Taipei's city boundaries extend outward 30 kilometers to reach the actual coastline. Unlike the tropical beach scenery of Southern Taiwan, Northern Taiwan's coastline presents a different character: diverse geology, rich cultural accumulation, and distinct seasonal landscapes. For many office workers, these beaches are not vacation destinations but the most accessible natural escape routes in their daily lives. Departing from Taipei Main Station, you can reach the beach within 40 minutes—this proximity has made "spontaneous beach trips" part of Taipei's lifestyle. Especially in recent years, as East Asian tourist flows gradually recover and domestic travel demand in Taiwan increases, these beaches have become the top choice for weekend getaways.
What makes Northern Taiwan beaches special is the "composite experience." You can combine beaches, museums, hot springs, or geological education in a single trip—something rarer in Southern Taiwan beach itineraries. However, be prepared: Northern Taiwan's seawater is 5-8°C cooler than the south, with winter temperatures at just 15-16°C, rising only to 21-22°C in summer. Strong seasonal winds mean not all times are suitable for swimming. If you're a surfing enthusiast, geology buff, or artsy traveler, Northern Taiwan's beaches will surprise you with unexpected delights.
Bali Beach × Shihsanhang Museum
Around No. 34, Balian Street, Bali District, New Taipei City. When it comes to the best beach quality around Taipei, Bali Beach tops the list. Fine golden sand, gentle shoreline, and relatively spacious beach area make it the top choice for families and beginner surfers. The beach is well-managed, with recreational areas open in summer and lifeguards on duty. But Bali's soul lies beyond the beach—the Shihsanhang Museum is just a short walk from the shore. The architecture blends into the landscape, and the collection features 6,000-year-old Neolithic artifacts, telling the human history of this coastline. Many visitors spend their Bali day like this: morning at the museum (about 2 hours), oyster omelet at the ferry pier for lunch (NT$80-150), afternoon swimming at the beach, and cycling back to Tamsui along the left bank bike path in the evening (approximately 17 km, bike rental NT$100-200). The entire trip costs less than NT$400 (accommodation not included).
Getting there: Take the MRT Tamsui Line to Tamsui Station, then the ferry (NT$25, 12 minutes) directly to Bali; or drive through Zhuzishan Tunnel (about 30 minutes). The last ferry runs at 10:00 PM.
Hours: Shihsanhang Museum is closed on Mondays, open 09:00-17:00 on other days; beach is open 24 hours; ferry runs 06:30-22:30.
Admission: Beach is free; Shihsanhang Museum adult ticket NT$80; bike path is free.
Tamsui Riverside × Fisherman's Wharf
No. 174-1, Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District, New Taipei City. Tamsui's waterfront is more about cultural experience than beach activities. Fisherman's Wharf's artificial landscape facilities (floating bridge, Lover's Bridge) attract numerous visitors. The architect's grand design is indeed impressive, but the real attraction lies in its "everyday feel"—many Taipei people simply love taking the last MRT stop to the end of the line and stepping out into the wind and sun. The Mangrove Nature Reserve is located behind Tamsui Station; paddling through the mangroves at high tide feels like entering another world (experience fee NT$500-800). The sunset is truly breathtaking, but be prepared—the area is always crowded on weekends, especially during summer vacation from June to August. If you want "peaceful sea viewing," Tamsui isn't the choice; but if you want "to be enveloped by the ocean's atmosphere," this is the perfect urban escape.
Getting there: Take the MRT Tamsui Line to Tamsui Station and walk (about 5 minutes). Last MRT train runs at 11:00 PM.
Hours: Outdoor areas are open 24 hours; Fisherman's Wharf food and beverage facilities operate 10:00-22:00; mangrove canoe experiences require reservation, available 08:00-17:00.
Admission: Waterfront is free; mangrove canoe experience NT$500-800 per adult; nearby dining per person NT$150-400.
Keelung Waterfront × Zhengbin Fishing Port
Around Zhengbin Road, Zhongzheng District, Keelung City. Taipei residents often dismiss Keelung as a "rainy city," but this port city's waterfront is Northern Taiwan's most distinctive. Zhengbin Fishing Port's colorful houses have become an Instagram hotspot, but beyond the architecture, Keelung's coastal geology is the true highlight. The strange rocks and stones along the shore, tidal pool ecology, and volcanic islands (Keelung Islet) all tell the story of Cenozoic volcanic activity in Taiwan's northeastern corner. The National Museum of Marine Science and Technology is located next to the fishing port; the "Ocean Insight Hall" allows children to learn about marine ecology interactively, combining education and entertainment. The downside of Keelung's waterfront is "strong winds, rough waves, cold water, and high humidity"—best visited in winter (November to March), with high disappointment index in summer.
Getting there: Take a train to Keelung Station (about 45 minutes from Taipei), then bus 101 or 103 to Zhengbin Fishing Port; or take intercity buses 1815 or 1825. Driving via Sun Yat-sen Freeway takes about 50 minutes.
Hours: Waterfront is open 24 hours; Marine Museum is closed on Mondays, open 09:00-17:00 (until 16:30 in winter); dining around Zhengbin Fishing Port 09:00-20:00.
Admission: Waterfront is free; Marine Museum adult ticket NT$120; Ocean Insight Hall additional NT$100; dining per person NT$200-500.
Jinshan Beach × Hot Springs
Around Minsheng Road, Jinshan District, New Taipei City. Jinshan is one of Taiwan's rare "beach hot spring" destinations—a unique experience of soaking in hot springs in winter and rinsing off directly at the beach. Jinshan Beach itself has decent sand, but its advantage lies in abundant nearby hot spring resources, with many hot spring hotels right by the shore. The nearby "Twin Candle Holders" (Candle Islets) are a famous geological landmark in Northern Taiwan. At high tide, the two rock formations are surrounded by seawater; at low tide, you can get close to them. Note that Jinshan Beach is best for autumn and winter (October to March); summer brings crowded beaches and murkier seawater, with coastal microalgae potentially causing skin irritation.
Getting there: Take intercity bus 1717 or 1717A to Jinshan Station (about 50 minutes), then transfer to a bus or taxi; or drive via Sun Yat-sen Freeway for about 1 hour.
Hours: Beach is open 24 hours; hot spring facilities operate 07:00-22:00; hot spring hotels check-in 15:00-22:00.
Admission: Beach is free; hot spring facilities adult ticket NT$150-250; hot spring hotel per night NT$3000-8000; dining per person NT$200-400.
Yehliu Geopark
No. 1, Yehliu Street, Wanli District, New Taipei City. Yehliu is a geological classroom, not a beach. About 12 million years ago, this coastline was an underwater mountain range. Through uplift, erosion, and weathering, it has formed diverse geological wonders including mushroom rocks, tofu rocks, and honeycomb rocks. The park features professional geological interpretation boards and guided tours, especially suitable for bringing children to understand Earth's structure. Note that Yehliu is not suitable for swimming—it's purely a geological observation area. Summer is humid, hot, and packed with tourists, making it not recommended; winter and spring (November to April) are the best seasons.
Getting there: Take intercity buses 1062 or 1063 to Yehliu Station (about 1 hour), or drive via Sun Yat-sen Freeway for about 1 hour.
Hours: 08:00-17:00 (may close at 16:30 in winter).
Admission: Adult ticket NT$80.
Practical Travel Information
*Best Season*: Autumn and winter (October to March) is the golden season for Northern Taiwan beaches. Stable weather, ample sunshine, and relatively fewer tourists. Spring (April to May) brings increased rainfall; summer (June to September) is typhoon season with high temperatures and rain, not ideal for beach activities.
*Transportation Tips*: When departing from Taipei, prioritize the MRT (Tamsui Line goes directly to Bali and Tamsui; Haikong Line goes directly to Keelung). For Jinshan and Yehliu, renting a car or taking intercity buses is more convenient. In recent years, weekend MRT traffic toward Tamsui has been heavy—recommend traveling on weekdays or arriving early.
*Accessibility*: Tamsui, Bali, and Keelung Marine Museum all have complete barrier-free facilities; Yehliu and Jinshan are limited due to terrain.
*Safety Reminders*: (1) Northern Taiwan seawater is 15-16°C in winter—if swimming is planned, wear a wetsuit; (2) It's best to avoid the beach during midday (12:00-16:00), when UV radiation is strongest; (3) Always check tide tables before water activities; (4) Summer microalgae blooms on Jinshan coast can cause skin irritation; (5) Yehliu and Keelung waterfronts have strong winds and waves, not suitable for swimming.
