Walks In Istanbul

What Walks In Istanbul does

Walks In Istanbul is a licensed tour operator founded in 2008 that designs and sells small-group and private guided walking tours across Turkey, with primary operations in Istanbul and extended coverage in Cappadocia and Ephesus (Kusadasi). The portfolio spans roughly 15 products, ranging from short 2.5-hour shared tours of the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia (€49 per person) to full-day private Istanbul tours (€175), multi-day private Cappadocia itineraries (€249-€349), Ephesus shore excursions from Kusadasi Port (€249 including transfers), private Bosphorus yacht cruises (€625), and food tours in Kadikoy. The company also offers airport transfers and corporate/celebration custom itineraries. Customers are direct-to-consumer individual tourists and cruise-ship passengers arriving at Istanbul and Kusadasi ports, with shore excursions explicitly tailored around ship arrival times.

The operating model is asset-light and service-based with no proprietary technology. Tours are delivered by a network of 20+ licensed local guides described as deeply knowledgeable experts in Ottoman and Byzantine history, supported by a small core staff of ~5 (Managing Director, City Manager, Guide Manager, Operations Assistants). The technology stack is entirely third-party: a WordPress website embedded with FareHarbor for booking and calendar management, Stripe for payment processing, and Google Analytics for marketing attribution. Distribution relies on organic content marketing (SEO blog), social media (Facebook, Instagram), TripAdvisor, email newsletter, and FareHarbor's marketplace where third-party agents can book on behalf of clients.

The business model is transactional and one-time per booking. Pricing is per-person on shared tours and per-group on private tours, with skip-the-line museum entry typically included. Revenue is collected at booking via credit card through Stripe. The legal structure is dual-jurisdictional: Walks In Europe, OU (Estonia, registry code 14184392) is the parent/HQ entity, while Bizim Deniz Turizm Seyahat Acentası (Turkey, TURSAB #17427) is the locally licensed operating entity. The company is privately held with no VC/PE funding, no acquisitions, and no disclosed revenue.

Name

Walks In Istanbul

Legal name

Walks In Europe, OU

Website

https://walksinistanbul.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Walks In Istanbul is a licensed tour operator offering small-group and private guided walking tours across Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Ephesus for individual tourists and cruise passengers, with bookings managed through FareHarbor and Stripe on a WordPress website.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Guided Tour Services

NAICS

Tour Operators (561520)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Walking City Tours (Highlights & Orientation) (THAJAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Guided Tours & Personal Tour Guides (THAJALAA), Museum & Landmark Guided Tours (Skip-the-line/Docent-led) (THAJAAAC), Adventure & Expedition Travel Agencies (THAKAFAB)

Keywords

• Guided walking tours
• Private tour services
• Shore excursion tours
• Cultural heritage tours
• Small group tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Tallinn

HQ country

Estonia

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Guided Walking Tours: The company generates revenue through selling guided walking tour experiences in Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Ephesus. Tours are priced either as per-person rates for shared/small group tours or as group rates for private tours. Revenue is collected at booking via credit card through FareHarbor's Stripe-integrated payment gateway.
2. Private Tours: Private customized tours are priced as group rates (not per person), offering personalized experiences for families, corporate groups, or celebrations. These include multi-day tours to Cappadocia with accommodation and flight assistance.
3. Shore Excursions: Specialized tours for cruise passengers meeting at ports including Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul cruise terminals, including port transfers and flexible scheduling based on cruise arrival times.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Walks In Istanbul is a licensed travel agency selling guided walking tours across Istanbul, Cappadocia, and Ephesus in Turkey. The company offers two main formats: small-group shared tours (maximum 12 people) covering major landmarks such as the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern, and fully customizable private tours for individuals, families, and corporate groups. Tours include skip-the-line museum access and are led by licensed local guides providing Ottoman and Byzantine historical context.

Product overview

Walks In Istanbul is a licensed travel agency (Bizim Deniz Seyahat Acentası, TURSAB #17427) offering small group and private guided tours across Turkey. The portfolio consists of two core product lines: Small Group Tours (max 12 people) providing shared experiences with skip-the-line access to Istanbul landmarks like the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and the Basilica Cistern; and Private Tours offering fully customized experiences for individuals, families, and corporate groups. Extended offerings include multi-day Cappadocia tours (2-3 days) with optional hot air balloon rides, Ephesus shore excursions from Kusadasi Port, food tours in Kadikoy, and specialized neighborhood tours covering Fener & Balat, Chora Church, and Suleymaniye Mosque. All bookings are managed through the FareHarbor platform with Stripe payment processing. The company is operated by Walks In Europe, OU, an Estonian-licensed travel company.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Small Group Tours Expert-guided walking tours in groups of maximum 12 people covering Istanbul's iconic landmarks including Blue Mosque, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace, and Basilica Cistern, with skip-the-line access, immersive storytelling, and cultural insight. Targeted at independent travelers and tourists seeking shared experiences.
• Private Tours Tailor-made private guided experiences shaped entirely around the customer's interests and rhythm, including family trips, corporate retreats, and special celebrations. Fully customizable itineraries with private guide and insider coordination.
• Shore Excursions Tour packages designed for cruise passengers arriving at Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul cruise terminals, including pre-arranged private transfers, skip-the-line access, and flexible scheduling aligned with ship arrival times.
• From Kusadasi: Full-Day Private Ephesus & Virgin Mary Tour with Transfer & Entry Tickets Full-day private tour from Kusadasi Port exploring the ancient city of Ephesus including Library of Celsus, Temple of Hadrian, Great Theater, and the House of the Virgin Mary, with round-trip transfers and skip-the-line tickets included. Targeted at cruise passengers at Kusadasi Port.
• 3-Day Private Cappadocia Guided Tour from Istanbul with Balloon Ride Option Three-day private tour covering Cappadocia's UNESCO sites, underground cities, and fairy chimneys with expert-guided visits and comfortable transfers, plus optional sunrise hot air balloon ride. Priced from €349 per person, excluding flights, accommodation, and meals.
• 2-Day Guided Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul with Optional Balloon Flight Two-day all-inclusive tour from Istanbul covering Devrent Valley, Zelve Museum, Kaymakli Underground City, and Goreme Open Air Museum, with optional hot air balloon flight, flights, and accommodation.
• Istanbul: Authentic Turkish Food Tour in Kadikoy Private food tour crossing the Bosphorus to Istanbul's Asian side, tasting baklava, Turkish delight, simit, mezes, and other local delicacies in the Kadikoy neighborhood. Targeted at culinary travelers and small groups.
• Discover Fener & Balat: Istanbul's Hidden Quarters Private Tour Walking tour through the historic Fener and Balat neighborhoods along the Golden Horn, including the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, Church of St. George, and colorful Ottoman-era houses. Targeted at travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path Istanbul experiences.
• Guided Tour of Chora Church and Golden Horn Private tour exploring the Byzantine mosaics and frescoes of Chora Church, plus the Fener and Balat neighborhoods and Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, with admission tickets included.
• Discover Ottoman Majesty: Suleymaniye Mosque Private Tour Two-hour private tour of the Suleymaniye Mosque designed by Mimar Sinan, covering Ottoman history and offering views of the Golden Horn.
• Private Bosphorus Cruise Guided Tour Private yacht tour on the Bosphorus with an expert local guide, covering Ottoman palaces, castles, and panoramic views between the Asian and European sides of Istanbul.
• Airport Transfers Private airport transfer services for Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW), including hotel pickup and drop-off.

Quantifiable outcome

• Skip-the-line access at major Istanbul museums and attractions

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/walksinistanbul
• Instagraminstagram.com/walksinistanbul
• Xx.com/walksinistanbul
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/walks-in-istanbul

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Walks In Istanbul