Travel video guide
Things to Do in Üsküdar, İstanbul: 4 Places From Doug Barnard | Varedelo
This guide turns Why You Need to Visit the Asian Side of Istanbul (Underrated!) from Doug Barnard into a practical travel map with 4 saved spots around Üsküdar and Kadıköy. The mapped places include an area marker and a place marker. Use it to understand the places, food notes, and trip context before saving the map in Varedelo.
What the creator captured
Doug Barnard explored the Asian side of Istanbul to show that it is more about enjoying the local atmosphere and 'vibes' than checking off tourist sites. He particularly enjoyed the hipster neighborhood of Moda and the unique experience of sharing a table with a revered local cat while drinking Turkish coffee. The video emphasizes that the ferry ride and the seaside tea gardens offer some of the best views and authentic experiences in the city.
What this map is good for
- Planning an area marker stop or short itinerary in Üsküdar.
- Seeing where the mapped places sit together before choosing what to visit first.
- Saving 4 mapped spots into Varedelo so the list stays usable on the ground.
- Using the original video as context, then turning it into a clean place-by-place map.
Featured spots on this map
- Üsküdar
Area marker in Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye, Üsküdar, İstanbul, Türkiye - Bağdat Caddesi
Place marker in Bağdat Cad., İstanbul, Türkiye, İstanbul, Türkiye - Kadıköy
Area marker in Kadıköy/İstanbul, Türkiye, Kadıköy, İstanbul, Türkiye - Kuzguncuk
Area marker in Kuzguncuk, 34674 Üsküdar/İstanbul, Türkiye, Kuzguncuk, Üsküdar, İstanbul, Türkiye
Food notes from the video
- Turkish coffee
Experiences captured
- Took a ferry to the Asian side
- Explored the Kadıköy Çarşı market
- Observed fresh seafood and sheep heads at the market
- Walked through the hipster neighborhood of Moda
- Strolled along the Moda Sahil coastline
- Visited the Moda Çay Bahçesi tea garden
- Interacted with a cat at a cafe
- Practiced Turkish coffee fortune telling
Planning notes for Istanbul
Istanbul, historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople, is a transcontinental city in Turkey that straddles the Bosphorus Strait, connecting Europe and Asia. As of 2026, the city remains a center for observing the architectural and cultural remnants of the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman Empires. Historical Heritage and Architecture The city's historical core, a UNESCO World Heritage site, contains structures that demonstrate a fusion of architectural styles. The Hagia Sophia.
Must-try foods nearby
- Cağ Kebabı
Originating from Erzurum but perfected in Istanbul's specialized shops like Şehzade Cağ Kebap, this is a horizontal rotisserie of marinated lamb. - Balık Dürüm
While the classic 'Balık Ekmek' (fish sandwich) is iconic, the modern trend is the spicy, grilled fish wrap found in Karaköy. - Mantı
Often called 'Turkish ravioli,' these tiny, handmade dough pockets are typically filled with spiced ground meat. - Lahmacun
A thin, crispy oval of dough topped with a savory mixture of minced meat, tomatoes, onions, and herbs. - Hünkar Beğendi
A classic of Ottoman palace cuisine, the name translates to 'The Sultan Liked It.' It consists of tender, slow-cooked lamb chunks served over a rich.
When to go: The best time to visit Istanbul is during the shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October, when the weather is mild (15–24°C / 59–75°F) and crowds are manageable compared to the humid, peak summer months. For coffee enthusiasts.
Local tips
- Purchase an Istanbulkart from yellow vending machines at the airport or transit stations for seamless, discounted access to all public transport, including ferries and trams.
- Always carry small amounts of Turkish Lira in cash, as most restaurants do not allow adding tips to credit card payments and street vendors rarely accept cards.
- When dining out, a tip of 5–10% is customary for good service and should be left in cash on the table or in the bill folder.
- Use ride-hailing apps like BiTaksi or Uber to ensure the taximeter is used and to avoid common street taxi overcharging scams.
What travelers are noticing
- Specialty coffee 'experience centers' and large-scale roasteries, such as the 64,500 sq ft Espressolab facility and Spada Roastery's new 5,300 sq ft training and cupping hub.
- Viral 'Third Place' cafes in Kadıköy and Karaköy, like Peggy Coffee & Eatery and Parsa Coffee Roasters, focusing on minimalist Nordic design and award-winning experimental roasts.
- Global-fusion coffee drinks including Black Sesame Lattes and chocolate-pistachio matcha fusions, alongside a rise in coffee mixology and functional 'wellness' brews.
Extra place context
- Bağdat Caddesi
Stretching 14 kilometers on the Asian side, this tree-lined avenue is the city's most iconic high-street shopping district. Often compared to Paris’s Champs-Élysées, it offers a more relaxed, walkable, and residential vibe than the European side.
shopping
Planning questions
What is this video map?
It is a crawlable guide to the mapped places from Why You Need to Visit the Asian Side of Istanbul (Underrated!), with the creator video, a static map preview, and selected spots from the trip.
Can I save these spots?
Yes. Open the map in Varedelo to save the places, keep planning notes, and revisit the guide from your phone.
Does this replace watching the video?
No. The video remains the source, and the map makes the places easier to scan, compare, and save while planning.
Use it on your trip
Save this travel map before you go
Keep the mapped spots, creator context, food notes, and planning details together. Varedelo turns the page into a phone-friendly map you can revisit when you are choosing where to go.