From Istanbul Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour

For devoted Dirilis and Kurulus fans, this is the real deal. The tour takes you from central Istanbul to the sets used for Dirilis: Ertugrul and Kurulus Osman, where you can walk among castles, houses, and other built scenes from the shows. I especially like the included live performances and the chance to see new construction connected with the Orhan Bey era.

I also like that the price includes transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, entrance fees, and lunch. Those extras matter on an eight-hour outing. The main caution is that the day can feel commercial, with paid photography, horse riding, archery, gift-shop purchases, and other add-ons competing for your attention.

Key points to know before you book

• The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. in front of the main door of the Ataturk Cultural Center, then takes about 1.5 hours to reach the movie-set area.
• The set visit lasts several hours, giving you time to explore castle and house sets rather than making a quick photo stop.
• A 15 to 20-minute live show is included, adding movement and storytelling to what could otherwise be a static set visit.
• Lunch is included, and the meal has been described as a substantial four-course spread.
• Paid extras are part of the experience, including horse riding at 20 euros for 20 minutes, archery at about $20, and photography packages that may cost much more.
• The group can reach 35 people, so this is not a private or small-group tour.

Why fans of Ertugrul and Osman will enjoy this day

Television sets are usually working spaces, not museums. That is part of the appeal here. You are not only looking at costumes or photographs behind glass. You are walking through purpose-built areas used to create the world of Ertugrul Gazi and Osman Gazi.

The strongest reason to book is simple: you already care about the shows. If the names Bamsi Bey, Turgut Alp, Ertugrul, Osman, and Orhan mean something to you, the set details will have more weight. A castle wall or tent becomes a place connected to characters and scenes you know.

If you have never watched the series, the visit may still be pleasant, but it will probably feel more like a film-set excursion than a major Istanbul sight. The experience is aimed at fans first.

The set area includes several castle and house locations. You can spend time looking at the construction, taking photographs, and noticing how different areas are arranged for filming. New work connected to the Orhan Bey period may also be visible, though construction and access can change.

One useful point: set quality may not be uniform. Some sections can look carefully made and full of character, while others may show wear from repeated use. That is normal for a working production site, but it means you should arrive expecting a film location, not a preserved medieval town.

Meeting at Ataturk Cultural Center at 9:30

The stated meeting point is in front of the main door of the Ataturk Cultural Center, known locally as Ataturk Kultur Merkezi. The tour begins at 9:30 a.m. and includes pickup and drop-off at the meeting point.

The early part of the day is mostly transport. The published schedule allows about 30 minutes for the first departure segment and roughly 1.5 hours before reaching the movie-set area. Istanbul traffic can affect this timing. One later start was communicated a day in advance, but traffic still caused a delay.

My advice is to keep your morning flexible. Do not schedule a museum ticket or airport transfer close to the advertised return time. The tour is planned to finish around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., but road conditions can change the day.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, a welcome feature when the tour includes several hours outdoors. The maximum group size is 35 people, so you should expect a shared excursion rather than a quiet private ride.

The information also refers to Cagaloglu in the final part of the schedule, while the main meeting instructions say the tour ends back at the starting point. Because those details do not perfectly match, confirm the exact return location before departure.

The first look at the filming area

After the drive, the tour includes open areas where filming takes place. This is a short portion of the day, listed at about 15 minutes, but it helps you understand the scale of the production site.

You may see broad spaces used for outdoor scenes, along with the built areas that come later. This part is less about a formal attraction and more about getting your bearings. It may feel brief, especially if you are eager to reach the main sets.

That short introduction also gives you a chance to see the difference between a television location and a finished historical site. Some parts are designed for the camera angle, not for visitors walking through every corner. That is why the longer set visit matters.

Four hours among the Kurulus Osman sets

The main visit lasts about four hours. This is the heart of the day, and it gives you enough time to explore at a slower pace.

You will visit the Kurulus Osman filming location and see a range of castle and house sets. These spaces provide the visual identity of the series. Fans can look for the small details that make the scenes feel convincing: the arrangement of buildings, the use of tents and walls, and the way separate pieces fit together to create a larger world on screen.

The long visit is also useful because the set is not just one object. You are moving through several areas, and some will appeal to you more than others. A four-hour block gives you room to take photographs, follow the guide, pause for lunch, and watch the scheduled show without racing through every location.

Still, do not assume every minute is guided sightseeing. At least one account of the day described the set guide being pulled away early to help with a paid filming offer. That left visitors exploring independently for a period. Independent time can be enjoyable, but it is worth knowing that the day may not have constant explanation from one guide.

The best approach is to treat the tour as a mix of guided access and free exploration. If you want historical or production details, ask questions when the guide is available. If you mainly want photos and a closer look at the sets, the open time may suit you well.

Live shows bring the set to life

A 15 to 20-minute live show is included in the admission. The schedule gives this part about 45 minutes, allowing time for people to gather and for the presentation to take place.

This is one of the tour’s strongest features. A set can be impressive but still feel quiet and empty when no cameras are rolling. Live performances add action and storytelling, helping you picture how the spaces function on screen.

The show is not a full day of performances. It is a short presentation within a longer visit. You should see it as a highlight, not as the entire reason to book.

The overall program may also include opportunities connected with horses, traditional crafts, or other set activities, but the clearly included performance is the live show listed above. Extra activities may cost more, so check the price before joining.

Lunch is more useful than it sounds

Lunch is included, and this is a real advantage. A full day outside Istanbul can become tiring when you must find and pay for food on your own. Here, the meal is built into the experience.

The meal has been described as a proper four-course lunch with generous portions. That is more substantial than a quick snack, so plan to allow time for a full break rather than expecting to eat on the move.

The lunch also helps explain part of the $124.21 price. You are paying for the vehicle, the long transfer, the set admission, the live performance, and food. The value is fair if you use most of the included features and already want to visit these particular sets.

It is less compelling if you are only mildly curious about the television shows. In that case, the travel time and full-day commitment may outweigh the included meal and transport.

Watch the add-ons before they take over

The main weakness is the sales pressure. A photography opportunity was offered for about $600, and the first 15 to 20 minutes reportedly focused on this offer. That is a large extra cost compared with the tour itself.

Other paid choices include:

• Professional photography from 15 euros, depending on the service
• Horse riding for 20 minutes at 20 euros
• Archery at about $20
• Souvenirs and merchandise from the on-site gift shop

The details of the photography offers appear to vary, so ask exactly what is included before agreeing. You do not need to buy anything extra to take part in the basic tour.

If you want a small activity, archery may be the easier add-on to justify. Horse riding could appeal to families and fans who want a more active experience, but it is not included in the base price.

The gift shop can be tempting, especially if you collect show merchandise. Character figures such as Bamsi Bey and Turgut Alp have been available, along with other souvenirs. Prices may be higher than ordinary Istanbul shopping, so set your spending limit before entering.

There are also pleasant small food and drink stops on the site. Har coffee shop has been praised for its coffee, brownies, and colognes, which can make practical gifts. These purchases are optional, but they may be more useful than a large souvenir if you want something easy to carry.

What the tour gets right, and what needs attention

The biggest success is access. You get several hours at the sets instead of a rushed photo stop. The live performance and included lunch make the day feel like more than a basic transfer to a distant location.

The second success is the emotional connection. For dedicated fans, seeing the spaces associated with the series can be memorable. New construction for the Orhan Bey era adds another point of interest, especially if you follow the changing story world.

The weaker points are organization and marketing clarity. The schedule includes confusing references to the Ataturk Cultural Center and Cagaloglu at the end, even though the main instructions say you return to the meeting point. The stated start time may also change, and traffic can add more delay.

There is also a mismatch between the cultural promise and what is currently offered. The set could support more hands-on demonstrations, such as glasswork, blacksmithing, ayran preparation, kilim making, or natural remedies. At present, the live show provides the main cultural presentation, while many other activities are paid extras or may not be available every day.

Who should book this experience?

I would choose this tour if you are a serious fan of Dirilis: Ertugrul or Kurulus Osman, especially if you want photographs, set access, and a full day connected to the shows.

Families with older children and teenagers may also enjoy it. The large spaces, live show, optional archery, horses, and character merchandise give the day more variety than a standard sightseeing stop.

I would hesitate if your Istanbul schedule is short. Eight hours is a large portion of a city visit, and the long drive means you will spend substantial time away from central Istanbul.

I would also hesitate if you dislike group outings or sales offers. With up to 35 people and several optional purchases presented during the day, this is not a quiet, low-pressure cultural tour.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations made inside that window are not accepted for a refund. The activity is near public transportation at the meeting point, and most people can participate, though the full-day format requires comfort with walking and time outdoors.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if the series is a major part of your travel plans. The four-hour set visit, included lunch, and live show give devoted fans a solid day out for $124.21 per person.

Skip it if you have not watched the programs or if you want a polished museum-style attraction. Go in with a clear budget for extras, confirm the return point, and expect possible traffic delays. With those limits in mind, this is a fun, highly specific experience for fans who want to step into the world they have been watching at home.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at 9:30 a.m. in front of the main door of the Ataturk Cultural Center in Istanbul.

Where does the tour end?

The main instructions say the activity ends back at the meeting point. Another schedule reference mentions Cagaloglu, so confirm the exact return location before departure.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours. The planned return is around 7:00 to 7:30 p.m., though traffic can affect the timing.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the tour price, and it has been described as a substantial four-course meal.

Are horse riding and photography included?

No. Horse riding and professional photography cost extra. Horse riding is listed at 20 euros for 20 minutes, while photography prices start from 15 euros, with some filming offers costing much more.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 35 people.