Istanbul: Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour with Lunch

The most memorable part of this day is walking through the camps, tents, castles, costumes, and props used for Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman. This is not a museum display. It is a working film site, and the sets give fans a physical sense of the world they have watched on screen.

I like the live horse show, which brings the day to a strong finish, and I like the chance to meet actors or dress in period-style clothing for photographs. Guides such as Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp, and other actors have added a personal link to the shows.

The main caution is time. The drive takes about 40 to 50 minutes, but the full outing lasts eight hours, with some waiting before the final performance. A few sets can also be closed for filming, and the paid extras and shop can push the cost higher than the $118 starting price.

Key points before you book

• Walk through the Kayi camp and castle sets: See the tents, Sogut areas, and castle sections connected with the two series.
• Meet show actors when schedules allow: Guides have included Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp, and other cast members.
• Save time for the horse performance: The closing show is often the strongest part of the day, with mounted riders and staged action.
• Lunch and sherbet are included: You receive a traditional meal and one soft drink, while sherbet may need to be requested.
• Budget for extras: Horse riding, professional photographs, costumes, and some activities require additional payment.
• Expect a long, active day: Transport, walking, lunch, free time, and the show fill roughly eight hours.

What this film-set day really offers

At $118 per person, this is a dedicated fan experience rather than a cheap sightseeing trip. You are paying for return transport, entry, an English-speaking guide, lunch, and live shows, but the real value comes from access to the sets and the people connected with the productions.

If you have watched Dirilis Ertugrul or Kurulus Osman, the tents and fortifications will mean far more than they would to someone seeing them cold. You can connect familiar scenes with real physical spaces, inspect costumes and props, and take photographs in places designed to look like the early Turkic and Ottoman worlds.

You should also set your expectations correctly. This is not a chance to watch a full scene being filmed. You may see only part of the active set, and some areas can be closed when production is underway. The experience is best understood as a set visit with performances and optional role-play, not as a studio tour where you watch cameras at work.

Meeting in Istanbul and riding to the sets

There is no hotel pickup. You choose one of two central meeting points: in front of Bilgins Leather & Fur Cağaloğlu at about 9:40 to 9:50 in the morning, or in front of the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim at about 10:10 to 10:15.

That detail matters if you are staying outside the center. Leave extra time to reach your meeting point, especially in Istanbul traffic. The return is to the same two areas, so this is easier if you plan an evening close to Sultanahmet or Taksim rather than booking a tight dinner reservation across town.

The coach ride takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes each way, based on the route and traffic. Music from the two series may play during the journey, which helps set the mood for fans. The driver is also an important part of the day, since you spend a fair amount of time on the road. Several named guides, including Hakan, Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar, have received especially warm praise for clear explanations and polite handling of the group.

Bring your passport or ID card, a camera, and cash. Cash is useful for the optional activities, photographs, and purchases at the shop.

Entering the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi sets

The first part of the visit focuses on the old tents and the Kayi camp. You may see the tent areas associated with Ertugrul and Osman, along with sections representing the tribe and early settlements. The careful decoration is what makes this more than a quick photo stop: timber, textiles, shields, costumes, and other details are arranged to support the period setting.

Your guide explains the figures behind the series, especially Ertugrul Ghazi and his son Osman Gazi, and points out how the sets function in the productions. This is where a guide with acting or production experience can make a real difference. Instead of simply saying this is a tent or that is a castle, the guide can explain how the spaces appear on screen and answer questions about filming.

You may have a chance to meet actors connected with the shows. Names mentioned during past visits include Gunkut Alp, Ahmet Bey, Boran, Cerkutay, and other cast members. Actor appearances are not something I would treat as guaranteed, since filming schedules change, but they can turn a good set visit into a very personal memory.

A prayer tent has also been available at the site, including a Kayi Alp tent used as a mosque during prayer times. That is a thoughtful practical detail for Muslim visitors, though you should follow the staff’s instructions on the day.

Costumes, photographs, and the tempting shop

Costume activities add a playful side to the visit. You can dress in clothing styled after the characters and pose for photographs. Some visitors have also taken part in a short role-play or made a small film with help from an actor.

Professional photography is not included. One past visitor paid about $50 for a costume and photography package and felt it was worthwhile, but the exact price can change. I would decide in advance how much you are willing to spend. The photos can be a highlight for a dedicated fan, but they are not essential to enjoying the sets.

The shop is usually part of the site visit. It carries themed goods and other items, but prices can feel high. You do not need to buy anything to take part in the main tour, so browse first and spend only if you find something you genuinely want.

One practical complaint has been the timing of the shop stop. Some groups have been taken there early, before the main walk, which can feel like a sales pitch when you are eager to see the sets. If that happens, keep your visit short and save your attention for the camp and castle areas.

Lunch, sherbet, and the middle of the day

Lunch is served at a local restaurant on the site or nearby. It includes a traditional meal and one soft drink. The food has generally been a strong part of the outing, though service can slow when several tour groups arrive together, and one meal was described as almost cold.

Sherbet, a traditional sweetened Turkish drink, is also advertised. In practice, you may need to ask for it separately. It has been provided without an extra charge, but do not assume it will arrive automatically. A polite reminder is enough.

Lunch gives you a needed pause. The morning involves walking around large outdoor sets, and the afternoon continues with activities and the show. If you have dietary needs, the supplied information does not specify special menus, so ask the operator before booking rather than relying on an adjustment at the restaurant.

The meal is part of the price, but it should not be the reason you choose the tour. Think of it as convenient fuel and a chance to experience Turkish hospitality in a themed setting.

Hands-on activities and extra charges

After lunch, the schedule may include hands-on activities such as iron forging and archery. The information supplied for this tour is not fully consistent about archery: one description presents it as complimentary, while the inclusion notes list it as an extra charge. Ask the staff for the current price before taking part.

Horse riding is an optional paid activity. It can be a fun addition if you want a photograph in costume or a short taste of the mounted life shown in the series, but it is not needed to enjoy the tour. Professional photography is also paid separately.

This is why I recommend bringing cash and setting a simple spending limit. The base price covers the main visit, lunch, transport, guide, and performances. The total can rise quickly if everyone in a family wants a horse ride, costume session, and photographs.

The site is not suitable for wheelchair users, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. The outdoor sets also involve walking, uneven ground, and standing, so anyone with limited mobility should consider this carefully.

Castles, Sogut, and the best free-exploration time

The castle sections are among the most striking parts of the visit. You may see areas representing Sogut and several fortress settings, including Inegol Castle. Inegol has been a particular favorite because of its recognizable throne connected with Aya Nikola in the series.

The guided walk gives you the basic story and helps you recognize important locations. After that, you receive some free time to look around and take pictures. The amount of free time matters. Some people have wished for longer to explore the castle areas, while others felt there was too much waiting before the final performance.

If photography is important to you, use the free period carefully. Take wide shots of the structures first, then look for smaller details such as doors, banners, weapons, and tent interiors. You may not be able to enter every area, especially if one section is being used for filming.

Do not expect a fully open backlot. A 2024 visit found about half the sets closed, while another visitor felt that only a small part of the actual production area was shown. Conditions can change from day to day. The site is still worthwhile for fans, but you should accept that access is controlled by filming needs.

The closing horse show

The live performance near the end is the day’s big payoff. Mounted riders stage action scenes against the film-set backdrop, with horses, costumes, and dramatic storytelling. It is not a full television episode, but it gives you the physical energy that still photographs cannot provide.

The performance is also valuable for visitors who are not devoted fans. You can follow the basic action even if you do not know every character, and the setting makes the show feel connected to the morning’s tour.

Timing is the tradeoff. The show may not begin until around 4:30 in the afternoon, leaving a long gap after lunch. One visitor felt the whole event could be shortened to about four hours, while others considered the full day worthwhile because there was time to walk, take photographs, and enjoy the activities.

I would not book this on a day when you need to return to Istanbul at a precise hour. Traffic can affect the ride back, and the show is worth staying for rather than leaving early.

Is $118 good value?

The price is fair for a specialist excursion, but it is not a bargain. You receive transport from a central meeting point, entry, an English-speaking guide, lunch, a soft drink, and live shows. If you would otherwise need to arrange a long taxi ride and separate admission, the package is convenient.

The value is strongest for fans who will recognize the tents, camps, castles, and actors. Meeting someone from the cast, such as Hakan Serim in the role of Gunkut Alp, can make the cost feel justified. The horse show also adds something that a simple set walk would not provide.

The value is weaker if you are only mildly curious about Turkish television. Some sets may be closed, there can be waiting, and the optional activities are not included. Add the price of costumes, photographs, horse riding, or archery and the day can become expensive for a family.

I would compare the tour with your interests, not just the number on the booking page. For a committed fan, this is a rare chance to walk through the series’ physical world. For everyone else, it is a long day built around a film set, with lunch and a staged performance attached.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it to fans of Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman, families with older children who enjoy costumes and horses, and visitors who want an unusual day outside central Istanbul. It also suits anyone interested in how historical television creates its settings.

You should be comfortable with a full eight-hour schedule, coach transport, walking, waiting, and the possibility of restricted access. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, and it is a poor match for anyone who dislikes group activities or sales stops.

Book it if meeting actors, seeing recognizable props, wearing period clothing, and watching a horse show sound like the right kind of holiday memory. Skip it if you want archaeological ruins, a short excursion, or a chance to watch a scene being filmed.

For the right audience, the day offers much more than a photo beside a painted wall. You get a guided look at the camps and castles, a Turkish meal, a taste of sherbet, and a lively finish. Just keep cash in your pocket, ask about extra charges, and allow the whole day to unfold at its own pace.

FAQ

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

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

Where does the tour start in Istanbul?

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 in Taksim between 10:10 and 10:15 AM.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to one of the two listed meeting points. Return drop-off is provided at the meeting-point areas.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with one soft drink is included. Sherbet is also advertised, but you may need to ask the restaurant staff for it separately.

Is the tour conducted in English?

Yes. The tour includes a live English-speaking guide.

Are horse riding and professional photographs included?

No. Horse riding and professional photography cost extra on site. Costume photography may also require an additional payment.

Will I watch scenes being filmed?

You should not expect to watch a television scene being shot. Some parts of the set may also be closed when filming is taking place.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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

Can I cancel the tour for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you book without paying immediately.