Since its inception in 1946, the Cannes Film Festival has been a symbol of cinematic excellence and a haven for film artists around the world.
Each year, film industry luminaries gather for a captivating array of screenings and red-carpet events that are every cinephile’s fantasy!
But even. beyond the festival’s glamor and grandeur, Cannes itself is refined, with an aura of sophistication even in its day-to-day life.
The enchanting atmosphere of its historic streets, charming boutiques, and elegant cafés seamlessly blends with the intoxicating scent of the Mediterranean, a destination loved by cinephiles and travelers alike.
Of course, Cannes offers more than glamor; it has long provided a sanctuary for those seeking inspiration and escape.
Its sandy shores and tranquil Provençal surroundings invite visitors to retrace the steps of their favorite writers and artists on a quest to find the beauty that inspired masterpieces.
Cannes is a living testament to the transformative power of art: a place of pilgrimage for cinephiles, as well as chance to witness the inspiration for countless artists and writers.
This unconditional love for film and art, paired with an exquisite taste for le luxe, is deeply rooted in the city’s DNA.
Our 2 day Cannes itinerary is specially curated for cinephiles and travelers seeking to cover all the best parts of Cannes in limited time.
On y va!
How to Get to Cannes
Cannes is well-connected by transportation, with the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) at its backdoor, just 17 miles away.
If you’re flying into Nice, you can rent a car, take public transportation, or take a taxi to get to Cannes. The drive takes about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
If you need a taxi, I recommend booking an airport transfer through Welcome Pickups — it’s competitive with the price of a local taxi, but having it pre-booked takes all the stress out of it, plus you know your driver will be waiting for you at the airport.
If you’re renting a car, I recommend looking for the best rental car deals on Discover Cars — they search over 500 agencies (including small local ones other car rental search engines skip over) and make pricing clear and easy, with no bait and switches.
If you’re already in France and you’re traveling around by train, Cannes has its own train station (Gare de Cannes) which is well-served by the SNCF, France’s national railway.
Your Two Days in Cannes Itinerary: Day 1
Immerse yourself in the luxurious splendor of La Croisette.
Start your first day in Cannes by setting off on a leisurely stroll along La Croisette, Cannes’ iconic promenade that stretches along the sparkling Mediterranean Sea.
As you step onto this famed avenue, you’ll be transported to the world of elegance that defines Cannes.
The breathtaking panorama of azure waters and sandy beaches, mirrored by sublime façades, grand hotels and luxury boutiques, all exude the opulence of both Cannes and the French Riviera in general.
The boutiques lining the promenade showcase the newest fashion from renowned French and Italian houses, enticing fashionistas with their latest collections.
From haute couture to elegant accessories from smaller boutiques, La Croisette offers a paradise for fashion enthusiasts.
La Croisette is also the perfect place to immerse yourself in the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
Indulge in a café au lait, treat yourself to a delicious pastry in one of the many cafés along the promenade, and just sit back and watch as the world passes by.
Stop to admire Le Palais des Festivals.
As you near the end of La Croisette, you’ll see one of Cannes’ most famed and familiar buildings at the end of the promenade: Le Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
This iconic building serves as the heart of the festival, hosting film premieres to create and celebrate unforgettable moments in cinematic history.
While the building itself is not accessible to the public, you can access the steps of the Palais des Festivals (and its iconic red carpet!) for free.
It’s an architectural marvel absolutely worth admiring, so make sure you stop by before heading onto the next spot on this Cannes itinerary, Le Suquet.
Discover the historic quarter of Le Suquet.
Leaving the glitz and glamor of La Croisette behind, venture into the heart of Cannes and immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the historic neighborhood of Le Suquet.
Nestled on a hill, the picturesque narrow streets climb through the city, winding around in an array of quaint houses with colorful façades and blooming balconies.
While in Le Suquet, don’t miss the Notre-Dame de l’Espérance Church, a splendid example of Gothic design.
With its intricately detailed stained-glass windows and soaring arches, the church dates back to the 16th century, though it may have been worked on earlier.
The view from here is pretty great, too!
After visiting the church, make your way up to the highest point of Le Suquet.
Here, you’ll find where the ancient castle (Château de la Castre) proudly stands, offering panoramic views of the city and harbor.
Once the town’s fortress, the historic castle walls nowadays house the Musée de la Castre.
This small but interesting museum showcases a diverse range of art and artifacts from around the world, with several exhibits dedicated to Cannes’ rich history and culture.
Spend the afternoon basking in the beauty of Île Sainte-Marguerite.
After a fresh and delicious lunch in Le Suquet, it’s time to escape the bustling city of Cannes with a short boat ride to Île Sainte-Marguerite.
You can book your roundtrip ferry ticket online in advance here, to avoid any disappointments.
This island is one of the captivating Lérins Islands nestled just off the Riviera coast, an idyllic oasis haven for those in search of tranquility and natural beauty.
It has unspoiled and pristine beaches, where crystal-clear waters invite you to jump in for a swim (and the tranquil waves also make it a great spot for families).
The island is also abundant with Mediterranean flora – why not embark on a scenic walk across the island?
Keep an eye out for the wildlife that calls the island home while you search for the best view point.
In addition to its undeniable natural treasures, Île Sainte-Marguerite also has its own historic significance.
A particular highlight of any visit is the historic Fort Royal, a fortress dating back to the 17th century with an imposing structure which once served as a prison off the coast of Cannes.
Accommodating groups up to 6, you can enjoy the turquoise waters encircling the Lérins Islands while enjoying wine and snacks.
If you prefer to get a little active, you can snorkel or stand-up paddle board — it’s all included with the boat experience.
But if you just want to lounge, the foredeck of the boat has room for three to sunbathe (and there’s some shady areas too if you want to take a break from the sun).
Note: There is an additional fee of 100 euros to be paid in cash to the skipper when booking this tour, that is not included on the online price.
The neighboring island Île Saint-Honorat is renowned for the Lérins Abbey, a medieval monastery that is still active today.
Unfortunately, while the two islands are close together, there is no direct transportation between the two (this is on purpose, to keep the monastery from overcrowding).
The abbey is inhabited by a small community of monks who maintain the island’s traditions and produce renowned wines and liqueurs.
The liqueur is highly regarded for its quality and craftsmanship, and it has gained international recognition as a symbol of French liqueur excellence.
It only takes 15 minutes to get from Cannes to the Lérins Islands, so it is possible to see both in a day, if you don’t mind returning to Cannes and then visiting Île Saint-Honorat.
Start your morning by exploring in the enchanting ambiance of Le Vieux Port, the picturesque old town of Cannes.
This charming neighborhood invites you discover a world of old-world charm and hidden treasures, all located in a former sleepy fishing village.
As you wander through its labyrinthine streets (all of which are beautifully adorned with colorful buildings and charming façades) keep your eyes peeled!
There are many artisan shops here offering a delightful array of handmade goods, from intricate ceramics to unique jewelry and traditional crafts (and they’re a good deal cheaper than anything you’ll find along La Croisette!)
Explore the local market, Le Marché Forville.
A visit to the bustling Marché Forville is essential for food enthusiasts. This vibrant market is a feast for the senses, with an abundance of fresh local produce, regional delicacies, and aromatic spices.
Words can hardly do this experience justice, so be sure to make time to stroll through the lively stalls, interact with friendly vendors, and indulge in the flavors of Provence.
From fragrant herbs and sun-ripened fruits to artisanal cheeses and freshly-caught seafood, the market offers a delightful selection of local, seasonal foods.
Have an unforgettable lunch.
Drawing inspiration from the bountiful land and sea, the cuisine provençale offers a harmonious blend of the most local and fresh produce and seafood, complemented by aromatic herbs, flavorful olive oil, and just a few well-picked spices.
From the famous ratatouille and bouillabaisse to the exquisite flavors of tapenade and pissaladière, these dishes truly captures the essence of Provence.
Cannes offers a tantalizing array of culinary experiences for all palates and budgets, offering a chance for all to enjoy the flavors of Provençal in one of the many brasseries and restaurants.
But where this small city on the French Riviera particularly excels, however, is seafood! (No big surprise, right?!)
For a taste of delicious local oysters, head to Poissonnerie Forville, a terrasse just a few steps away from the iconic market.
Here, you can savor a platter of exquisitely fresh oysters served with a crisp white wine.
L’Assiette Provençale is a great place to savor classic Southern French cuisine and Le Fouquet’sis a go-to for French cuisine with a glamorous twist.
If the hearty Provençal cuisine is not your favorite, you’ll find a delicious taste of Italy at Da Laura Trattoria.
For a luxury meal with a breathtaking view, head to the Israeli restaurant Bella by Eyal Shani, located on the rooftop of Hôtel Belle Plage.
Option One: Explore the calanques of Esterel Natural Park.
If you’re in the mood for a little adventure, why not head on RIB boat tour of L’Esterel, a beautiful natural park close to Cannes?
The Esterel is a beautiful, underappreciated part of the French Riviera: dotted with sea caves and tranquil bays and surrounded by crystal clear water, it’s a mystery why it isn’t more well-known.
By small RIB boat, you’ll explore caves and arches, heading towards the Esterel Natural Park with its deserted beaches and pristine coves that you can only access by boat.
Due to the limited capacity of the boats, you’re guaranteed a small group size, so it’ll be a peaceful day out on the water.
You’ll have plenty of time to hop in the water and enjoy quiet places to swim, away from the crowds elsewhere along the Riviera.
Not in the mood for another day out on the water? Then relax on shore!
If you’re not staying at one, the best way to take advantage of the many Grand Hôtels of Cannes is treat yourself to a special afternoon at a luxury spa.
The Art Deco and Belle Epoque decor of these exquisite hotels will only add to the atmosphere!
For a holistic approach to wellness, try Villa Belle Plage, a rising star among the city hotels.
Designed by the renowned architect Raphael Navot, the spa at Villa Belle Plage offers a minimalist approach to wellness, and the clean-lined design of the spa is an experience in itself.
Not a fan of the less-is-more approach?
The five-star Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic offers a luxurious spa experience in a very majestic style, mirroring all the glitz and glamor of the Riviera, with treatments by Sisley Paris, a high-end beauty brand.
Unwind at the pristine beaches.
With its spectacular beaches, Cannes has earned its well-deserved reputation as a coastal paradise.
Any visit to this enchanting cinematic city would be incomplete without experiencing the blissful combination of sun-kissed sands and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea!
Whether you prefer the exclusivity of a private beach or the authentic ambiance of a public beach, Cannes offers a range of options along the promenade of La Croisette, where you can find your own idyllic oasis.
For a luxe private beach experience, Mademoiselle Gray is a renowned establishment owned by the Barrière Hotel.
An unspoiled view across the Cannes Bay, delicious cuisine and a vibrant DJ set at night make this spot a favorite for those seeking the ultimate luxury experience!
If this type of luxury is not for you (or it is, it’s just out of your price range), don’t worry.
Just join the sun worshippers and beach enthusiasts as they gather to soak up the Riviera’s radiant energy on one of the many public beaches!
On marked stretches along the promenade, you can simply spread your towel on the soft golden sand and let the sun hit your skin or take a dip in the warm waters!
While budget is a relative term in Cannes, Hôtel Cannes Centre Universoffers good value for your money, with an unbeatable location and good design.
The beds are a little small, but the rooms themselves make up for it with great vintage-inspired design and even some cheeky flair in some of the rooms (think: a bathroom that says “yes you Cannes!”)
All the shared spaces like the lobby, hallways, and restaurants have been given a refresh to match the aesthetic.
As a member of Design Hotels, the Five Seas Hotel Cannes promises to do everything a step above compared to its other 5-star competitors.
With a focus on design and personalized hospitality, Five Seas Hotel is the modern idea of luxury — not just the big name players, but a quietly luxe experience.
The rooms are spacious and refined, minimalist in their aesthetic yet luxurious in their furnishings.
Enjoy Mediterranean fine dining at SeaSens Restaurant or take in the views from the rooftop Terrace Bar with excellent views and expertly crafted cocktails.
Oh, and speaking of rooftops? It’s got its own rooftop pool.
If you’re looking to get pampered, the hotel’s spa offers tranquil treatment rooms, a sauna, and a hammam.
If you can, plan an extra day for an escapade artistique to Antibes!
Beyond the beaches of Cannes, a short journey along the picturesque coastline will take you to the charming town of Antibes.
The secluded oasis of Cap d’Antibes has welcomed artists like Picasso and F. Scott Fitzgerald who sought inspiration and found solace within the embrace of clear waters and beautiful Provençal landscapes.
While visiting Antibes, don’t miss the opportunity to visit theMusée Picasso, housing a truly exceptional collection of his works, in a setting just as exception — the magnificent Château Grimaldi.
Once the residence of the famous Grimaldi family, the castle dates back to the 14th century and has a panoramic view that will leave you in awe of Antibes’ natural beauty and the surrounding azure waters.
Immerse yourself in the charm of Antibes with a leisurely stroll through its old town and along the historic ramparts that encircle the city.
To experience the refreshing Mediterranean waters, venture to Cap d’Antibes, a stunning peninsula adorned with luxurious villas and picturesque gardens.
Here, you can take a dip in the sea and revel in the beauty of the majestic coastline.
As the evening sets in, make your way to Juan les Pins, a vibrant neighborhood that once captivated the artistic souls of the Lost Generation.
At the Fitzgerald Piano Bar, you can savor a drink while enjoying a mesmerizing view.
This legendary spot, frequented by the likes of Francis and Zelda Fitzgerald, still exudes the champagne-filled decadence and bohemian allure that made Juan les Pins the epitome of Riviera chic!
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.
I had first heard of Taichung from a girl I met while I was traveling in Greece, who had taught English there for two years.
The way she described the city made me fall in love with it before I had even visited.
Close to hikes and lakes, full of cafés and streets jammed with street food each night: it basically sounded like a perfect synthesis of all my favorite things.
When I arrived in Taichung, though, I found that all the sights in the city were very spread out, and it was actually a bit hard to plan my Taichung itinerary.
We wasted a lot of time backtracking and, having not really planned much, found Taichung was a bit difficult to be spontaneous in, especially compared to Taipei.
Whereas Taipei has the super-simple MRT, I found Taichung’s public transportation network of buses a little more inscrutable as a quick visitor to the city with only 2 days in Taichung planned.
I’ve organized this post so that you can learn from the slight troubles we had in organizing our time in Taichung, so that you can maximize however many days you have on your itinerary for Taichung.
I’ve structured this Taichung itinerary for two days; however, you could squeeze it all into one day in Taichung if you must – but you’d need to get an early start!
Taichung Itinerary: Day 1
Start with a wander through Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park
Taiwan is the only place in the world I’ve been where they have “creative parks.”
There’s nothing I can really compare it to!
These parks are probably best described as a hybrid combination of your standard urban park and an open-air network of pop-up boutiques and “selfie areas” where you can pose with your favorite cartoon figures (this is Taiwan, after all).
I had gone to two creative parks in Taipei and found them super interesting, so I made sure to pop into Taichung’s creative park, the Cultural Heritage Park.
Due to the pop-up nature of these creative parks, what you’ll find will change.
When we went, there was an “umbrella alley” perfect for Instagram, some cool walls to pose with, a sake brewery, and a DIY customizable umbrella shop!
Have a bubble tea at its birthplace, Chun Shui Tang.
From the creative park, walk 10 minutes to the original bubble tea shop, Chun Shui Tang.
This boba shop holds the claim to being the first to invent bubble tea!
If you haven’t already had bubble tea, you simply need to try it when you’re in Taiwan!
It’s a bit of an acquired taste for some: the tapioca pearls, aka the “bubbles”, are pretty tasteless but incredibly chewy.
I personally love the chewy, stretchy texture, which is common in Taiwanese food.
You can get a variety of flavors and teas, whether you want black or green tea or you prefer a juice or smoothie instead of a tea.
I prefer my bubble tea iced, milky, and slightly sweet (taro is my favorite flavor!), but you can specify how you’d like it and they’ll make it to order.
Stop for lunch at Taichung Second Market.
After you’ve had dessert first, why not eat at Taichung’s Second Market?
Just another 10 minutes’ walk, the Taichung Second Market is the daytime version of the popular outdoor Fengjia Night Market.
The Second Market is less touristy than the night market as well!
Inside, you’ll find lots of traditional Taiwanese favorites like pork braised rice, xiao long bao, and of course, the hit-you-in-the-face-with-its-stench stinky tofu.
Overwhelmed on what to eat? Check out this YouTube clip:
Stroll along the Liuchuan Riverside Walk.
Photo Credit: Suomi888 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
The Liuchuan River is not that big, but it does make for a really nice walk through central Taichung.
I always love being around water when I’m in a city, and Taichung is no exception.
I wouldn’t necessarily make a point of visiting it unless I was already in the neighborhood.
But since you’ll be located near here if you’re following my Taichung itinerary, it’s definitely worth walking along this street!
Dip into Painted Animation Lane.
Just a 1-minute detour on your Riverside Walk, you’ll find Painted Animation Lane.
It’s a cutesy collection of murals featuring characters like Mario and lots of anime characters I didn’t recognize.
I thought it was interesting for a brief, 5-minute photo stop.
In my opinion, it’s nothing super special, but if you’re passing it anyway and you want to see it, go for it!
Rest your legs at the Calligraphy Greenway (or your hotel).
You’ve been walking quite a bit with this itinerary!
Now it’s time to take a little break, at either one of the city’s many parks or back at your hotel.
I’d recommend the Calligraphy Greenway if you are looking for a place to sit and relax outside.
Eat your heart out at the Fengjia Night Market.
Let’s be honest, this night market is probably the whole reason you are going to Taichung!
The biggest night market in Taiwan, Fengjia Night Market is where new street food ideas are given a trial run before making it to the rest of Taiwan, and even the world.
Apparently, if it’s good enough to make people queue for it in Taichung, it’s good enough to sell on the rest of the island!
A few of my favorite things I ate at Fengjia: chopped fried giant squid with sweet chili sauce, octopus takoyaki balls, pork xiao long bao, and enormous extra-long french fries with wasabi mayo.
Taichung Itinerary: Day 2
Go to Rainbow Village early in the morning
This is one of the most popular spots in Taichung so I highly recommend setting an alarm and getting an early start before everyone else does!
This painted village in Taichung is vibrant. In today’s day and age, it would be an Instagram gimmick, but the story behind it is much deeper and much sweeter.
The “village” (which is really about two or three blocks painted in a small area) was painted entirely by one man, a man in his 90s named Huang Yung-Fu, nicknamed Rainbow Grandpa.
He used to be a soldier in the military and lived in this “veteran village” which was used to house former Kuomintang soldiers upon returning from battle in mainland China.
However, forces of gentrification are at work everywhere, and Taiwan is no exception.
These “veteran villages” are disappearing from Taiwan’s landscape, as developers are using the land to build new apartment buildings.
The story goes that Rainbow Grandpa was getting bored of living alone in his village; everyone else had already moved away, bought out by developers.
Rainbow Grandpa didn’t want to leave his home, and he started to paint to kill time and be less bored.
He painted a bird, then a cat, and then just kept going until eventually all the walls and floors were covered in vibrant paintings.
A group of students heard about what he was doing and petitioned the government to turn it into a cultural village, and the government obliged.
Rainbow Village is now protected as a designated cultural village and will be preserved for generations to come.
Admission to Rainbow Village is free, but you should support its upkeep by making a small donation by purchasing a print or souvenir in the shop.
It’s possible to get here by bus but I found that it was easier just to use Uber to and from Rainbow Village as it was pretty inexpensive.
Marvel at the Miyahara building
Housed in a former eye hospital, the Miyahara building is an incredibly fancy place to buy sweets, including the traditional pineapple tart that it’s famous for.
But the Miyahara building is also a great place to go for photography and Instagram photos. It actually kind of reminds me of a Hogwarts-esque library!
I didn’t end up eating here as there is a minimum spend of about $13 USD per person and it always annoys me to have to spend a minimum — even if I know I would hit it, it’s just the principle. I know, I’m weird.
But if you want to get good photos on the stairway and to capture the building, you will have to pay up.
What can they say… Taiwan knows how to profit off Instagrammers!
There’s also a famous ice cream shop on the ground floor, with lines stretching down the block.
I’m not one to wait nearly an hour for an ice cream but if you’re more dedicated than I am, give yourself some time here!
Wander through Taichung Park
This pretty little urban park is about a 10-minute walk from Miyahara and is well worth a quick visit.
It’s the oldest park in Taichung and was created when the island was under Japanese occupation.
Today, the park is known for its lake – you can rent a boat and paddle around on a hot day.
It’s also just a nice place to sit and rest your legs after walking around for a bit.
Visit the Taichung Confucius Temple & Martyr’s Shrine
Two iconic cultural landmarks in one square, both the Taichung Confucius Temple and Martyr’s Shrine are key Taichung sights.
Of course, the first honors Confucius, and as such, you’ll find rows of stone tablets inscribed with Confucius’s teachings.
You’ll also find other Chinese temple stylistic elements, with lots of color and intricately carved detail, and all around the temple complex you’ll find gardens and ponds.
Adjacent to the Confucius Temple, you’ll find the Martyr’s Shrine, dedicated to those sacrificed their lives for Taiwan’s freedom and independence.
Inside the shrine, there are tablets honoring the dead, and an eternal flame symbolizing the resilience of Taiwan.
Explore the CMP Block Museum of Arts
At this point I recommend you take another Uber as you’ve gotten a bit outside the city center and you’ll want to head back to the middle of the city.
The next place I recommend including on your Taichung itinerary is the fascinating open-air CMP Block Museum of Arts!
It has rotating, frequently changing exhibits that you can interact with (and of course, photograph yourself with).
When I was there, there was an installation that included planets whose lights changed colors and beds you could sit on and pose with…
… This would never fly in NYC – the beds would be riddled with bedbugs by the end of day 1.
If you’re in the mood for a snack and a selfie, the beloved ice cream shop I’m Talato is not far away, so pop in and join the queue!
Return to the night market.
Fengjia Night Market is so big that I think it’d be a mistake to only go once!
Wander around a different area and try all the foods that you didn’t have room for on your first go-round.
If you’re really brave, you could always go for the stinky tofu!
Day trips to add to your Taichung itinerary
If you have more than 2 days in Taichung, here are a few recommendations of where you could go next.
Sun Moon Lake: One of the most popular additions to a Taichung itinerary, this gorgeous alpine lake in the mountains is beloved by many! I intended to go but we had rainy weather the day we planned to go.
With vintage inspired details, BlueSky brings you to another era — think lobby of vintage suitcase walls and Art Deco inspired elevators (all so Instagrammable!)
Combining vintage and modern elements — think vintage public spaces meets modern rooms — BlueSky Hotel is a great mid-range choice.
Each modern room has its own en-suite bathroom, trendy and updated subway tiles and an excellent shower.
Plus, free breakfast is included — either Asian or Western food!
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.
Naples is one of the most fascinating cities in Italy: a place where it is easy to experience the country at its most authentic and discover centuries of history as well as incredibly tasty gastronomy.
Chaotic, noisy, and at times a bit overwhelming, Naples (Napoli in Italian) is a fascinating destination with very unique sights to offer, greeted with the characteristically warm Southern Italian hospitality!
The locals — often described as loud and proud — are welcoming and open-hearted, and they will go the extra mile to make you feel happy and at home!
If you’re planning to spend some time in the region of Campania in the south of Italy, then this Naples itinerary is indispensable to helping you make the most of your time here.
Naples also makes a great base for a standalone Italian vacation, where you can hang your hat for several nights in one hotel, while doing easy day trips as well to places like Herculaneum and/or Pompeii, Procida, Capri, orthe Amalfi Coast.
This post is written by Gabi Ancarola, a long-time Italy resident who spent 10 years living and traveling the country. She now lives in Crete, where she leads tours, writes travel guides, and runs the award-winning Greek travel blog The Tiny Book.
How this Naples Itinerary Works
This 4 day Naples itinerary first has you spending a full two days exploring the ancient history of Naples.
You’ll explore everything from the the picturesque old town to some of its most impressive churches, and of course — tasting the most delicious pizza in the world: Neapolitan pizza!
If you have four full days in Naples, I really suggest you devote the last two days of your trip to visiting some of Naples’ most important nearby areas.
The final two days of this Naples itinerary include one full day trip to Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius and another full day trip exploring the Amalfi Coast area.
Unless you plan on spending several days along the Amalfi Coast later in your itinerary (in which case, I suggest you read this guide to spending 5 days on the Amalfi Coast), then you might want to spend another day in Naples.
On day 3, we’ll explore the archaeological site of Pompeii to visit the impressive excavations of the ancient city buried by the ashes of the Vesuvius eruption back in 79 AD.
Here, you’ll be able to discover the traditional coastal settlements perched on the edge of the cliff or spend a few hours on Amalfi beaches, swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean.
As you can see, spending three to four days in Naples is perfect to discover one of Italy’s most magnificent places!
You’ll find interesting churches, castles, unique archaeological ruins, and some of the most ravishing seaside towns that stand along the idyllic coast of Amalfi.
If you combine all this with Naples’ excellent food and unique vibe, you will certainly live one of the most unforgettable vacations ever!
Where is Naples?
Naples is located in the southern part of the Italian peninsula in Europe, in the region known as Campania.
It’s about 2 hours (by car or train) from Rome, Italy’s capital (another place worth spending 2 or 3 days!)
Being part of Southern Italy, Naples enjoys mild Mediterranean weather, with long hot days during summer as well as short but intense winters.
Getting to Naples
Plane
The fastest way to get to Naples from other Italian cities is by plane.
The Naples Airport (Napoli Capodichino) is about 6 kilometers from the city center, making it quick and convenient to get into the city after your flight.
It welcomes flights from other important Italian cities such as Milan, Turin, and Venice, as well as from several European capital cities.
From the airport, you can get into the city center via the Alibus shuttle or for a smooth arrival process, you can arrange a taxi in advance, with a driver who meets you in the airport via Welcome Transfers.
Train
Another convenient way to get to Naples is by train.
There are several train stations in town, but the most important of them, Piazza Garibaldi Station (also known as Napoli Centrale) is the one receiving the most high-speed trains (known as FrecciaRossa).
High-speed trains connect Naples with Rome (about 1.5 hours with a high-speed train, and about 3 hours with a cheaper regional train), Milan (about 4 hours), Florence (about 3.5 hours), Venice (a bit more than 5 hours) daily.
If train travel is your preferred way of moving around in Italy, then check train timetables and fees at the official Trenitalia website.
Keep an eye on seasonal discounts, special passes, and dedicated offers which pop up on the site from time to time!
Getting Around Naples
Moving around in Naples is also quite simple. Much of it is walkable on foot, but the city also has a cheap and efficient metro system that connects every district in town.
You can travel around with the public bus, the metro, and local trains, all of them frequent and fairly punctual too.
You don’t need to rent a car for Naples, but it can be helpful if you prefer to access sights independently vs. a tour, as both the Pompeii day and the Amalfi day have you using tours.
Read this guide to renting a car in Italy before you check out car rentals to know what to keep an eye out for!
If you do prefer to rent a car during your stay, I recommend searching for cars via Discover Cars.
They're my preferred search engine for renting cars all over the world because they scan over 500 different agencies to get the best price on your rental. Compare rates here!
Is Naples Safe?
Even though in the past, the city was often described as unsafe or dangerous, things have improved over the years.
Naples is no less safe than any other popular European city, where common sense will be the most important tool you need to explore with total peace of mind.
When possible, it’s best to avoid crowded areas where pickpockets work deftly, as well as hanging out near big stations or other transport hubs, especially late at night.
As always when traveling in Europe, keep a vigilant eye on your personal belongings and, whenever possible, pay with a credit card instead of using cash.
That said, there’s no reason why safety should be a major concern if you are visiting Naples.
At the end of this post, I’ll give more details on my favorite anti-theft bags, but if you’re already curious, it’s this PacSafe backpack!
Best Time to Visit Naples
Naples is a great destination all year round, with gorgeous weather from late April well into October, when the first rains usually start.
If cold weather is not an issue for you, or you’re not planning on spending time at the beaches of the Amalfi Coast, then visiting in winter can be a great alternative to save some money!
Hotel fees are usually lower in winter and availability also increases.
Although on one hand, reaching some of the islands, such as Ischia andCapri, can be more difficult to due to the bad weather (which can make some ferry rides quite intense!), they’ll also be nice and peaceful, with few people around.
If you would like to visit the beaches in Naples, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast, but don’t really enjoy very hot weather, I suggest visiting in spring (April-May) or autumn (September-October).
The water will be a little warmer in autumn, so it’s preferable for swimming!
It’s best to avoid July and August, the central (and hottest) months of the year, which are also the busiest and most expensive!
4 Day Itinerary for Naples & Beyond
Day 1 in Naples
Wander around the city center or take a walk up Vomero Hill.
The best way to get acquainted with the city is by exploring it on foot. Getting lost in the historic center is a great way to be surprised by the different buildings you will find along the way!
Alternatively, you can take a short climb up to Vomero Hill in order to discover the impressive views of the Gulf of Naples, featuring also the nearby islands of Procida, Ischia, and Capri, as well as the famous Mount Vesuvius.
Once you’ve soaked in the impressive views over the entire city of Naples, head back to the city center and embark on a gastronomic guided tour.
Sample Naples’ incredible street food scene.
You can do this on your own, literally stopping at every bakery, pizza place, or bar in town, or you can join an organized food tour.
This local-led street food tour will not only combine the best views in town, but will offer a close-up experience of Naples’ best flavors and mouthwatering street food.
On such a tour, you will be able to learn directly from the locals — everything about Naples’ traditional dishes, as well as the city’s history and culture.
Of course, Naples’ food scene isn’t just limited to pizza and espresso, but also unique delicacies such as pizza fritta (fried pizza), and other trademark Neapolitan favorites, including gelato, taralli biscuits, babá pastries, sfogliatella, and arancini.
This delicious gastronomic experience includes stops in different churches and other public buildings, but especially in all the most famous food places in town, including well-known bars, popular restaurants, and typical trattorias.
And for an even more traditional twist, it also features a stop at a local shop where you can taste and buy fresh mozzarella, ham, salami, and mortadella!
Finally, this gastronomic adventure includes also a visit to a limoncello factory!
Bursting with lemon scents and flavors, limoncello is the most characteristic spirit you can taste in the Campania region!
Check out Naples’ underground side.
In the afternoon, let’s escape some of the hustle and bustle of Naples’ city streets to check out some of the lesser-known spots in town!
We’ll descend more than 40 meters (130 feet) below the busy streets of Naples and leave the city chaos behind.
In fact, you can check out Naples’ striking system of underground passages and corridors, including the areas used as air-raid shelters during WWII!
You will be able to check the damp and mysterious underground corridors that were also used as aqueducts during Roman times.
You can either visit on your own or explore them with a local to better understand the past and intricate history of this fascinating city.
Another similar option is to check out one of Naples’ many catacombs systems. The most popular are the Catacombs of San Gennaro, which date over 2,000 years old.
The catacombs changed shape several times, including a major expansion in the 4th century CE, the addition of the Crypt of the Bishops with 5th century mosaic work, and Byzantine artwork added in the 9th and 10th centuries.
After all, we only have 4 days in Naples and the vicinity, so we don’t want to spend all your time underground Naples!
End the day with a walk along the water and a pizza.
End your first day in Naples with a quiet stroll along the waterfront to enjoy not just the gorgeous sea views but also the busy coastal scene of Naples.
And if you’re in the mood for a romantic moment, this is the spot to be to admire an unforgettable sunset!
Later on, you can head to a small trattoria or pizzeria and indulge in an authentic Margherita pizza.
Many pizzerias are located along the Via dei Tribunali, and one of the most popular places is Gino e Toto Sorbillo, though there are countless other pizza options if that is too crowded!
Day 2 in Naples
Check out Naples’ Royal Palace.
You can spend the second day in Naples taking a closer look at some of the spectacular buildings that adorn the city!
Set your alarm clock early and, right after breakfast with a cappuccino and a cornetto pastry, head to the Royal Palace.
This lavish residence dating back to 1620 features sumptuous marble floors, impressive ceilings, and opulent decorations.
The place was once home to French Kings and Spanish rulers that governed Naples in the past, and it’s as exquisite as you’d imagine!
Inside the palace, it is also possible to visit the Royal Palace Museum, the Library, and the magnificent San Carlo Theater which dates back to 1737 and is the oldest opera theater in the world!
Right after, you can head to the impressive Cathedral of Naples (also known by many other names, including Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta, Duomo di Napoli, or Cattedrale di San Gennaro).
This unique and eclectic building was completed back in the 13th century, and has been subjected to many updates since!
With such a long history, the building features a delicate balance of several architectural styles as it has been built and renovated over the centuries.
However, its Gothic and Baroque details are the most outstanding features of the building, and it’s part of what makes this Cathedral such a must-see in Naples. Plus, it’s free!
This baroque gem, built in the 1500s, is one of the most important landmarks in Naples.
Originally built as a chapel to accompany the nearby Palazzo Sansevero, it now houses several important works of art including several important marble Rococo sculptures.
The most famous of these is the Veiled Christ sculpted by Giuseppe Sanmartino, which is one of the main reasons people visit this chapel.
Entry to the church to see the Veiled Christ statue is included on many guided walking tours of the city, including this one.
Wander through the Galleria Umberto.
This stunning covered gallery is similar to ones you’d find in Milan, Vienna, and Paris, and its one of the pride and joys of Naples’ cityscape.
Dating back to the late 1800s, like many covered galleries of this time, you’ll find a beautiful glass-and-iron ceiling and stunning architecture that houses cafés and boutiques.
Explore the old Castel dell’Ovo fortress.
Your next stop should be the unique fortress known as Castel dell’Ovo, once located on an island that is now connected to the mainland through a man-made pier.
The dark fortress dates back to the 15th century, and it is a distinctive building offering some impressive panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples.
The fortress is stunning, but the sea views just may be even better! Plus, admission is free.
Geek out at the National Archaeological Museum.
If you’re fascinated by Italy’s history, then a visit to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples is another ideal stop during your Naples itinerary!
There are all sorts of mosaics and frescoes that have been beautifully preserved at this museum.
Since tomorrow is all about a visit to the Pompeii Archaeological Site, this will be a little Pompeii primer!
You will simply be amazed at the Pompeii exhibits in this museum, and it’ll whet your appetite for the next day’s exploration!
End your second day in Naples visiting one of the most original streets in town, Spaccanapoli.
Spaccanapoli, which means “Naples divider” is the name that locals give to the street its adjacent quarters.
Here, you’ll find a ton of traditional alleys, artisan shops, small restaurants, and tons of souvenir stores, all tucked away in little hidden corners.
When you walk around the area, it is easy to feel like a local yourself!
The place is popular among young crowds, and it is the right place to visit for a taste of Naples’ local music, cuisine, and relaxed evening vibe.
Day 3: Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius from Naples
Head to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.
Devote your third day in Campania to experience two of the most iconic spots in the region: Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii!
You can explore both sites on your own with the local train, the Circumvesuviana, or join an organized full-day tour that will make the logistics of reaching the top of Mt. Vesuvius a lot easier!
With a tour, you will be skipping most of the arduous climb (about 1,000 meters or 3,300 feet), all while sitting in a comfortable off-road vehicle! Much better than hoofing it independently, especially in the summer!
Trust me, from here, the views of Pompeii, Naples, and the bay are simply breathtaking— absolutely worth it!
This highly-rated guided tour takes you to the ruins of Pompeii (with a convenient skip-the-line ticket) as well as Mount Vesuvius on an easy day trip from Naples.
Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is not only fascinating but also incredibly big.
Visiting with a guide will not only put the visit into a historic perspective, but will also direct you to the right places you should visit.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed once inside the archaeological park, so having a guide will help you be sure you don’t miss any of the most unmissable spots, such as artworks, mosaics, and frescoes, including the Roman Forum.
One more interesting view will be the plaster casts of the people who perished in the city at the time of Vesuvius’ eruption, which was in 79 AD — nearly two millennia ago.
Right after the ruins, you will be able to head to the edge of the Vesuvius crater from where you can take incredible snapshots of the Gulf of Naples and learn some more about the geology and history of Italy’s most feared volcano.
It’s hard to believe that this now peaceful crater is what ended the massive city and civilization of Pompeii!
After visiting Mount Vesuvius, head back to Naples for another delicious dinner (perhaps trying a new pizzeria or some local seafood) and a stroll around town by night.
If Pompeii is a little too on-the-beaten-path for you, there’s also the option to visit Herculaneum.
Although I’ve already discussed everything you can do on the spectacular Amalfi Coast in this article, having fewer days to devote to the area does not necessarily mean that you should skip its highlights… on the contrary!
There is a lot you can see and discover even when you have just one day to devote to the Amalfi Coast, a stretch of coastline famous all over the world for its natural beauty and romantic coastal towns.
Of course, you might not be able to visit all the small towns and villages that belong to the Amalfi Coast, but you will be able to check at least some of them during this last day of your Naples itinerary.
You can move from town to town by bus or by ferry (except during winter); however, traveling on your own might take up too much time, leaving fewer hours to explore the coastal villages.
For that reason, I strongly suggest you book an organized tour — this way, you don’t have to deal with parking or navigating winding roads and traffic, either.
If you’re traveling on a budget and can only take one tour during your trip to Naples, let this one be it.
You will be able to discover all its most remarkable sights, including a visit to the colorful Amalfi Coast towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. The tour departs from Naples or Sorrento.
The first cliffside village you will explore is Positano, with its unique historic district, gorgeous beaches and pizza restaurants, and stunning sea views.
A second stop in the town of Amalfi will be perfect to admire the impressive Cathedral of Amalfi in the village’s main square, an iconic church built in honor of Saint Andrew, mixing Byzantine, Norman, and Moorish architectural traits.
Once you’ve visited the church, devote some time to check out the artisan’s shops and boutiques in town or go for a traditional lunch with sea views.
The third place you should visit when exploring the coast of Amalfi is Ravello, with its impressive hilltop villas with well-manicured gardens right on top of the sea, overlooking the Gulf of Salerno.
Known as Italy’s City of Music, Ravello is famous for hosting annual music contests and festivals that are very popular among locals.
Another option is to experience the Amalfi Coast by sea!
This boat cruise departs from Naples and shows you all the gems of the Sorrento peninsula and Amalfi coastline, including Positano, Amalfi, and the optional addition of Ravello as well.
If you prefer arriving to these gorgeous coastal towns by boat, this is an epic tour for you! However, do bring some seasickness pills if you’re prone to motion sickness — this coastline can occasionally experience rough waters!
One final option for a day trip is the beautiful island of Capri.
This tour includes transfers between Naples and the ferry terminal, tickets on the hydrofoil between Capri and Naples, a guide, and entrance tickets to the Blue Grotto (Capri’s most famous site).
The tour also includes the opportunity to see some of Capri’s other famous sights, such as the Piazzetta and the Gardens of Augustus on a guided walking tour.
There are several neighborhoods that you can pick for your stay depending on your budget and also taking into account how you’re planning to move around.
You can stay virtually anywhere if you’re planning to rent a car to visit the coast.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that traffic tends to be chaotic in the city center, and finding a place to park is no easy task.
It may be best to skip renting a car until you plan to head to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast.
And even then, it may be better to do a day trips — there are easy guided day trips to Pompeii (including a licensed archaeological guide) and day trips to key Amalfi Coast towns, by boat and by bus!
Historic Center
Staying in the historic city center is perfect to explore the main landmarks of Naples on foot!
Just a few steps and you will reach the Duomo of Naples, but also the historic Piazza del Plebiscito Square, Umberto I Gallery, the Saint Gaudioso Catacombs, and some of the best pizzerias in town, because Naples is, above all, the place where Margherita pizza was born!
Besides, if you pick accommodation in Naples’ historic center, you will be also close to several metro stations in order to reach more distant areas, the beach, and other nearby attractions.
For instance, Decumani Hotel de Charmeis a mid-range hotel, comfy and affordable, just meters from the Santa Chiara Church.
The place is in a convenient area of the historic center and it features elegant rooms with private balconies, some of them with seating areas, and bathrooms with a spa bath.
This is another good area in Naples to book your stay. This nostalgic, bohemian corner of Naples stands atop a small hill, offering stunning views of the city and the sea.
The place is also well connected to the historic district by public transport, and there are many small restaurants, bars, and traditional trattorias, usually open until late at night.
If you like the idea of staying in Vomero, check out Le Petit Palais, a gorgeous guest house located close to the popular Via Chiaia Street not far from the magnificent San Carlo Theater.
This quaint bed and breakfast offers affordable accommodation in a convenient area around the tranquil quarter of Vomero.
Comfortable Shoes: When checking out Naples, you will be spending most of your time walking around the alleys of the city. As a result, you’ll want good walking shoes or trekking sandals are ideal to move around for long hours in total comfort. I wear and love Birkenstocks for warm weather and Adidas Cloadfoam sneakers for cooler weather.
Sunscreen and Sunhat: Especially if traveling in summer, be sure to pack sunscreen and a sunhat! I like Supergoop sunscreen for my face and neck and then a cheaper sunscreen for any exposed parts of my body.
I try to go for mineral-based sunscreens as they’re better for you and the environment. And of course, don’t forget a floppy, packable sunhat like this one!
Sunglasses: Either your favorite style from home or prescription, you’ll want shades to fit in with the cool Italian style and to keep your eyes protected from the sunny days!
Anti-theft backpack or crossbody bag: While Naples is safe, there is a relatively high risk of pickpocketing in all major Italian cities.
I counter this by using anti-theft bags that make me a less appealing target to pickpockets, who are typically looking for the most unaware and easy targets.
My PacSafe CitySafe has been with me to 30+ countries and I love how safe I feel walking around the city with it on my back.
The interlocking zippers (which then thread through another clasp) and slash-proof construction means I barely have to think about it while I walk around the city. Plus, it’s just cute!
They also make a CitySafe Anti-Theft Crossbody bag, but I don’t think it’s quite as cute — plus, one-shoulder bags tend to make me feel lopsided and uneven at the end of the day. However, if that’s what you like, go for it!
Both options also allow for more freedom of movement when exploring the archaeological site of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, and also when jumping on the train or bus to move around!
Gabi is a full-time travel blogger, tour guide, and freelance writer currently living in Crete, Greece. Born in Argentina, Gabi spent a decade of her life living in Milan and traveling around Italy. She is one of two featured Italy experts on Eternal Arrival. She shares her knowledge of Crete and Greece on her blog, The Tiny Book, where she has also published several digital travel guides. She has 25 years of experience in writing and translation. She holds a BA in Languages and Translation, an MA in Translation for Tourism and a degree in Copyediting.
But if you only have one day in Taipei, don’t worry!
Even if you only have 24 hours in Taipei, you can still see quite a bit of the city with this streamlined itinerary.
I’ve curated this itinerary to be specifically designed for people on a layover in Taipei or who just have a short stop in Taipei for one day, before exploring the rest of Taiwan.
I have organized this one-day Taipei itinerary so that you can visit these attractions easily via the ridiculously well-organized MRT (so no need for a guided tour!) in a logical fashion.
Most of the locations I have chosen are free, though some have entry fees and to save time, I’ll recommend a few skip-the-line options for some popular sites.
Every place on this list is within a short walk of the MRT, so it’s really easy to get from place to place!
Getting into Taipei from the Airport
I’ve written a detailed guide to getting from the Taipei airport to the city center, which you can read here.
I’ll recap your option briefly here so this can be an all-in-one reference.
MRT: The most popular way to get into Taipei and the fastest (and nearly the cheapest!).
It takes 35 minutes on the express line. Note that the MRT only operates from 6 AM until midnight.
The cost of the fare is NTD$ 160 (around $5 USD) to Taipei Main Station.
Bus: The best way to get into Taipei if you’re on a budget or are traveling after midnight and before 6 AM.
There are two buses can drop you near the Taipei Main Station – Bus 1819 and 1961.
Only the Kuo Kang Bus 1819 is available 24/7, making it one of the two choices you have between midnight and 6 AM.
You’ll need to wait around 20 minutes between each bus. Bus 1819 has a fare of NTD$ 140 (around $5 USD).
Airport Transfer: The best way to get into Taipei if you’re pressed for time and don’t want to stress public transit.
Longshan Temple is a fantastic place to start your one day in Taipei, as they are open as early as 6 AM.
It’s a 10-minute transfer from Taipei Main Station, where you’ll likely arrive if you have a Taipei layover, to the Longshan Temple MRT on the blue line, or you can take a 30-minute walk if you want to get your steps in.
Once you exit at the Longshan Temple station, keep an eye out for the signage which tells you which exit you should take to arrive at Longshan Temple easily.
Longshan Temple is over 300 years old and was originally built as a gathering place for settlers from Fujian, China; now, it’s one of the most visited temples in Taiwan.
While the temple is in fantastic condition today, it has been through a lot — it even survived a bombing raid during World War II.
Cost: Free! (Donations are accepted to help maintain
the facility)
Visit the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.
The next place to visit on this one day in Taipei itinerary is Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (it opens at 9 AM, so grab breakfast beforehand if you’re too early).
By public transportation, it’s only 15-20 minutes away from the Longshan Temple MRT Station.
To get here, go to the Ximen MRT Station where you’ll transfer to the green MRT line — that’ll take you right to the CKS Memorial Hall Station.
The architecture is colorful and elaborate, with vibrant gardens that are spectacular to walk around.
Enjoy the temples, gardens, and public areas — there are so many great photogenic angles to snap pictures here!
Tip: The vending machines around here serve ice cold milk in a can with flavors like papaya, watermelon, and chrysanthemum – perfect to quench your thirst if you visit during the summer!
Location: No. 21, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist.,
Taipei City, Taiwan
From CKS Memorial Hall, you can quickly drop by the largest Buddhist temple in Taipei, Shandao Temple.
Just take the red line at CKS Memorial Hall back to Taipei Main Station, then transfer to the Shandao Temple MRT Station.
All in all, it will take you around 20 minutes of travel.
This temple is not the most scenic, admittedly, as it’s more about function over form.
That said, it is worth seeing the three statues of Buddha inside — you will be surprised by how big they are!
Location: No.23, Section 1, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei, Taiwan
Cost: Free!
Check out the majestic Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall.
The beautiful Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall was created in tribute to commemorate the Father of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen.
This is located on the same blue line from Shandao Temple MRT Station, so it’s quite easy to get to.
In the memorial hall, many items related to the life of Dr. Sun are on display.
As you walk around, you will see beautifully landscaped gardens as well as a gorgeous reflecting pool.
You can really take nice photos and selfies here, so you better get your cameras or smartphones handy!
Fun Fact: There is also a Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall in Guangzhou, China that it is really similar to the one in Taipei.
Location: No.505, Sec. 4, Ren’ai Rd., Xinyi Dist.,
Taipei City 110, Taiwan
Cost: Free!
Go up, up, up at Taipei 101.
Your Taipei layover will not be complete if miss out on a visit to the Taipei 101, located just 8 minutes from Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall Station by MRT.
This building is an icon of modern Taiwan: its blue-green glass walls look like a bamboo pole with eight nodes (this was intentional, as eight is a lucky number in Taiwanese culture).
The view from the observatory is breathtaking — and it should be, considering it used to be the tallest building in the world before Dubai’s Burj Khalifa unseated it!
There are self-service lanes in the location — just be prepared for long lines if that’s the way you choose to go about it.
There is a surcharge compared to booking the regular ticket, but it can save you an hour — or more — in line.
For me, I think it’s worth it (paying about $20 USD for to get back at least an hour of my time on vacation is well worth it!), but your opinion and budget may vary.
The best view of Taipei City and the Taipei 101 building is from Elephant Mountain!
I generally recommend going for sunset (both because of the afternoon heat and because the views are more impressive).
That said, if you have only one day in Taipei, I don’t recommend going back and forth and wasting your time in transit, so you might as well go while you are close by.
Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes for this one day in Taipei itinerary, as the path up to Elephant Mountain is steep and also has many stairs!
It only takes about 20 minutes, but it is straight up, so it can be quite tiring especially if it’s particularly hot out. I promise that it’s worth it, though!
The view will make you feel like you have conquered seeing Taipei in a day successfully!
Pro Tip: There is a spot on top of the boulders if you walk up a little higher from the viewing platform, which is a beloved photo spot in Taipei where you can get the best Instagram photos!
Location: Lane 150, Songren Rd., Taipei, Taiwan
Cost: Free!
Visit the charming Lin An Tai Historical House & Museum.
Now that you’ve seen Taipei’s most touristic spot, let’s get off the beaten path a bit.
Very few tourists know about Lin An Tai, but this historical gem is a fantastic photo spot.
The entrance is free and there aren’t many visitors as well, so you will really have time to appreciate the serene scenery.
This house is over 200 years old, done in the Fujianese-style, and is oriented in a beneficial position in the city according to the principles of feng shui.
It’s quite interesting to see it and understand a bit more of what life was like for the wealthiest people of Taiwan two centuries ago.
Marvel at the treasures of the National Palace Museum.
On the same red line, you can go to the Shilin MRT Station where there are minibuses (No. 18 and 19) that can take you to the National Palace Museum.
You will see a spectacular view of its architecture, as well as some relics that were once in the Forbidden City of China in Beijing and were moved during the Kuomintang’s retreat to Taiwan.
Some of the popular artifacts are the Boat Carved from an Olive Stone, Jadeite Cabbage, and the Meat-Shaped Stone.
There are also beautiful gardens nearby that you can stroll around as well and snap some great photos
Cost: The entrance fee is $NTD 320 (around $10 USD)
Have an early dinner at Shilin Night Market.
If you want to pickup a souvenir from your Taipei layover or just grab some street food, Shilin Night Market is the best place to go.
Once you arrive at the Shilin MRT Station (you can take the same minibuses back), just follow the directions from the street signs — it’s a quick 10-minute walk.
Does frying milk sound strange to you? Not in Taiwan! It is one of the more popular sweet street foods in Shilin, and you ought to try it!
There are other great dishes to try: crispy and savory pork paper (slices of very thin pork that looks like jerky), pepper pork buns cooked in a clay oven, oyster mushrooms seasoned to perfection, and so much more.
Get the stinky tofu if you’re an adventurous eater! (My Taiwanese girlfriend swears it tastes like blue cheese, even if it smells strange!)
Location: No.101, Jihe Rd., Shilin Dist., Taipei City
111, Taiwan
Cost: There is no fee to enter the night market. Dishes range in price but are generally under $NTD 100 ($3 USD).
Relax and unwind at a Beitou hot spring.
If you feel that you are tired from walking all day – especially after hiking Elephant Mountain – you can try the hot springs at Beitou (which is especially nice if you’re visiting Taipei in winter, my favorite time to visit Taiwan!).
It’s still along same red line of the MRT, going to XinBeitou Station (you have to transfer at Beitou as the line will continue onwards to Tamsui if you don’t get off).
You can enjoy dipping in the warm spring waters either at the public hot springs or by purchasing a day pass from one of the hotels.
The most affordable option is to go to the public hot springs, known as Millennium Hot Spring or Beitou Public Hot Spring. It’s open until 10 PM, so it’s a viable late-night option!
It costs $TWD 60, or about $2 USD, to access the pools. You must bring a bathing suit!
In terms of private hot springs, the fanciest hot spring is the one at Grand View Taipei, which was designed by the famous architect of the Taipei 101.
It’s a wonderful alternate way to see Taipei all lit up at night while everyone else is at Elephant Mountain or Taipei 101!
In some hot spring resorts, there are airport shuttles provided, which can make it very convenient for you to get back to whichever terminal you are bound!
Cost: Varies depending on the hot springs
Optionally, make a final stop at the Ximending Shopping District & Night Market.
An additional place you can visit if you would love to purchase some unique finds or souvenirs before you leave Taipei is Ximen.
It’s a perfect final stop if you’re on a Taipei layover, because it’s only 5 minutes from Taipei Main Station where you’ll begin your journey back to the airport.
You can shop till you drop (of exhaustion) because the Ximending Night Market and the big brand stores are generally open a little bit past midnight!
You may also check the Red House (a former movie house with two floors) which is one of the top sites to see in the area.
Inside, you can find unique clothing and jewelry, as well as delicious desserts!
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.
From the absolutely incredible street food to the mountain of wonderful easy day trips from Taipei thanks to their excellent public transit, there’s no shortage of things to do in Taipei.
I stayed in Taipei for nearly two weeks and never got bored!
Of course, most people have to maximize their vacation time, and so I’ve created this 5-day Taipei itinerary traveling at a leisurely pace.
However, if you only had 3 or 4 days in Taipei, you could certainly use this Taipei itinerary as a framework for planning the rest of your trip by picking and choosing what is most essential to you — not every day needs to be included.
And if you want to see even more, you can combine some of these days into one and then add a few of these excellent day trips from Taipei.
I’ve previously written about some of the best things to do in and around Taipei so feel free to substitute items out from this 5 day Taipei itinerary with other ideas from my list.
Also, you can combine this with my 2 day Taichung itinerary in order to plan a perfect full week in Taiwan!
Now let’s get into it: here’s my ideal Taipei itinerary, with five days of fun and food all planned for you.
Taipei Itinerary, Day 1: Arriving & Eating
I’ve purposely kept day 1 of your Taipei itinerary quite light on activities as I’m assuming you’ll be tired from your flight or arriving in the afternoon or evening.
Alternative: If you want to see all the highlights of Taipei in one day so you can then do a bunch of day trips, read my one-day Taipei guide here.
Get into the city
First, decide if you want to pick up a physical SIM card or eSIM in the airport before you leave, to make life a little easier.
I recommend this cool eSIM that is valid for 10 Asian destinations, including Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia!
Simply activate it with an easy-to-use, scannable QR code!
Normally I’m all about the MRT, Taipei’s lightning efficient and ultra cheap subway system, which is probably the best metro system I’ve ever used in the world.
But if you are arriving at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, which most flights arrive into, the bus is actually the better option.
You will want to look for bus 1819, which runs 24/7 every 15-20 minutes or so (and every hour between 2 AM and 6 AM). The bus will take you all the way to Taipei Main Station, where you can easily catch the MRT to take you to wherever you are staying.
The airport bus cost 125 Taiwanese dollars, which works out to be about $4 USD, and it took about an hour to go from the airport to the center.
If public transit stresses you out – especially where you don’t speak or read the language – you may want to opt for an airport arrival transfer. These transfers are highly rated and inexpensive for the quality of service.
If you are staying in Taipei for 5 days, you’ll want to pick a location that is central. Here are my recommendations, broken down by budget.
I personally stayed in Shilin near the night market for my first 5 days in Taipei and then spent my remaining days in an Airbnb in Xinpu, which had a more local vibe.
Honestly, the neighborhood you stay in doesn’t matter that much in Taipei because of how excellent the MRT is. So as long as you are close to an MRT station, it is pretty much impossible to go wrong!
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 Hostelwhich 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 design 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.
Head to a local night market
What better way to introduce yourself to Taiwan’s foodie capital than by heading straight to a night market on your first night?
While night markets can be a little overwhelming to the uninitiated, they are simply a must-do in Taipei, even if you are a picky eater.
The reason why street food is so much better than other types of food is that vendors truly specialize in one single dish, preparing it to perfection night after night until it is the best version of itself it can possibly be.
In my opinion, Shilin Night Market is a must on any Taipei itinerary – whether you’ve got one day or five. I actually strategically picked my hostel to be in Shilin during my first 4 nights in Taipei (I’d later stay near the Xinpu metro).
This was perfect because I would take the MRT to central Taipei during the day, but when I’d go back to my hostel in the late afternoon to rest my legs before dinner, I wouldn’t have to get back on the MRT to get dinner – I could just stroll all the street stalls.
While Taipei locals and expats will tell you Shilin is the most ‘touristy’ night market, I think that term is a bit overblown. I visited in January, which is pretty off-season, and the crowd seemed to be almost entirely locals.
For your first night market, I’d say pick somewhere close by your hotel – if you have 5 days in Taipei, you’ll have time to sample more than one night market.
So, what do I recommend you eat at the night markets?
While I’m far from an expert, here are a few of the dishes I enjoyed the most: suckling pork wraps, steamed leek buns, flame-grilled beef sprinkled with cumin, pepper pork buns, takoyaki (octopus ‘dumplings’ covered in Japanese toppings), and enormously long French fries dipped in wasabi mayo.
Oh, and if you think you smell something funky, don’t fret — that’s just someone cooking up some stinky tofu, Taipei’s most notorious street food. I wasn’t brave enough to try it! Supposedly, it tastes better than it smells!
One thing to note about the night markets is that there is not always a ton of English spoken, but there’s usually enough English signage to understand what you’re ordering.
If you’re worried about a language barrier — or just want some guidance on what the tastiest things to eat are! — a night market food tour would be a fantastic choice.
If you want a more in-depth and private food tour experience, I recommend booking a private food tour, which you can set for any day or time during your trip as it’s customized to your schedule!
This food tour includes eight tastings and two drinks and you can schedule it at any point during your trip.
If you have 5 days in Taipei, luckily, you don’t have to rush to see all the tourist musts in a quick manner. Rather, you can explore the city leisurely at your own pace.
I’ve included just a few of the main places to see in Taipei on today’s itinerary, so spread it out leisurely and feel free to walk between sights to get to know the city better (or hop on the MRT if your feet are getting tired!)
Otherwise, this day of your Taipei itinerary is mostly walkable (I’ll make note of where you may want to hop on the MRT), so put your most comfortable walking shoes on and let’s get to it!
Start in Taipei’s most famous square
Start the day at the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall MRT station, which is a great place to start the second day of your Taipei itinerary with some of the most important sights in the city.
Take exit 5 to The massive Liberty Square is the nexus of several buildings, all of which are beautiful and crucial to understanding the history of Taiwan.
Standing tall above the square, you can’t miss the beautiful, imposing Chiang-Kai Shek Memorial Hall.
The square’s most famous building – the eponymous Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall – is a stunning marble-white building standing 76 meters tall, towering above Liberty Square.
This building’s construction incorporates Chinese symbols, hence the reason for its unique shape.
For one, the white building is shaped like an octagon, as the number 8 has symbolism within Chinese culture as being associated with good fortune and wealth.
There are two sets of stairs, each with 89 steps – Chaing Kai-Shek’s age upon death – leading to a large statue memorializing Chiang.
Below the Memorial Hall, there is a small museum that shows the development of Chiang Kai-Shek’s life and political career.
It also gives information on Taiwan’s history and Chiang Kai-Shek’s role on the development of the Republic of China (ROC).
There are some other buildings that are also important to take note of (and are also quite photogenic) in Liberty Square.
You won’t be able to miss the ornately adorned National Concert Hall and National Theater, standing across from each other as if mirrors.
Lastly, you’ll want to stop by to photograph the scenic DaXiao and Dazhong Gates, located on the side entrances to Liberty Square.
Each is composed of 5 arches – the middle arch which frames the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall perfectly – these gates are popular amongst photographers and Instagrammers.
You’ll want to dedicate at least 1 hour to exploring and photographing this area, more likely 1.5 hours.
Have pork braised rice for lunch
One of the most traditional and beloved dishes in the Taiwanese kitchen, you can’t miss trying braised pork rice (lu rou fan, written 卤肉饭 ) during your time in Taipei.
One of the most well-known places in central Taipei to try pork braised rice is Jin Feng near Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall.
Usually packed with a combination of locals and tourists, a bowl of pork braised rice costs around 30 Taiwanese dollars, about $1 USD.
You may have to wait, or you may get lucky and arrive at a time when there are no lines. If you don’t want to wait in line or you don’t eat pork, there are several other restaurants in the area.
Get some peace and quiet at the Taipei Botanical Gardens
I’m a huge fan of botanical gardens in cities!
Back when I lived in NYC, I used to spend at least one weekend a month enjoying the peace and quiet of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
The great thing about Taipei’s Botanical Gardens is that it’s completely free to enter, and since it’s a mere 20-minute walk from Liberty Square and Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall, it’s a nice detour.
I visited in January, so understandably, nothing that exciting was blooming in the middle of Taiwan’s winter (even though winters are relatively mild in Taipei and it’s actually a rather nice time to visit Taiwan!).
That said, even with the lack of blooming flowers, I still felt like it’s totally worthwhile to visit the botanic gardens.
My favorite part was the pond in the middle of the park – Lotus Pond – which has a great view of the water and the National Museum of History (which you can definitely add to your Taipei itinerary if you want!)
Marvel at the 18th-century Longshan Temple
There are several traditional Chinese folk temples in Taipei, but Longshan Temple is one of the oldest and most famous.
It was built in 1738 by Fujian settlers, who arrived in Taiwan during the Qing dynasty.
However, it has been reconstructed several times: fires, earthquakes, and most recently WWII-era bombings have all done considerable damage to the original structure of Longshan over the centuries.
To this day, Longshan Temple is extremely active with locals who make prayers according to the local customs.
One unique custom I noticed is that Taiwanese people were throwing small painted pieces of wood to the ground repeatedly.
As it turns out, they were using something called jiaobei or “moon blocks”, which are small, painted pieces of wood that look almost like sections of an orange.
They are thrown in pairs and the way they fall to the ground as a unit is used to divine the future.
In addition to the jiaobei blocks, I saw people lighting candles in prayer and making offerings. It was a really unique experience for me as someone who has never experienced Chinese folk religion firsthand before.
Entrance for visitors is free, but please dress respectfully as you would with any place of worship.
Hang out in Ximending
Take the MRT to walk to the Ximen metro stop to get to the heart of Ximending.
Bustling, bright, and just a tad chaotic, Ximending is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Taipei.
Nicknamed “the Harajuku of Taipei,” this is where Taiwanese come to walk, shop, and eat.
Visually, it really reminded me of Osaka’s Dotonbori district, but that’s beyond the point!
If you’re hungry, follow the queues for a hint. You’ll likely see a line at Hot Star Fried Chicken or T.K.K. Fried Chicken, which are two of the most-loved foodie spots in Ximending.
This is also the neighborhood where you’ll find some of Taipei’s… quirkier eating options, like Modern Toilet.
I ate there purely for the novelty of eating out of a fake toilet bowl – and I was surprised that, for a gimmicky restaurant, my meal was actually not bad.
The ice cream, however, was another story – and seriously, how can you mess up ice cream?
If you’re not hungry, this is still a great place to stroll around and people watch, especially in the pedestrian area that is car-free.
Enjoy tea and scenic views on Maokong Mountain
For this next place, you’ll need to hop on the MRT and make your way to the Taipei Zoo station.
To get there independently, just take the MRT to Taipei Zoo (last stop on the brown line) and then catch the Maokong Gondola to the top, which will cost 120 Taiwanese dollars (about $4 USD) each way.
Pro Tip: I actually recommend buying your ticket online here – it’s cheaper, allows you to skip the line, and includes access to the Taipei Zoo as well!
At the top of the mountain, you can have your choice of famous Taiwanese teas (no, not bubble tea!) as well as try dishes that have been seasoned with tea – certainly something unique you won’t find as easily in other places in Taipei.
Meanwhile, you’ll have amazing views as Taipei’s lights – including the beloved Taipei 101 – come to life after dark.
Taipei Itinerary, Day 3: Explore Taipei’s offbeat side
This day is all about immersing yourself in what Taipei has to offer by making the most of the city’s sprawling MRT system.
While it looks like you’ll be bouncing all over the map today, in reality, the MRT makes everything super fast and easily accessible.
Today is all about hot springs, boardwalks, street food, and creative parks!
Start the day at Songshan Creative and Cultural Park
Creative parks are a uniquely Taiwanese phenomenon!
Somewhere between pop-up market, nature park, and selfie wonderland, you simply must put one of Taipei’s creative parks on your Taiwan itinerary.
Songshan Creative and Cultural Park is located on the grounds of a former tobacco factory, and in its place a sprawling arts complex has arisen.
In the heart of the complex is Eslite, which hosts a trendy luxury hotel, a large bookstore, vinyl shops, and creative workshops.
There is also a huge garden at the heart of Songshan which is great for strolling around and enjoying Taipei’s usually-mild weather.
We had a spate of a lot of sunny, warm days despite traveling in January so it was a really lovely space to walk around.
One thing we noticed all over the place in Taipei is that dog owners love to carry their dogs in what look like baby carriers.
Apparently, this is because dogs are not allowed on the floor of many shops, but all that is moot when you carry the dog in a stroller!
See the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
A brief walk from Songshan Creative Park, you shouldn’t miss the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, one of the most important buildings in Taipei.
Similar in style to the National Theater and Concert Hall, this building commemorates the “National Father” of the Republic of China (the formal name of Taiwan).
It’s a real beauty, so wonder it’s one of Taipei’s most famous buildings to photograph!
Stroll around trendy Zhongxiao
Zhongxiao is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Taipei and it’s a great place to stop if you need to shop a bit while you’re in Taipei.
The area around Zhongxiao Dunhua is great for people with an eye for designer fashion, and there are also several delicious restaurants in this area.
I opted for delicious Korean fried chicken at Cheogajip. But of course, this being Taipei, good food is never hard to find!
Make your way slowly through Zhongxiao, stopping to shop, sip of coffee, or snack on your way over to Huashan 1914 Creative Park (or hop on the MRT if your feet get tired).
Oh, and if you’re obsessed with Hello Kitty, right by Huashan 1914 is where you’ll find the Hello Kitty themed café.
Like many themed cafés, there is a minimum spend per person — here, it was 300 Taiwanese dollars, about $10 USD.
Check out Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Overall, Huashan 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!
So if that is one of the reasons why you want to go, be prepared that it is no longer there, as the parks rotate out their displays frequently.
However, we did 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!
The creative parks are always changing their pop-up shops and featured galleries, so don’t go expecting any one particular thing or you may be disappointed.
They’re a uniquely Taiwanese experience though, so be sure to visit at least one!
Hop on the metro to Beitou Thermal Valley
Taipei is unique in that it is a capital city with actual volcanoes right in the city limits, including the largest volcano in Taiwan (Mt. Qixing).
Alongside those volcanoes are volcanic hot springs, which are beloved by locals and fun for tourists to experience.
To check out some hot springs without ever having to leave the comfort of the MRT, head out to Beitou on the red line. There, you’ll find plenty of geothermal activity to take part in.
For a local experience, head to Beitou Park and soak your feet in the free hot springs with all the locals (be sure to wash your feet first or you will rightfully earn their ire!)
From there, it’s a short walk to the aptly-named ‘Hell Valley’ where you will most definitely not want to rest your feet in – you’ll see what I mean when you see it!
The water is so hot it is on the verge of boiling, about 90 C, so it’s more of a geological curiosity than an actual hot spring to enjoy. The smell is also quite hellish, so be prepared!
From there, you can visit the cheap (about $1 for entry) public Beitou Hot Springs or check the local hotels in the area to see if they have any day passes available to their spas and springs.
The best hotel in town is Grand View Resort Beitou and they have a fantastic day pass deal which includes full use of outdoor their mineral water pools, traditional sauna, steam rooms, and stone spa.
It’s a great way to squeeze in some relaxation into your 5 days in Taipei!
End the night at Tamsui Old Street
From Xinbeitou metro, take the MRT back to Beitou, then take the red MRT train to the end of the line at Tamsui.
From there, it’s an easy walk along the waterfront to enjoy the historic neighborhood of Tamsui on the edges of Taipei City.
All along the boardwalk, you’ll find classic Taiwanese street food on offer, from bubble tea to all the fried goodnness.
The boardwalk area is also extremely beautiful at sunset, overlooking the beautiful bridges and mountains in the area.
My favorite bridge is the Tamsui Lover’s Bridge, which looks beautiful silhouetted against the sky as it gets dark.
Taipei Itinerary, Day 4: Take a day trip to Shifen and Jiufen
If you have a whole 5 days in Taipei on your itinerary, it’s not a bad idea to use at least one of them to do a day trip outside of the city to see some of Taiwan’s beautiful nature right at your doorstep.
While I found it all pretty easy to DIY, I know sometimes taking public transportation can be overwhelming in a foreign country, especially when there is a language (and reading!) barrier.
Since I’ve covered these sites in more depth on the pages linked above (and also offered a tour option), I’ll just give a quick overview of today’s sights if you wanted to DIY it.
Take the adorable Pingxi Railway
The Pingxi line is famous for its railway that goes right through the center of several towns.
Pingxi is also the location of the famous lantern festival that takes place each fall. There are several stops along the Pingxi line, which connects Ruifang with Shifen.
While I didn’t stop in Houtong, this village is easily accessed by the Pingxi line and is home to hundreds of cats that the town people take care of!
This small village has become somewhat of a tourist attraction so if you’re a cat fanatic I’d recommend a quick stop there.
Since you buy a day pass for the entire Pingxi line, it won’t cost you any extra to stop, and trains come about every 30 minutes.
Eat on Shifen Old Street
There are plenty of delicious places to stop for a snack on Shifen Old Street, which is full of vendors.
There were lots of fried bits and bobs that I couldn’t recognize, as there usually are, plus other standards like grilled squid and sausages.
But of course, as usual, my eye was drawn to the bamboo steamers and the delicately-skinned xiao long bao that I am completely addicted to.
Let off a lantern for luck
One of the most touristy things to do in Shifen (but secretly also the most fun), I think you can’t miss a visit to Shifen Old Street without letting off a lantern for good luck.
To get a lantern, pick your colors (each represents a different meaning) and then paint your wishes on the sides of the lantern.
Or, if you’re a narcissist like me, you can paint your blog name in a desperate bid for new Instagram followers.
Admire the marvelous Shifen Waterfall
Aptly called the “Little Niagara,” Shifen Waterfall is not nearly as large as the U.S.’s most famous waterfall – but it is insanely impressive nonetheless.
It earned the nickname for its distinctive, beautiful horseshoe shape that mirrors Niagara in miniature. At 20 meters high and 40 meters high, it is quite a powerful and awe-inspiring sight to behold!
The waterfall is certainly the main draw, but the walk to the waterfall is also beautiful – you pass two beautiful suspension bridges, a super-blue river against a backdrop of beautiful green mountains, and endless photo opps.
It’s common to rent a little electric scooter for $200 TWD (about $6 USD) for the hour.
However, it’s actually not that far and you definitely could walk from Shifen Old Street if you didn’t feel comfortable riding a scooter or you prefer to save money and walk.
Head to Jiufen
I’ve explainedhow to get to Jiufen from Shifen in depth in a dedicated post, so head over there to plan it out using public transportation if you’re not going on a guided tour.
Jiufen is supposedly famous for being the inspiration for Miyazaki’s famous anime movie Spirited Away, although I recently learned that that was just a rumor and the director has denied the claim! Still, visit Jiufen and you’ll see why the comparisons abound.
Jiufen is a haven for foodies and strolling along Jiufen Old Street you’ll likely be completely overwhelmed by all the delicious street food on offer here.
A few of the most famous offeirngs are the peanut ice cream rolls and the fish ball soups, but you can check a complete guide to the foodie must-eats of Jiufen here.
Other than snacking on all the food, Jiufen has beautiful temples to photograph and a gorgeous coastline where you can see a beautiful sunset from one of many of the teahouses up on the hill.
Be warned though that Jiufen can be very crowded at night. Even when we visited in January – not close to peak season at all – we got stuck in a very slow-moving line of people descending the narrow streets, which was not fun for this claustrophobe.
Day 5: Finish off your Taipei musts
Eat xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung
Some inferior soup dumplings, because I suck at waiting and following my own advice and didn’t actually wait for Din Tai Fung!
One of the most famous dishes in Taipei is xiao long bao, aka soup dumplings. These delightfully fun-to-eat dumplings can be found everywhere in Taipei, but nowhere are they more famous than at Din Tai Fung, a Michelin-starred restaurant in central Taipei.
While there is a Din Tai Fung in the Taipei 101 tower, the original branch is supposedly the best – you can find it on Xinyi Road near the Dongmen MRT.
The wait at Din Tai Fung is always really long – usually at least an hour, unless you start your day there when it opens at 10 AM.
Pro Tip: If you don’t want to go right when it opens, I recommend purchasing a fast-track restaurant voucher, which can reduce your wait time from about 2 hours to closer to 30 minutes!
The intersecting street, Yongkang Street, is also really cute and well-worth strolling around after you’ve stuffed yourself silly with dumplings…
And there are also plenty of places to eat here if you’ve saved room after your dumplings or if you have a superhumaly-large stomach capacity.
There are several cute cafés serving quality coffee, street food vendors serving up fresh-to-order snacks, and plenty of cute accessory shops, including a perplexing number of umbrella-only shops (how that is a viable business model I have no idea…).
Walk over to Da’an Park
Da’an Park is the largest park in Taipei and it’s worth visiting here to rest your feet for a bit and allow your stomach time to digest all the lovely dumplings you just force fed it.
Taking up 64 acres in the heart of Central Taipei, it’s a welcome respite from the at times relentless activity of the city.
Da’an Park (also called Daan Forest Park) was created with the intention of serving a similar function to NYC’s Central Park or London’s Hyde Park.
It’s supposed to be the “lungs of Taipei,” offering locals a break from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
If the weather is nice, you can sit by the Ecological Pool and forget that you’re even in the heart of a metropolis of some 7+ million people!
Near the park, you can find the Grand Mosque of Taipei, the largest mosque in Taiwan.
It was completed in 1960 by Chinese Muslims who came over to Taiwan from mainland China and lacked a place of prayer. In a country with tons of traditional Chinese temples, it’s quite unique to see!
Head up to the top of Taipei 101
I like to spread out some of the more touristy things over a couple of days, and to do some of the can’t-miss stuff last: which is why I’ve waited until the final day of this Taipei itinerary to tell you to go up to the top of Taipei 101.
It’s also close to your next stop, Elephant Mountain, where you’ll hike for an incredible view over the city (and of Taipei 101 itself).
The Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building for six years – until the Burj al Khalifa in Dubai, currently the world’s tallest building, came along.
While I generally find massive skyscrapers to be not that awe-inspiring, I was insanely impressed by the Taipei 101. It is unique and beautiful, inspired by Chinese pagodas yet uniquely Taiwanese.
Some people say it looks like a stack of Chinese takeout boxes, others, like a stick of bamboo – I saw a massive layer cake.
One of the most interesting things about the building is how green it is: it has a platinum certification in environmental-friendly design. Even more interestingly, it was built to withstands the typhoons and earthquakes that often rattle Taipei.
To give the insanely tall building structure, a massive 728-ton pendulum damper is inside, which allows the building to rock and sway in the event of strong winds and earthquakes.
Entrance to the Taipei 101 costs $600 NTD (about $20) so it is definitely one of the pricier activities in Taipei!
I suggest booking the ticket online via GetYourGuide. You can purchase the standard admission ticket for the same price as buying it in person, which allows you to conveniently collect your ticket at the self-service ticket machine and skip the ticket-purchasing queue.
However, you will still have to wait for the elevators, which can be up to an hour or so of waiting — some past guests have even said 2.5 hours!
For that reason, I’d strongly, strongly recommend a skip-the-line ticket to the Taipei 101, which allows you to skip all queues for about an extra $20 USD.
I don’t know about you, but I’d happily pay 20 bucks to not wait two hours on my Taipei trip!
Whichever ticket you book, your entrance ticket allows you to go up to the impressive viewing platform on the 89th floor, using the world’s fastest elevator!
At 37.7 mph, this elevator takes an incomprehensible 30 seconds to go all the way up to the 89th floor – truly insane (and a bit stomach-dropping to be honest!).
If you’re a Starbucks fan, the world’s tallest Starbucks is here, but you have to apparently make a reservation — here’s how.
Visit Elephant Mountain for a sunset hike and amazing view
If you’ve seen iconic night shots of Taipei all lit up from above, there’s a 90% chance those photos were taken from Elephant Mountain, Taipei’s very own mini-mountain hike right off a metro line.
Simply take the MRT all the way to the beginning of the red line (Xiangshan). Try to time your arrival so that you get to the MRT station about 1 hour before sunset.
The walk to the hiking trail takes 10 minutes plus about 20 minutes to get to the viewing area at the top of Elephant Mountain (so about 30 minutes total).
This hike is extremely popular with tourists and Instagram lovers. It’s become quite popular to get a shot standing on one of the boulders overlooking Taipei, so if you want that Insta photo you’ll have to queue up (we waited about 20 minutes for our turn for a photo).
Hit one final night market
Of course, on your last night in Taipei, you can’t miss visiting a night market!
There are so many to choose from, but Shilin was my favorite, so I’d either head back here or check out a new one from your list.
I found that even though I went back to Shilin several times, I never got bored, as I was always trying new things each time!
What to Pack for Taipei
Mosquito Repellent: According to my Taiwanese girlfriend’s personal experience, Taiwan’s mosquitoes are relentless and ruthless. Her advice is to generously apply Picaridin on your skin and pre-treat your clothing with Permethrin if traveling when mosquitos are prevalent (mostly summer).
Bug Bite Treatment: Despite preventive measures, a few bites are often unavoidable. The best way we’ve found to deal with mosquito bites is to apply immediate heat treatment. My girlfriend gets really bad reactions to bites, and she now swears by this device called heat it that works with your smartphone.
Launch the associated app, insert the tiny treatment wand in your phone charging port, and let the power from your phone heat it. Once heated, you apply it to your bite and hold it until the app signals completion. I’ve personally tested it and although it’s uncomfortable, it notably reduces the itchiness! Read about it and check it out — we’re truly living in the future!
Rain Jacket: Taiwan’s weather can be unpredictable, with sudden rain showers possible basically any time. It’s wise to always have a jacket on hand! I love the Marmot PreCip jacket. It comes with zippered underarm vents — a lifesaver when you need to keep dry, but it’s hot and humid summer rain!
Comfortable Footwear: I’m obsessed with Hoka shoes — they’re the most comfortable walking shoes I’ve ever worn! Admittedly, their chunky design might not appeal to everyone, but I personally love them, and their comfort level is unparalleled, so I’m a true fan.
Anti-Theft Bag: While Taipei is generally a safe city, pickpockets can be found in nearly any touristic destination. My approach to preventing pickpocketing is make yourself look like a difficult target. The PacSafe CitySafe backpack has interlocking zippers that lock into a metal clasp, sending a clear message to any would-be pickpocket that this bag isn’t an easy mark! Just make sure you store all valuable items in this secured area of the bag.
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.
With its natural beauty illuminated by the gentle Mediterranean sun that pours over the coastline in a blaze of vibrant colors, and the iconic lavender fields stretching to the horizon, it’s easy to see why La Provence has long been celebrated and admired for its natural treasures and artistic allure.
From the ancient Roman ruins of Arles to the vibrant port city of Marseille, Provence is a land that inspires and captivates in equal measure — and this Provence itinerary will show you why.
The region’s heritage is as rich and diverse as the landscape itself, so it’s no surprise that La Provence has inspired some of the greatest minds of the past centuries.
From Vincent van Gogh’s iconic paintings of sunflowers and dreamy nights by the river to the poetry of Frédéric Mistral, the unique beauty of Provence is undeniable.
The wealth of inspiration the infinite landscape provides is perhaps best described by Mistral’s motto: ‘Le soleil me fait chanter.’ – The sun makes me sing.
Countryside life in Provence is slow-paced, but very sophisticated as beauty is easily found and celebrated in every part of life, even the smallest, if you simply take the time to see it.
This savoir-vivre provençal was humorously described by the author Yvan Audouard: “En Provence, le soleil se lève deux fois, le matin et après la sieste.”
Translated: in Provence, the sun rises twice, once in the morning and once after the siesta.
Provence’s rich history can be traced back thousands of years into the past.
Ancient Greek and Roman settlements are still visible in the region’s architecture today, before the region was incorporated into the kingdom of France.
This 5-day Provence road trip itinerary gives you the structure to have a quick introduction to all that Provence has to offer.
Be careful though, you may very well fall in love with Provence, just like many have before you, and 5 days in Provence may just not be enough…
Day 1 of Your Provence Road Trip: Marseille
Explore the vibrant streets of Marseille.
Located at the gates of Provence, Marseille is a vibrant city in full transformation.
Numerous are the urban legends surrounding the city — and particularly its criminal scene.
But don’t worry, Marseille has successfully shed its bad reputation in recent years and is quickly becoming a fierce competitor to its eternal northern rival… just not in football.
All jokes aside, Marseille is amazing and well worth a visit.
If you can, try to spare a few days to really get a feel for this unique city before you embark on your Provence road trip.
Start your visit at the Old Port, Vieux-Port, as this is truly the beating heart of Marseille.
You’ll find many restaurants serving delicious fresh seafood from the morning catch.
Next, head to Le Panier, the most charming part of Marseille.
Ducking down narrow streets, admiring colorful houses, pausing at lively cafés: it’s a great place to get a sense of Marseille’s unique Mediterranean character and lifestyle.
Here, you’ll also find the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, providing a wealth of fascinating insights into the history and culture of the region.
Got some time to spare? Hop on a boat or take a drive and spend the afternoon admiring Les Calanques, the stunning cliffs towering just outside of Marseille.
Want some epic views?
Head up to the hilltop Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde.
Here, a spectacular panoramic view of Marseille and the Mediterranean Sea awaits you.
Hit the road before sunset. Your next stop, Aix-en-Provence, is around 30 minutes away from Marseille.
Plan enough time for a quick walk around the historic center before you sit down for a delicious Provençal dinner in one of the town’s many squares.
Day 2 of Your Provence Road Trip: Aix and the Luberon
Take a stroll around Aix-en-Provence.
First things first: le café!
Head to Cours Mirabeau, a lovely square in the Old Town, lined with cafés and small boutiques, to enjoy a delicious French breakfast.
Once you’ve energized yourself for a day of exploring, head to the Cathédral Saint-Sauveur, a Romanesque and Gothic marvel dating back to the 12th century.
The church itself is beautiful, but the cloister and courtyard is especially charming.
While you walk around the city, keep your eyes open to admire the many fountains, a unique characteristic of Aix-en-Provence.
Art lovers will also want to stop at Atelier Cezanne, Paul Cézanne’s art studio, which has been preserved as a local museum.
It showcases various still life compositions and sketches the Impressionist painter completed here.
Immerse yourself in beautiful nature in the Luberon.
From Aix-en-Provence, drive north to the Luberon, a natural reserve known for its picturesque hilltop villages, lavender fields, and vineyards.
Gordes, Bonnieux, and Roussillon are just some of the Luberon villages offering colorful streets, delicious local restaurants and charming cafés with magnificent views.
The lavender fields of Luberon bloom from June to August, and when they’re in full bloom, they’re a stunning sight that’s absolutely not to be missed!
There are several lavender farms in the region, where you can learn about the harvesting process if you take a tour.
The Abbey de Sénanque just outside Gordes is also a classic place to see the lavender!
Optional: Explore the Verdon Gorge.
If you enjoy hiking, you may want to plan an extra day here as Luberon has several natural reserves with plenty of hiking trails to explore.
East from our itinerary, you’ll find the Verdon Natural Park, home to the Verdon Gorge.
Considered one of Europe’s most beautiful natural attractions, this canyon has walls made of limestone, towering over 700 meters high over the turquoise Verdon River.
With its many opportunities for hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, and swimming, this is a great extra stop on a Provence road trip for outdoor enthusiasts.
Discover the Venice of Provence.
With its many charming canals and waterways running through the heart of the teeny-tiny village, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue has earned its nickname “the Venice of Provence.”
The unique charm of this place is sure to capture your heart at first sight.
L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue is also the birthplace of French writer René Char, so make sure to visit Maison René Char, which celebrates the life and work of the poet.
If your trip brings you to town on a Sunday, don’t miss the wonderful local market.
It’s the perfect place to soak up the lively atmosphere and stock up on deliciously fresh produce, flowers and artisanal products before you head further west, to beautiful Avignon.
Day 4 of Your Provence Road Trip: Avignon
Travel back in time in magnificent Avignon.
Dubbed the “City of the Popes,” Avignon has a long and profound history that you can see everywhere you look.
Nestled amidst imposing ancient ramparts, the old town of Avignon brings you to a bygone era, with preserved cobblestone streets, ornate architecture, and elegant plazas that now bustle with modern energy.
The top must-see attraction in Avignon is the Palais des Papes.
This magnificent palace served as the Popes’ residence in the 14th century, when for a brief but tumultuous period, Avignon replaced the Vatican as the capital of the Roman Catholic Church and became the official papal residence.
Originally built in the 12th century, the Pont d’Avignon is now only a partial monument after half of it was washed away during the Middle Ages.
Only four of the twenty-two arches remain, along with the former gatehouse and a chapel.
Walk along what remains of the bridge for a historic experience and a lovely view of Avignon or take a stroll along the river.
Art lovers, be sure to save some time for at least one of Avignon’s many museums.
For modern art, head to the Collection Lambert, an art museum located in an elegant 18th-century mansion that houses Yves Lambert’s extensive collection of contemporary art.
For those even more historical art, the splendid Musée Calvet is an unmissable stop.
It showcases an array of European artworks from the 16th century to the eclectic aesthetics of the 20th century, as well as ancient Egyptian artifacts.
Next on our itinerary is the Petit Palais. This regal building, once the prestigious residence of Avignon’s archbishops, now stands as the proud host of the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Walking through its palatial halls, you’ll find a beautiful collection of Florentine and Renaissance art, one of the largest found outside Italy.
Leaving Avignon, we’ll head south towards the enchanting Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
If you have extra time, you can spend an extra day in Avignon and follow this Avignon itinerary.
Day Four of Your Provence Road Trip: St.-Rémy, Les-Baux, and La Camargue
Trace Vincent van Gogh’s past in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
Saint-Rémy-de-Provence is a picturesque town with an immense importance in art history.
In this little town, Vincent van Gogh lived in an asylum for a year. During this time, he created a staggering 150 works of art, nearly one every other day, including “Starry Night.”
Today, you can explore the asylum slash former monastery where van Gogh lived during this time.
Part of it has been converted into a museum at the Monastery Saint-Paul de Mausole that pays homage to this important (and difficult) chapter of his life.
As you leave Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, admire the surrounding landscapes, full of fragrant lavender fields, lush olive groves, and sprawling vineyards — it’s a quintessential part of the Provence road trip experience.
Immerse yourself in art in Les-Baux-de-Provence.
Cradled amidst the imposing hills overlooking the Camargue, Les–Baux-de-Provence is another must-see Provence stop for art lovers.
Within town, be sure to pay a visit to the remarkable art exhibition space, Carrières de Lumières, located in a former quarry.
This modern museum features a stunning projection system that breathes life into digital art which is displayed on the quarry walls and ceilings.
The museum showcases a rotating array of artists — past works displayed have included the likes of van Gogh, Picasso, and Dalí — paired with music to create an immersive audio-visual spectacle.
Contrasting its innovative art museum, the narrow alleys of the old town are historic, including the remnants of an 11th-century castle and the 12th-century Church of St. Vincent.
Venture into the untouched beauty of La Camargue.
The Camargue Regional Nature Park is celebrated for its varied wildlife and pristine marshlands, which are a sanctuary to several creatures, including pink flamingos (among 400 other species of birds) and wild white horses.
Reserve some time for a brief safari or a stroll along the Natural Parc to observe these unique creatures in their natural habitat.
Continuing southward, the untouched beaches of La Camargue are one of the best places to swim or bask in the sun while you visit Provence.
This is a great place to pause a little if your itinerary allows!
Day 5 of Your Provence Road Trip: Arles
End your trip exploring Roman history in Arles.
Dating back to the 6th century BCE, Arles was once an important Roman city, which you can see today in its landmarks.
Its historic amphitheater has been preserved so well that the Roman Theater of Arles, built in the 1st century BC, can still host cultural events today!
Another cool historic place dating back millennia is the ancient Roman necropolis, located just outside the old town.
Arles also served as inspiration for some of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous works. A few of these are showcased at the Fondation Vincent van Gogh.
Arles also has a charming historic center with cobblestone streets, picturesque squares, and colorful houses adorned with flower-filled balconies.
Today, Arles remains a hub for contemporary art with many galleries and festivals exposing established as well as emerging artists from all over the world.
The contemporary art center LUMA, founded by Maja Hofman and designed by Frank Gehry, is an architectural masterpiece in itself.
Dedicated to modern art, photography and design, LUMA exhibits a vast collection of contemporary artists, with a special emphasis on works exploring the intersection of art and technology.
If you visit in July, don’t miss the city’s yearly festival dedicated to photography, Les Rencontres de la Photographie d’Arles.
This visual art is in fact so deeply rooted in the city’s DNA, that you could say Arles’s festival is to photography what Cannes‘ is to cinema!
Last but not least, you can’t pass up the cuisine… delicious!
Make sure to sample local specialties like bouillabaisse and ratatouille!
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.
Canals lined with colorful houses, cafés oozing with hygge, and the beating heart of the happiest nation on Earth: Copenhagen just breathes with life.
Travelers from around the world flock to admire Copenhagen’s colorful architecture around the city center – and not just Nyhavn, its most famous row of candy-colored houses.
We found beautiful houses nearly everywhere we turned – whether it was a random street in our friend’s neighborhood of Amagerbro, a used clothing store, or a random side street off the main drag.
There’s no need to try to get the same Insta-famous shots as everyone else, so feel free to wander around Copenhagen and follow your eyes and see where it leads you.
If you have to make the most of Copenhagen in one day, you have two choices: tick off all the touristy “musts” and spend half your day in line… or follow this alternative Copenhagen itinerary.
This one day Copenhagen guide will show you the city through a slightly off the beaten path lens, while being sure to take you to a few can’t-miss popular Copenhagen musts.
This is my favorite way to travel: a blend of a few of the tourist top 10, with a heavy dash of the offbeat to see how the locals live in their city.
Here’s what you won’t find on this Copenhagen itinerary: The Little Mermaid sculpture (it’s tiny and completely overrated), Tivoli Gardens (if you have one day in Copenhagen, you probably shouldn’t spend it in a theme park), and the Copenhagen Zoo (zoos are nearly always unethical and the same basically everywhere).
Instead, this alternative Copenhagen itinerary will bring you to some cool street art, delicious food halls, bottle shops of renegade Danish brewers, and authentic restaurants with cuisines from around the world.
You’ll go to colorful houses in scenic harbors, cool canals to hang out by in the summer, and fun pubs where you can rub elbows with local Danes — who are really quite chatty once they’ve got a drink in them.
So, buckle up if you’ve got one day in Copenhagen: you’re in for a busy, boozy 24 hours.
Your One Day in Copenhagen Itinerary
Explore the anarchist Freetown Christiania.
Founded in 1971, by people squatting in former military barracks in the borough of Christianshavn, Freetown Christiania is no stranger to controversy.
Some 1,000 residents – some temporary, some permanent – have formed a community in the heart of Copenhagen with its own self-governing set of rules, separate from Danish law.
Freetown Christiania views itself as a separate entity from Copenhagen, Denmark, or even the EU, for that matter.
This quirky neighborhood reminded me of Vilnius’ utopian Užupis, but with a bit more edginess to it.
There is quite a bit of clutter, dilapidated houses, DIY skate parks, and street art lining the walls of this former military area.
Christiania has a reputation for drug use – which is a bit overstated, in my opinion.
While there is some sale of soft drugs such as marijuana, there is a hard prohibition against the use or sale of any hard drugs.
I spent about an hour walking around taking photos and exploring, and I didn’t get harassed or asked to buy anything.
The reality is that Christiania is the fourth-most visited site in Copenhagen, and it’s hardly ‘off the beaten path’.
Still, it’s well worth a visit, despite being firmly on the tourist trail.
Be respectful of the people who live there, and enjoy your exploration of a social experiment that has thrived and survived for some nearly five decades.
If you prefer some context and guidance, you can take a 90-minute guided walking tour of Christiania and Alternative Copenhagen. Click to read reviews and see prices!
Enjoy the colorful houses in Nyhavn, then go for a canal tour.
Touristy, yes – but Copenhagen is famous for its beautiful canals with their colorful houses lining the harbor.
There are some things you just shouldn’t miss, even if you’re aiming for a more alternative Copenhagen itinerary. Nyhavn is just one of those places!
After taking some photos of gorgeous Nyhavn, embrace your inner tourist (you do have only one day in Copenhagen, after all) by taking a quick canal boat ride through its neighborhoods.
Canal boat tours take about one hour and leave frequently from Nyhavn.
If you’re a victim of the frequently finicky Danish weather, a canal boat tour is also a great way to pass time if the weather is not on your side.
Most of the canal boats have a glass roof, which keeps rain, cold, and other unpleasantness away while still allowing you a good view and to snap some photos.
It’s the great way to get out of the rain!
Stop for a coffee.
The Nordic countries love their coffee and Denmark is no exception!
In fact, Denmark is the 4th largest consumer of coffee in the world, trailing Finland, Norway, and Iceland.
Hey – you’d drink a lot of coffee too if your winter days were that short and cold!
Like everything in Denmark, you’ll find coffee to be a bit more expensive than you’re used to, whether you’re stopping at a touristy café, a trendy coffee shop that specializes in single-origin beans, or at a boring chain.
Since you’ll be paying a premium on your coffee anyway, you might as well enjoy one of Denmark’s finest cups of coffee!
Some of Copenhagen’s best coffee – and best Danish design – can be had at Copenhagen Coffee Lab in Amagerbro, but there are plenty of places you can find a good cup of coffee around the city if that’s out of the way.
Enjoy a smørrebrød for lunch
The Danish open-faced sandwich is a classic must-eat when in Copenhagen.
As you’d expect with the Nordics, the sandwiches are as aesthetically pleasing as they are delicious.
Danes don’t mess around when it comes to design!
Hilariously, you’ll find signs advertising smørrebrød to go – I can’t think of a less pedestrian-friendly lunch than an open-faced sandwich piled high with gravity-defying toppings.
But hey, what do I know?
A smørrebrød is typically a piece of dense rye bread with your choice of toppings.
Usual toppings include some variation of fish or seafood- herring, mackerel, smoked salmon, and tiny shrimp being the most common choices.
For those who don’t like fish, pâté, roast beef, and roast pork are also popular options, and Denmark is getting better at also including vegetarian options as well.
Alternately, you could opt for a 4-hour food walking tour that covers several tastes of Danish cuisine, including: four different smørrebrød, three types of local cheeses and two types of spread salads, 3 samples of beer, a traditional Danish hot dog, and Danish sweets!
This is where you’ll find tourists swarming to see the most popular sights, such as the Round Tower (Rundetaarn) and Helligaandskirken Church.
Wander through it at leisure, but don’t get distracted by all the souvenir shops and long queues for the popular central attractions.
There’s some deliciousness on the other side of the tourist-packed madness for you, so keep your eyes on the prize and make your way over to Torvehallerne!
If you don’t want to walk around on foot, this would be a great time to pick one of the many Copenhagen bike tours on offer — there are options ranging from 1.5 hours to 3 hours, push bikes to e-bikes, so there’s definitely something for everyone!
Drool over Copenhagen’s best food hall
Food halls are quite popular in Scandinavia – probably because the weather is not kind enough to permit open-air markets, but the people still love their fresh foods.
Copenhagen’s Torvehallerne is a great place to stop, whether you need to shop for more obscure ingredients at the Asian food stall (we were ecstatic to pick up some much-needed packs of kimchi ramen!) or just grab something to eat on the go for an affordable (but still Danish) price.
While a typical meal in Copenhagen is quite expensive, you’ll find that its food halls often offer a great deal.
For example, a Vietnamese banh mi at the food hall will run you about 80 DKK, about $12 USD – a far cry from what you’d pay at a sit-down restaurant.
Stop to shop beer (or just gawk at the labels) at Mikkeller
If you’re a fan of craft beer, you probably already have heard of Mikkeller. If not – here’s a little crash course.
Mikkeller is one of the foremost microbreweries in the world, a so-called “phantom brewery” as the company has no official brewery and instead works collaboratively with other brewers or does experimental beers.
Founded by two Danish home brewers, Mikkel Borg Bjergsø and Kristian Klarup Keller, the name ‘Mikkeller’ is a blend of the two men’s first and last names, respectively.
Mikkeller specializes in creative beers inspired by homebrewing traditions and you can find a Mikkeller bottle shop in Torvehallerne.
Even if you are not a big fan of beer, it’s worth checking out this little bottle shop while you’re in the market.
I always love Mikkeller’s bottle designs, which are just as creative as the brews inside them. Pick up some beers to enjoy on the canal later, or take it outside to enjoy now.
Wander around Nørrebro.
Photo Credit: Martin Heiberg, used with permission from Copenhagen Media Center
Just across the canal from Torvehallerne, you’ll find the hip and trendy neighborhood of Nørrebro, one of Copenhagen’s most densely diverse and interesting places.
Be sure to check out Superkilen, a self-described ‘diversity park’ featuring fixtures from around the world, whether it be Japanese sculptures or Moroccan fountains.
It’s a common place for locals to hang out during the summer as well as a popular photo spot!
The Assistens Cemetery is also a calm green oasis and it’s not uncommon to see bicyclists passing through the cemetery: a peaceful place of life as well as death.
Grab international food in Nørrebro
Copenhagen has become an increasingly diverse city over the years and it reflects in the cuisine.
While I love a smørrebrød or two, there’s only so much pickled herring a girl can take. So, thank god for immigration!
Nørrebro is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in all of Copenhagen and it’s where you can find delicious international cuisine from all over the globe.
But with only one day in Copenhagen planned on this trip before heading off to the Faroe Islands (I had previously visited for a longer time, visiting Copenhagen in winter), I could only fit so much in my stomach.
My friend Megan and I are total ramen fiends, and so we opted for Ramen to Bíiru, the best-rated ramen restaurant in town where you can actually get Mikkeller beer specially crafted to be paired with your ramen.
And the extra fun part: you get to order your ramen with a vending machine just like you do in Japan!
Our ramens were both excellent!
Megan went for the spicy miso ramen and I went for the classic shoyu ramen as my stomach is no longer to take spicy food the way it used to!
Prices are reasonable for Copenhagen, around 120 DKK ($18 USD) for a huge bowl of ramen.
If you’re not a fan of ramen or you want to try something a little more unusual, you could go for Ethiopian at Ma’ed, Eritrean at Asmara, or Michelin-starred Thai at Kiin Kiin.
Watch the sunset (or take a dip) at Islands Brygge
How many cities have water clean enough that you can swim right in the city center?
Coming from New York, I wouldn’t take a dip in the East River if you paid me (well, maybe if you paid me the equivalent of six months’ rent).
The Islands Brygge are close to the Langebro Bridge, which connects central Copenhagen to its eastern neighborhood, Amagerbro.
Copenhagen rarely gets truly “hot,” but if you happen to be there on a rare warm day in the summer as we did, you may want to cool off in the canal like the locals do!
If the weather is too cold for you to get in, or you’re just a baby like me who hates cold water no matter how hot it is outside, it’s also common to sit with a beer, cider, or wine and enjoy the sunset over the canal.
End the night at one of Copenhagen’s craft beer bars.
Denmark is on the cutting edge of craft beer and WarPigs is one of the best-loved bars for beer lovers in town!
That’s certified by my Copenhagen travel buddy and craft beer expert Megan Starr.
Yes, going out for a few beers in Copenhagen will be pricy – expect to pay around 60-90 DKK for a beer, with the most common price being around 80 DKK ($12) for a beer.
But you’ll be getting to sample of Denmark’s most creative brewers and support local entrepreneurs.
Megan particularly enjoyed the New England IPA by WarPigs called ‘Opposite Optimist’ – she vouched for its deliciousness!
If none of the 22 taps at WarPigs suit your fancy, you’ll be in the heart of Copenhagen’s Meatpacking District (Kødbyen) so there’s plenty of other bars to hop around afterward!
Rain jacket: Copenhagen isn’t known for its spectacular weather — gray days are common and drizzle (or a downpour!) can come at any moment! I love the Marmot PreCip jacket because it has zippered underarm vents, making it extra useful in summer (think humid weather and thunderstorms!)
Comfortable walking shoes: This one day in Copenhagen itinerary has you walking basically everywhere… so you’re going to want a comfy shoe. I love Hoka shoes! They’re a bit chunky, but apparently that’s very trendy right now — and even when that trend goes out of style, these are the most comfortable shoe I’ve ever worn, so you’ll have to tear them out of my cold, dead hands.
Anti-theft bag: Copenhagen is a safe city… but pickpockets operate in virtually every European city that tourists go! My philosophy on avoiding pickpockets is you need to not be the most obvious target. I love this PacSafe CitySafe backpack because it has interlocking zippers that very clearly get locked into place through a metal clasp — it’s visibly clear to any potential pickpocket that this will not be an easy target! Just make sure you keep all of your high-value items in this part of the bag, as other parts are more easily accessed.
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.
The towering rock faces that surround the town of Lauterbrunnen hug the valley, making visitors feel like they have entered a hidden oasis.
Far from the hustle and bustle of city life, Lauterbrunnen is everything you’d hope a Swiss village would be.
Rustic chalets line the streets, the smell of traditional Swiss food fills the air, and the impressive Staubbach Falls stands tall above it all.
But that’s not the only eye-catching waterfall you’ll see. Far from it, in fact!
The name Lauterbrunnen translates to “many fountains” and once you get there, you’ll see why.
Throughout the valley, 72 waterfalls make their way down from nearly 1,000 foot cliffs, and the snow-covered mountains of the Bernese Alps tower even higher than that.
Lauterbrunnen is truly a place that you’d think could only ever exist on a postcard.
With so much beauty to take in, it can be hard to decide what to do first. Luckily, I’m here to help!
What to Know Before Visiting Lauterbrunnen
The village is small.
One thing that caught me by surprise is just how small Lauterbrunnen is.
With most of the pictures online focused on its famous falls, you don’t get a good feel for the village itself.
So let me be the first to tell you that it’s smaller than you think it is. You can easily explore the ins and outs of Lauterbrunnen in a day!
It’s a great hub location.
Even though there isn’t a whole lot to fuel a long trip in Lauterbrunnen, it is an incredible hub location.
With so many nearby towns and villages (ex: Murren, Wengen, Gimmelwald, Grindelwald) accessible by cable car and train, you can spend at least a week exploring the region, using Lauterbrunnen as a hub.
Plus, you get to see the epic Staubbach Falls every day!
It’s expensive.
This is true for all of Switzerland but it was still a bit of a shock when I first got there.
Prepare to spend a lot of money on food, drinks, and activities (and I mean a lot).
The average cost of a “cheap” meal is 20 CHF (if you’re lucky) — that’s about $22 USD.
If you’re on a tight budget, put the dreams of buying an extravagant souvenir to bed before you even get there!
Where to Stay in Lauterbrunnen
With a village as small as Lauterbrunnen, there aren’t many options when it comes to lodging.
But what Lauterbrunnen lacks in abundance, it makes up for in variety.
So regardless of whether your idea of vacation revolves around luxury or you’re really just looking for a place to rest your head, there’s an option that’s perfect for you.
Hotel Steinbock: Mid-Range to Budget-Friendly
This is where I stayed during my visit and it was more than comfortable. In fact, it was probably the comfiest bed I slept on during my month-long trip in Europe and I had stayed at some pretty nice hotels, so that’s a major win.
Aside from that, you can save even more money by opting for the room with a communal bathroom. Don’t worry, I never saw anyone on my trips to the bathroom.
Last, but certainly not least, their free breakfast is incredible. Just be sure to get there when it first starts for the fresh, warm bread!
Hotel Silberhorn: Luxury Option
This is a great option if you don’t mind spending an extra few bucks for an epic view.
The rooms here aren’t cheap, with an average cost of about $500 a night, but the views from your window will have you wondering if you even need to leave the hotel to experience Lauterbrunnen.
Plus, all of the food here is made to order including breakfast. Unlike other hotels that offer continental breakfast (bread, meats, cheeses), Hotel Silberhorn will serve you up a hot breakfast on command.
Your One Day in Lauterbrunnen Itinerary
Enjoy breakfast at Flavours Cafe.
This post assumes that you arrive in Lauterbrunnen in the morning, so you don’t have access to your hotel’s free breakfast.
If you checked in yesterday, though, and have breakfast already taken care of, you can skip this section and move onto the next part.
Although there isn’t a large variety of breakfast options in Lauterbrunnen, the few choices that you have are top notch.
Take Flavours for example. This awesome cafe has everything from a classic sit down breakfast to a grab-and-go pastry selection.
But regardless of what you’re craving, you’re guaranteed a fresh meal, even if you decide that you simply must have ice cream for breakfast. (Don’t worry. I get it.)
To make things even better, you won’t pay an arm and leg for it! At least not by Switzerland’s standards.
It can be a bit shock trying to adjust to the extremely high prices, so you can rest easy knowing that Flavours won’t break the bank.
And don’t even get me started on the coffee!
I can’t tell you how many cappuccinos I’ve had here (sometimes more than once in the same day) and I can assure you that I will be back for more.
Toss everything you think you know about cappuccinos out the window because the Swiss version is about to put the rest to shame!
P.S. The breakfast burger is incredible, so don’t even think twice about it — get it!
Get a close-up view of Staubbach Falls.
One of the first things that you’ll see when you get to Lauterbrunnen is Staubbach Falls. There’s literally no way you can miss it.
In fact, if you’re anything like me, you’ll probably spend a solid five minutes staring in amazement before you even leave the train platform.
Staubbach Falls is one of the largest free falling waterfalls in Europe and if you couldn’t tell already, it’s the heart of Lauterbrunnen…
… which is saying something because there are more than 70 other waterfalls in this valley!
In most other places you have to put in an effort to see the waterfall, but in Lauterbrunnen, that’s very much not the case.
Stunning views of Staubbach Falls will follow you everywhere you go, and I can honestly say that these falls simply don’t have a single bad angle.
However, there’s one angle in particular that I think is the coolest, and that’s the one from behind the falls!
A short 30-minute walk with a bit of elevation gain (380 feet) will take you through a tunnel and to an incredible view of the falls and the valley beyond it.
Just don’t forget your raincoat because it’s practically guaranteed that you’ll get wet!
And fear not, there is a tourist information “hut” by the falls to help guide you!
Explore the interior of a mountain — yes, really!
Okay, so, I stumbled upon Trümmelbach Falls by accident but it immediately became my favorite thing to do in Lauterbrunnen.
I was a bit hesitant at first since I was nearing the end of my trip and feeling a bit stingy, but I can assure you that it is worth the money (14 CHF per person to be exact).
You know how I was saying that Lauterbrunnen is home to more than 70 waterfalls? Well, Trümmelbach Falls is home to no fewer than 10 of them!
As if the sheer quantity wasn’t enough to convince you, I’d be letting you down if I didn’t mention the fact that they are glacial waterfalls that are literally carved inside of a mountain (the only one of its kind in Europe).
Plus, the way that the water has carved its way through the mountain is unreal, and pictures don’t even begin to do it justice.
This is really a place that you need to see in order to believe.
The good news is that viewing the falls is relatively easy and a lot of fun!
Take the funicular elevator, which was built into the mountain back in 1913, up to the 7th major waterfall.
This helps to minimize the amount of walking you need to do uphill (3 upper falls) and then take a leisurely hike back down through the mountain to see the rest!
I can’t emphasize enough how awesome this experience is. You feel like you are in a cave as you walk through tunnels and into open galleries to admire the many falls.
It’s truly a one of a kind experience!
Take a hike (or catch the cable-car and train) to Mürren.
Okay, so today might just be a long day of hiking, but who wouldn’t want to spend the day outside when you have nonstop views of the Swiss Alps?
Just remember that as you encounter 2,800 feet of elevation gain in about four miles!
I can practically see you cringing at the thought of all that climbing, but just hear me out! This trail is amazing.
Is it torture gaining that much elevation that quickly? Absolutely.
But the views rising out of the valley are unmatched and you can stop as many times as like on the way up.
There’s no such thing as a bad place to stop, catch your breath, and take in the views, so plan some extra time and you’ll make it to the top!
Not sold on it? You can opt to take the cable car-train duo for a quicker, more relaxing journey to Mürren.
You can also choose to take the cable car-train duo up to Mürren and then hike down after lunch to get the best of both worlds.
Eat lunch in Mürren.
You made it to Murren! Now it’s time to celebrate with lunch.
This car-free mountain village is as picturesque as it gets, so the wealth of incredible dining options is just icing on the cake.
You can’t go wrong with any of the restaurants here but my personal favorite is Stägerstübli.
Stägerstübli is located smack dab in the middle of Murren’s main street so you can do a bit of window shopping before (and after) lunch, and everything about it screams traditional Swiss experience. What’s not to love?
Even better, the Swiss couple who runs the place grew up here! It doesn’t get more authentic than that!
As an added bonus, when the weather is nice you can sit out on the patio and admire the view of mountains in every direction!
But wherever you sit, make sure you try the Rosti!
It is one of my favorite dishes in Switzerland and Stägerstübli is one of my favorite places to have it.
Channel your inner adrenaline junkie.
When you are out and about admiring the beauty of the mountains that surround you, you will notice something: paragliders!
Flying high above the falls and adding some dimension to the millionth photo you’ve taken of the mountains, paragliding is a popular activity in Lauterbrunnen.
So instead of just staring in amazement, wondering what the views are like from up there, go ahead and join them!
Reserve your tickets ahead of time at Airtime Paragliding back in Lauterbrunnen because you take off right from Mürren.
No experience is needed! Your adventure will be with a tandem pilot so you can just sit back and relax while they do all of the leg work.
The experience costs 180 CHF per person but for a longer experience you can opt for the 250 CHF package.
Prepare to check something off your bucket list… Switzerland style! You’ll be talking about this experience for years to come.
Not an adrenaline junkie? Head back to Lauterbrunnen where you can rent bikes and spend the afternoon cycling through the valley.
Wander around Lauterbrunnen village.
Like I was saying earlier, the Lauterbrunnen village is pretty small but there are just enough shops to walk around for an hour or so, and each one has its own unique individual charm.
You won’t find a line of souvenir shops but rather a collection of Swiss classics like a chocolate shop, an outdoor gear shop, and a shop that sells cuckoo clocks (yes, really!)
As you make your way to the end of the main street you’ll be hit with a smell of the delicious goodness coming from the donut truck and if you continue on past that you’ll find yourself on pasture land.
Keep walking for a peek at a farm-fresh vending machine!
Besides that, there’s also a church with a gorgeous view of Staubbach Falls and the mountains of the Bernese Alps on all sides.
Head to the Kirche Lauterbrunnen on the map in order to see this quaint church!
Have dinner in Lauterbrunnen’s only pub.
While part of me is making this suggestion because it really is the only pub in Lauterbrunnen, the other part of me is recommending it because it’s awesome. Good enough for ya?
Horner Pub is open every day of the year and they don’t stop serving food until midnight.
Sit out on the terrace to enjoy a view of Staubbach Falls as you sip a beer and pig out on Älplermagronen (mac & cheese with applesauce).
Alternately, hang by the bar to make some new friends while you munch on some nachos!
Nicole is a freelance travel writer who loves traveling and hiking in America’s National Parks, particularly in Utah, Wyoming, and California. Her favorite place is just about anywhere where snow-peaked mountains can be seen in the distance.
Home to the largest international airport in Switzerland, Zurich is a city that is frequented by many but explored by few.
Many people look at Zurich as simply a stepping stone to their next stop on their Swiss itinerary and don’t actually take the time to explore what the city has to offer… including me!
In fact, the only reason that I wound up with so much time on my hands to explore Zurich was because my flight home got delayed!
At first, I was annoyed. What was I supposed to do in Zurich?!
But I quickly realized there are a ton of things to do, and got to work exploring. I mean, it’s not Switzerland’s largest city for nothing!
So do yourself a favor and spend at least two days in Zurich.
It’s just enough time to see the main sights, discover a few hidden gems, and leave eager to plan your next visit!
Here’s a quick Zurich itinerary — I hope it convinces you to give this Swiss city its due credit when visiting!
Day One of Your Zurich Itinerary: Getting a Feel for the City
Fuel up on breakfast.
One thing that I noticed about Europe is that it’s not uncommon to eat a pastry for breakfast and get on with your day.
Personally, I sometimes need a little something more to get me to lunch time without getting hangry, especially on big walking days.
Here you can choose to stand at the cafe bar for a cappuccino and a chocolate croissant…
… or you can opt for a table where you can enjoy a classic breakfast of eggs and pancakes!
As great as it is, there are two things that I should mention ahead of time.
One, this place serves one of the best cups of coffee in Zurich and everyone knows it so this place is always busy and loud.
Secondly, it’s expensive. But then again, so is everything in Switzerland, so you may as well get used to it or else you will find yourself extremely disappointed.
That being said, I went to Babu’s almost every morning during my visit. It’s just that good.
Pro tip: Get there when it first opens at 7 AM!
Go for a morning stroll.
While the morning light is still working its magic, it’s time to head over to Lindenhof Hill.
Many people will come here for sunset and the crowds tend to distract from the incredible view, in my humble opinion.
Besides, I think the views are better in the morning anyways!
Lindenhof sits atop an ancient glacier (technically a moraine, for my geology nerd friends) and offers an incredible view of the medieval old town, Altstadt.
In the early morning, you can sit atop the hill or climb over the remains of the city wall (so cool!) and watch the warm light glisten as it hits the river.
Sounds pretty exciting, right? And I haven’t even mentioned the joy of overlooking the old town as it begins to wake up!
Zig zag your way to an architectural masterpiece.
Feel free to use your GPS to help guide you, but do yourself a favor and skip the straightforward route.
Wandering through the cobblestone streets filled with shops, restaurants, and historic plazas is an experience you can’t pass up!
Eventually you will cross the bridge and arrive at your next destination: Grossmunster!
Grossmunster is not only one of the most beautiful churches in Zurich but it’s also one of the most historically significant.
It was built way back in 1100 and it was the site where the Swiss-GermanReformation in Switzerlandwas first initiated back in 1520.
Legend has it that the church was even established by the famous Charlemagne!
Even setting history aside, the incredible Romanesque architecture alone is more than enough reason to visit.
You can explore the main floor to admire the details or pay a small fee to climb to the top for one of the best views in Zurich!
Explore the Old Town.
You may not have realized this but you’re already in the Old Town!
Unlike some cities where the old town is just a few streets, Zurich’s Old Town is massive and sprawls across both sides of the Limmat River.
Here you’ll find endless cobblestone alleys, shops, restaurants, museums, squares like the lovely Muensterhof Square, and gardens… maybe even a cat or two!
So relax, and spend the afternoon exploring all that the old town has to offer and let your curiosity take the front seat on this adventure!
There are also free (but don’t forget to tip!) walking tours of the old town if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of it all.
We all like to travel in different ways, so do what makes sense for you!
Enjoy an Old Town lunch.
You’re going to come across an endless selection of places to eat, and from personal experience I can say that you probably won’t go wrong… most of the time.
But if you want to guarantee an amazing meal or you just don’t like the stress of having to pick a place, I recommend that you make your way over to the Swiss Chuchi Restaurant.
With plenty of outdoor seating, you can continue to admire the medieval streets of the old town and enjoy a high quality people-watching session.
Best of all, you can do all of this while scarfing down one of the main things that people come all the way to Switzerland to try: fondue!
Along with a variety of other traditional Swiss dishes, you can’t go wrong with a meal here, especially when the customer service is top notch!
After you’re fed and happy, continue your tour of the old town to walk off all that cheese!
Grab a drink with meaning.
One of the most unique establishments in Zurich is Cabaret Voltaire.
This is where the Dada movement was born, and ultimately the place that changed modern art forever!
The movement was a response to the end of World War I and it quickly spread across Europe, even reaching as far as New York City.
Today, Cabaret Voltaire is a place where you can grab a drink at one of two one-of-a-kind bars and admire the work of artists past and present.
It’s a place to make new friends and challenge your perspective, but most importantly, it’s a place that continues to live on through history.
Make your way over to Augustinergasse.
With an old town so big, you’re bound to miss a few side streets along the way.
The good news is that you have to start making your way back to where you started the day at some point.
Take your time and adventure through new nooks and crannies as you go.
Eventually you’ll make your way over to Augustinergasse — and you’ll know when you get there because it is one of the most photographed places in Zurich!
The buildings seem to tower over the narrow street and while attached, every building has its own pattern of bright colors to tell it apart from the rest.
Known as the most colorful street in Zurich, special additions like iron guild signs and wooden carved oriel windows make this place that much more picturesque.
Eat Swiss pizza for dinner.
Even after a day of walking, the fondue lunch has probably left you less than starving come dinner time.
But I assure you that the intoxicating smell coming from zur Schtund will help you make some room.
Besides, this is the perfect opportunity to try some Swiss pizza!
Known as flammkuchen, it’s not technically pizza, but it is made up of thinly rolled bread dough, creme fraiche, cheese, a meat of some kind, and onions so…
And zur Schtund makes the best! Known for its flammkuchen and great evening atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to end your first day in Zurich.
Day Two of Your Zurich Itinerary: A Day of Hidden Gems
Take a sunrise hike (or ride) up to Uetliberg Mountain.
You read that right. The city of Zurich actually has a mountain!
Just a short streetcar ride from the center of Zurich, you can be hiking up Uetliberg Mountain in no time.
Once you reach the top, you’ll be instantly rewarded with views of the city, Zurich Lake, and if you’re really lucky, the Swiss Alps out in the distance.
The only thing that could make this view better is the sunrise!
The trail is a little over a mile (2.1 km) to the top with an elevation gain of about 900 feet.
But if hiking on your city adventure isn’t what you signed up for, you’ll be happy to know that there is also a street car that takes you right to the top!
So why even bother hiking the trail? Well, the second you hit the trail you’ll find an oasis of peace and calm as you leave the hustle and bustle of the city.
In fact, I was shocked by just how peaceful this hike was!
Fully engulfed by nature, there are portions of this trail where all you can see are trees and the beautiful Lake Zurich out in the distance.
There’s also a firetower at the top that you can pay to climb for an even more spectacular view!
Reward yourself with a Swiss breakfast.
This part requires a bit of planning but I promise it’s worth it.
You’re going to want to get a really early start if you want to catch the sunrise, so you probably won’t have time to hit up a bakery before you head out.
Instead, plan ahead by scoping out the bakeries the day before and securing a pastry before the shops close.
This way you can enjoy your delicious Swiss breakfast from the mountaintop!
Explore the ruins of Burg Friesenberg.
Photo Credit: Roland Zh, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
There isn’t much left of the Friesenberg Castle (Burg), but the ruins that remain make for an interesting stop on your way back to the city center.
The ruins can be seen by taking a quick detour on your hike back down or by taking a streetcar from Uetilberg.
Either way, it’ll take about 30 minutes to get here.
Once you arrive, you’ll be welcomed by the crumbling walls and remaining arches of the mysterious castle.
To this day, it’s still unclear what this castle was used for. Still, based on the style of its architecture, it’s assumed that it was established around 1100.
Feel free to wander around as you enjoy this hidden ruin, protected by trees but still managing to provide spectacular views of the city down below.
Take the railway up to Felsenegg for lunch.
You’ve spent your morning up in the mountains so why not go even further with a railway car up to Felsenegg!
From here you can get a different, equally impressive view of Zurich and its lake.
But there’s something here that Uetilberg lacks…an awesome restaurant!
Restaurant Felsenegg has a massive outdoor patio so you can enjoy your lunch with an unmatched view of the city!
Opt for something light like a Felseneggplättli (similar to a charcuterie board) or go all out with a Swiss classic (did someone say Rosti??).
Splurge on the Secret Doors tour.
Switzerland is expensive enough as it is but once I heard about the Secret Doors tour, I just couldn’t help myself.
This tour does cost a pretty penny but it is usually free for kids (6 and under) and the larger your group size, the bigger the discount.
With the price disclaimer out of the way… this tour is amazing.
There are three hidden doors in Zurich that can only be accessed with a special key!
On the tour, you get to visit places that most of the locals haven’t even seen before.
Travel down into a tunnel that dates back to the Middle Ages, discover the walls of a royal palace, and head down into the basement of a modern-day building for a 13th century surprise!
Plus, the tours are private, so you won’t have to worry about sharing this experience with a bunch of other people!
Nicole is a freelance travel writer who loves traveling and hiking in America’s National Parks, particularly in Utah, Wyoming, and California. Her favorite place is just about anywhere where snow-peaked mountains can be seen in the distance.
