Istanbul: Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour with Lunch

The most exciting part of this day is simple: you walk through the actual sets used for Ertugrul Ghazi and Kurulus Osman, from Kayi tents to castle courtyards and painted timber buildings. I especially like the chance to wear period clothing and see props up close, and I like that guides such as Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp, can add a direct connection to the shows. The final horse performance is another strong point.

The main catch is the pace. This is an eight-hour outing, but some of that time can feel slow, especially before the late afternoon show. Set access can also change when filming is under way, and the shop and optional activities can push the cost well beyond the $118 tour price.

Key points before you book

• Two famous Turkish series in one day: Visit the sets associated with Ertugrul Ghazi and Kurulus Osman near Istanbul.
• Actors may be part of the welcome: Guides have included performers such as Hakan Serim, known for Gunkut Alp, and visitors have sometimes met actors at the site.
• Costumes and role-play are available: Dress as characters for photographs or a short filmed scene, with professional photography offered for an extra fee.
• Lunch and a Turkish drink are included: The meal comes with one soft drink, and sherbet is available, though you may need to ask for it.
• The horse show is the big finish: Live riding and staged action provide the most polished entertainment of the day.
• Bring cash and patience: Horse riding, photography, and other add-ons cost extra, while some set areas may be closed.

From Istanbul to the Bozdag film village

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

There is no hotel pickup, so allow time to reach your chosen point. The exact departure time matters because this is a full-day trip, and a late arrival could be awkward. Return transport is included, which saves you the trouble of arranging a taxi or trying to reach a production site outside central Istanbul on your own.

The drive takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes, according to the tour experience, and your English-speaking guide gives background during the ride. Past guides have included Hakan, Burak, Oscar, and Abdullah. Hakan Serim is especially memorable because he has played Gunkut Alp in the Ertugrul series. Music from the shows may play on the coach, helping set the mood before you arrive.

This is not a quiet museum transfer. The atmosphere is aimed squarely at fans, with music, costumes, actors, and staged action all part of the day. Even if you know only the broad story of the Ottoman beginnings, the guide can help explain who Ertugrul and Osman are and why the television dramas matter to Turkish popular culture.

Walking through Ertugrul’s tents and the Kayi camp

The first part of the visit takes you into the world of Ertugrul Ghazi. Expect timber structures, tents, camp details, costumes, and other set pieces built to suggest the tribal world shown in the series.

The pleasure here is physical. You are not just looking at photographs of a set behind a barrier. You can walk among the structures, see the scale of the tents, and notice the details that make television scenes feel convincing. Fans will recognize places connected with Ertugrul’s tribe, while newcomers get a useful lesson in how a historical drama creates its setting.

The Kayi camp is one of the main areas, and the experience can feel surprisingly theatrical. You might see staff in costume, encounter actors, or have the chance to pose as a character. Some visitors have met performers connected with the shows, including Gunkut Alp and other cast members, but actor appearances are not something I would treat as guaranteed.

A guide makes a real difference here. The best guiding does more than point at a tent and name it. It explains which structures were used for filming, how the set relates to the story, and what you are looking at. Hakan, Burak, Oscar, and Abdullah have all been praised for clear explanations and helpful direction, but the guide on your particular day will determine how much detail you receive.

You should also expect some free time to look around at your own speed. That is useful for photographs, especially if your family wants to linger over costumes or props. The tradeoff is that the day can feel less tightly organized if you prefer one attraction after another with no waiting.

Osman’s camps, Sogut, and the castle sets

After the early camp areas, the route usually moves toward the sets connected with Osman Ghazi and Kurulus Osman. This is where the visit becomes larger in scale, with castle façades, courtyards, gates, and military settings replacing the smaller tribal tents.

The Sogut and castle areas are among the most interesting parts for fans who want to see how the series creates its political and military world. Inegol Castle receives particular attention because it includes recognizable details such as Aya Nikola’s throne. You can see how several locations used on screen are grouped together in a working film village.

Do not assume every building will be open. Set access can change when a scene is being filmed, and some sections have occasionally been closed. One visitor found that only part of the main set could be seen, while another could not enter a set because production was taking place. That is normal for a working studio, but it is important to keep expectations realistic.

You are visiting a film set, not a preserved medieval town. The structures are made for television, and some areas may look more impressive from the camera angle than they do up close. Still, the combination of scale, costumes, props, and guided storytelling gives the place a character that a standard historical museum cannot match.

Plan to use your free time carefully. Some people want photographs at every tent and gate. Others would rather inspect the castle interiors or ask the guide about filming. A few visitors felt they needed more time at the castles, so do not spend the entire morning at the first camp if the later sections matter most to you.

Costumes, role-play, and the extra charges

One of the most popular add-ons is dressing in authentic-looking clothing and taking photographs. You may be able to pose as Osman Bey, Bala Hatun, or another character, and some activities involve making your own short scene with help from an actor.

This can be a terrific family activity. Children and adults who know the shows often get more from this than from a standard guided walk. It gives you something to do rather than simply another backdrop for a photograph.

Professional photography is not included in the $118 price. The cost has been reported at around $50 for a costume and custom filming package, though you should confirm the current fee on arrival. The on-site shop also sells souvenirs and related goods. It can be expensive, so decide ahead of time how much you are willing to spend.

Horse riding is another paid option. The basic tour includes live shows, but riding yourself is separate. Archery is also listed among the activities, and the tour information treats it as an extra-cost option. Iron forging is described as a complimentary activity, although access may vary on the day. Bring cash, as the practical instructions specifically recommend it.

I like having these choices, because you can keep the base tour simple or add a more hands-on experience. I do not like the risk of feeling pressured into extras after you have already paid a substantial tour price. Go in knowing that the advertised cost covers the main visit, lunch, guide, transport, entry, and shows, not every photograph or activity.

Lunch, sherbet, and a pause in the day

Lunch takes place at a local restaurant on the site. The tour includes a meal and one soft drink. The food has generally been described as good, though one meal arrived almost cold and another was considered merely adequate. Service can slow down when several groups arrive at once.

That inconsistency is worth noting, but lunch still serves an important purpose. The set visit involves a lot of walking and standing, and a proper meal gives you a break before the afternoon program. It also lets you try a local setting rather than eating from a generic fast-food stop on the road.

Sherbet, a traditional Turkish sweet drink, is presented as part of the experience. On at least one occasion, it was not brought automatically, so ask for it if it does not arrive with the meal. You should not need to pay extra for the included serving.

The restaurant may also be a chance to spot performers or production staff. That is a pleasant bonus, not a promise. The real value of the meal is convenience and a taste of Turkish hospitality within the film village.

The live show is the afternoon highlight

The day ends with staged live entertainment in front of the sets. The performance includes riders, horses, action, and storytelling linked to the Ertugrul and Osman worlds. At roughly 15 minutes, it is not a long production, but it packs more punch than its length suggests.

For me, this is the strongest part of the outing. The costumes and buildings are fun, but live riders moving through a set give the history-drama theme energy. You see the horses at close range and watch a performance designed for an audience rather than a television camera.

The show is also the reason I would not cut the tour down too aggressively. One visitor felt there was too much waiting before the 4:30 performance and suggested a shorter four-hour visit. That criticism is fair if you want a quick photo stop. But if you enjoy the full set walk, lunch, costume options, and final show, the long day gives the visit room to breathe.

The timing may leave you with a lull after lunch. Use it for the castle areas, photographs, the shop, or optional activities. If you want a fast-moving sightseeing schedule, this dead time may test your patience. If you are a serious fan, it gives you more space to enjoy the setting.

What the $118 price really buys you

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

That package can make sense for fans of both series. You avoid arranging transport, get a guide who can explain the fictional world and the set itself, and receive a full day of themed entertainment. The chance to meet an actor or see a working performer can add a memorable personal touch, though it should be treated as luck rather than part of the guaranteed program.

The value is weaker if you are only mildly curious about Turkish television. The set buildings alone may not justify the price for someone who does not recognize the characters or appreciate the costume work. You also need to budget for photography, riding, archery, and souvenirs if those extras appeal to you.

I would compare this with a standard Istanbul day tour in one important way: the content here is highly specialized. You are paying for a fan experience, not a broad introduction to Ottoman monuments. For the right audience, that focus is the point. For everyone else, the long drive, waiting periods, and production closures may feel costly.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour is best for people who have watched Ertugrul Ghazi, Kurulus Osman, or both. You will recognize tents, characters, castles, and props, and you will understand why a brief meeting with an actor can feel special.

Families can also enjoy it, especially if children like costumes, horses, archery, or role-play. The day offers more activity than a standard guided monument visit. Muslim visitors may appreciate that a Kayi Alp tent has been used as a mosque for prayer times, although you should confirm arrangements with your guide on the day.

You do not need to be a devoted fan. The guide provides context, and the sets are visually entertaining even if you are new to the dramas. Still, the emotional payoff is much stronger when you know the characters and story.

This is not suitable for wheelchair users, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. The visit involves walking across set areas, and the available information does not suggest a modified route. Bring a camera, passport or ID card, and cash. Wear practical shoes and dress for a full day outdoors and around large set areas, though the tour information does not specify a required dress code.

Small details that make the day better

Choose your meeting point based on convenience, not on the promise of a different tour. Both points lead to the same experience, and hotel pickup is not included.

Ask the guide at the start which sections may be closed for filming. That lets you plan your free time and avoids disappointment when a castle or tent cannot be entered.

Keep the final show in mind as you explore. The schedule can feel loose, and the performance usually comes late in the day. If you spend all your energy early, the afternoon may drag.

Ask for sherbet with lunch if it is missing. It is a small point, but it is part of the promised food experience.

Set a budget for extras before you arrive. The costume photography, horse riding, archery, and shop purchases can quickly change the final cost.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure and allows you to reserve without paying immediately. Those policies help if your Istanbul plans are still moving, but they do not change the physical demands or the length of the day.

Should you book the Ertugrul and Osman set tour?

Book it if the television series are a real part of your Istanbul trip. The tents, castles, costumes, actor connections, and horse show create a playful day that is hard to reproduce on your own. I especially value the guides with links to the productions, the included lunch, and the chance to see both series in one outing.

Think twice if you want a compact cultural tour or a guaranteed look at every set. Filming can close areas, the morning may move slowly, and optional extras cost more. At $118, the tour earns its price through atmosphere and fan appeal rather than through the number of historical monuments visited.

For a devoted Ertugrul or Osman fan, I would book it, bring cash, and leave room in the schedule for the full eight hours. For a casual viewer, choose it only if the live horse show and film-making side of the experience sound as appealing as the stories themselves.

FAQ

Where does the tour begin?

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. The tour includes return transportation from one of the two listed meeting points, but hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts eight hours, including transportation, the set visit, lunch, activities, and live shows.

What language is the guided tour in?

The live guide service is in English.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch with one soft drink is included. Sherbet is also presented as a typical included drink, but ask for it if it is not served automatically.

Do horse riding and professional photography cost extra?

Yes. Professional photography and horse riding are available for an additional on-site fee. Archery is also listed as an extra-cost activity.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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