You can almost smell the drama on these sets. I love the licensed guide storytelling and the way you’re shown costumes and props up close. I also love the live shows at the end, which turn the whole day into one big finale. One thing to consider: some activities and photo add-ons cost extra on site, so budget a little beyond the base price.

Getting there is simple and the day runs on rails. You start with coach transport and two Istanbul meeting points, then spend your time walking through the set areas and interactive moments. The biggest tradeoff is that it is a full 8 hours, plus you may have waiting time depending on show timings and how much is open that day.

Key highlights to look for

• Ornate set walking with a licensed guide explaining how the productions bring the eras to life
• Two TV worlds in one day, centered on Ertugrul Ghazi and his son Osman Ghazi
• Costumes, props, and camp details you can see and photograph while you move through the filming areas
• Lunch at an on-site local restaurant, usually with a soft drink and a chance to try sherbet
• Late-afternoon live performances, including a horse show that many people end up loving most
• Optional extras like horseback riding and professional photography if you want more than the base experience

From Istanbul pickup to the set gates

This is a straight-up full-day outing from Istanbul, built around getting you to the TV-set world and keeping you there. If you choose the earlier pickup, you meet the group at Bilgins Leather & Fur in Cağaloğlu around 9:40 to 9:50 AM. For the later option, you meet at Ataturk Cultural Center in Taksim around 10:10 to 10:15 AM.

Once you’re on the coach, the ride is part of the experience. One standout detail is the music, with Ertugrul and Osman audio playing during the trip, which helps you shift mentally into story mode. The drive is not long by Istanbul standards. Reviews describe it as roughly 40 to 50 minutes, so you’re not spending your whole morning trapped on the bus.

This also means you’ll be back in Istanbul the same day. The tour runs about 8 hours, and it ends with drop-off at your original meeting point.

What the guided set tour feels like on the ground

The heart of this trip is the walk through the film areas for Ertugrul Ghazi and Osman Ghazi. You don’t just pass by scenery. Your guide leads you around the set and gives context for who these historical characters are, and why the series has stuck so hard with modern audiences.

This is where the licensed guide matters. The difference between a quick look and a memorable day is explanation. People single out guides by name, including Hakan Serim, Burak, Abdullah Bha, and Oscar, and several mention that their questions were answered on the spot, including filming details. If you’re the type who likes asking why something looks the way it does, you’ll probably have a good time here.

You’ll see plenty of production craft up close. Expect ornate sets, traditional costumes, and props arranged as if you stepped into a camp or courtyard. And you often get time both with the guide and on your own, so you can take photos without feeling rushed.

A practical note: sometimes parts of the set may be in active use for production. One visitor notes that a set was being filmed, and access was limited. So if you’re visiting because you have a specific scene in mind, keep expectations flexible.

Ertugrul Ghazi camp details, costumes, and the Kayi vibe

Part of the appeal is the camp-like feel. You’ll move through areas that look like older tent and village setups, and you’ll likely spend time around the Kayi camp atmosphere. Several visitors describe it as surreal, like stepping into the era rather than just seeing a tourist attraction.

There’s also a spiritual detail worth knowing about. One reviewer mentions a Kayi Alp Tent used as a mosque during prayer times. If that matters to you, it’s a reassuring touch that the site isn’t just decorative.

You may also see specific castle or stronghold set pieces as you go. Some people describe walking through multiple castle areas and enjoying the chance to recognize details from the show. If you’re visiting with teens or kids, this part helps because it’s visual and interactive, not lecture-style.

One caution that comes up: some people felt the camp or interactive segment was less satisfying than they expected. That doesn’t mean it will be a problem for you, but it is a reminder that the quality of certain interactive areas can vary from day to day and from group to group.

Osman Ghazi areas and the castle set momentum

The Osman side of the experience keeps building as you move through the filming areas. This is where the day shifts from camp mood into more fortress and throne-room scale. People highlight the chance to see castle set elements like a throne detail visible during the experience.

If you’re a fan, this is also where your brain starts matching what you know from episodes to what you see in real space. It’s easier to understand staging, distances, and how scenes translate when you can walk around the physical set.

Keep your camera ready. You’ll want photos, especially when costumes and props are available in the walking areas. Some add-on experiences allow extra dressing up and photos, and that can be a real highlight if you want to go beyond normal sightseeing.

Lunch at an on-site restaurant, sherbet, and what to expect

Lunch is included, and the general consensus is that it is pretty good. A few reviewers call it excellent or very tasty, and the on-site hospitality gets praised too. It is not a fine-dining meal, but it is a solid break in the day that keeps you from having to figure out food in a strange area.

Two details to plan around:

1. You’ll likely be in a busy lunch slot with multiple groups, so service can feel efficient but not fancy.
2. Some people report that sherbet was listed as included, but they had to ask for it separately. In those cases, they were not charged, but you should still be ready to request it if it isn’t automatically offered.

Also note one practical downside: a couple of visitors mention that lunch was adequate but not hot when served. So if you hate lukewarm food, eat what you can quickly and move on.

After lunch: hands-on activities and the add-on question

Once lunch is done, you transition into activities. The base description says forging iron and archery are part of the included experience, but the on-site reality can be more complicated. One visitor says archery and other activities were paid, and iron forging wasn’t possible. Another notes they couldn’t do iron forging due to how the activities were run.

So here’s the practical way to handle it:

• Treat forging and archery as “included in the plan,” but listen carefully when you arrive, because some sessions can switch to paid add-ons based on timing or availability.

Horse riding is also a key point. The tour description frames horseback riding as optional and paid. More than one person praises the horseback show performance, and that seems to be included as a live event at the end. But actual riding on horseback is different from watching riders perform, so it’s worth separating the two in your mind before you get excited.

A pro tip: bring a little cash. The tour lists cash as something to have with you, and extras like photo sessions and some costumes can cost on site.

The live performance and horse show finale

The late-day show is a big part of why people feel the tour is worth it. Multiple reviews call the live performance the best part, with one person saying the horse show was icing on the cake and was completely unexpected in a good way.

The show is staged against the backdrop of the film set, so you’re not watching a random theatre performance in isolation. You’re still in the story world, which makes it easier to follow even if you’re not a walking encyclopedia of the series.

Timing varies by schedule, but one reviewer notes the extravaganza happening around 4:30. Translation for your planning: you may have some waiting time before the final show, especially after lunch. If you’re sensitive to long gaps, plan your energy accordingly and bring your patience. The wait can feel long when you’re hungry or itching to explore, so give yourself some mental buffer.

Meet-and-greet moments and dressing up options

This is one of those tours where the extra magic can come from interactions. Some visitors mention meeting actors and seeing cast members. Others mention guides who are also performers from the series world.

Examples named in reviews include cast member connection with a guide who is described as playing Gunkut Alp in Ertugrul, plus mentions of meeting or recognizing characters around the set. Not every day may include the same photo moments, but the vibe is real: you’re likely to feel closer to the show than you would at a normal museum.

You may also have opportunities to dress up in costume and role play. One reviewer describes dressing up and role-playing as part of the experience, guided by an actor or series participant. Another describes wearing Osman Bey costumes for an extra fee. These are the kinds of choices that can turn a good day into a memorable one.

If you want this, budget extra. One of the most common practical comments is that the on-site shop and costume/photo add-ons can be pricey.

Shop stop reality check

There is an on-site shop experience. It’s useful if you want souvenirs tied directly to the production. But people call it expensive, and some mention being guided to the shop earlier than they expected.

If you hate shopping pressure, treat this as a stop, not a must. You can focus on the set and skip impulse buys. If you do shop, go in with a clear idea of what you want, and be ready for higher prices than you’d pay elsewhere in Istanbul.

Price and value: what you get for $118

At about $118 per person, the value equation comes down to what’s included versus what’s optional.

Included basics that justify the price:

• Round-trip transportation from Istanbul meeting points
• Movie set entry fees
• A licensed guide during the set walk
• Lunch at an on-site restaurant, plus 1 soft drink
• Live shows, including horse performance

Optional add-ons that can raise your total cost:

• Professional photography
• Horse riding (not the performance, the ride)
• Archery and forging details may vary in practice
• Costume dressing up and photo sessions can cost extra

When it feels like good value: if you’re a serious fan, you’ll likely appreciate the full-day pacing and the way the guides explain the production. If you’re lukewarm about the series, you might still have fun because the sets and live show are visual and cinematic, but you’ll feel the price more sharply.

Who this tour is best for

This tour is best for you if:

• You are a fan of Ertugrul Ghazi and Kurulus Osman and want a physical sense of where the stories happen
• You like structured days with a guide, not wandering alone through unknown sites
• You enjoy live performance and interactive parts, even if you may pay extra for some activities

It is less ideal if:

• You only want to watch filming happening live, because you should not expect that kind of access
• You hate full-day schedules, because this is a solid 8-hour block
• You’re extremely price sensitive, because shops and add-ons exist on site

Should you book it?

Book it if the idea of walking through Ottoman-era inspired sets and ending with a staged horse performance sounds like your kind of day. If you’re a fan, the guide plus set walk plus live show combination is exactly what you’re paying for.

Skip it or adjust expectations if you want guaranteed included hands-on activities without any on-site surprises. Also think twice if you are very uncomfortable with crowds or waiting, since timing before the big show can create gaps.

If you do book, come ready to explore with your camera, and bring cash for the extras you might decide you want on the spot.

FAQ

How long is the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour?

The tour duration is 8 hours.

Where do I meet the group in Istanbul?

You pick one meeting point: in front of Bilgins Leather & Fur Cağaloğlu (9:40-9:50 AM) or in front of Ataturk Cultural Center Taksim (10:10-10:15 AM).

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included, with 1 soft drink.

Are live shows included?

Yes. Live shows are included as part of the tour.

Is professional photography included?

No. Professional photography is not included and is available for an additional on-site fee.

Is horseback riding included?

Horse riding is not included. It is available for an additional on-site fee.

Is archery included?

Archery is listed as not included, and it is available for an additional on-site fee.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera, passport or ID card, and cash.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

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