Romance doesn’t have to break the bank — no need to bring your wallet either. Romantic date ideas for budget-conscious couples with high cost-performance

Tourism Center / General Report

Who says romance has to be built with money? Do you really need a fancy dinner, gifts, or big spending to call it a date? In truth, as long as you’re with the right person, anywhere can be fun—even a free itinerary can be thoroughly enjoyable. If you’re fresh out of ideas for this weekend’s date, start planning the next one with these six ways.

▲ Guting Riverside features many romantic art installations perfect for photos. (Photo provided by netizen zhe_an_7. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

1. Watch airplanes

Even if you’re not an aviation enthusiast, you’ll still probably let out a “Wow~” when you see a giant bird soaring overhead. Near airports across Taiwan, there are usually great spots to watch planes take off and land. Waiting together for the next plane to pass by and guessing which one it will be is also a little shared joy for couples.

▲ % Locations such as [names redacted] are popular among aviation fans. (Photos provided by netizens yndilovetravel and annachang0831. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

2. Watch the sunset, enjoy the night view

As long as the location isn’t too bad, watching the night view works for everything from wooing someone to proposing — and it always hits the mark. You don’t necessarily have to splurge on a scenic restaurant. Just pick a day with good weather, find the spot with the best view, and enjoy the sunset shoulder to shoulder, then count the stars. This kind of simple yet romantic date plan is something no girl would say no to.

▲ Geographic Center Monument at Hutou Mountain (Photo provided by netizen hsushihhan. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

▲ Kaohsiung Martyrs' Shrine love spot (Photo provided by netizen cecilyyy8572. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

3. Stroll along the seaside

If your partner is feeling down, take them to see the sea. The vast blue ocean always has a magical healing effect. Even just sitting quietly on the sand staring at the waves, the ocean seems to have the power to carry worries away — a perfect date activity for couples looking to relax and unwind.

▲ Private sea area at Niushan Hu Ting in Hualien (Photo provided by IG @iamsyuansyuan. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

4. Go for a bike ride

If the guy doesn’t have a girlfriend who’ll play basketball with him, or the girl doesn’t have a boyfriend who loves shopping, how about going for a bike ride together? Thanks to the growing popularity of cycling, Taiwan now has many bike paths with beautiful natural scenery and well-planned routes. With nothing to do on the weekend, why not go for a ride?

▲ Tamsui Golden Coast (Photo provided by New Taipei City Government Water Resources Bureau)

▲ Taiwan’s most beautiful “Sky Cycling Path” — enjoy the night view of Kaohsiung Harbor with the evening breeze (Photo provided by photographer Jim Lin)

5. Go hiking

Hiking for a date might not sound very romantic, but any couple who’s hiked together knows that supporting each other and matching pace during the climb builds a connection that really warms up the relationship. Getting out to hike and sweat a little once in a while is definitely good for you.

▲ Keelung Mountain offers views over the mountain city. (Photo provided by netizen a8454963. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

6. Take photos at free attractions

There aren’t many girls who don’t like taking photos, right? If you really don’t know what to do for a date, planning an all-day photoshoot itinerary is definitely a safe bet. In this social media-driven online era, everyone heads to the best photo spots, and there are more than enough to go around — you’ll never run out of ideas.

▲ The double-heart shaped attraction in Changhua is both romantic and super photogenic. (Photo provided by netizen ____allen. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)

▲ Chaojing Park’s broom rescue spot. (Photo provided by netizen ig yichu2719. Please do not reproduce without permission to avoid copyright infringement.)