From Istanbul Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour

The main draw is simple: you get to walk through the actual Kuruluş Osman filming area, not just see costumes behind glass. Expect large castle and house sets, open spaces used for filming, and a live performance that brings the Ertuğrul and Osman Gazi stories closer to the action. The set is also being expanded for the Orhan Bey era, which adds a sense that you are seeing a working production site rather than a finished museum.

I like the proper four-course lunch and the long four-hour visit inside the main filming area. I also like that lunch, transport from the city meeting point, admission, and the live show are bundled together. The main caution is the commercial side: optional filming, horse riding, photography, souvenirs, and other extras can add a lot to the bill, and the trip may run later than the advertised start because of traffic.

Key points before you book

• The filming sets are the star: Spend several hours among castle, house, and open-air movie locations used for Kuruluş Osman.
• A live show is included: Plan on a 15 to 20 minute performance with scenes linked to Ertuğrul Gazi and Osman Gazi.
• Lunch is more than a snack: A substantial four-course meal is included in the tour price.
• The day begins and ends in central Istanbul: Meet at the main door of the Atatürk Culture Center at 9:30 a.m., then return around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.
• Optional extras are part of the experience: Horse riding costs €20 for 20 minutes, photography starts at €15, and a filmed personal scene may cost as much as $600.
• Best for serious fans: If you have watched Diriliş Ertuğrul or Kuruluş Osman, the sets will mean far more to you than they will to a casual visitor.

Why the Kuruluş Osman set is worth the long ride

This is a full-day outing for fans of Turkish historical drama. You leave central Istanbul by air-conditioned vehicle and spend roughly an hour and a half reaching the filming area. That travel time matters. This is not a quick city attraction you can fit between visits to Hagia Sophia and the Grand Bazaar.

The payoff is the scale of the set. You can see the broad outdoor areas where scenes are made, then spend several hours among the built structures. The main visit includes castle and house locations, giving you a better sense of how the fictional towns and strongholds are arranged.

I would set your expectations correctly. This is a film plateau, not an archaeological site and not a traditional museum. Some areas may feel like working scenery rather than carefully preserved heritage. For a devoted fan, that is part of the fun. You are looking at the physical spaces used to create the series, including newer construction for the Orhan Bey period.

The site’s condition can vary. A little wear or unfinished work is understandable at a working production location, but it may disappoint you if you expect polished museum displays. The appeal comes from recognition: the gates, walls, tents, houses, and open areas connect to scenes you already know.

Meeting at the Atatürk Culture Center at 9:30

The official meeting point is in front of the main door of the Atatürk Culture Center. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m., though the actual departure can be later if traffic or group arrangements cause delays. On one occasion, the revised start time was communicated a day ahead, but the road still added time to the morning.

That is useful advice for planning your Istanbul day: do not book a tight evening restaurant reservation or another activity immediately after the stated return time. The tour is scheduled to finish around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., and traffic can affect both the outward and return journeys.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters during a long summer transfer. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself. The area is near public transportation, but the supplied information does not specify a particular metro, tram, or bus route, so check your route before the morning of the trip.

The group can include up to 35 people. That is large enough for a busy feel at the set, especially during the live performance, but small enough to move as one group in the vehicle. If you prefer a private or quiet visit, this may not be your ideal format.

The early Istanbul stops and the journey outward

The first part of the day includes a short period at the Atatürk Culture Center, followed by the drive to the filming location. The schedule allows about 30 minutes for the first stop, then roughly 1.5 hours of travel before reaching the set.

There is also a 15-minute stop in Istanbul to see open areas where films are made. This sounds like a brief orientation rather than a major attraction. I would treat it as a way to start thinking about how outdoor scenes are produced, not as a separate sightseeing stop worth the price by itself.

The transfer is one of the less exciting parts of the day, but it gives you time to settle in. You may want breakfast before meeting the group, since lunch comes later. Bring water, comfortable shoes, and a phone battery with plenty of charge. The set is spread across open ground, and you will want your camera ready.

Four hours among castles, houses, and working scenery

The main visit lasts about four hours, which is the strongest feature of this experience. You are not rushed through a single photo point. You have time to see several structures and open areas connected to Kuruluş Osman.

The castle and house sets provide the most satisfying moments for fans. Instead of looking at a single façade, you can move through a group of built locations and compare the different spaces used in the productions. The tour is especially appealing if you enjoy noticing how a television series creates a whole world from a limited set of structures.

I like the fact that the schedule gives the set room to breathe. A short photo stop would not justify the long drive from Istanbul. Four hours gives you a fair chance to explore, take pictures, look at the construction details, and watch any activity taking place around the production site.

Still, do not confuse length with a constant stream of guided commentary. The supplied details do not name a specific guide or promise a continuous historical talk. Some of your time may be self-directed, and that can be a plus if you want pictures without being hurried.

The set has also been described as a place where new Orhan Bey areas are being built. That will interest fans following the series and its changing cast of characters. It also means the appearance of the site may change over time. A structure you see today may later be altered for a new production.

A live show that connects the set to the stories

The schedule includes a live performance of about 15 to 20 minutes. It takes place with the film set as the backdrop and draws on the tales of Ertuğrul Gazi and Osman Gazi.

This is not a full theater production, so keep the scale in mind. The show is a short burst of action and storytelling within a much longer visit. Its value comes from seeing performers work in the same type of setting associated with the television series.

For a fan, the setting should make the performance more memorable than a stand-alone stage show. You are already surrounded by the walls, houses, and open spaces that resemble the world of the series. For someone unfamiliar with the programs, the story may feel less clear.

The performance is included in the admission. It is one of the parts I would make sure not to miss, since it gives the day a clear high point after the longer set exploration.

Lunch, coffee, and the unavoidable sales pitch

Lunch is included and has been described as a substantial four-course meal rather than a basic box lunch. That is a real benefit on an eight-hour outing. You do not need to budget for a separate midday restaurant stop, and a proper meal helps justify the time spent away from central Istanbul.

Food quality can be subjective, but the quantity is not a small matter. Be prepared for a generous meal. If you have dietary restrictions, the supplied information does not explain how special requests are handled, so ask before booking.

The commercial side deserves a frank warning. At the entrance, you may be offered a chance to be filmed in a production-style scene. The price can reach $600, and the introduction to this option may take the first 15 to 20 minutes. If you are not interested, say so clearly and move on.

Other extras include professional photography from €15 and 20 minutes of horse riding for €20. An archery option has also been available for $20. These can add fun, especially for families with children or teenagers, but none is included in the advertised tour price.

There is also a gift shop. Some merchandise is inexpensive enough to tempt you, while other items are not cheap. Character figures, including Bamsi Bey and Turgut Alp, are among the souvenirs that can be hard for fans to resist.

The on-site Har coffee shop is another small attraction. Its coffee, brownies, and colognes have been singled out as good buys. I would save room for a coffee break, but keep your spending limit in mind. The set can turn a $124.21 day into a much more expensive outing if you say yes to every extra.

What the $124.21 price really covers

At $124.21 per person, this is not a budget sightseeing trip. The price makes more sense if you value the long set visit, the transport from central Istanbul, lunch, entrance fees, and the live performance as one package.

The included air-conditioned vehicle is important because the filming location is not a short walk from the city center. You are paying for the return transfer as well as the attraction itself. Lunch also saves you the cost and hassle of finding food at an unfamiliar site.

The value is strongest for someone who has watched the programs and wants to stand inside their fictional world. If you have only a passing interest in Turkish television, the long journey and full-day schedule may feel heavy for a set visit.

Think of the optional activities as separate purchases. The $124.21 does not cover personal expenses, horse riding, professional photography, or the high-priced filmed scene. Set a spending limit before you arrive, and you will enjoy the included parts without feeling pressured.

There is one point that should be clarified before booking. The advertised package has referred to tickets for the Atatürk Culture Center, but that access was not provided on one occasion. Since the center is mainly the meeting point, this may not affect your day, but the wording should be confirmed with TAS TURKEY TRAVEL.

Who will get the most from this day

I would recommend this tour first to serious Diriliş Ertuğrul and Kuruluş Osman fans. You will recognize the characters, understand why the set matters, and enjoy details that may pass unnoticed for someone who has not followed the shows.

Families with older children and teenagers may also enjoy it. The open set, live performance, optional archery, horse riding, and character merchandise give the day more variety than a standard sightseeing transfer.

It can work well for fans who want photographs. You will have time to pose around the castle and house areas, though professional photography costs extra. Bring comfortable clothing and shoes rather than dressing only for pictures.

I would be more cautious if you are short on time in Istanbul, dislike group tours, or want a traditional cultural excursion. The experience does not replace a visit to the city’s mosques, markets, museums, or historic neighborhoods. It is a specialized entertainment day built around television production.

Booking, timing, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the set involves walking across an outdoor filming area, so you should consider your own comfort with a long day on your feet.

The tour ends back at the original meeting point. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Since the trip is offered by TAS TURKEY TRAVEL and the maximum group size is 35, ask any questions about pickup, meal needs, and the Atatürk Culture Center access before you pay. That is especially useful if the wording of your booking includes attractions beyond the film set.

Should you book the Kuruluş Osman set tour?

Book it if the series is a major part of your interest in Turkey. The four-hour set visit, live show, included lunch, and return transport create a full day around the programs, and the developing Orhan Bey area gives repeat fans something new to look for.

Skip it if you want a compact Istanbul activity or a broad introduction to Turkish history. The ride is long, the group may be large, and the optional sales offers can be distracting.

My practical advice is to treat the included set visit as the product and the extras as optional. Arrive ready to enjoy the castles, houses, open filming areas, and live show. If you can keep control of your spending and allow the whole day, this is a memorable choice for a devoted fan.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

You meet in front of the main door of the Atatürk Culture Center in Istanbul.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:30 a.m.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point.

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and is expected to finish around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, and it is described as a four-course meal.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transport is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle from the meeting point to the filming location and back. Hotel transfers are not included.

Is the live performance included?

Yes. The tour includes a live show lasting about 15 to 20 minutes on the film plateau.

How much does horse riding cost?

Horse riding is not included. A 20-minute ride costs €20.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience start time. Changes or cancellations made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.