TourMeAway

TourMeAway is one of the best-established walking tour companies in Taipei. It has been running free walking tours with English-speaking local guides since 2014 and says it has hosted more than 120,000 guests in that time, which makes it a reliable first choice for travellers who want an introduction to the city on foot with someone who lives there.

The free walking tours are the core of the business. They work on a pay-what-feels-right basis, with guests deciding what to give at the end, and they run every day, rain or shine. Three routes are on offer, each lasting around two to two and a half hours: Taipei Old Town, Longshan Temple and Vintage Taipei. The Longshan Temple tour is a natural complement to a visit to the temple itself, adding context about the rituals and the surrounding Wanhua district, while the old town and vintage routes help you read the history in the streets around you. Book a place in advance through the website so the guide knows numbers, and bring cash for the tip.

Beyond the free tours, TourMeAway runs paid small-group experiences that include food and tastings. These include a Taipei Food Tour, with dinner and breakfast versions and a lunch option on request, a Taipei Pub Crawl that runs from Wednesday to Sunday, a Taiwan Beer Brewery tour, and a tea ceremony with tea tasting. Prices for these are listed on the website. By request, the company also arranges Taiwanese indoor shrimping, an LGBTQ-focused tour and private tours, useful if you are travelling as a family or a group with particular interests.

The tours suit first-time visitors, solo travellers who want company, and budget travellers, since the walking tours let you decide what the experience was worth. Families with older children will also enjoy the food tour. Wear comfortable shoes, carry water and an umbrella, and come hungry if you are joining a food or brewery tour. Let the company know about dietary requirements when booking a food tour.

Check the meeting point for your chosen tour when you book, and arrive a few minutes early. A good plan is to take a walking tour early in your stay: the guides are a good source of tips on food, transport and what to see next, and you can then return to the places that interested you most, such as Lungshan Temple, Dihua Street or the night markets.