Istanbul: Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour with Lunch

The most memorable part of this day is walking through the actual world built for Ertugrul Ghazi and Kurulus Osman. You see tribal tents, castle sets, costumes, props, and places familiar from the shows, then finish with a lively horse performance. I especially like the actor-led guiding available on some departures and the chance to put on period clothing for photographs. The main catch is that the experience is built for fans, and the paid extras and gift shop can push the cost well beyond the $118 base price.

I also like the included lunch, the music on the drive, and the free time to look around at your own pace. Set access can change when filming is under way, and the afternoon schedule may leave you waiting before the final show. Confirm exactly what is free, what costs extra, and which sets are open on your date.

Key points at a glance

• See the Kayi camp, old tents, and castle sets: The route can include Ertugrul and Osman’s tents, Sogut, Inegol, and other built locations.
• Guiding may come from the cast: Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp, has led departures, while other guides such as Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar have also received strong praise.
• The final horse show is the highlight: Live riding, action, and storytelling provide the day’s strongest finish.
• Lunch and sherbet are included: A local restaurant meal comes with one soft drink, and sherbet is available, though you may need to request it.
• Extras need a cash budget: Horse riding, professional photos, and costume scenes can cost more, with one visitor paying about $50 for a costume film package.
• This is not a standard historical monument tour: It is a television set visit, and you should not expect to watch scenes being filmed.

Why this film set visit is special

For fans of Turkish historical dramas, this is far more than a quick photograph beside a replica tent. The production site gives you a physical sense of how Ertugrul Ghazi and Osman Ghazi are presented on screen. You can walk among the Kayi camp, inspect the built settings, and see the costume and prop details that help create the period atmosphere.

The tour also works for people who have not watched every episode. The guide explains the importance of Ertugrul and his son Osman, and the route gives you a readable introduction to the characters and their world. Still, the more familiar you are with Dirilis: Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman, the more small details you will recognize.

One important distinction: this is a set tour, not a studio visit during active filming. You might see actors around the site, and some departures have included photographs with cast members, but there is no promise that a scene will be shooting while you are there. A few sets may be closed because production is in progress.

The morning ride from central Istanbul

The day begins at one of two central meeting points. You can meet outside Bilgins Leather & Fur in Cagloglu between 9:40 and 9:50 AM, or outside the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim between 10:10 and 10:15 AM. Hotel pickup is not included, so choose the meeting point that fits your morning plans.

The drive gives you time to settle in before the set visit. Music from Ertugrul and Osman has played on the coach, which is a nice touch for fans, and drivers have been praised for being punctual and helpful. The journey to the site has been described as roughly 40 to 50 minutes, although Istanbul traffic can affect the timing.

This transport matters because the film sets are outside the city center. You do not need to arrange a separate taxi or work out public transport, and the return ride is included. Take a camera, your passport or ID, and some cash for extras. The day lasts about eight hours, so it is a full outing rather than a short add-on to a sightseeing day.

Tents, camps, and the first set walk

At the site, the first part often focuses on the older Ertugrul and Osman settings. You may see their tents, the Kayi tribal camp, and the tent connected with Dundar Bey. These are the areas where the tour feels most personal and recognizable, especially if you remember the council scenes, tribal gatherings, and family drama from the series.

The guide explains how the sets are used and points out details that are easy to miss if you wander alone. Guides have included Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp, as well as Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar on different departures. An actor guide can add useful first-hand detail about filming, though the exact guide is not guaranteed.

You should get both a guided walk and some time to explore independently. That balance is helpful. The guide supplies context, then you can pause for photographs instead of being rushed from one location to the next.

The set is built for filming, so keep your expectations realistic. It looks convincing from the paths and viewpoints intended for visitors, but it is not an untouched medieval settlement. Some areas can be closed, and one departure had part of the set unavailable because filming was taking place. Ask your guide early which sections are open so you can plan your free time.

Costumes, props, and meeting the cast

Costumes are one of the strongest parts of the visit. In some areas, you can see clothing and props used in the series, and paid costume sessions may let you dress as characters such as Osman Bey or Bala Hatun. This turns a normal set photograph into a small role-playing scene, often with an actor helping direct the action.

Professional photography is not included in the base price. A costume film package has been offered for around $50, so decide before you arrive how much the photo experience matters to you. If you only want casual pictures with your own camera, you can still enjoy the sets without paying for a professional session.

Some departures have also included informal meetings or photographs with actors. Names such as Gungut Alp, Ahmet Bey, Cerkutay, Boran, and Alaeddin have been mentioned by visitors, and Mehmet Bozdag has been present on at least one day. These encounters are a bonus, not something to book the tour around. Cast schedules change, and no actor appearance is guaranteed.

There is also a shop on site. It can be a useful place to find themed clothing, souvenirs, and historical-style goods, but prices have been called high. I would browse first, compare before buying, and keep enough cash for activities you value more.

Lunch, sherbet, and Turkish hospitality

Lunch is included at a restaurant on the site, with one soft drink. Meals have generally been described as enjoyable, though the quality and temperature can vary when several groups arrive at once. One account found the food almost cold, while others found it tasty and well served.

The lunch stop gives you a proper break after the first set walk. It is also a practical part of the day, since you are away from Istanbul for hours and there may not be another convenient meal option. Expect a group meal rather than a long restaurant experience.

Sherbet, a traditional sweetened Turkish drink, is listed as part of the experience. On at least one departure, it was not brought automatically and had to be requested, although there was no extra charge. Ask the restaurant staff or guide if it does not appear with lunch.

The food is part of the value calculation. At $118, included transport, entry, a guide, lunch, and a live show help make the price easier to justify. If you also pay for costume photography, horse riding, archery, shopping, and other add-ons, the total can rise quickly.

Activities after lunch

After eating, the schedule may include hands-on activities connected with the historical setting. Iron forging and archery are listed among the possible experiences, but the supplied details are not perfectly consistent about whether archery is complimentary or paid. Some activities may also be unavailable on a particular day.

Horse riding is clearly an optional paid activity. It can be appealing if you want a photograph in costume or a short connection with the mounted world shown in the dramas, but it is not necessary to enjoy the main tour. Ask for the current price before agreeing.

The interactive elements are best viewed as extras rather than the central product. The strongest included parts are the set walk, guide, meal, and final show. If you are watching your budget, save your money for those and treat the optional activities as a choice, not an obligation.

The amount of free time is another point to watch. Some people have appreciated being able to explore the castles alone, while others felt there was too much waiting before the final performance. The schedule appears to depend on the day’s production and group arrangements.

Castles, Sogut, and the best photo stops

The later set walk can include castle areas and the Sogut section. Inegol Castle has been singled out as a particularly good stop, with details such as Aya Nikola’s throne recognizable from the series. These locations are more dramatic than the tent areas and give you larger backdrops for photographs.

You may also see several castle fronts in one visit. Remember that these are working film sets, so the amount of access can vary. One account found only part of the actual set available, while another wished for more time around the castles.

If photography matters to you, use your free time carefully. Take wide shots first, then close-ups of signs, doors, tents, thrones, and props. Ask the guide which areas are most likely to close or which backdrops are used most often, especially if your group is large.

For visitors interested in Ottoman beginnings, the sets provide a visual bridge between television storytelling and the early Ottoman period. The site is not a substitute for a museum or archaeological monument, but it can make the names, places, and family lines easier to picture.

The final live show

The closing performance is the day’s most reliable crowd-pleaser. It takes place against the set and uses horse riding, action, and dramatic storytelling to recreate the mood of the series. The show is short, around 15 minutes according to one account, but it packs a lot into that time.

This is where the tour’s theatrical nature works best. You are not simply looking at empty buildings. Riders and performers bring movement to the same kind of world you have just walked through, and the contrast makes the ending feel like a proper finale.

The timing can be frustrating if the performance begins late in the afternoon. Some people have felt that the earlier part of the day could be arranged more tightly, with less waiting before the show. Bring patience, especially if you are visiting during a busy filming period.

Still, I would not skip the show. It is included, it gives the day a clear finish, and it is more polished than the smaller interactive activities. Afterward, you return to Istanbul by coach and arrive back at one of the central meeting points.

Is $118 good value?

At $118 per person, this is not a cheap half-day attraction. You are paying for a full-day outing outside Istanbul, return transportation, set admission, an English-speaking guide, lunch, a soft drink, and live entertainment.

The value is strongest if you are a serious fan of the two series. You will recognize the tents, costumes, castles, and names, and the chance to meet an actor or dress in costume can make the day feel personal. Families and groups of friends who enjoy role-playing and photography can also get a lot from it.

The value is less clear if you have never watched the shows. You can still appreciate the design and performance, but several hours at a television set may feel long. The gift shop, photography, horseback riding, and other paid options also mean you need to set a spending limit before you arrive.

I would treat the base price as the full core experience and decide in advance which extras matter. Bring cash, but do not assume that every activity is included. Ask what is complimentary when you arrive, since the activity information has not always been presented consistently.

Practical details and who should book

This tour is conducted in English and lasts about eight hours. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Wheelchair users cannot take the tour, and electric wheelchairs are not permitted.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera. The set walk includes outdoor areas, and you will want your hands free for photographs and activities. Keep your passport or ID with you, as requested, and carry cash for horse riding, professional photos, shopping, or other on-site charges.

I would book this if you have watched Ertugrul or Kurulus Osman and want to see the physical world behind the stories. I would also consider it for a family group that enjoys costumes, live action, and a long organized day.

I would skip it if you want archaeological ruins, a quiet museum visit, or a chance to watch a scene being filmed. The sets are designed for television, access can change, and the day may include waiting. For the right fan, though, walking through the Kayi camp and ending with a horse show can be a memorable Istanbul side trip.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. The tour includes return transportation from one of the two listed central meeting points, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including the coach journey, set visit, lunch, activities, live show, and return to Istanbul.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant and one soft drink are included. Sherbet is listed as part of the experience, but you may need to ask for it separately.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has an English-speaking live guide. The guide may vary, and some departures have been led or assisted by people connected with the series, including Hakan Serim.

Are costumes and professional photographs included?

No. Professional photography and some costume experiences are available for an additional on-site fee. You can bring your own camera for personal photographs.

Is horseback riding included?

No. Horse riding is an optional paid activity available on site.

Can wheelchair users join the tour?

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

Should you book it?

Book this tour if Ertugrul Ghazi and Kurulus Osman are part of your television life. The cast connection, detailed sets, included meal, and final horse show give dedicated fans plenty to enjoy. Just budget for extras, expect some waiting, and understand that set access may change when filming is under way.