Istanbul: Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour with Lunch

The best part of this day is stepping into the world of Ertugrul Ghazi and Osman Ghazi, with timber tents, castle walls, costumes, props, and the Kayi camp laid out for you to explore. The sets give fans a physical sense of places they have only seen on screen.

I like the access to the film sets and the chance to see costumes and props up close. I also like the live show at the end, which adds real energy after a slower walk around the camp and castles. Guides such as Hakan, Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar have been praised for clear explanations, and one guide, Gunkut Alp, has also appeared in the series.

The main drawback is the price, $118 per person, before extras such as horse riding and professional photos. Some set areas may be closed during filming, and the long day can include waiting before the final show.

Key points to know before you book

• You visit two television worlds in one day: See camps, tents, castles, costumes, and props connected with Ertugrul Ghazi and Osman Ghazi.
• The final horse show is a major highlight: Live riding and staged action bring the day to a lively finish.
• Lunch and a soft drink are included: You also receive a taste of sherbet, a traditional Turkish drink, though you may need to ask for it.
• Actor guides may add a special touch: Guides have included people connected with the series, including Gunkut Alp.
• Extra activities cost more: Horse riding, professional photography, and possibly archery or costume filming require cash.
• Set access can change: A castle or camp may be closed when filming is under way.

Why this film-set day is different

This is not a standard Istanbul sightseeing trip. You leave the city for a purpose-built television set where the stories of Ertugrul Ghazi and Osman Ghazi are presented through buildings, costumes, live performance, and staged activities.

The Ertugrul and Osman series have a devoted following, so the appeal is clear if you know the characters, tribes, battles, and family stories. Still, I would not dismiss the tour if you have only a passing interest. The camps and castles offer a look at how historical television is made, and the guide gives context about the figures represented on screen.

You should set your expectations correctly. This is a film set, not an untouched medieval settlement or an archaeological site. The structures are made for production, but the careful design makes them enjoyable to walk through. You may recognize tents, thrones, gates, and interiors from the shows, including sets linked with Sogut, Inegol, and the Kayi camp.

Meeting in Istanbul and riding out to the set

You begin at one of two central meeting points. The first is in front of Bilgins Leather & Fur Cağaloğlu, with pickup between 9:40 and 9:50 in the morning. The second is in front of the Ataturk Cultural Center at Taksim, with pickup between 10:10 and 10:15.

There is no hotel pickup, so plan your route to the meeting point carefully. The exact transfer time depends on traffic, but the drive to the set has taken roughly 40 to 50 minutes. This is a useful part of the day because the guide can explain the program, and the coach may play music from the Ertugrul and Osman series.

The transport is included both ways. That matters here, since reaching the film set independently would be less simple than walking around Istanbul’s main sights. I would arrive early, keep your phone charged, and carry cash for extras.

Walking through the Kayi camp and old tents

At the set, the visit often begins with the old tents associated with Ertugrul and Osman, followed by the Kayi camp. This is where the tour feels most personal for fans. You are not simply looking at a building from behind a barrier. You can walk among the tented spaces and see how the production creates a tribal camp for the screen.

Your English-speaking guide explains the characters and the filming areas as you go. Several guides have been praised for their command of the material, and some tours have included an actor from the series as one of the guides. Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp, has guided some groups, while Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar have also been singled out for friendly, useful explanations.

The guide-led walk is valuable because many tents and props will mean little if you have not watched the shows closely. If you are a dedicated fan, you may prefer less commentary and more time for photographs. The good news is that the schedule generally includes some free time after the guided portion.

One small frustration is that the walking pace may not suit everyone. One account of the day found the morning too slow, while another wanted more free time at the castles. If your group moves slowly, the schedule can feel stretched before the final performance.

Costumes, props, and the paid photo options

The sets are only part of the fun. You may be able to put on traditional costumes and pose as characters from the series. This turns a simple set visit into a family activity, especially if you want photographs rather than only a guided walk.

Professional photography is not included. A costume photography package has cost about $50 in one reported experience, and the site shop can also be expensive. You should decide before arriving how much you want to spend. The costume session can be worthwhile for a fan, but it is not necessary to enjoy the main tour.

Bring a camera even if you skip the paid package. The tents, gates, castle fronts, and period-style props provide plenty to photograph. Ask permission before photographing staff, actors, or areas being used for filming.

You may also encounter performers or actors connected with the shows. Some groups have met cast members such as Gunkut Alp, Ahmet Bey, Boran, Cerkutay, and Alaeddin. This is not something I would treat as guaranteed, since filming schedules and cast presence change, but it can make the day memorable when it happens.

Lunch, sherbet, and Turkish hospitality

Lunch is served at a local restaurant on or near the set and includes one soft drink. The meal has generally been considered good, though the temperature and service can vary when several groups arrive at once. One account found the food almost cold, while other days brought excellent meals and warm service.

I would treat lunch as a convenient traditional meal rather than the main reason to book. It breaks up the walking and gives you time to sit down before the afternoon activities. If the included sherbet does not arrive with the meal, ask for it. It is supposed to be included, and one group received it after asking without an extra charge.

Sherbet is a sweet Turkish drink made in different styles. Here, it is a small cultural detail, but it gives the meal a local touch beyond the usual soft drink.

If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify menu choices, so ask the operator before booking. The tour includes lunch, but it does not promise a particular menu.

Castles, Sogut, and the best places for photos

After lunch, the route continues to the castle sets and other constructed locations. The Inegol set has been a favorite for its strong visual impact, with details such as Aya Nikola’s throne appearing in the series. Sogut and the castle areas help show the different settings used for the later stories.

This part is best taken at an easy pace. Look beyond the large walls. Doorways, seats, tent interiors, woodwork, and small props help explain why the series feels convincing on screen. If you are not familiar with the shows, the guide can point out who used each area and how the fictional setting fits the story.

The amount of free time can be the weak link. Some groups have wanted longer to explore the castles, while others have found themselves waiting before the final performance. The schedule is designed around the live show, so you cannot assume you will wander freely until you are ready to leave.

If a set is closed because filming is under way, you will see only part of it. That has happened before, and it is one of the unavoidable limits of visiting an active production site. I would book this for the overall experience, not for access to every single building.

Forging, archery, and horseback riding

The activity description presents forging iron and archery as part of the visit, but the fee information also says archery is not included and may require an additional payment. Reports from the set confirm that some activities have been unavailable or charged separately. Ask the staff about the current price before taking part.

Horseback riding is an optional paid activity. If you want to ride, bring cash and allow for the possibility that availability depends on the schedule and conditions. It is a fun addition for fans who want to act out the period, but it is not needed to get the main value from the day.

Professional photographs and costume role-play are also extra-cost options. These add-ons can become expensive quickly, particularly for a family. I would choose one special activity rather than saying yes to everything at the shop or activity area.

The included live shows are different from these extras. The final performance is covered by the tour and has featured trained riders, horses, and staged scenes. It is often the strongest part of the day because it gives you a proper piece of action instead of asking you to imagine it from a static set.

The live performance that closes the day

The final show takes place against the film-set backdrop and presents short scenes connected with the Ertugrul and Osman stories. The horse riding gives it scale, while the familiar costumes and buildings make the performance feel tied to the series rather than like a separate stage act.

I would save your energy for this part. The morning can involve a fair amount of walking and waiting, but the show supplies a clear finish and a welcome burst of movement. It has been described as the highlight of the day by several people who otherwise found the set visit a little long.

The show is also a good reason for non-fans to consider the trip. You do not need to know every character to enjoy horses, costumes, and staged action. Fans will get more from the references and locations, but the performance works as general entertainment too.

After the show, you return to Istanbul and are dropped at the meeting-point area. The full outing takes about eight hours, so do not plan a tight evening appointment.

Is $118 a fair price?

At $118, this is not a cheap half-day outing. The cost covers return transport, entry to the set, a licensed English-speaking guide, lunch with a soft drink, and the live shows. It also saves you the trouble of arranging transport to a location outside central Istanbul.

The value depends heavily on your interest in the television series. If you are a serious Ertugrul or Osman fan, the chance to walk through the camps, see the castles, wear the costumes, and possibly meet a cast member can justify the price. For a casual viewer, the fee may feel high, especially if you also pay for photos or horse riding.

The included live performance improves the value. So does the presence of a strong guide who can explain both the characters and the production. The day feels less worthwhile if several areas are closed, lunch is poorly timed, or you spend too long waiting before the show.

To keep the cost under control, bring cash but set a limit. The shop is considered pricey, and the paid activities are not part of the advertised base price. You can enjoy the core experience without buying a costume package.

Who should book this day?

I would recommend it most strongly to fans of Diriliş: Ertuğrul and Kuruluş: Osman, families who enjoy dressing up, and anyone curious about Turkish television production. The live horse show gives the day appeal even if you are not an expert on Ottoman-era characters.

It also suits people who want an organized day outside Istanbul rather than another museum or palace. The coach, guide, lunch, and entry are bundled together, which keeps the day straightforward.

I would think twice if you dislike staged entertainment, shopping stops, or long organized excursions. The site is not fully historical in the archaeological sense, and you may not see filming in progress. Wheelchair users cannot take this tour, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed.

Take your passport or ID card, camera, and cash. Wear comfortable shoes, since you will walk around camps and castle sets. Check the pickup point twice, since hotel collection is not included.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if seeing the Ertugrul and Osman sets is a major reason for your Istanbul trip. The combination of guided access, costumes, lunch, possible contact with actors, and the final horse show gives devoted fans a full day that feels personal and entertaining.

If you are only mildly interested, compare the $118 base price with your priorities. You might find the set walk shorter than expected, some areas closed for filming, and the paid extras difficult to resist. For the right audience, though, the live show and chance to stand inside the Kayi world make this a memorable outing.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transport from Istanbul, time at the film set, lunch, activities, the live shows, and the return journey.

Where does pickup take place?

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

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must travel to one of the two listed meeting points in Istanbul. Return transportation from the meeting point to the film set and back is included.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant and one soft drink are included. Sherbet is also offered, but you may need to ask for it separately.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour has a live English-speaking guide. Guides have included Hakan, Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar, and some guides have also appeared as actors in the series.

Are horse riding and professional photography included?

No. Horse riding and professional photography require an additional on-site fee. Costume photography and related role-play activities may also cost extra.

Can I expect to watch scenes being filmed?

No. The tour visits the film sets, but it does not promise that filming will take place during your visit. Some areas may be closed if production is under way.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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