Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour from Istanbul

The main appeal here is simple: you get to walk through the actual sets used for the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi television stories, not just see a themed display. Castle and house sets give the day a strong visual pull, while a short live performance adds the sound and movement that photographs cannot provide.

I like the included lunch and the air-conditioned transport, especially since the ride from Taksim takes about an hour and a half each way. I also like that the group is limited to 28 people, which should make the set visit easier to follow than a large coach outing. The main drawback is the lack of hotel pickup, plus extra charges for photography and horse riding.

Key points to know before booking

• Cross from Europe to Asia: The trip begins at Taksim Square and travels across Istanbul’s two continents before reaching the filming area.
• Walk through working-style film sets: You spend several hours among castle, house, and open-air set areas connected with Kuruluş Osman.
• Live show included: A 15 to 20-minute performance brings scenes linked to Ertugrul Gazi and Osman Gazi to life.
• Lunch and transport are covered: Your ticket includes lunch and an air-conditioned vehicle, but not hotel transfers.
• Extra activities cost more: Horse riding for 20 minutes costs 20 euros, while photography starts at 15 euros.
• Best for series fans: The experience makes the most sense if you already know the characters, stories, and visual style of the shows.

Why this Istanbul film-set tour appeals to fans

Television sets are often smaller and more controlled than they look on screen. That is part of the fun here. You can see the physical spaces used to suggest medieval castles, homes, and outdoor scenes, then connect those places with moments from the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi stories.

This is not a general Istanbul sightseeing trip. You will not spend the day visiting Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, or the Grand Bazaar. Instead, the tour is built around one theme, and it gives that theme most of the day. If the series is important to you, this focus is a strength. If you have never watched the shows, much of the meaning may be lost.

The experience is also more than a quick photo stop. The visit to the main filming area lasts about five hours, followed by another hour among castle and house sets. That long block of time gives you room to look around rather than being hurried from one prop to the next.

I would still set your expectations correctly. The supplied details do not promise a behind-the-scenes production talk, meetings with actors, or access to private working areas. Think of it as a guided visit to an open-air television set with a live presentation, not a studio tour built around technical film production.

Meeting at Taksim Square at 10:00

The day begins at 10:00 in front of the main door of the Atatürk Culture Center at Taksim Square. This is the point where you meet the vehicle and return at the end of the day, so take a moment to note the exact entrance before setting off.

Hotel transfers are not included. You need to reach the meeting point yourself, which is an important detail if you are staying far from central Istanbul or carrying a lot of luggage. The meeting point is near public transportation, making it more practical than a remote pickup location.

The first stated segment lasts about 30 minutes, but the full ride to the film set takes roughly an hour and a half. The route crosses from the European side of Istanbul to the Asian side. That crossing is a useful part of the day because it shows how quickly the character of the city changes between its two continents, even though the tour does not treat the crossing as a separate sightseeing stop.

Your vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters during warmer months. You will spend a meaningful part of the eight-hour day on the road, so this basic comfort is worth more than it might sound on paper.

Open areas and the first look at the set

After the transfer, the group sees open areas where the productions are made. This stop is listed at about 15 minutes, so do not expect a long orientation walk here. It works more as an introduction to the setting before the main visit begins.

For a fan, even a short first look can help place the later castle and house areas in context. You begin to see how an open-air production creates the broad setting for scenes that appear much larger on television.

For someone less familiar with the shows, this portion may feel brief and somewhat general. The main value comes later, when you spend several hours at the principal filming location. I would treat this first stop as a transition rather than a major attraction in its own right.

Five hours at the Kuruluş Osman filming location

The main visit begins when you arrive at the area being toured. About five hours are set aside for the Kuruluş Osman filming location, making this the heart of the experience.

You can expect to see the outdoor set areas used for the productions, with time devoted to the physical places that help create the stories of Osman Gazi and his world. The next stage specifically includes several castle and house areas, so the visit is not limited to standing in one viewing spot.

This length of time is useful for photography and close inspection. You can look at the arrangement of the buildings, compare the different set areas, and notice how the productions use repeated visual features to suggest a larger settlement. You may also find that the set feels more practical and constructed than a television image suggests. That is normal for an open-air filming site, and it is part of seeing the work behind the illusion.

The supplied information does not specify the exact order of the buildings, the names of individual set areas, or which scenes were filmed at each location. I would not book expecting a detailed scene-by-scene explanation unless the guide provides that on the day.

The group limit of 28 people is helpful here. A smaller party should make it easier to stay with the guide and get a clear view during the set visit. Still, five hours is a long period for one theme. Fans will likely appreciate the time, while casual viewers may feel ready to leave sooner.

Wear practical shoes and plan for a day that includes walking around outdoor areas. The tour information does not state how much walking is involved or whether every surface is even, so sensible footwear is the safest choice.

Castle and house sets after the main visit

A further hour is devoted to castle and house film-set areas. This gives the day a more detailed look at the built spaces used to support the stories.

The castle settings are likely to be the most visually striking part for fans. They provide the grand backdrop associated with the series, while the house areas offer a closer look at the smaller spaces that help create daily life within the story. You can compare the two types of setting and see how different parts of the production rely on scale and decoration.

This section is also where your own interest matters most. If you enjoy costume drama and set design, you will want time to take photographs and examine the details. If you mainly want a short photo opportunity, the combined five-hour visit and one-hour set walk may feel too long.

Photography is allowed through an optional service, but professional photographs cost extra, starting at 15 euros. You can also pay 20 euros for a 20-minute horse ride. These add-ons may appeal to committed fans, but they are not needed to experience the included parts of the tour. I would decide in advance how much you want to spend, since souvenir prices and optional activities can add up quickly.

The live performance and its place in the day

The tour reaches its theatrical finish with a live performance lasting about 15 to 20 minutes. The full stop is listed at 45 minutes, so the remaining time allows for gathering, watching, and moving around the set.

The show uses the film-set backdrop and draws on the tales of Ertugrul Gazi and Osman Gazi. That setting matters. Instead of watching a performance in a separate theater, you see it among the structures used to create the television world.

This will suit you if you enjoy action, storytelling, and a little staged drama. It is not described as a full-length production, so keep the scale in mind. The show is a short highlight rather than the entire reason to book the tour.

I like the way this part breaks up the long set visit. After several hours of looking at buildings and open areas, live movement gives the afternoon a clear high point. It also helps first-time visitors understand the mood of the series, even if they do not know every character or plot line.

Lunch, transport, and the $120.16 price

At $120.16 per person, this is not a low-cost half-day outing. It is an approximately eight-hour experience, however, and the price includes lunch, air-conditioned transport from the central meeting point, entrance fees, and the live show.

The value depends heavily on your interest in the series. A committed fan may find the long visit worthwhile because admission and the main set experience are already covered. You also avoid arranging separate transport to a filming location outside the central city.

For a casual viewer, the price is harder to justify. The tour does not include hotel pickup, professional photography, horse riding, or personal spending. You must also pay for your own transport to Taksim Square.

Lunch is a practical inclusion. It means you do not need to plan a separate meal during a day with a long transfer and several hours at the set. The supplied details do not specify the menu or dietary arrangements, so contact the provider before booking if you have strict food needs.

The extra charges deserve attention. Photography starts at 15 euros, and a 20-minute horse ride costs 20 euros. The basic tour remains usable without either option, but the final cost can rise if you want the full costume-drama photo experience.

Timing, group size, and practical comfort

The tour starts at 10:00 and returns to the Atatürk Culture Center around 19:00 to 19:30. Allow the full day for it. The stated eight-hour duration is approximate, and road conditions can affect the return time.

The maximum group size is 28 people. That is not a private tour, but it is still more manageable than a very large coach group. You should be able to move through the set with other fans without the outing feeling entirely impersonal.

The activity is offered in English, and confirmation is provided when you book. Most people can participate, according to the tour information. It does not give detailed accessibility information, so ask before booking if you need step-free access, a particular vehicle arrangement, or help with outdoor surfaces.

Good weather is required. If poor weather cancels the experience, you will be offered another date or a full refund. The tour also requires a minimum number of participants, and a cancellation for that reason comes with the choice of another date or experience, or a full refund.

For your own planning, bring water, sun protection, and comfortable clothing suited to outdoor walking. These are sensible preparations rather than special requirements, since the visit takes place around open-air film sets.

Who will enjoy this experience most

I would recommend this tour first to people who have watched Diriliş Ertuğrul or Kuruluş Osman and want to see the settings in person. Familiarity with the stories turns a castle wall or house facade into part of a larger fictional world.

It also suits visitors who prefer a full-day themed outing over a quick city-center attraction. The long set visit, included lunch, live show, and return transport create a complete day around one subject.

Older visitors may appreciate the unhurried pace. One five-star account specifically praised the experience for being enjoyable and not rushed, even for someone over 60. That is useful if you want time to look around rather than being pushed through a tight schedule.

I would hesitate to recommend it to someone with only one day in Istanbul and no interest in the shows. The city offers many major sights, and this tour takes most of your day outside the central historic areas. It is a specialist outing, not a first-time Istanbul overview.

Is the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi set tour worth booking?

Book it if the television series is a real part of your trip. The chance to spend several hours among the Kuruluş Osman sets, see castle and house areas, watch a live performance, and travel across Istanbul’s two continents gives fans a clear reason to go.

Think twice if you want a short, inexpensive attraction or a broad introduction to Istanbul. The $120.16 price is fairer when you use the included transport, lunch, entrance, and show, but hotel transfers and popular extras cost more.

My practical advice is to arrive at Taksim Square early, confirm the Atatürk Culture Center entrance, and decide before departure if you want horse riding or professional photographs. With those details settled, this should be a relaxed day for fans who want to step out of the city and into the world of Ertugrul and Osman Gazi.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 10:00 in front of the main door of the Atatürk Culture Center at Taksim Square.

Does the tour provide hotel pickup?

No. You must reach the meeting point yourself. Hotel transfers are not included.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point near the Atatürk Culture Center, around 19:00 to 19:30.

How long does the experience last?

It lasts approximately eight hours, including transport and the visit to the filming locations.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price.

Is transportation included?

Yes. Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle from the meeting point is included. You are responsible for getting to Taksim Square.

How long is the live performance?

The live show lasts about 15 to 20 minutes. The full stop connected with the performance is listed at approximately 45 minutes.

Are horse riding and professional photographs included?

No. Professional photography starts at 15 euros, and a 20-minute horse ride costs 20 euros.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. Weather or minimum-participant cancellations offer a different date or experience, or a full refund.