Istanbul: Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour with Lunch

Step into television history for a day. This tour takes you from central Istanbul to the Bozdag film sets used for the Ertugrul Ghazi and Osman Ghazi series, where you can walk through tribal camps, castle scenes, costume areas, and performance spaces. I especially like the guided set tour and the live horse show, both of which give the day more substance than a simple photo stop. The included Turkish lunch is another useful touch.

The main caution is value. At $118 per person, this is not a cheap outing, and several activities cost extra once you arrive. Some sets may also be closed for filming, while parts of the day can feel slow before the final show.

Key points before you book

• The day begins with central Istanbul pickup: Choose the Bilgins Leather & Fur meeting point in Cağaloğlu or the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim.
• The sets are made for fans: You can see camps, tents, castle areas, costumes, props, and filming spaces connected with both series.
• The guide matters: Guides such as Hakan, Burak, Abdullah, and Oscar have received praise for clear explanations and friendly help.
• Lunch and sherbet are included: Expect a Turkish meal at the on-site restaurant, plus one soft drink and a taste of sherbet.
• The final performance is a major highlight: Horse riding, staged action, and storytelling bring the day to a lively finish.
• Budget for extras: Horse riding and professional photographs cost more, and some optional activities may not be included in the base price.

From Istanbul streets to the Bozdag sets

The tour lasts about eight hours, with return transportation from Istanbul. Pickup is offered at two central meeting points: in front of Bilgins Leather & Fur Cağaloğlu between 9:40 and 9:50 AM, or outside the Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim between 10:10 and 10:15 AM.

There is no hotel pickup, so you need to reach one of these points on your own. That is easy enough if you are staying near Sultanahmet, Eminönü, or Taksim, but allow time for Istanbul traffic and finding the exact meeting spot.

The drive to the set takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes according to the timing reported by several people on the tour. Music from the Ertugrul and Osman series may play during the ride, which sets the mood before you arrive. The driver also forms an important part of the experience. Several people singled out the driving, punctuality, and helpful attitude as real strengths.

This is a group day out rather than a private tour. That keeps the cost lower than arranging a dedicated guide and car, but it also means the pace may not suit everyone. If someone in your group walks slowly, the whole group may need to adjust.

Walking through Ertugrul Ghazi’s world

The first part of the visit focuses on the earlier series and the Kayi camp. You can see tents, camp areas, decorative details, and objects built to create the period setting. The appeal is not only the chance to recognize a place from television. It is seeing how a production turns open ground into a functioning tribal settlement.

A guide leads you around and explains the characters, story setting, and filming process. Hakan Serim, who played Gunkut Alp in Ertugrul, has guided some departures, adding a personal connection that ordinary set tours cannot promise. Other guides, including Abdullah, Burak, and Oscar, have also been praised for answering questions and explaining the set clearly.

You may be offered time to look around by yourself after the guided portion. That matters because the best way to enjoy a film set is at two speeds. First, follow the story and production explanation. Then stop for your own photographs and details.

Look closely at the tents, wooden structures, weapons, textiles, and decorative pieces. These are not ancient remains, of course. They are working television sets, but they are designed to make the fictional world feel convincing. For fans, that difference hardly spoils the fun. It gives you a peek behind the scenes while still allowing you to play along.

One practical point: do not assume every section will be open. A set may be closed because filming is taking place. One person found that part of the site was unavailable, while another could see only a small portion of the actual filming area. This is a working production site, not a museum with every room permanently open.

Osman Ghazi’s camps, castles, and costumes

The Osman Ghazi section expands the visit with additional camps and castle-style sets. Sogut and several castle areas are part of the route, and Inegol has been singled out as a favorite because of its strong visual details, including the throne associated with Aya Nikola in the series.

The set works best if you already know the shows. You will recognize names, tents, castles, and props that carry meaning from the story. If you have not watched the programs, you can still enjoy the architecture and staged setting, but you may not get the same thrill from seeing a particular character’s tent or throne.

The guides help fill in that gap. A good guide gives the place a story instead of simply pointing at buildings. Abdullah, in particular, has been praised for explaining details politely and clearly. Burak was also described as professional and helpful with questions.

You may have time to meet actors or take photographs with performers who are present on the day. Some people have met actors associated with the series, including Gungut Alp, Ahmet Bey, Boran, Cerkutay, and others. This is a pleasant bonus, but it should not be treated as guaranteed. The actors may be filming, working elsewhere, or unavailable.

Costumes add another layer of fun. You can dress as a character and pose around the set, sometimes with direction from an actor. Professional photography is available for an additional charge, with one person paying about $50 for a costume photo package. That was considered worthwhile by some fans, but it can quickly push the total cost well above the advertised price.

Lunch, sherbet, and the practical pause

Lunch is served at a local restaurant on the site, and it is included with one soft drink. The meal has generally been considered good, though the quality and service can vary with the crowd. One meal was described as almost cold, while several others found the food tasty and satisfying.

The restaurant can be busy because several groups arrive during the day. Do not expect a long, leisurely restaurant visit. It is a practical break that gives you food, seating, and a taste of Turkish hospitality before the afternoon activities.

Sherbet, a traditional sweetened Turkish drink, is also supposed to be part of the experience. On at least one departure, it was not brought automatically, and the group had to ask for it. There was no extra charge, so my advice is simple: if you want to try it, remind the restaurant staff or guide.

This stop is useful even if you are not especially interested in the food. A full day outdoors and on your feet is easier when lunch is already arranged. It also saves you from having to search for food at a production site where choices may be limited.

Iron forging, archery, and paid extras

After lunch, the tour may include complimentary hands-on activities such as iron forging and archery. However, the exact availability of activities can vary. One person could not take part in iron forging, while another described glass blowing as a pleasant part of the day.

The activity list needs careful reading. The details describe archery as complimentary in one place, but the included and excluded sections also list archery as an additional paid activity. Because of that inconsistency, bring cash and ask your guide what is included on your particular departure.

Horse riding is an optional paid extra. If you enjoy horses or want a more dramatic photograph, it may be worth considering. If you are trying to keep the price under control, you can skip it and still have a full day of set visits, lunch, and the live performance.

Photography is another optional cost. The staff may help you dress in period clothing and pose in character. This works especially well for families, couples, and devoted fans who want a keepsake. It is less useful if you already have plenty of casual phone photographs.

A gift shop is also part of the experience. It offers relevant souvenirs, costumes, and other items, but prices have been described as high. You do not need to buy anything to enjoy the tour, so decide your spending limit before entering.

The final horse show earns its place

The closing performance is often the best part of the day. It features horse riding, staged action, and storytelling in front of the film-set buildings. The show lasts about 15 minutes according to one detailed account, but its position at the end gives it extra punch.

You are not watching an actual scene being filmed. This is a live performance prepared for visitors, with experienced riders and dramatic presentation. That distinction matters. If you book this hoping to watch a television episode being made, you may be disappointed. If you want a short historical-style show with horses and action, it delivers much more.

The show also helps solve a pacing problem. The set visit can take several hours, and some people feel there is too much waiting before the performance begins, with the main show scheduled around 4:30 PM on some departures. The payoff is strong, but the day may feel long if you are not a serious fan.

Try to save some energy for the finale. You may spend the morning walking between camps and castles, taking photographs, and waiting for lunch or activities. Comfortable shoes, water, and a camera will make the day easier.

What $118 really buys you

At $118, the price is reasonable for a fan-focused full-day outing if you use the included parts: return transport, entry, a licensed English-speaking guide, lunch, one soft drink, and the live shows. Transport alone removes the hassle of finding the set independently, and the guide gives context that you would not get by wandering around on your own.

The value drops if you want every add-on. Horse riding, professional photography, costume experiences, and possibly archery can require extra payment. The gift shop is another temptation, and prices there may be higher than you expect.

I would see the base price as paying for access, transportation, guidance, lunch, and the final show. Treat the extras as optional treats, not necessary parts of the tour. That way, you can enjoy the day without feeling pressured to spend more.

The price also makes more sense for fans of both series than for casual television viewers. If you know the characters and storylines, a tent, throne, or costume can be surprisingly exciting. If you have not watched the shows, the tour becomes a pleasant set visit with a Turkish meal and horse performance, but the fee may feel steep.

Who will enjoy this day most?

I would recommend the tour to fans of Dirilis Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman, especially families and groups who enjoy dressing up, taking photographs, and meeting performers when available. It suits people who want a light entertainment day rather than a conventional Ottoman monument tour.

It can also work for visitors interested in Turkish television production. You get a look at constructed camps, castle areas, props, costumes, and the way a production creates a historical world for the screen.

It is less suitable for anyone using a wheelchair, and electric wheelchairs are not allowed. Expect walking across a large set and uneven outdoor areas, though the exact accessibility of each section is not specified.

Bring your passport or ID card, camera, and some cash. The tour is in English, and the meeting points are central Istanbul locations. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start, and you can reserve now and pay later if that option is offered at booking.

Should you book the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi set tour?

Book it if the series mean something to you. The combination of recognizable sets, helpful guides, costumes, lunch, and the final horse show creates a full day with plenty to see. The chance to meet an actor or guide connected with the production can make it special, but that part depends on the day.

Skip it if you want a quiet historical site, a short excursion, or a guaranteed look at active filming. Set closures, paid extras, a costly shop, and some waiting are real drawbacks.

My best advice is to go with a clear budget. Pay for the tour, enjoy the included meal and performance, and choose only the extra activity that genuinely appeals to you. For a committed fan, $118 can feel worthwhile. For everyone else, compare the price with your interest level before booking.

FAQ

Where does the tour depart from?

You can meet the group 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. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. You need to reach one of the two listed meeting points in Istanbul.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts about eight hours, including transportation between Istanbul and the movie set.

Is the tour conducted in English?

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

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch at a local restaurant and one soft drink are included. Sherbet is part of the advertised experience, but you may need to ask for it.

Can I ride a horse?

Horse riding is available for an additional fee at the site. It is not included in the base price.

Can I take professional photographs in costume?

Yes. Costume photography with a professional photographer is available for an additional on-site fee.

Is archery included?

The activity information is inconsistent about archery. It is described as an activity offered during the visit, but it is also listed among possible additional charges. Ask the guide what applies on your departure.

Is the tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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