Istanbul: Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour with Lunch

The most exciting part of this day is stepping into the world of Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman. You walk through Kayi camp, old tents, castle sets, costume areas, and places built to look like the early Ottoman era. The live horse show at the end is the big finish, while lunch and the chance to meet actors add a personal touch.

I like the guided access to the sets, especially when an actor such as Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp, leads part of the visit. I also like the long stretch of free time, which lets you take photos and look around without being hurried. The main drawback is that the day can feel padded between lunch and the late show, and some areas may be closed when filming is under way.

Key points to know before you book

• The sets are outside Istanbul: Return transport is included, but expect a full eight-hour outing with pickup from central meeting points.
• Actor-led guiding may be part of the day: Hakan Serim, Abdullah Bha, Burak, and Oscar have led tours on different dates, though the exact guide is not guaranteed.
• The horse show is the highlight: A short live performance brings riders, costumes, and action together near the end of the visit.
• Lunch and sherbet are included: You receive lunch and one soft drink, with sherbet available, though you may need to ask for it.
• Extras cost more: Horse riding, professional photos, costume filming, and some activities require cash and an added fee.
• This is best for fans: If the television series mean little to you, the sets remain interesting, but the price is harder to justify.

From Istanbul to the Bozdag film sets

Your day begins at one of two pickup points. You can meet in front of Bilgins Leather and Fur in Cağaloğlu between 9:40 and 9:50 in the morning, or outside the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim between 10:10 and 10:15.

There is no hotel pickup, so allow enough time to reach your chosen meeting point. The trip to the set takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes according to the timing reported on the day, though traffic can affect the drive. Return transportation is included, which matters because the film site is not a practical place to reach independently during a packed Istanbul visit.

The coach ride is part of the mood. Music from Ertugrul and Osman may play during the drive, and the English-speaking guide usually explains the plan and answers questions about filming. Hakan Serim has led some departures, while other groups have had guides called Abdullah Bha, Burak, or Oscar. Hakan is also known to fans as Gunkut Alp, so an actor-led introduction can make the trip feel more personal.

The exact guide and program can vary. I would treat the names as examples rather than a promise when booking.

Walking through Kayi camp and the old tents

The first part of the visit usually focuses on the camp areas linked with Ertugrul and Osman. You see tents, wooden structures, tools, decorations, and other set pieces designed to suggest a Turkic tribal settlement.

This is where the tour works best for fans. You are not simply looking at a museum display. You are walking through places built for television, with the scale and arrangement that helped create the shows’ world. A Kayi Alp tent may also be set aside for prayer during prayer times, a thoughtful detail for Muslim visitors.

Your guide provides context about Ertugrul Ghazi, Osman Ghazi, the series, and the way the sets are used. An actor-guide can add details about filming and characters that a standard guide might not offer. Ask questions early, since this is the best moment to understand which areas are original working sets, which are rebuilt, and which might be closed for production.

The setting can feel wonderfully convincing, but keep your expectations sensible. This is a working film site, not a fully preserved medieval settlement. Some areas may be roped off, changed, or unavailable because filming is taking place. One group could not enter a set that was in use, and another saw only a small portion of the active production area.

Castles, props, and the best photo stops

After the camp, the route takes you toward castle sets and other major structures. The Sogut and castle areas are among the more memorable parts of the visit, with Inegol Castle especially popular for its size and recognizable details. You may also see items connected with scenes from the series, such as Aya Nikola’s throne.

The guide leads you around the buildings, then you generally receive time to look around on your own. That balance is useful. You get the story first, then a chance to take photographs without trying to keep up with a group.

Still, the amount of free time can vary. Some people have wanted more time around the castles, while others felt there was too much waiting before the final show. If photography matters to you, use the independent time carefully. Take your main set photos before lunch if the light is good, and ask the guide how long you have at each location.

Costumes and props are a major part of the appeal. You can see the clothing and equipment used on screen, then in some cases put on an outfit yourself. The costume session can include role-playing and the chance to make a short film with an actor guiding the scene. This is not included in the basic tour price and can cost about $50 for the package mentioned by one visitor, so carry cash if you are interested.

Lunch, Turkish sherbet, and a pause in the day

Lunch is served at a local restaurant on or near the site. It is included in the $118 price, along with one soft drink. The meal is part of Turkish hospitality rather than a separate food tour, but it gives you a welcome break from walking.

Food reports have ranged from very good to merely adequate. Some diners found the meal delicious, while another found it almost cold during a busy service. The restaurant can be handling several groups at once, so do not expect a slow, quiet meal.

Sherbet, a traditional sweet fruit drink, is also part of the advertised program. On at least one departure, it was not automatically brought to the table and had to be requested. Ask for it if you want to try it, and check what is included before paying for another drink.

Lunch is valuable because the day is long. It also gives you time to talk with your group and compare favorite characters and scenes. If you need a specific diet, the supplied information does not promise special meals, so ask the operator before booking rather than assuming.

Trying archery, ironwork, and costume activities

The schedule includes hands-on activities, though the exact mix and price need attention. Iron forging is described as complimentary, and archery appears among the activities in the tour description, but the inclusion details are not fully consistent. The separate activity information lists archery as an additional paid option, and one group was unable to try iron forging.

In practical terms, ask on arrival which activities are free that day and which carry a charge. This avoids surprises and helps you decide how much cash to bring.

Horse riding is also available for an extra fee. You may be able to wear period clothing for the ride or for photographs, but neither horseback riding nor professional photography is included in the base price. The photographs can be a worthwhile souvenir for committed fans, though the added costs can push the day well above $118.

The atmosphere is playful rather than academic. You are trying activities linked with the shows, not receiving formal instruction in traditional metalwork, mounted combat, or archery. That makes these options a good fit for families and fans who enjoy taking part, but less useful if you are looking for a serious cultural workshop.

The final horse show

The live performance is the strongest part of the schedule for many people. It takes place near the end of the day and features experienced riders, dramatic action, and storytelling against the film-set backdrop.

The show helps explain why the tour lasts eight hours. After the walking, lunch, shops, and free time, you get a clear closing event rather than simply boarding the coach and leaving. The performance is short, around 15 minutes according to one account, but it packs in enough action to leave a strong final impression.

You may see riders performing in costume, with scenes designed to recall the style of the two television series. It is staged entertainment, not a chance to watch a real scene being filmed. That distinction matters. You should not book this expecting to watch actors shoot an episode.

The show is also weather and schedule dependent in the ordinary way, and the exact program may change when production is active. Still, it is the part I would most want to protect in the timetable. If the morning feels slow, the final performance gives the outing a satisfying finish.

What the $118 price really buys you

At $118 per person, this is not a cheap sightseeing trip. The price includes return transportation, entry to the film set, an English-speaking licensed guide, lunch with one soft drink, and the live performances.

For a fan of both series, that bundle can make sense. You avoid arranging transport to a distant production site, receive an introduction to the sets, and get a full day of themed activities. Meeting an actor or seeing familiar props can add a personal value that a regular Istanbul attraction cannot provide.

For a casual viewer, the calculation is different. The buildings are made for television, some sets can be closed, the shop is described as expensive, and optional activities cost extra. If you do not know the shows, you may appreciate the costumes and architecture but feel that the visit is long for what is essentially a film-set tour.

Budget for optional purchases. Bring cash for horseback riding, photography, costume filming, and any paid archery or other activity offered that day. You can enjoy the included program without buying extras, but the on-site sales area is part of the visit and may be hard to ignore.

Timing, walking, and practical comfort

The tour lasts about eight hours, including the drive. The day involves walking around camps, castles, and outdoor set areas, then waiting for lunch or the final show. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera.

The site is not suitable for wheelchair users, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. The supplied information does not promise accessible paths, so anyone with limited mobility should contact the operator before reserving.

Bring your passport or ID card, as well as cash. You will want your camera for the sets, costumes, actors, and horse show. Depending on the season, outdoor conditions may also affect how comfortable the long day feels, although no specific weather policy is provided.

The tour begins from central Istanbul meeting points rather than hotel doors. Check the exact pickup time carefully. Missing a 9:40 or 10:10 meeting window could be a serious problem because the coach continues to the film site.

Who should book this film-set day

I would choose this tour if you have watched Dirilis Ertugrul or Kurulus Osman and want to see the world built for the screen. The camp areas, castle sets, costumes, character connections, and horse show all mean more when you recognize the names and places.

It also suits families, couples, and groups who enjoy dressing up and taking photographs. The actor-led guiding reported on some departures can be a real bonus, especially if you have questions about characters or filming.

I would be more cautious if your interest is mainly Ottoman history. The tour discusses Ertugrul and Osman and their historical importance, but it is built around television production and entertainment. For a serious history day, you would need other Istanbul or Bursa sights as well.

The schedule is also less appealing if you dislike shopping stops, optional charges, or stretches of waiting. The gift shop can be expensive, and some people would prefer more castle time and a shorter overall program.

Final call: a strong choice for committed fans

Book it if the thought of standing in Ertugrul’s tent, seeing Osman-era costumes, meeting a familiar actor, and watching riders perform in front of the castle sets sounds exciting. The horse show, guided set walk, and costume access give the day more substance than a simple photo stop.

Skip it if you want to watch a scene being filmed, expect every set to be open, or dislike paying extra for the most theatrical activities. At $118, the tour earns its value through convenience, lunch, guiding, and the included show, but its best moments are aimed squarely at fans.

The rating of 4.4 from 145 bookings reflects that balance. Most of the appeal comes from the staff, the atmosphere, the food, and the final performance. Go with realistic expectations, carry cash, ask about which activities are included that day, and protect enough time for the castles before the show.

FAQ

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

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transportation from Istanbul to the film sets and the return journey.

Where does the tour depart from?

You can meet in front of Bilgins Leather and Fur in 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 travel to one of the two stated meeting points in Istanbul.

Is transportation to the film sets included?

Yes. Return transportation between Istanbul and the film set is included.

Is the tour offered in English?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with one soft drink is included. Sherbet is offered as a traditional Turkish drink, but you may need to request it separately.

Are horse riding and professional photos included?

No. Horse riding and professional photography are available for an additional on-site fee.

Can I wear costumes from the series?

Costume activities are available, including photography and role-playing, but they require an additional payment.

Will I watch actors filming a television scene?

No. The tour shows you the sets, costumes, props, and live performances. You should not expect to watch an episode being filmed.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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