Osman and Ertugrul set visits turn TV into something you can touch. This 8-hour Istanbul tour is built around seeing the real locations used for the series, with an English-speaking guide and hands-on sword forging plus included lunch to keep the day moving. One thing to plan for: extras like costume rental and add-on photo/video shooting cost extra, so the final spend can creep up if you say yes to everything.

What I like is how organized it feels for a day-trip: you’re picked up from one of three clear Istanbul meeting points, travel in an air-conditioned vehicle, and come back to the same spot. In guides’ accounts, organizer Cengiz is a key part of the smooth flow, and for at least one group the guide Taha and driver Furqan helped make the long drive part of the fun. The group size is capped at 20, which makes the experience feel more like a crew day out than a cattle call.

Key things to know before you go

• Sword forging is included, so you are not just standing and looking.
• Lunch is included, which matters when you are spending most of the day off the main tourist grid.
• Small group size (up to 20) keeps questions and logistics under control.
• English-speaking guiding helps you follow what you’re seeing and why it was built that way.
• Cast interaction is possible, not guaranteed, depending on whether actors are available that day.
• Costume rental and photo/video extras aren’t included, so budget for add-ons if you want them.

What you’re really signing up for: film sets that feel built for the camera

This tour is for people who want more than a quick photo stop. You’re heading to the Osman and Ertugrul film-set world, where sets are designed to hold up under filming—tight angles, controlled backdrops, and production-style layouts. The practical payoff is that you start recognizing how camera work changes what a place looks like on screen.

Even if you watch the series for the drama, I think the best part is technical: seeing how locations get transformed for the show. In one group experience, the guide explained how they changed each location, and that kind of behind-the-scenes talk makes the whole day click faster.

And because this is a group tour with a set timeline, you get a clear rhythm: travel, time at the set, included activities, then lunch, then back. No hunting around on your own. No guessing about timing. That alone is value if you’re short on Istanbul time.

Meeting points in Istanbul: pick the easiest access for your hotel

You meet at one of three locations, and the exact final pick-up point and time are sent after booking once you share your hotel. End of the day is back at the same meeting point.

Your three options:

• In front of Bilgin’s Leather Fur Store on Babıali Street
• In front of Yapi Kredi Bank at Beyazıt Tram Station
• In front of AKM (Atatürk Culture Center) at Taksim Square

Here’s my practical advice: choose the meeting point closest to where you already plan to be before the tour. If you’re staying around Sultanahmet, Beyazıt might save time. If you’re closer to Taksim, AKM is often the simplest start. The point is to reduce transit stress before you even get to the set day.

Also note the tour is described as near public transportation, which helps if you decide to arrive early on your own. Still, because the tour runs as a group schedule, aim to show up a bit early so you’re not sprinting with production-day energy.

From Istanbul to the sets: how the day flows over 8 hours

This tour runs for about 8 hours and ends back where you started. Along the way you’ll use an air-conditioned vehicle, and the day stays group-based, with a max of 20 people.

The day’s skeleton looks like this:

• Meet at your chosen pick-up spot
• Ride to the Osman and Ertugrul film set area
• Spend time on set with a guide and included activities
• Take a lunch break (included)
• Wrap up and head back to the original meeting point

Even though the itinerary listing you have is simple, the included items matter: you get the show ticket and sword forging as part of the package. That’s a bigger deal than it sounds, because it means the schedule isn’t just a walk-and-watch experience. You’re moving through the set experience like it’s part of a program.

One more useful note: the tour is offered in English, and confirmation is provided at booking time. That matters for planning your Istanbul day so you don’t have to keep checking for updates.

Sword forging and the show ticket: included entertainment with real participation

If you’re wondering what makes this tour more than a pass-the-hat kind of visit, look at what’s included: sword forging and a show ticket.

Sword forging is the hands-on piece, and it changes your role from observer to participant. You’re not only learning what you see; you’re doing something. That tends to be the moment people remember days later, especially if you’re traveling with family or friends who don’t want hours of standing.

The show ticket is the other built-in time-holder. It helps ensure you get a full day of programming rather than a rushed set stop. Even if you’re a casual viewer of the series, these included elements are what help you feel you got your money’s worth.

And based on the way guides are described in past groups, you can expect explanations during the transformation process—how locations are dressed and staged for filming. If you care about how movies are made, this is where you benefit most.

Lunch on a film-set schedule: included, and timed for the day

You get lunch included, which is a quiet win on a tour like this. When you’re spending most of the day outside the usual sightseeing loop, buying lunch separately can be annoying. Also, film-set timing can be unpredictable, so having lunch planned into the flow makes the day easier to manage.

One review called the lunch excellent, which is what you want to hear before you commit to a paid day. The key point for you: plan to eat it, not just grab it. The tour lasts about 8 hours—if you skip lunch, you’ll feel it later.

If you’re the type who likes snacks, consider carrying a small water bottle and a light extra bite. The data doesn’t say what drinks are included, so having your own small supply keeps you comfortable if the day runs a little longer on location.

Photo, costume rental, and actor encounters: what’s included versus what costs extra

Let’s separate the fun extras from the baseline.

Not included:

• Costume rental
• Photo shooting
• Any add-on filming or special photo/video packages you might want

Included:

• Sword forging
• Show ticket
• Standard entry elements tied to the set visit (the tour summary also notes admission ticket free)

Now for the actor part. Some groups report a chance to meet actors, and at least one visit mentioned that actors weren’t available because it was a day off. So treat cast interaction as a bonus, not a promise. If meeting an actor is your main goal, go in with flexible expectations. You’ll still see the sets and the transformation process either way.

If you like dressing up, costume rental being not included means you should decide in advance how much you want that experience to cost. Same with photos: if you want high-effort professional shots, that’s usually where the extras live. If you’re traveling with a smartphone-only style, you’ll likely be fine sticking to what’s included.

Price and value: what $295.87 buys you in the real world

At $295.87 per person for an 8-hour small-group tour, the question is value, not just cost.

What you’re getting for that price:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• Lunch
• Tour guide
• All fees and taxes
• Group tour capped at 20
• Sword forging (included activity)
• Show ticket (included program element)

What you’re not getting:

• Tipping to the driver and guide
• Costume rental
• Photo shooting
• Any optional extra filming or professional photo services

So is it a good deal? For many visitors, it is—because Istanbul days add up fast. When you price out transportation plus a guided set experience plus lunch plus included activities, you’re basically paying for a managed day rather than piecing it together yourself. The cap of 20 travelers also matters. It’s easier to hear the guide and keep the group together.

My best value tip: commit to the included parts (especially sword forging and the show). If you start adding costumes and professional photo packages, you can quickly push the total higher. If you’re budget-minded, decide what you want most: hands-on activity or premium photos.

Weather and comfort tips for a cold Istanbul set day

One review specifically mentioned cold weather, but the group still had a great time. That tells me two things you should take seriously:

• Don’t assume the set day will feel like a warm stroll.
• Dress for the conditions, not for Istanbul’s reputation.

I’d plan layers, especially if you’re visiting in cooler months. Wear comfortable shoes, because even if the set experience is staged, you’ll still be moving around. The tour asks for moderate physical fitness level, so you should be ready for walking and standing.

Also, since the tour ends back at the meeting point and runs roughly 8 hours, think about comfort for the whole stretch, not just the set portion.

Who should book this tour, and who might want a different plan

This tour fits best if:

• You’re a fan of Osman and Ertugrul and want to see the physical sets behind the series
• You want an organized day with English guidance and included lunch
• You care about hands-on activities like sword forging
• You prefer a smaller group (max 20)

You might want to rethink if:

• You only want a quick museum-style look and hate scheduled programming
• You’re extremely budget-sensitive, since costumes and photo services are not included
• You need guaranteed actor meetings (availability depends on the day)

If you’re traveling with kids or a mixed group, sword forging can be the bridge activity that keeps interest beyond the screen.

Should you book it? My straight answer

Book it if you want a structured, production-focused day in Istanbul that goes beyond scenery. The combination of included lunch, a real guide, sword forging, and a show ticket makes it feel like a complete experience rather than a simple transport service.

Skip it or go cautious on add-ons if you’re mainly chasing costumes and professional photos. Those extras cost extra, and actor meet-and-greets aren’t something you can lock in.

If you’re a serious fan, this is the kind of day that turns episode memories into real-world places.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the Resurrection Ertugrul and Establishment Osman film set tour?

It’s about 8 hours.

What is the price per person?

The price is $295.87 per person.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes, it’s offered in English.

Where do you meet for the tour?

You meet at one of three spots: in front of Bilgin’s Leather Fur Store on Babıali Street, in front of Yapi Kredi Bank at Beyazıt Tram Station, or in front of AKM at Taksim Square.

What’s included in the tour price?

Lunch, an air-conditioned vehicle, all fees and taxes, a group tour, a tour guide, sword forging, and a show ticket.

Is admission to the film set included?

The tour summary notes admission ticket free.

Is costume rental included?

No. Costume rental is not included.

Is photo shooting included?

No. Photo shooting is not included.

What if the weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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