Taipei is an incredible city full of culture, food, and exciting attractions, but what happens when the weather doesn’t cooperate? Thankfully, there are plenty of amazing places to visit and things to do indoors. If you’re wondering where to go in Taipei when raining, don’t worry—you can still have an amazing time exploring the city without getting soaked.
I didn’t have the best luck with the weather when I was in Taipei but I was able to find plenty to do to keep myself entertained. Taipei’s well-connected metro makes it easy to hop between indoor attractions, whether you want to dive into history, indulge in some shopping, or sample Taiwan’s famous cuisine.
Before we get started, here are some of the best places to stay in Taipei for your visit.
The gorgeously stylish Episode Daan Taipei Hotel is a fantastic design led hotel a six minute drive from Taipei 101. It’s music themed and has live music nights throughout the week and large hot spring tubs on the balconies overlooking the city.
The Art’otel is only a five minute walk from the Ximending Shopping Area. It’s a stylish hotel with a 24 hour front desk and minimalist rooms some with garden views.
Overlooking the historical North Gate, citizenM Hotel Taipei is a trendy spot with compact but quirky rooms in a great location with fantastic city views.
In this guide, I’ll take you through what to do on a rainy day in Taipei so you can make the most of your time, no matter the weather!
Morning: National Palace Museum & Huashan 1914 Creative Park
Start your day at one of best indoor things to do in Taipei, the National Palace Museum. Home to a collection of over 700,000 pieces of art and artefacts, this museum is the perfect place to explore when it’s raining in Taipei. You could easily spend hours here, but two to three hours should be enough to see the main exhibits.
Next, take the MRT to Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station and head to Huashan 1914 Creative Park. This former industrial complex has been transformed into a hub for arts, culture, and entertainment. Whilst some of it is outside, there are plenty of events and exhibits inside warehouses, marked as 2, 3, 6, & 15 on the Creative Park’s map. You can also visit Umay Theater: to watch Taiwanese plays & dance performances.
It also has plenty of trendy cafés – including a Chung Shui Tang, a chain that’s supposedly invented bubble tea: -boutique shops, and rotating art exhibitions. If you’re looking for what to do on a rainy day in Taipei, this is a great spot to grab a coffee, browse some indie stores, and soak in the creative atmosphere.
Midday: Lunch and Taipei 101
One of the best things about Taipei is its incredible food scene, and rain is the perfect excuse to enjoy a long, leisurely lunch. A great option is Din Tai Fung, a world-famous Big Gourmand Taiwanese dumpling restaurant. Their xiao long bao (soup dumplings) are a must-try, and there are several locations across the city, including in Taipei 101 and the Xinyi shopping district. At busy times they do often have queues, but it’s worth it for the delicious flavours and to see the experts making the dumplings so quickly in the glass fronted kitchens. I’ve linked here to a foodie experience at Din Tai Fung, which means you won’t have to book.
After lunch, head straight to Taipei 101, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. While the towering skyscraper is an impressive sight from the outside, the real magic happens indoors.
It was originally the tallest building in the world and the first building to be over half a kilometre high. You can take the world’s fastest elevator up to the observation deck on the 89th floor for breathtaking panoramic views of the city. Even on a rainy day, the views from the top can be mesmerizing, with mist swirling around the skyline. If the weather clears up a little, you can even visit the 101st-floor outdoor deck for an even higher vantage point.
If you love shopping, Taipei 101 also houses a luxury mall, featuring designer boutiques, bookstores, and a fantastic food court – a great stop when deciding where to go in Taipei when raining.
Afternoon: The Red House and Themed Cafés
For a dose of culture and history, take the MRT to Ximen Station and visit The Red House. Built in 1908, this historic red-brick building has been transformed into a cultural hub filled with art exhibitions, boutique stores, and a small theatre. On the weekends, the indoor market here is a great place to browse handcrafted souvenirs, jewelry, and design pieces by local artists. If you’re looking for what to do on a rainy day in Taipei, this is a fantastic place to enjoy some of Taipei’s creative energy while staying dry.
Taipei is also known for its quirky themed cafés. From cat cafés to board game cafés there are plenty of fun and unique options. Modern Toilet has two locations in Taipei – it’s a bathroom themed chain restaurant that has branches in Ximending and Shilin. Here you can eat out of toilets while sat on toilets. Sounds weird? Yes, but it’s very popular and it’s certainly unique.
If you’re looking for something slightly cuter then the world’s first cat cafe – Kitten Coffee Garden is certainly one of the most fun indoors things to do in Taipei. Opened in 1998 and currently located in Shilin, Taipei’s Kitten Coffee Garden is a cute coffee shop home to a number of cats and dogs.
Evening: Taipei’s Night Markets and Indoor Entertainment
Even though night markets are typically an outdoor activity, many of Taipei’s famous ones have covered areas, making them a great choice if you’re looking for what to do on a rainy day in Taipei. Ningxia Night Market is a fantastic option, offering a mix of street food stalls under shelter. Try Taiwanese classics like oyster omelets, pepper buns, and bubble tea while staying dry. It’s also close to Dihua Street, the oldest street in the city and a great spot for street photography in Taipei.
Whilst not unique to the city, always one of the best indoor things to do in Taipei, is catching a movie at a luxury cinema, like the Vieshow Cinemas in Xinyi. Some of the cinemas offer private lounges and reclining seats, making it a comfortable way to spend the evening. Alternatively, KTV (karaoke) is a fun Taiwanese pastime, and there are many karaoke venues where you can rent a private room and sing your heart out with friends. Alternatively, book a pub crawl to check out some of the bar venues and meet some new people!
Final Thoughts
My time in Taipei was certainly very wet, and I was initially worried that it was going to spoil my time there. However there is no shortage of things indoor things to do in Taipei that still feel quite unique to the city. Whether you’re interested in museums, shopping, cultural landmarks, or delicious food, there are plenty of options for where to go in Taipei when raining. The key is to embrace the weather and take advantage of the city’s many indoor attractions.
So next time you find yourself caught in the rain, don’t let it ruin your plans—just follow this guide, and you’ll know exactly what to do on a rainy day in Taipei!
Top Tips for a Rainy Day in Taipei:
☔ Bring a small umbrella or buy a disposable rain poncho from a convenience store
🚇 Use the MRT to avoid walking in the rain too much
👜 Check out underground malls like Taipei City Mall for shopping without getting wet
🥢 Take the opportunity to indulge in Taipei’s incredible food scene
Have you experienced Taipei in the rain? Let me know your favorite indoor things to do in Taipei in the comments below!
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