Istanbul: Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour with Lunch

Step into the TV world of the Ghazis. This 8-hour outing from Istanbul takes you to the film sets of Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman, two hugely popular Turkish historical dramas. I like the chance to walk through the Kayi camp, old tents, castle sets, costumes, and props rather than simply watch the shows on a screen. The final horse performance is another strong point, with riders staging energetic scenes on the set.

I also like that the day includes return transport, a licensed English-speaking guide, lunch, a soft drink, and live entertainment. Guides such as Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp, and other cast members have made the visit especially memorable for fans. The main drawback is value: at $118 per person, the tour is not cheap, and some activities, photographs, horseback riding, and costume filming cost extra.

Key points before you book

• The sets are the main attraction: Walk through Ertugrul and Osman camps, castle areas, tents, props, and selected buildings used for filming.
• The horse show is a highlight: The closing performance is often the most exciting part of the day.
• Expect a fan-focused experience: Costumes, character encounters, set tours, and music from the series add plenty of drama.
• Lunch and transport are included: You meet in central Istanbul, travel by coach, and eat at a local restaurant on site.
• Some of the best extras cost more: Horse riding and professional photography are paid separately, with one visitor paying about $50 for a costume filming package.
• Set access can change: Active filming or restricted areas may close parts of the grounds, so do not expect to watch a full scene being shot.

Why this tour works best for fans of Ertugrul and Osman

This is not a general Ottoman-era sightseeing trip. It is a visit built around television worlds and the people who bring them to life.

If you know the difference between Ertugrul’s camp and Osman’s castle, you will get the most from the day. Familiar locations have a pleasing jolt of recognition. You may see the tents, tribal camp, castle courtyards, thrones, costumes, and props that appeared in the series. One particularly appealing stop is the recreation of the Kayi camp, where you can walk through the setting that gives the dramas much of their visual identity.

I would still recommend the tour to people who have not watched every episode. The sets offer a lively introduction to the period and to the legends of Ertugrul Ghazi and his son Osman Gazi. Just keep your expectations in check. This is a staged production site, not an archaeological monument, and the historical storytelling follows television drama rather than a formal academic lecture.

The guide helps connect the scenery to the characters. Past tours have included Hakan Serim, known for playing Gunkut Alp, as well as guides named Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar. When a cast member leads the walk, the experience gains an extra spark because you can ask about filming and the people behind the roles. Even with a regular guide, the tour includes explanations of the characters, scenes, costumes, and set design.

Meeting in Istanbul and the drive to the set

The day begins at one of two central meeting points. You can meet in front of Bilgins Leather and Fur in Cağaloglu between 9:40 and 9:50 AM, or outside the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim between 10:10 and 10:15 AM.

These are meeting points, not hotel pickups. You need to reach one of them yourself, so allow time for Istanbul traffic and the walk from your accommodation. The return is also to the meeting points rather than directly to your hotel.

The drive to the set is often around 40 to 50 minutes, though Istanbul traffic can affect the timing. I consider the coach ride part of the social side of the outing. Music from Ertugrul and Osman may play during the journey, and the guides can explain more about the shows and the figures they portray. Hakan Serim has received particular praise for making the ride informative and engaging.

You will spend a good portion of the day at the set, so wear shoes suited to walking. The information does not give an exact group size, but several tour groups may arrive at the site. That can mean a lively atmosphere, though it may also create waiting around at busy points such as the restaurant, costume area, or show venue.

The Kayi camp, old tents, and the first set walk

The opening part of the visit usually brings you into the older camp areas and tents connected with Ertugrul and the Kayi tribe. This is where the tour feels most like a fan pilgrimage. You recognize the design language from the screen: timber, fabric tents, tribal decoration, weapons, and practical camp details.

You get a guided walk first, then time to explore parts of the site independently. That combination is useful. The guide gives you the story and production context, while free time lets you take photographs without trying to keep up with a group.

One thoughtful detail is the Kayi Alp tent used as a mosque during prayer times. For Muslim visitors, this can make the long day easier and more comfortable. Bring your passport or another form of ID, along with cash, since you may want to pay for optional activities or purchases on site.

Do not assume every tent or building will be open. One section may be closed because filming is under way, or the production team may restrict access for part of the day. The set is a working film location, not a museum with fixed opening hours.

Castles, props, and the limits of a working film site

After the camp areas, the route moves toward larger set pieces representing castles and towns from the Osman period. I find these sections more visually impressive than the simple tents because they give you courtyards, gates, walls, and royal interiors to photograph.

Inegol Castle is often a favorite stop. You may also see the throne associated with Aya Nikola, a detail that will mean far more if you followed the series. Other areas include Sogut and castle settings used in the dramas.

The tour does not guarantee access to every set. Some visitors have found that half the sets were closed, while others felt they saw only a small portion of the full production area. This is the most important practical warning: do not book this expecting to watch actors shoot a complete scene. The day is about visiting the prepared sets, seeing selected props and costumes, meeting performers when available, and enjoying staged entertainment.

The amount of free time can also vary. Some people have wanted longer to explore the castles, while others felt they waited too long before the final show. If you like taking detailed photographs, ask your guide early when your independent walking time will be. That helps you plan instead of rushing at the end.

Costumes, actors, and optional screen-style activities

Costume access adds fun, but it is not included in the $118 price. You may have the chance to dress as a character, take photographs, or make a short custom film with help from an actor. One visitor paid about $50 for this type of costume photography and considered it worthwhile, but that is a personal choice rather than a required part of the tour.

If you are visiting with children or a dedicated fan, this may be the extra that turns a set visit into a memorable family activity. You can pose in character and create photographs that feel more personal than ordinary sightseeing pictures.

Meeting actors can happen during the visit, but it should not be treated as guaranteed. Previous outings have included photographs or casual encounters with performers such as Gunkut Alp, Ahmet Bey, Boran, Cerkutay, and other cast members. Mehmet Bozdag has also been present on some days. These moments are a pleasant bonus, not a fixed part of the published program.

The on-site shop is another optional stop. It sells themed goods, costumes, and souvenirs, but prices can be high. I would browse first and buy only if you find something you genuinely want. Some visitors felt the shop was expensive, and one preferred to visit it after the set tour rather than at the beginning.

Lunch, sherbet, and a pause in the day

Lunch is served at a local restaurant on the film-site grounds. It includes a meal and one soft drink, with a taste of Turkish sherbet also described as part of the experience.

Sherbet is a traditional sweet drink, often made with fruit, flowers, spices, or sugar. On this tour, it is a small cultural touch rather than a full food lesson. If it does not arrive with your meal, ask the restaurant staff or guide. Some diners had to request it separately, although they were not charged.

The food has generally been a strong part of the day, though service can vary when several groups arrive together. Lunch has been described as delicious by some visitors and merely adequate by others. One useful caution is that food may not be piping hot during a crowded sitting.

I like having lunch included because the set is outside central Istanbul and an independent search for food would interrupt the day. Still, do not expect a long restaurant experience or a choice-heavy culinary tour. The meal is a practical break, with Turkish hospitality and a chance to sit before the afternoon activities.

Iron forging, archery, and horseback riding

The activity portion gives you a more hands-on connection with the production world. Iron forging and archery may be offered as complimentary activities, but the supplied details also list archery as an optional paid activity. That inconsistency means you should confirm the current arrangement on arrival.

Access to these activities may depend on the day, staffing, or site conditions. One visitor could not take part in iron forging, while others enjoyed several hands-on options. Think of them as possible additions, not the central reason to book.

Horseback riding costs extra. If you are comfortable riding and want a stronger connection with the mounted-warrior scenes, it may be appealing. You should budget separately, since neither the riding nor the professional photography is included.

Bring cash for these extras. The activity price is not given in the tour details, apart from one reported $50 costume package, so ask for the full cost before agreeing. This avoids a surprise after you have already committed to the idea.

The final live show is often the day’s best scene

The tour usually ends with live performances against the film-set backdrop. Riders and performers stage action scenes, with horses, costumes, and dramatic storytelling. This is not a quiet historical demonstration. It is designed to entertain, and it succeeds because the set gives the performance a convincing backdrop.

The show has been called the highlight of the day by many people, and I can understand why. After walking through static tents and buildings, seeing trained riders and actors perform brings the television world into motion. It also gives you a clear ending rather than letting the afternoon fade into shopping and waiting.

The performance is relatively short, described by one visitor as lasting about 15 minutes. That makes the timing important. Some of the earlier hours can feel slow if you have finished looking around but the show is not due to begin until later in the afternoon. If you prefer a compact excursion, this long gap may bother you.

On the other hand, the full schedule gives you time to walk, eat, try activities, shop, and take photographs. Families and enthusiastic fans are more likely to appreciate the relaxed pace than visitors who want a quick four-hour attraction.

Is $118 good value?

The price includes several useful items: return transportation from central meeting points, entry to the movie set, a licensed English-speaking guide, lunch with one soft drink, and live shows. For an 8-hour outing outside Istanbul, that package is reasonable if you plan to use the included transport and care about the series.

The value becomes less clear if you are only mildly curious. The set is not an ancient site, and sections may be closed. Add the cost of a costume shoot, horse ride, photographs, shop purchases, or other activities and your final spending can rise quickly.

I would compare the price with the time and effort of arranging transport independently. The coach, guide, meal, and show remove much of the planning work. You also get access to a place that is not part of the usual Istanbul sightseeing circuit.

The strongest value comes from the atmosphere and the people. A cast member leading the tour, a chance encounter with an actor, or a horse show at sunset can make the day feel special. None of those moments should be guaranteed, but the basic set visit still offers plenty for a committed fan.

Who should book, and who should skip it?

You should book this tour if you have watched Dirilis Ertugrul or Kurulus Osman, enjoy dressing up, and want a full day built around the shows. It suits families, Muslim visitors who appreciate access to a prayer tent, and anyone who likes film production as much as historical storytelling.

You should also book if the horse performance matters to you. It repeatedly earns the strongest praise and gives the trip its most exciting finish.

I would skip it if you want a short, tightly timed excursion, a scholarly account of early Ottoman history, or a guaranteed look at actors filming new scenes. You may spend time waiting, and parts of the set can be unavailable.

For the best experience, bring a camera, ID, comfortable walking shoes, and cash. Meet your coach early, ask what is included before paying for extras, and leave room in your expectations for changes at a working production site.

FAQ

How long is the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi movie set tour?

The tour lasts about 8 hours, including transport between Istanbul and the film set.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $118 per person.

Where does the tour begin?

You can meet in front of Bilgins Leather and Fur in Cağaloglu between 9:40 and 9:50 AM, or in front of the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim between 10:10 and 10:15 AM.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must travel to one of the two listed meeting points. Return drop-off is also at the meeting points.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Return transportation from the Istanbul meeting points is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant and one soft drink are included. Turkish sherbet is also offered, though you may need to request it separately.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

Are horseback riding and professional photographs included?

No. Horseback riding and professional photography cost extra on site. Costume photography or a custom filming activity may also require an additional payment.

Can I expect to watch scenes being filmed?

No. The tour visits the prepared sets, but it does not promise access to active filming. Some areas may be closed when production work is taking place.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, passport or ID card, and cash for optional activities and purchases.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.

Should you book this set tour?

For a serious Ertugrul or Osman fan, I would book it. The combination of recognizable sets, possible cast encounters, costumes, included lunch, and the closing horse show gives you far more than a simple photo stop.

For everyone else, the decision is closer. At $118, the tour makes sense when you value convenience and entertainment, but less so if you want guaranteed access to every set or a short visit. Go for the television magic, not for a perfectly controlled museum tour, and you are more likely to enjoy the day.