Istanbul: Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour with Lunch

The main draw here is simple: you get to walk through the actual sets used for Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman, with tents, castles, costumes, props, and live performances built around the shows. For fans, seeing places such as the Kayi camp and Inegol castle is far more memorable than another standard Istanbul sightseeing stop.

I like the hands-on atmosphere, especially the chance to dress in period costume and try activities such as archery or iron forging when available. I also like the included lunch and the final horse show, which many people find to be the day’s best performance. The main caution is value: at $118, with photography and horse riding charged separately, this is best for serious fans rather than casual television viewers.

Key points at a glance

• Walk through famous sets: See Ertugrul and Osman-era camps, tents, castles, props, and costumes.
• A guide adds context: English-speaking guides such as Burak, Hakan, Abdullah, and Oscar have led tours, with some guides also connected to the series.
• Lunch is included: Eat at the on-site restaurant with one soft drink, and ask for the sherbet included in the tour.
• The live horse show is the finale: Plan to stay for the closing performance, often the strongest part of the day.
• Extras cost more: Horse riding and professional photographs require additional cash, and the gift shop can be expensive.
• Allow a full day: The tour lasts about eight hours, with roughly 40 to 50 minutes of driving each way from Istanbul.

Why this film-set tour is different from ordinary Istanbul sightseeing

Istanbul gives you mosques, palaces, ferries, and ancient walls. This outing gives you something else: a working television world made physical. You are not simply looking at a screen or a museum display. You can walk through the camp, enter tents, see the castle sets, handle costumes for photographs, and watch performers recreate the action.

That distinction matters. The sets are built for television, so some buildings are facades and some areas may be closed when filming is underway. Still, the scale and detail make the visit feel more substantial than a quick photo stop. The experience works best when you treat it as a themed cultural day, not as a formal archaeological tour.

The stories of Ertugrul Ghazi and his son Osman Ghazi are tied to the Ottoman origin story presented in these popular series. Your guide explains the figures and the television production, helping you connect the tents, tribal camp, castles, and costumes with scenes you may already know.

If you have not watched either show, you can still enjoy the spectacle. But I would not choose this as a priority over Istanbul’s major historic sights unless the series means something to you.

Meeting points, coach ride, and the long day ahead

You meet at one of two central Istanbul locations. The first is in front of Bilgins Leather & Fur in Cağaloğlu from 9:40 to 9:50 AM. The second is outside the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim from 10:10 to 10:15 AM.

This is not hotel pickup. You need to reach one of these points yourself, so allow time for Istanbul traffic and use the exact meeting instructions provided when you book. The return is to the same two general meeting points.

The drive to the set takes about 40 to 50 minutes according to the tour details supplied by past participants, though traffic can affect the timing. The coach ride is part of the day rather than a minor transfer. Music from the two series may play during the journey, and the guide may begin explaining the shows and the day’s plan.

The transport is a real benefit at this price. Reaching a large film complex outside central Istanbul independently would be less straightforward, and you would lose the live explanation. Drivers have also been praised for being punctual and helpful, which makes the early start easier.

Still, eight hours is a substantial commitment. You will spend much of the day outdoors or walking between set areas, so bring comfortable shoes, a camera, identification, and cash for extras.

Entering the Kayi camp and Ertugrul’s world

The first part of the visit focuses on the Ertugrul side of the production. You may see the older tents associated with Ertugrul and Osman, the Kayi camp, and other camp buildings used to create the tribal setting.

This is where the tour begins to feel personal for fans. The tents are not generic props brought out for a quick photograph. They form the setting that viewers recognize from the series, and the guide explains how the areas relate to the story and filming.

Some of the most useful guiding comes from staff who know the production from the inside. Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp in Ertugrul, has led tours on some dates. Other guides, including Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar, have been praised for clear explanations and patient answers. Do not assume a particular guide or actor will be present on your date, but the possibility of meeting someone connected with the show adds a special touch.

One practical point: the pace can feel uneven. Some sections are guided closely, while others give you free time to wander and take pictures. People who like browsing at their own speed will appreciate that freedom. If you want every corner explained, you may find the free period a little loose.

Costumes, props, and the paid photo experience

Costumes are one of the strongest parts of the visit because they turn the set from a viewing experience into a role-playing one. You may be able to dress as a character, pose in a tent, and create photographs that look like personal scenes from the series.

Professional photography is not included. The extra charge reported for costume photography has been about $50, though prices can change. You can bring your own camera for ordinary pictures, but professional images require an on-site payment.

I would decide this before you arrive. If you are visiting with family or have always wanted a photograph as Osman Bey, Bala Hatun, or another character, the extra fee may feel worthwhile. If you mainly want to see the sets, skip it and keep your cash for lunch extras or the shop.

The gift shop usually appears somewhere in the visit, and it can be tempting. It sells themed goods and souvenirs, but prices have been described as high. I would browse first and buy only what you genuinely want. The shop should not determine the value of the whole outing.

Osman’s castles and the parts you may not see

After the camp areas, the tour moves toward the castle sets and other locations used for Kurulus Osman. Inegol is a particular highlight, with recognizable details such as Aya Nikola’s throne. You can see how the production changes from open camp scenes to fortifications, court interiors, and military settings.

The sets are carefully dressed, which makes them good for photographs even when no filming is taking place. You may see familiar doors, walls, tents, and props that look different on television because of camera angles and editing.

Set access is not guaranteed in every area. One section may be closed for filming, maintenance, or production use, and some people have seen only part of the full set. That is normal for a working television site, but it is important to adjust your expectations. You will not watch a regular scene being filmed as part of this tour.

Free time among the castles is another variable. Some people feel they need more time to explore, while others find the waiting between scheduled activities too long. The day may feel especially slow before the late afternoon performance, so bring patience and use the open periods for photographs and browsing.

Lunch, sherbet, and the Turkish hospitality factor

Lunch is served at a local restaurant on or near the set, and the package includes one soft drink. The meal has generally been considered satisfying, though the quality and temperature may vary when the restaurant is handling several tour groups at once.

The included sherbet is a small but worthwhile detail. Sherbet is a traditional sweet drink, and it gives the meal a local touch beyond the usual tourist menu. Since one person had to ask separately for it, remind the restaurant staff if it does not arrive with the meal. It should not require an extra charge under the stated inclusions.

Lunch also gives you a needed break from walking. The site can become busy, and the restaurant may be crowded, so do not expect a quiet, slow meal. Think of it as a convenient Turkish lunch built into a long day, not a culinary tour.

Vegetarian, dietary, and menu details are not provided here, so ask the operator before booking if food restrictions matter to you.

Forging, archery, horseback riding, and photographs

The activity program can include hands-on options such as iron forging and archery. The details are not entirely consistent: the itinerary describes some activities as complimentary, while the exclusions say archery is paid, and several people describe extra charges for activities. Availability can also change on the day.

For that reason, ask the guide which activities are included before you begin. Bring cash, as the tour specifically recommends it and the optional activities are paid on site.

Horse riding is an additional-cost activity. It may suit you if you want a more active connection with the series, but it is not necessary to enjoy the main tour. The same applies to professional photographs. You can have a good day without paying for either.

The staff interaction is often a strength. At times, actors have greeted the group or posed for photographs, and some people have met performers such as Gunkut Alp or other cast members. This is a pleasant bonus, not something you should book as a guaranteed meet-and-greet.

The live show is worth staying for

The closing performance is usually the most polished part of the day. Horse riders perform against the film-set backdrop, with action, costumes, and storytelling designed to echo the two series.

I would not leave early. Even people who find the earlier free time too long often regard the final show as the highlight. The horse work gives the day a proper finish and helps explain why the tour runs for eight hours.

The show also makes the outing more enjoyable for family members who are less interested in set design. They may not care about which tent belonged to which character, but a live performance with horses is easy to appreciate.

After the show, you return to Istanbul by coach. The day can feel long, but the late finish is part of the package rather than an unexpected delay.

Is $118 good value?

At $118 per person, this is not a cheap half-day add-on. You are paying for return transportation, entry, an English-speaking guide, lunch with a soft drink, and live shows. The cost also reflects the distance from central Istanbul and the specialized nature of the set visit.

For a committed fan, I think the value is reasonable. You receive a full day of themed entertainment, access to several set areas, a meal, and a live performance. Meeting an actor or getting a guide with production experience can make the day feel even more personal.

For a casual viewer, the calculation is harder. Some sets may be closed, no filming is promised, and several attractive extras cost more. If you mainly want a general Ottoman-themed activity, Istanbul itself offers other options that may provide more historical substance for less money.

I would also budget for optional costs only if they matter to you. A $118 tour can become noticeably more expensive with a $50 photo package, horse riding, shopping, and other activities. The included program is enough for a satisfying visit, so you do not need to buy every add-on.

Who should book this tour?

I would recommend it to:

• Fans of Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman
• Families who enjoy costumes, live shows, and interactive activities
• Visitors who want a full-day outing beyond central Istanbul
• People who value a guide that can explain both story and production
• Anyone happy to spend time walking, waiting, and taking photographs

I would think twice if you dislike themed attractions, want a tightly timed historical tour, or have limited time in Istanbul. The outing is not suitable for wheelchair users, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Exact access can vary because the site is a film complex rather than a purpose-built museum.

For Muslim visitors, the Kayi Alp tent has been used as a mosque during prayer times, which can be useful. Bring your passport or ID, camera, and cash. Comfortable footwear is a sensible choice.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the Ertugrul and Osman series are a real part of your travel plans. The sets, costumes, actor connections, and final horse show create a memorable day that ordinary Istanbul sightseeing cannot copy.

Skip it if you have not watched the shows and are choosing between this and Istanbul’s major historic sights. Also skip it if $118 feels high before optional costs, since some areas may be closed and the day includes periods of waiting.

My practical advice is to book for the access, lunch, guide, and live show, not for a guaranteed actor meeting or a chance to watch filming. Ask about paid activities at the start, request the sherbet with lunch, and save enough time for the closing horse performance. Those choices give you the best value from the day.

FAQ

How long does the Ertugrul and Osman film-set tour last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transportation from Istanbul, the set visit, lunch, activities, live shows, and the return journey.

Where does the tour depart from?

You can meet in front of Bilgins Leather & Fur in Cağaloğlu 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 need to reach one of the two listed meeting points yourself. Return drop-off is provided at the meeting points.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant and one soft drink are included. Sherbet is also described as part of the experience, so ask for it if it is not served automatically.

Is the tour offered in English?

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

Are horse riding and professional photographs included?

No. Horse riding and professional photography are optional paid activities available on site.

Can I watch scenes being filmed?

No filming is promised. Some areas may be closed because production is taking place, and access to the sets can vary by day.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience 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. Cash is useful for optional activities, photographs, and purchases at the on-site shop.