Did you know that Turkey is currently the second biggest exporter of TV shows in the world? From South America to the Middle East, millions of viewers worldwide tune in every night to watch their favorite Turkish TV series. The fictional stories of these charismatic characters are set and filmed in real locations all around Turkey and mainly Istanbul. Many expats and tourists enjoy exploring these locations and there is even a booming new business, where tourism agencies offer tours inspired by Turkish TV shows. We have compiled a list of some of these locations for you and even if you are not a big fan of Turkish TV shows, most of these locations are definitely worth exploring. Enjoy!

1001 Nights/Binbir Gece (2006), Forbidden Love/Aşk-ı Memnu (2008)

These are the series that started the worldwide expansion of Turkish TV shows. Since 2006, millions of people around the world have been watching the drama of Onur and Scheherezade as it unfolds in amazing locations like Ahmet Afif Pacha Mansion in Yeniköy. Yeniköy is another gem of the Bosphorus with many breathtaking mansions. Ahmet Afif Pacha Mansion is also known to have temporarily hosted famous mystery novelist Agatha Christie, while she wrote “Murder on the Orient Express.” However, this is not the only famous mansion in the area. Recently, Erbilginler Mansion was sold to Qatari businessman Abdulhadi Mana Al-Hajri for a record-setting 100 million euros. But the real buyer behind the transaction is rumoured to be Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad, the current Emir of Qatar. The Yeniköy-Sarıyer line has also housed another Turkish TV phenomenon. Gazebo, a café made famous by the series Forbidden Love (Aşk-ı Memnu) is in this area and so is the mansion, where Behlül and Bihter’s story took place.   

Ezel (2009), Shattered/Paramparça (2014)

Paramparça’s dramatic tale about two daughters, who were switched during their births at the hospital stars Nurgül Yeşilçay and is being filmed at quite diverse locations in Istanbul such as Kandilli and Tarlabaşı. Both areas offer plenty to explore for visitors, whether you are a fan of the show or not. Tarlabaşı, a great example of Istanbul’s urban transformation projects, is only a stone’s throw from Taksim. It is a popular location for many Turkish series but it’s probably most famous for being the location of Ezel’s classic story of revenge. Ezel’s house is also located here and the area is unique in its architecture while offering magnificent Old City and Golden Horn views. Edip Efendi Mansion is one of the most striking mansions in the Bosphorus. Üsküdar itself is also worth exploring, being one of the oldest Turkish settlements and boasting an array of sights reflecting its Islamic-Ottoman heritage. Maiden’s Tower, an Istanbul landmark is located here, together with countless mosques, fountains, mansions, palaces and social complexes dating to many centuries ago. Both Tarlabaşı and Üsküdar have been on the radar of everyone exploring real estate investment opportunities in Istanbul.  

Resurrection: Ertuğrul (2014)

The heroic story of Ertugrul Ghazi, the father of Osman, founder of the Ottoman Empire is filmed in Beykoz, Istanbul. This peaceful and pleasant area also boasts lush and intact forests stretching all the way to the Black Sea. The open spaces in Riva are used for filming the battle scenes of Diriliş: Ertuğrul, while the old shoe factory in Beykoz is used for filming indoor scenes. Of course, that is not the only reason to visit this beautiful area. Beykoz is also home to many of Istanbul’s historical and architectural treasures. Anadoluhisarı, The Khedive Palace (Turkish: Hıdiv Kasrı), İskenderpaşa Mosque are among many other must-see places in Beykoz. At the same time, Beykoz is one of Istanbul’s rising stars in terms of real estate. And we don’t only mean the million-dollar mansions by the Bosphorus. Many existing and upcoming projects in the area have been on the watch list of those looking to invest in properties for sale in Istanbul. Easily accessible by boat and bus and strategically located between the two bridges, Beykoz should be on everyone’s to-do list, even if only to taste the famous Kanlıca yogurt topped with powdered sugar.  

The Magnificient Century (2011), The Magnificient Century: Kösem Sultan (2016)

As the entire world waits for the arrival of the new series spawned from the original show, The Magnificient Century remains as the most popular Turkish TV show ever made. Almost 500 million viewers around the world in 70 countries have seen Topkapi Palace for the first time in their lives while watching the show. Although it was not being filmed there, the producers created an amazing set that reflected life in Sultan Suleiman’s palace during those times. Even Bursa, another city used for the series, has seen many fans of the show visiting filming locations around it. Naturally, as it always has been, the number one spot on every tourist’s must-see list is the amazing Topkapi Palace. Occupying the premier location at the entrance of the Bosphorus and Golden Horn, Topkapi will enchant, overwhelm and amaze you with its marvels. The area, known as the Historical Peninsula is also home to the top sights in Istanbul including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia and the Grand Bazaar. 
Fans of the show will doubtless feel an extraordinary emotional connection as they walk through the courtyards of Topkapi.