great sharing food and conversation. Highly recommend.”
After making the pasta, you will learn to prepare the famousItalian dessert, tiramisu.
This gorgeous dessert perfectly blends sweet flavors (like chocolate and mascarpone cream) with bitter flavors (like espresso and liqueur).
Then everything is assembled in beautiful layers, with a stunning presentation.
Best of all, this is a kid-friendly class, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better host to teach your little ones!
For the adults in the group, there’s also some tasty aperitivo for good measure – it’s hard to turn down some quality local prosecco along with snacks!
You can usually arrange for a morning or evening slot too, so it’s pretty easy to fit the class into your schedule!
⌛ Class Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: 5/5 stars (30+ reviews) | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –A market tour to get to know Venice’s freshest ingredients -Getting to cook in an inviting, authentic Venetian home -Enjoying wine while cooking and eating a 3-course meal
Unless you take the cooking class at 5 PM or on a Sunday, you’ll start things off with a market tour to hand-pick the finest ingredients Venice has to offer.
But don’t sweat it — even if you’re not able to visit the market, you’ll still have access to the freshest ingredients, as your host will carefully select them for you.
Once that’s done, you’ll get to cooking at a Venetian hometo really get into the spirit of things on this 4-hour cooking class.
“We met up with Lorenzo at the meeting point, he showed us round the Rialto market. Then he took us back to his place where we had the most amazing few hours. We prepared and cooked wonderful pasta and sauce along with a tiramisu. It was brilliant from start to finish. Thank you Lorenzo”
⌛ Class Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: 4.9/5 stars (65+ reviews) | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –Visiting the home of an acclaimed, award-winning chef -Learning to make two desserts alongside the main course -A scenic balcony meal complete with wine
Carolyn is an American married to a Venice local who has lived in Italy for the last 20 years, and this gives her a unique approach to cooking Venetian-style cuisine.
Plus, her many awards for her Venetian cooking speak for themselves!
That said, the way she’ll greet you as you enter her home is very much Italian – with a welcome glass of Prosecco and some cichetti, of course.
“This was one of the best experiences we’ve had! The class, food, recipes, and instructor were just amazing! Go early in your stay in Venice because she does a fantastic job give local tips and helps you understand Venice more as a local!”
Whether you prefer your pasta with meat, cheese, or veggies, this class will turn you into a pro in no time!
To top things off, you’ll learn to make Italian cookies and a creamy delight distinct to Venice.
If it’s summer and the weather is pleasant, you get to conclude the lesson on the balcony, relishing in the view as you enjoy your food. Also, a glass of regional wine for good measure!
Things start off nice and easy with a market tour – you’ll get to look at produce from Venice’s finest farmers to guarantee the best, freshest ingredients for the ultimate culinary experience.
The class covers three tried-and-true local recipes, and you get to work under theguidance of one of Cesarina’s premier chefs, a local cooking school that highlights home chefs.
“Market tour was a bit slow but once you start cooking with Rosa it was a blast. One of the highlights of the trip.”
Whether you’re in the mood for coffee, wine, or anything in between, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as you learn these three recipes.
Importantly, you can let your host know ahead of time if you have any dietary restrictions. Whatever your needs are, they’ll be met!
You can choose between a morning and an afternoon slot, but there’s some leeway in deciding when you begin the market tour, especially since it’s a small group of just 4 chefs-in-training.
At the end of the class, you’ll get to sit down and savor the fruits of your labor as you indulge in the delicious Italian cooking made entirely by your group!
⌛ Class Length: 3 hours | 🌟 Rating: New! | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –Private class tailored to your desires and needs -Learning three classic Venetian recipes -Enjoying a glass of local wine with your meal
The amount of ground you cover in 3 hours is impressive, and there’s the added pleasure of listening to your host talk about Venice!
Naturally, there’s some quality wine in it for you — with your choice of red or white wine — so you can expect a lively atmosphere over lunch or dinner, depending on which tour you choose.
Since the cooking lesson is entirely private, you can customize many aspects of it.
Generally, the lunch cooking class starts at 10 AM. Meanwhile, the dinner class starts at 5 PM. However, they can work with your schedule and adjust if needed.
Vegetarians, vegans, celiacs: don’t be shy about letting the host know your food restrictions; your teacher will work with you to ensure that you’re able to enjoy the class and the meal.
⌛ Class Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: New! | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –Learning to make a variety of cicchetti — at least 6 or 7 types -Lots of one-on-one interaction due to the small group size -Enjoying a drink of prosecco as you eat, aperitivo-style
Side dishes can be every bit as important as the main course, and this Venice cooking class covers cicchetti, a Venetian classic!
This 4-hour cooking class covers 6 to 7 different kinds of cicchetti, including both contemporary and traditional-style cookery.
But what are cicchetti? Basically, they’re small plates of delicious food that are typically served in local bàcari, or wine bars, a tradition unique to Venetian cuisine.
The specific dishes you’ll make depend on the availability of seasonal ingredients — ranging from meat, fish, to vegetable — so you could even try the class again during a return trip!
If you come back in a different season, you can practically guarantee different seasonal ingredients will be highlighted!
Also, cicchetti goes great with prosecco, and your host has you covered on that front too! The delightful bubbles are perfect paired with the small plates.
The class is a great pick if you’re not particularly experienced in the kitchen – there’s definitely an art to making good cichetti, but it’s a lot less messy than a lot of other Italian recipes!
Either way, since the class is private, you and your group of up to 6 people should have no trouble learning the recipe in a few hours.
Children are welcome too, making this a solid choice for a family of travelers!
Capped at a max group size of 6 people, this cooking class is specifically intended to be an intimate experience, with lots of 1:1 attention.
Also, be aware that this class does not accommodate dietary restrictions, such as allergies or vegetarian/vegan diets. Make sure you’re okay with that before booking this class!
⌛ Class Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: New! | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –Exploring the charming old village of Malamocco -Private class with a menu highly tailored to your personal tastes -Wine tasting and pairing lesson with your home-cooked Italian meal
What about if you throw in a market tour, wine pairing, and an expert chef to help you, all set at one of the region’s most stunning resorts?
Malamocco is one of the most charming (and ancient) villages in the Venice region, and that’s exactly where this Venice cooking class is held!
The class is held at Relais Alberti, a small but luxurious resort, so you could even choose to stay here if you wind up loving it (which, we admit, is likely to happen).
Don’t worry about getting here: meet at Piazzale Santa Maria Elisabetta in the heart of Venice for an easy transfer.
Plenty of fish and plant-based options are possible, so this is a great pick for people with dietary restrictions!
Participants get a lot of say in which ingredients are chosen, so what you’ll be cooking largely depends on you.
Either way, you can expect to learn lots and sample some delicious Venetian wine along the way!
They’ll teach you the art of wine pairing, so you can understand how to best pair food with wine for the ultimate foodie experience.
You’ll also receive the recipes via email at the end of the class, so you’ll have to double the incentive to attempt these classic Italian food recipes back home.
⌛ Class Length: 2 hours | 🌟 Rating: New! | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –Learning how to make ganache, mousse, and truffles -Learning how to make Italian-style hot chocolate -Short, sweet 2-hour private class easy to fit into every schedule
Thisunique class pairs you with a professional chocolatier and teaches you to make authentic Italian desserts in a small group capped at 4 people.
Your instructor is a walking reference book on chocolate, so you’ll learn a lot of the theory and history of chocolate-making.
Once you’ve learned how to dilute chocolate into ganache and mousse, you’re prepared to combine that knowledge and turn it into the holy grail of chocolates: truffles, of course!
And of course, you’ll wash them down with Italian-style hot chocolate (think thick, rich, and creamy) at the end.
Since this cooking class specializes in sweets, it’s relatively short and sweet (pardon the pun) – all the more reason to check it out, since it’s so easy to fit into your Venice itinerary, between gondola rides and explore Piazza San Marco.
Plus, at the end of the class, you’ll get to take home any surviving chocolates to snack on later in your trip — or to bring home, if it can make it all the way back!
⌛ Class Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: New! | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: -A private cooking experience for a minimum of two participants -Romantic evening dinner option for couples -Getting to sample quality Italian wine
⌛ Class Length: 6 hours | 🌟 Rating: New! | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –A scenic boat ride starting from Riva San Biagio -Meeting local farmers and trying hard-to-find snacks and produce -Learning to cook a seafood-based lunch, Italian-style
If a boat trip and a chance to mingle with local farmers sounds like a good deal, this is one of the best cooking classes in Venice for you!
You’ll be catching your boat early in the morning near Saint Mark’s Square, passing fishing villages and haunted islands along the way (yes, haunted — we’ll leave that to your guide to explain!).
Once you get off, it’s time for a visit to an organic farm for a taste of their wine and produce.
These folks rely on fishing and agriculture for a living, and that’s also reflected in the class’ menu.
You’ll be making mussels, fried seafood salad, and clam pasta, made that much sweeter with a side of red wine or prosecco.
After several courses of seafood and some other nibbles (salt marsh honey, anyone?), you can head back to Venice with a once-in-a-lifetime experience under your belt!
⌛ Class Length: 4 hours | 🌟 Rating: New! | 👩🍳 Book Now
Unique Features: –Taking in the scenery as you cook at a Rovigo farm -A four-course meal including appetizers and dessert -A varied menu that changes depending on the time of year
Allison Green is a former teacher who has been travel blogging since 2016. She has a Masters in Teaching and a B.A. in English and Creative Writing. Her blog posts merge her background as an educator with her experience traveling to 70+ countries to encourage ethical, meaningful travel. She has been a speaker at the World Travel Writers Conference and her writing, photography, and podcasting work has appeared in National Geographic, CNN Arabic, CBC Canada, and Forbes, amongst others. Now a full-time traveler, she has lived in Prague, Sofia, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Let’s be honest: the whole city of Rome is basically one big open-air museum.
You’ve got the Colosseum right next to the crumbling-yet-magnificent ruins of the Roman Forum, the Spanish steps adjacent to Trevi Fountain… and even a literal pyramid from Egypt in the middle of a traffic circle.
Plus, all these incredible Rome landmarks all available to admire for free!
To really dive into Rome’s excellent art scene, you’ve got to visit the Borghese Gallery, showcasing art from the 15th through 18th centuries.
Located in the lush Villa Borghese park, the green lungs of Rome, the Borghese Gallery is one of the Italian capital’s most iconic landmarks.
From some of the most famous Bernini and Canova sculptures to paintings by top-caliber artists like Caravaggio, Titian, and Raphael, you’ll get to admire up close some of the world’s most famous art pieces.
Whether you take a guided tour or explore at your own pace, it’s important to know what to expect on a visit to the Borghese Gallery (and how to make the most of it) — so we’ll cover the history of this villa and its most important masterpieces, the ticket options, and throw in a few extra tips to help you plan your visit.
Whether you’re visiting Rome for a day or three, visiting the Borghese Gallery is a must for art-lovers — this post will show you why!
A Brief History of the Borghese Gallery
The Borghese family was a noble family from Siena who also wanted to plant some roots in Rome, so how else do you do that? By buying a bunch of land, of course.
This well-to-do family purchased the massive swath of land that would later become Villa Borghese Park, intending to build a palatial villa to house their collection of art.
But the villa being so ornate made it take quite a while for it to be built — the construction project of both the villa and the gardens went from 1606 to 1633, almost three decades.
As early as 1612, a collection of works belonging to Cardinal Scipione Borghese were transferred to the newly built villa.
The art collection grew over the decades with the addition of works collected from other family locations, new acquisitions, and even works completed especially for the Borghese family.
In 1770, Marcantonio IV Borghese ordered a complete renovation of the villa, which included decorations with polychrome marble and frescoes depicting the history of the Borghese family.
The collection continued to grow over the ages, with a huge acquisition in 1891. This is around the start time that the government started to try to negotiate with the family, hoping to turn the private villa into a state museum so all could enjoy the art.
Negotiations were not easy, though, lasting a full decade before reaching an agreement. The purchase was considered the deal of the century, given the low price paid for the property, which included the villa and the entire surrounding park.
In 1902, the Villa Borghese Museum was formally inaugurated. In 1983, the museum closed for renovation to be reopened only 14 years later, in 1997.
Ever since the reopening, the world-famous Borghese Gallery has been drawing more and more visitors!
The Rooms and Masterpieces of the Borghese Gallery
With over 20 rooms, the Borghese Gallery occupies two levels and displays impressive frescoes, paintings, sculptures, and other works of art.
Each room is carefully curated to explore a specific movement, theme, artist, or art school, and most display at least one work considered a masterpiece.
Here is a quick overview of the most important rooms and the masterpieces you absolutely can’t miss.
Don’t rush through and skip the other rooms though, as they house even more beautiful artwork.
Nevertheless, if you’re looking for the top of the top, the ones mentioned here are considered the most prestigious works inside the gallery.
Room 1: Paolina Room
Photo Credit: Antonio Canova – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
In this room, you’ll see one of the most important sculptures in the gallery, Pauline Bonaparte as Venus Victrix.
Antonio Canova created the sculpture between 1805 and 1808 on the commission of Pauline Bonaparte’s husband, Camillo Borghese.
Upon its unveiling, the sculpture generated a fierce debate on whether Pauline Bonaparte posed naked for the sculpture.
According to certain sources, she confirmed the rumors, although it was unclear whether that was actually true or it was a calculated and provocative answer given to enhance her promiscuous reputation.
Of course, the room has more than just this famous sculpture to admire.
Among the other artworks, a particularly noteworthy one is the Group of Leda with the Swan and Eros.
Room 2: David Room
Photo Credit: Gian Lorenzo Bernini – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The room takes its name from the statue of David by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, dating to 1624.
Like Michelangelo’s famous sculpture of David in Florence, Bernini decided to depict the heroic figure in the moments just before the killing of the giant Goliath.
The sculpture is one of the most prestigious of the gallery, acclaimed for how Bernini represented the hero’s movement and the intensity of his frown as he stared down his enemy.
Room 3: Apollo and Daphne Room
Photo Credit: By Alvesgaspar – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
You will see two important artworks in this room, the Apollo and Daphne sculpture by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the painting Melissa by Dosso Dossi.
Bernini created the Baroque life-size sculpture of Apollo and Daphne on a commission by Scipione Borghese in 1622.
The scene represents the moment from myth when Daphne was transformed into a laurel tree after praying for her body to change, since she was cursed by Cupid and could not reciprocate Apollo’s love.
Room 4: Room of the Emperors
Photo Credit: Gian Lorenzo Bernini – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
In this room, you’ll see the most famous sculpture in the entire gallery and one of the several masterpieces, the R*pe of Proserpina by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
The sculpture is famous for its stunning details, such as Pluto’s fingers sinking into Proserpina’s thigh, an unbelievably realistic representation of human bodies, and famously difficult to reproduce in marble.
Another unique feature of the sculpture is the ability to admire the entire scene from a single viewpoint, which offers a clear view of both Pluto’s and Proserpina’s faces.
Room 5: Hermaphrodite Room
The room’s name comes from the most prominent sculpture housed here, Sleeping Hermaphroditus.
The sculpture replaced another version that is now in the Louvre Museums after being acquired in 1807.
The Hermaphrodite sculpture currently on display in the Borghese Gallery was retrieved in 1781, and dates back to the 2nd century CE
Room 6: Aeneas and Anchises Room
Photo Credit: Gian Lorenzo Bernini – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The masterpiece housed in this room is Bernini’s Truth Unveiled by Time, although the room is named for his other sculpture, Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius.
Truth Unveiled by Time depicts an allegorical figure of Truth as a naked woman.
Bernini originally intended to include the figure of Time, but never completed that portion, so the sculpture remained somehow incomplete.
The sculpture of Aeneas, Anchises, and Ascanius depicts a famous scene from the Aeneid in which the hero Aeneas carries his father, Anchises, away from Troy. Aeneas’ son, Ascanius, follows them.
Room 8: Silenus Room
The last room on the ground floor houses six of the twelve Caravaggio paintings owned by Cardinal Scipione Borghese.
The most noteworthy ones are David with the Head of Goliath, Saint Jerome, Boy with Basket of Fruit, and Self-portrait as Bacchus.
The room also houses paintings by other artists like Spagnoletto, Baburen van Dirk, and Cavalier d’Arpino, along with Roman sculptures like the Dancing Satyr.
Room 9: Dido Room
Though it is primarilly dedicated to three masterpieces by Raphael, the room also features gorgeous paintings by Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Andrea del Sarto.
The three Raphael paintings on display are Deposition, Portrait of a Man, and Lady With Unicorn.
Room 10: Hercules Room
Alongside beautiful 15th-century paintings, many of them depicting Venus, you’ll get to admire the masterpiece of this room, the oil painting Danae by Correggio.
The painting was initially created around 1532 for the Renaissance palazzo Te in Mantova, but has had quite the history of travel!
After being moved to Spain, the painting was moved to Milan. Before being acquired by Camillo Borghese in 1827, Danae passed through several owners in Prague, Stockholm, France, and England.
This room features two busts of Cardinal Scipione Borghese sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, along with a bust of Pope Paul V and the sculpture The Goat Amalthea with the Infant Jupiter and a Faun.
The latter is the artist’s earliest work, completed when he was still a teenager, sometime between 1609 and 1615.
Room 18: Jupiter and Antiope Room
The most important painting in this room is Lamentation over the Dead Christ by Rubens.
Another work by Rubens, Susanna and the Elders has been temporarily removed, but it may be back on display by the time you visit.
The interesting fact about the first painting is that it was initially attributed to Antoon Van Dyck and only later identified as a work by Rubens.
Room 19: Helen and Paris Room
The room was one of the most beautiful during the 19th century when it featured the statue of Paulina Bonaparte as Venus Victrix from 1838 to 1881.
Nowadays, the most noteworthy pieces are two paintings by Domenichino, The Hunt of Diana and Sibyl.
Domenichino painted The Hunt of Diana for Cardinal Aldobrandini.
However, Cardinal Scipione Borghese, a bitter rival of Aldobrandini, wanted it for himself, so he took it by force from Domenichino’s study to add to the Borghese collection!
Room 20: Psyche Room
The room houses one of Titian’s early paintings, Sacred and Profane Love, representing two figures who appear like the same woman, one dressed as a bride and the other nude.
Between them, there is the figure of a winged boy, most likely representing Cupid.
Scholars have long debated the meaning behind the painting and the identity of the two women. The most widespread theory is that they represent the dual nature of Venus.
The room displays other paintings by Titian alongside works by Paolo Veronese, Giovanni Bellini, and others.
Other Sights Not to Miss
Beyond the mentioned rooms, you shouldn’t miss the Mariano Rossi Hall and the chapel, as well as the vestibule, all which house Roman art.
You’ll find inscriptions, sculptures, and even sarcophaguses here!
You’ll also find paintings by Canaletto, Veronese, Cavalier d’Arpino, Federico Zuccari, Battistello, and Giulio Romano, just to mention a few.
Borghese Gallery Ticket Options
If you’re only interested in visiting the museum on your own, the best option is to book a time slot on the official website.
Entry is scheduled every two hours once the museum opens, and each slot allows you a two-hour visit.
Book your ticket a few days in advance, and be sure to show up on time!
Otherwise, there are a few other options (and you might want to do one of these anyway if you want a tour of the Borghese Gallery).
Together with the skip-the-line entry to the gallery, you get an expert guide to tell you cool facts about the artwork, as well as a walking tour around the Borghese Garden, once Cardinal Borghese’s private park.
Another great option is getting aRoma Pass: 48 or 72-Hour City Card, which includes free skip-the-line entry to one or two attractions of your choice, free public transport, and lots of discounts on other activities.
You can choose between more than 45 monuments, museums, and archaeological sites to visit with the pass, the first one for free and the following ones at a discounted price.
Before booking your tickets for the Borghese Gallery, here are a few tips to prepare for your visit and avoid any inconveniences.
Book your tickets online in advance.
The most important tip for visiting the Borghese Gallery is to book your tickets in advance.
Entry is only possible with a reserved time slot, and they sell out fast.
Even during the slow season, finding tickets less than a couple of days in advance can be challenging, and you may not have many choices of available time slots.
To avoid missing out on this amazing museum, be sure to book either a regular entry ticket or a guided tour a few days before the visit.
In the peak season, book at least a week in advance.
Be aware of prohibited items.
Visitors to the museum are limited to carrying a small bag (max. 21×15 cm, or 8×6 in).
This means that, if you have larger backpacks or bags, you’llneed to leave them in the coat check.
You will also be asked to deposit objects such as selfie sticks or umbrellas.
Furthermore, you won’t be allowed to enter with any food and drinks, including water, which must be left in the coat check as well.
Check closing days in advance.
Usually, the museum is closed every Monday and on the 1st of January and 25th of December. However, these dates may change on special occasions.
If a holiday falls on a Monday, the museum may postpone the weekly closing day to a different day.
The museum’s website contains all the relevant information, so be sure to check it out when planning your visit.
Consider joining a guided visit.
Visiting the museum on your own allows you the freedom to enjoy whichever works you want at your own pace.
However, if you’re interested in learning more about the most important artworks, a guided tour is the perfect way to get that extra insight into the museum.
Pick up an audio guide.
If you don’t want to join a guided tour but would still like to learn some interesting facts about the works you’re admiring, why not pick up an audio guide?
This flexible option has a lower price tag than the guided tour, and it gives you the freedom to only listen to the things you are interested in.
There’s a dedicated counter in the museum where you can buy audio guides before starting your visit.
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This short guide should have you covered for your visit to the Borghese Gallery. Now, go ahead and start planning your next Roman holiday!
Roxana is a Romanian-born freelance travel writer who has lived in Italy for over 15 years. She has a Master’s in Journalism and a Bachelor’s in Film Studies, and she studied at Università degli Studi di Roma Tre. Besides her native Romania, Roxana has lived in Rome, Lisbon, and Berlin, and she has traveled through much of Europe in search of hidden gems, history, and culture.
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