REVIEW · ISTANBUL
Resurrection Ertugrul and Establishment Osman Film Set Tour
The main draw here is simple: you get to walk around the actual sets used for Resurrection Ertugrul and Establishment Osman, then see how filming spaces can be changed for different scenes. Sword forging is included, and you may even meet cast members if filming schedules allow, though that is never guaranteed.
I like the door-to-door planning from central Istanbul meeting points, and I like that lunch, transport, a guide, and entrance costs are bundled into the price. Guide Taha has explained how the locations are transformed, while driver Furqan has helped keep the long road trip moving through Istanbul traffic.
The main drawback is the price: $295.87 per person is a serious spend for an eight-hour group outing. Costume rental and professional photography cost extra, and the non-refundable booking rule means you should be certain before paying.
Key Points at a Glance

- See two famous Turkish television sets: Visit the filming locations associated with Resurrection Ertugrul and Establishment Osman.
- Sword forging is included: This hands-on feature gives the visit more substance than simply walking around and taking pictures.
- English guidance from Taha: The guide explains how each set and location has been adapted for filming.
- Lunch and transport are covered: An air-conditioned vehicle and meal are included in the tour price.
- Cast meetings are possible, not promised: Filming schedules and days off decide who may be present.
- Extras cost more: Costume rental and photography are not included.
Walking Into the World of Ertugrul and Osman

For fans of Turkish historical drama, this is not just a sightseeing trip. You are visiting working film locations tied to two hugely popular series, with the chance to see the physical details that television usually hides behind camera angles and editing.
The appeal comes from being on the set itself. You can look at the constructed spaces, notice how one location serves several purposes, and understand how scenes are made to feel much larger than the actual filming area. Taha, the English-speaking guide, has shown how the production team transforms locations for different parts of the shows.
That explanation matters. Without a guide, a film set can look like a collection of buildings, props, and open space. With context, you can connect those pieces to the stories and characters you already know. If you are a committed fan of Osman Bey or Ertugrul Bey, the visit gives you a physical connection to the programmes that watching at home cannot provide.
You should keep your expectations realistic. This is a film-set visit, not a guaranteed celebrity-meet-and-greet. Cast members may be working, away from the set, or taking a day off. One visit included a meeting with actors, while another did not because the cast was off that day.
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The Journey From Istanbul Takes Most of the Day

The experience lasts about eight hours, including transport from Istanbul, time at the sets, lunch, and the return to your original meeting point. That makes this a full-day commitment rather than a quick add-on between visits to the Blue Mosque and Grand Bazaar.
You can choose from three suggested meeting areas:
- In front of Bilgin’s Leather Fur Store on Babıali Street
- In front of Yapi Kredi Bank at Beyazıt Tram Station
- In front of the Ataturk Culture Center at Taksim Square
The final meeting time and exact pickup location are sent after booking, once you provide your hotel details. That arrangement can be useful because the operator can suggest which meeting point is easiest for you to reach.
The air-conditioned vehicle is an important part of the package. The sets are outside central Istanbul, and the journey can be affected by city traffic. Driver Furqan has been praised for handling congestion while also giving passengers a broader look at Istanbul along the way.
Do not treat the drive as a minor detail. You will spend a fair part of the day in the vehicle, so the included transport saves you from arranging a complicated route on your own. It also keeps the group together and removes the worry of finding the film studio independently.
The group is limited to a maximum of 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is small enough for a guide to keep track of the group and explain what you are seeing without addressing a crowd of bus passengers.
What You See at the Film Sets

The central part of the visit is the Osman and Ertugrul film set. You can expect to see the constructed settings used in the television productions and learn how the same areas are adapted for different scenes.
The supplied details do not promise a fixed list of buildings, props, or set zones, so you should not arrive expecting a precise studio map. The strong point is the chance to see the production environment itself, while the guide adds the story behind the spaces.
Taha’s role is especially useful here. He has explained how the locations are transformed, helping you notice the difference between a set built for the camera and a functioning historical town. That is the kind of detail you might miss if you simply arrived, took a few pictures, and left.
The experience is likely to work best if you already know the programmes. You will recognize more names, locations, and visual details, and you will have more questions for the guide. If you have only watched a few episodes, the visit can still be enjoyable, but the emotional payoff may be smaller.
The sets also offer a different kind of sightseeing from Istanbul’s historic monuments. You are not looking at an ancient building preserved in place. You are seeing modern production spaces designed to suggest another period, which gives the visit a behind-the-scenes quality.
Sword Forging Adds More Than a Photo Stop

Sword forging is included in the price, and it is one of the more distinctive parts of this outing. It gives you a practical activity connected to the world of the shows rather than only a walk through the sets.
The available information does not specify the exact length or format of the forging session, so you should not assume that you will make a complete sword from start to finish. Still, it adds a hands-on element that helps break up the sightseeing and gives the day a clear activity beyond viewing film scenery.
Photography is not included. The tour specifically lists photo shooting as an extra, so ask about the cost before agreeing to professional photographs. You can also rent costumes for an additional fee, which may appeal to fans who want a more theatrical souvenir.
Costume rental is optional, not a requirement for enjoying the visit. I would consider it if you are travelling with children, celebrating a special occasion, or want staged images connected to the shows. If you mainly want to understand the sets, the included tour and sword forging may be enough.
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Lunch Is Included, But Extras Need Budgeting

Lunch is included, which makes the $295.87 price easier to assess. You are not paying for transport and then needing to arrange a separate meal during an out-of-town day. One visitor described the lunch as excellent, but the tour details do not specify the menu, restaurant, or whether dietary requests can be accommodated.
If food allergies or special dietary needs matter to you, ask the operator before departure. Do not assume that the included meal automatically fits every preference.
The price also includes all fees and taxes, the group guide, the vehicle, sword forging, and a show ticket. That is a useful bundle for someone who wants one organized day rather than several separate arrangements.
Still, the total remains high. A solo visitor or couple should compare the cost with the importance of the film sets to them personally. For a dedicated Osman or Ertugrul fan, the combination of transport, access, lunch, and guided explanations may feel worthwhile. For a casual television viewer, the same price may be difficult to justify.
You should also plan for tips. Gratuities for the driver and guide are not included, so carry extra money if you want to thank Taha, Furqan, or the wider crew for their work.
The Chance to Meet Cast Members

Meeting actors is possible, but it depends entirely on the production schedule. You may find cast members at the set, or you may visit on a day when they are working elsewhere or taking time off.
That uncertainty is important. Do not book this solely because you expect to meet Osman Bey or another actor. Book it because the sets, the guide, the sword-forging activity, and the overall television connection already interest you.
If an actor happens to be present, it can become a memorable bonus. One outing included the chance to meet members of the cast. Another did not, because it was a day off. The difference had nothing to do with the quality of the tour and everything to do with timing.
This is also why the experience feels more like a production visit than a fixed museum attraction. The set may be active, and conditions can change. A working environment can bring excitement, but it also means you need some flexibility.
Who Will Get the Most From This Day

I would recommend this outing first to people who have followed Resurrection Ertugrul or Establishment Osman closely. You will understand the references, recognize the fictional world, and get more from the guide’s explanation of how the locations are changed for filming.
It also suits families and small groups who prefer an organized day outside central Istanbul. Lunch, transport, and the English-speaking guide remove much of the planning work, while the sword-forging activity gives the day a clear focal point.
You need a moderate level of physical fitness. The tour information does not describe the exact walking distance or surface conditions, but a film-set visit may involve moving around outdoor areas. Wear practical shoes and be ready for a full day rather than a short indoor attraction.
Cold weather can affect your comfort. One outing took place in cold conditions, yet the group still enjoyed the experience. Even so, check the forecast and dress for time spent outside. The tour requires good weather, and poor conditions may lead to a different date or a full refund.
This is less suitable for anyone who wants a guaranteed celebrity encounter, a short activity, or a low-cost sightseeing option. It is also not ideal if you need a flexible cancellation policy, since the booking is non-refundable and cannot be changed for personal reasons.
Meeting Points, Timing, and Practical Details

The tour currently shows an opening schedule of Monday from 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM for the listed operating period, from November 24, 2023, through November 26, 2026. Confirm the actual date and pickup details when booking, since your final meeting time is sent after the operator receives your hotel information.
The activity ends back at the meeting point. That is convenient if you are staying near one of the listed central areas, but you should allow some flexibility in your evening plans. Traffic can affect the return time, and this is an eight-hour outing rather than a tightly timed transfer.
Mobile tickets are supported, and confirmation is provided at booking. Public transportation is available near the meeting points, including the Beyazıt tram area and Taksim Square.
The experience requires a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels because that number is not reached, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund. Poor weather is handled in the same way.
For personal cancellations or amendments, the payment is not refunded. That rule makes travel insurance or careful date planning worth considering, especially with a price of nearly $300 per person.
Should You Book the Osman and Ertugrul Set Tour?
Book it if the television series are a major part of your interest in Turkey. The combination of real filming locations, English guidance from Taha, sword forging, lunch, and organized transport gives you a full experience rather than a simple photo stop.
I would be more cautious if you are only mildly familiar with the shows or mainly want general Istanbul sightseeing. The price is high, cast access is uncertain, and costume rental and photography cost extra.
For a dedicated fan, the best approach is to treat a cast meeting as luck, not as part of the promise. Go for the sets, the behind-the-scenes explanation, and the chance to handle an activity linked to the period dramas. With that expectation, this can be a memorable and well-organized day beyond Istanbul’s usual sights.
FAQ
Where does the tour begin?
You meet at one of three suggested points: in front of Bilgin’s Leather Fur Store on Babıali Street, in front of Yapi Kredi Bank at Beyazıt Tram Station, or in front of the Ataturk Culture Center at Taksim Square.
How do I learn the exact meeting time and location?
After booking, provide your hotel details. The operator will send the final meeting time and exact location and can suggest the most suitable meeting point for you.
How long does the experience last?
The tour lasts approximately eight hours.
Does the tour include transportation?
Yes. Transportation is provided in an air-conditioned vehicle, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
Is lunch included?
Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes. An English-speaking tour guide is included. Guide Taha has led explanations about how the filming locations are transformed.
Are costume rental and professional photography included?
No. Costume rental and photo shooting are not included and require an additional payment.
Can I meet the actors?
You may meet cast members if they are present at the set, but this is not guaranteed. Cast schedules and days off can affect whether actors are available.
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