Turkish TV history, built in real space. This Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour pairs a smooth drive from Taksim Square toward the Asian side with real time at the Kuruluş Osman filming grounds.
I especially like how the day is organized around actual set areas, so you’re not stuck only watching from outside. You also get a long window to see the production world up close rather than a quick photo stop.
I love that the schedule is built for fans without the usual “hurry, hurry” feeling. You’ll have lunch included, plus a live performance moment on the film plateau that adds energy to the day.
One consideration: the headline experience is priced with the core set access, but the fun upgrades cost extra. Professional photography starts from 15 euro, and horse riding (20 minutes) is 20 euro on top.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth your attention
- From Taksim Square to the sets: the day’s best trick
- Europe to Asia: why the early transit is more than filler
- Kuruluş Osman filming location: your big block of time
- Castle and house set areas: what you’re really paying for
- Live performances on the film plateau: short show, big payoff
- Lunch, timing, and comfort on an 8-hour Istanbul day
- Price and value: what $120.16 really covers
- Group size and the vibe: easier than you might fear
- Who should book this tour for the best fit
- Should you book the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour?
- FAQ
- FAQ
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- Where is the meeting point?
- Do they offer hotel transfers?
- Is lunch included?
- Is the tour offered in English?
- What’s the group size limit?
- Are entrance fees to the movie set included?
- Are photography and horse riding included?
- Is good weather required?
Key highlights worth your attention
- A 5-hour block at the Kuruluş Osman filming location gives you real time to look around
- Crossing from Europe to Asia early makes the day feel like more than a straight transfer
- Castle and house set areas where the production builds atmosphere for the series
- Live performances at the film plateau add a show element, not just sightseeing
- Lunch and air-conditioned transport keep the long day comfortable
From Taksim Square to the sets: the day’s best trick
This tour works because it doesn’t treat the movie sets like a distant viewpoint. You start at Taksim Square at the Ataturk Culture Center area, meeting in front of the main door, and then you move toward the filming zone with enough time for the day to unfold properly.
Even before you reach the main set, you get the best kind of context: you’re transported from the European side toward the Asian continent. That single detail matters because Istanbul already has a “two worlds” feeling. On a set tour, it helps the day feel like a story, not just a delivery service to a single location.
Plan for a long-ish outing—about 8 hours total—and remember the tour ends back at the same meeting point. If you like clear logistics and knowing where your day begins and ends, this is one of the calmer ways to spend time on production grounds.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Istanbul.
Europe to Asia: why the early transit is more than filler
The tour includes a short stop where you can take in open areas used for movie-making. It’s brief, but it helps you “see” what you’re going to experience later. Those early glimpses also let your expectations line up with what’s actually happening: filming areas, set constructions, and the kind of staging the series relies on.
This is also where comfort counts. You’ll be in an air-conditioned vehicle, which is a big deal when Istanbul’s weather decides to be unpredictable. Since the experience requires good weather, you’ll feel the difference between arriving relaxed versus arriving stressed.
If you’re the type who dislikes feeling rushed between stops, the early structure helps. You get a little momentum, then you settle into the main part of the day.
Kuruluş Osman filming location: your big block of time
The core of the experience is the 5-hour visit to the Kuruluş Osman filming location area. This isn’t a quick walk-through. It’s the longest single stretch in the day, and that’s what makes the tour feel worth it for fans.
What you’ll likely enjoy most here is the mix of sightlines and set detail—spaces that look designed for camera angles, with the kind of scale that’s hard to appreciate from outside. Movie sets can feel fake in photos, but once you’re standing in the space, you understand how production builds drama: where characters would enter, where action would frame, and how the setting carries the story.
A practical tip: wear comfortable shoes you can walk in for a while. Even if the pace is not frantic, a set area still means uneven surfaces, lots of turning around, and time spent moving toward viewpoints.
Castle and house set areas: what you’re really paying for
After the main filming location visit, you’ll spend an additional hour exploring Kuruluş Osman set areas—many castle/house-style spaces. This part matters because series fans don’t just want to stand in front of one backdrop. You want variety: different structures, different “worlds,” and different corners that feel like they belong to the story.
This is also where the value of guided organization shows up. Instead of trying to piece together access on your own, the tour routes you through the set zones in a way that keeps the day flowing.
What might feel slightly less satisfying for some people: if you were expecting a constant stream of long, dramatic performances at every turn, the set exploration is still the main event. The performances come later, as a highlight, not as nonstop entertainment.
Live performances on the film plateau: short show, big payoff
The day’s “zenith” includes live performances set against the film-set backdrop. The tour time here is about 45 minutes, and it also notes a film plateau live-show segment of roughly 15–20 minutes. Either way, the point is the same: you get a real show moment, not only static sightseeing.
This part is ideal if you want the experience to feel alive. Sets are cool, but a performance gives you that extra layer—costumes, staging, and the feeling that the production world is actively moving.
If you’re a fan of Ertugrul Gazi and Osman Gazi stories, this is where the day typically clicks emotionally. Even if you’re not deeply into the series lore, you’ll still enjoy the production energy.
Lunch, timing, and comfort on an 8-hour Istanbul day
This is an 8-hour tour, and it includes lunch plus pickup and drop-off at the meeting point. That combo is a real money-and-time saver compared with assembling your own plan, especially if you don’t want to spend your day mapping routes or waiting around.
Because lunch is included, you don’t have to hunt for food right when your energy dips. Just treat it as part of pacing. Build your day around the tour blocks rather than trying to add extra stops.
One practical note: the return meet-up at the Ataturk Kultur Merkezi is around 19:00–19:30 for another tour, and this one ends back at the meeting point. So if you’re planning dinner afterward, pick something nearby enough that you don’t feel rushed at the end of a long day.
Price and value: what $120.16 really covers
At $120.16 per person, this tour is priced like a guided experience with set access and comfort included. What you get for that price is more than transportation.
Included items you should factor in:
- Lunch
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Pick up and drop off from the meeting point
- Entrance fees for the movie-set elements described in the itinerary
- Watching live shows on the film plateau (15–20 minutes)
Then there are the extras, which can add up if you say yes to everything:
- Professional photography services start from 15 euro
- Horse riding is 20 euro for 20 minutes
- Souvenirs and personal expenses are on you
So is it good value? For fans, it often is, because a set visit with guided routing plus live performance and lunch is hard to replicate cheaply on your own. If you’re mainly after photos and you’re also likely to add photography and horse riding, your total spend will rise above the base price.
The best approach for value: decide ahead of time what’s worth paying extra for. If you love getting official photos, consider budgeting for photography. If you don’t care, you can keep the day close to the stated cost.
Group size and the vibe: easier than you might fear
The group has a maximum of 28 travelers. That’s large enough to meet people, but small enough to feel like it’s still managed rather than chaotic.
The experience is offered in English, and you’ll receive a mobile ticket. If you’re comfortable handling your own check-in on a phone, that’s convenient—less paperwork, less friction.
Also worth noting: the pickup point is near public transportation, and there are no hotel transfers. That means you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point on your own. For many visitors, that’s totally fine. For people with limited mobility or those who hate planning the first 20 minutes of a day, it can feel like extra work. (More on who should book below.)
Who should book this tour for the best fit
This tour is especially suited for:
- Series fans who want real time at Kuruluş Osman set areas, not just a quick glance
- People who want a structured day with lunch and transport included
- Anyone who prefers a guided, English-friendly outing with a capped group size
- Older travelers who want a day that doesn’t feel like nonstop sprinting (the schedule is built with enough breathing room)
You might think twice if:
- You hate add-ons. Photography and horse riding are optional but common “yes” items
- You’re sensitive to weather changes. The experience requires good weather, and it can be rescheduled if conditions aren’t right
- You want full hotel pickup convenience. This tour does not offer hotel transfers
Should you book the Ertugrul and Osman Ghazi Movie Set Tour?
If you’re a fan of the stories and you want to see the production world in real space, I think this is a strong pick. The value comes from the combination of long set time (especially the 5-hour filming-location visit), a live performance moment, and included lunch and transport. It’s the kind of day that feels made for people who care about the series.
Book it if you want an organized, fan-focused experience with an easy meetup at Taksim Square and you’re okay handling your own arrival to the meeting point. Skip it (or plan a different style of outing) if you’re expecting a low-cost day with zero extras—because photography and horse riding are there if you choose them.
FAQ
FAQ
What time does the tour start?
The tour start time is 10:00 am.
How long is the tour?
It lasts about 8 hours (approx.).
Where is the meeting point?
Meet in front of the main door at the Ataturk Culture Center in Taksim Square.
Do they offer hotel transfers?
No. Hotel transfers are not included, so you must come to the meeting point yourself.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch is included.
Is the tour offered in English?
Yes, it’s offered in English.
What’s the group size limit?
The tour has a maximum of 28 travelers.
Are entrance fees to the movie set included?
Entrance fees mentioned by the itineraries for the movie set are included.
Are photography and horse riding included?
No. Professional photography services start from 15 euro, and horse riding (20 minutes) costs 20 euro.
Is good weather required?
Yes. The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.






























