The first city in Taiwan and the historic capital of the country, Tainan, is one of the southernmost cities that you have to visit while exploring Taiwan. It honestly gives Taipei (the new capital) a run for its money when it comes to cities to visit while in Taiwan.
For me, what makes Tainan extra sweet is its food culture. Not only does it have a heap of night markets, it also has a vast mix of stalls and restaurants that make this city the foodie capital of Taiwan.
So, to help you get the most out of your time in Taiwan, I’m sharing our top things to do in Tainan when you visit the city. It is one of Taiwan’s best cities to visit whilst exploring the country.
1.) Anping Market
Not too far from Anping Fort, the Anping Market area (Google Maps link) is filled with hawker-style stores, foodie spots and heaps of independent stores that line the streets here.
Give yourself around 2-3 hours to fully explore the area. Although it isn’t huge, you’ll end up stopping at so many different spots along the way in Anping Market and even join some local classes.
When we visited, we could try our hand at making honeycomb sugar biscuits within the market itself. You pay a small fee (around 60-100 Taiwan dollars) and you’ll make your very own biscuits on the streetside. We loved it.
Also, don’t forget that Tainan is a sweet city. What I mean by this is that the city loves sweet treats. It’s well known in Taiwan, and Tainan truly embraces its love of sweet treats.
Make sure to try brown sugar cake, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese bubble tea, which is one of the best in the world—well, in my opinion, at least.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
2.) Anping Fort
Just a few hundred metres from Anping Market, Anping Fort is a historical spot within Tainan that is well worth visiting for a 45-minute trip whilst in the city. Once here, you’ll explore the historic fort that dates back centuries. Not only that, you’ll get to climb the viewing platform for views all across Tainan.
There’s a small cost for entry, but it’s well worth it when looking for the best things to do in Taian.
Afterwards, don’t forget to book this Tainan tea ceremony that lasts around 90 minutes. It’s a great way to delve into Taiwan’s rich tea heritage, and it’s such a delicious experience.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
3.) Taijiang National Park
Noting is not overly far in Tainan, especially Taijiang National Park. It’s a short transfer (about 15 minutes) from the centre of Tainan, and you’ll get to explore the more rural areas just shy of the city limits.
Once here, make sure to pop over to the Sicao Green Tunnel (Google Maps link), which takes you through some of the mangrove waterways here in Taiwan. Visits take around 25 minutes, and there is a small fee for boarding the boat and you can book tours here. Tours aren’t in English, and they don’t have translation tools, but you can still enjoy the green tunnel, which is easy to include on a trip to Tainan.
Afterwards, you can easily pop into the Sicao Dazhong Temple (四草大眾廟) that’s around a 90-second walk from the Sicao Green Tunnel Entrance. It’s one of the most visually beautiful temples in all of Taiwan and is one spot you can’t miss while in the wider Tainan area of Taiwan.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
4.) Chikan Pharmacy Bar
Probably one of my favourite speakeasy bars in Taiwan, the Chicken Pharmacy Bar (Google Maps link) is located in central Tainan and is well worth visiting during a visit to the city.
Now, there are around eight tables inside, so expect it to be cosy, but this pharmacy-style speakeasy is well worth visiting for its famous cocktails. Ask them about their Negroni drinks—they are so good.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
5.) YongLe Night Market
Night markets in Taiwan are a thing, no more so than in Tainan (the foodie capital of Taiwan). If you love markets, one spot you need to visit is the YongLe Night Market (Google Maps link). There are literally hundreds of stalls, shops and daily-run businesses that make this area so special.
Now, I would say visiting in the early evening is essential. This is when YongLe Night Market truly comes alive. Make sure to try the mango shaved ice and the grilled pork you’ll find in many of the market spots here in Tainan.
Oh, and make sure to take cash with you. Few of the stalls take cars, and they really prefer small notes ($100 or lower).
Not only that, you have a range of cool little vintage stores and cocktail spots, like 台南-秘氏咖啡 (Google Maps link), which are just stunning. Just remember, these are on the 2nd floor (so, one floor up from the ground).
On the same floor, you’ve then got a heap of small independent stores, bars and barbers that are so incredible to visit. We loved it here and you’d have no clue they existed if you hadn’t ventured higher than ground level.
They make some of the best coffee cocktails in all of Tainan.
Also, don’t forget about Tainan Garden Night Market (Google Maps link). This is another one of our favourite night markets, and you must visit it in Tainan. I’d go as far as to say it’s one of my favourites in Taiwan. Give yourself at least 2 hours to eat, pursue and explore.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
6.) Lola
We absolutely love all the small independent bars and cafes within Tainan, especially Lola (Google Maps link), an intimate cash-only bar that serves delicious cocktails. In the evening, Lala turns into an intimate speakeasy bar hidden behind the living room of the budding.
Head inside, grab a drink, and enjoy the incredible atmosphere here.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
7.) Anping Old Street
Anping Old Street (Google Maps link) is a spot to visit when exploring Tainan. It’s one of the best things to do in Tainan if you’ve already visited Anping Fort, the market, and other streets in the area.
As you meander the small streets, make sure to stop by 安平陶坊(延平店) 劍獅學堂 (Google Maps link). Here, you’ll find a pottery painting and making spot that allows you to perfect your skills in all things pottery. It’s so much fun, and we spent around 60 minutes designing our pottery pieces here.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
8.) Chou’s Shrimp Rolls
Popular for a reason! Chou’s Shrimp Rolls (Google Maps link) is an unfussy spot that’s a great lunch spot. There’s nothing hugely fancy about Chou’s, but they are well-renowned for their yummy shrimp rolls and congee.
We spent around 45 minutes at lunchtime there and loved it. Again, it’s nothing fancy, but the food is really good and nationally renowned.
Also, don’t forget about heading to Tainan’s Confucius Temple for a little stroll around.
Read more: Best places in Taiwan to visit
9.) Shennong Street
Probably one of my favourite streets to explore in Tainan, Shennong Street (and the surrounding alleys) is a great place to soak up the foodie capital of Taiwan and delve into the dishes and drinks that make this country so special.
As you wander down Shennong Street (and nearby alleys), you’ll come across many independent businesses in Tainan that focus on quality dishes and drinks.
We loved ‘We Drink Beer Company’ (Google Maps link), which focuses on local brews from the wider Tainan area. The space is also so beautiful. It might be small, but it doesn’t matter when a space is this design-led.
Afterwards, continue strolling the street and stopping by the local cafes and kawaii-style stores that make this area unique. We loved it.
Oh, and don’t forget to pop into Tainan Confucius Temple (Google Maps link), whilst you’re in downtown Tainan. It’s incredible to see and absolutely stunning to stroll around.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
10.) Xinyi Street
I know I mentioned Lola’s, which is on Xinyi Street, before, but I genuinely think the whole of Xinyi Street (Google Maps link) deserves its very own mention. We absolutely love this area of Tainan, and it’s a great place to stop for an evening ‘crawl’ through some of Tainan’s best places to visit.
Ofcourse, like we mentioned before, you’re going to stop at Lola’s (Google Maps link) for a tipple or two. Afterwards, head over to Dano’s Wine and Pasta (Google Maps link) for their yummy fresh seafood and pasta dishes which are some of the best in all of Taiwan. It’s a small little joint but it’s totally worth a visit.
Finally, head to the 四聯境老古石集福宮 temple (Google Maps link) and explore the spiritual history of Tainan. Xinyi Street really is special, and although not the busiest, it certainly packs a punch with cool spots to visit when looking for the best things to do in Tainan. Have fun!
Afterwards, visit the nearby Anping Kaitai Tianhou Temple and explore Anping Old Street with its many little stalls.
Read more: Best things to do in Taipei
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