Exploring Istanbul: The City of Cats

Istanbul is known as the city of cats, and during our most recent trip it was clear how they earned this title as the hospitality we received from Turkish people also extended to the many roaming street cats we saw. Many places claim to be pet-friendly, but Istanbul really exceeded my expectations. It was clear that the city values its cats and dogs through the abundance of pet-friendly restaurants and hotels, but there were several other aspects that I wish could be adopted back in Canada.

I was delighted to see that cats were able to freely wander into shops to nap in the window displays or occupy one of the seats in a café. Many of the locals will also place temporary shelters outside in the form of cat houses, carriers, or boxes and it’s not unusual to see cat treats strewn along the sidewalks where cat traffic is particularly high. On rainy days, we saw many people sharing dry spots with cats or offering up an umbrella as they waited for the bus. While wandering Kadıköy and Kuzguncuk, I even noticed there were road signs warning drivers to be cautious of wandering cats, something I've never seen anywhere else.

During our walking tour of the city with Go Türkiye, we found that many places were pet-friendly and allowed us to enter indoor spaces without too much of a hassle. Many places in Istanbul have extra security measures where bags are required to be scanned, so we were a bit worried having Reinhardt in the backpack. For the most part, the security was very understanding and would let us walk through without scanning the bag once we showed them that there was a cat inside. Most shops and restaurants display signage to show whether pets are allowed or not, although we found that some places that had a “no pets” sign would allow us entry once we promised to keep Reinhardt in his carrier.

Where can you see cats in Istanbul?

Honestly, you could probably wander around randomly and you would encounter cats at some point as they truly are everywhere. I encountered several cats even when we were exploring in the middle of the a storm, but here were some of the areas we checked out while visiting the city of cats:

Kadıköy

Located on the Asian side of the city, the Kadıköy district caters to those looking to have some fun. The area is filled with an array of small shops, cafes, and restaurants to occupy day dwellers only to transform into a popular nightlife location. While wandering the area, I noticed a variety of food options, stemming from the typical local cuisine to Taiwanese bubble waffles and American taco pizzas, and our tour guide informed us this was the place for foodies to try new and exciting dishes from around the world.

Perhaps my favourite part of Kadıköy was the incredible Turkish breakfast that we enjoyed on our first day in the city. Making it to my top three favourite breakfasts ever, I can wholeheartedly recommend reserving a table at Deniz Nadide DURU BREAKFAST Moda. The restaurant is pet-friendly and you can look forward to enjoying a generous spread that comes with housemade jams, perfectly cooked eggs, an assortment of bread, and all the rest that comes with a typical Turkish breakfast. I also ordered an additional side of menemen, a traditional Turkish dish made of eggs and tomatoes, and it was by far the best we had while in the city.

Balat

If you’re looking to add some colour to your life, then the neighbourhood of Balat is the place to go. One of the older districts in Istanbul, expect to see cobbled streets, traditional wooden houses, and several historic buildings. You should also be prepared for a steep climb if you’re interested in seeing the historic Red School. Balat was my favourite spot for cat-spotting as many of the cafes lining the streets featured a cat curled up in the window or snoozing under a table.

If you have time, I’d recommend grabbing a cup of Turkish coffee and some dessert at Velvet Cafe which has an impressive collection of coffee cups on display. Velvet Cafe is also conveniently close to the famous photo spot in Balat, so you won’t have to wander too far out of your way to enjoy a warm drink and quick bite to eat.

Beyoğlu

If you’re looking to get a look into the more modern side of Istanbul, then Beyoğlu is a great place to start your wanderings. Home to the iconic Galata Tower and Taksim Square, this area is a mashup of historic buildings, trendy restaurants, and shopping spots. I would recommend taking a stroll down İstiklal Caddesi, one of the most famous and liveliest streets in Istanbul, to be swept up in the crowds and then catch a ride back to Taksim Square on one of the iconic red trams.

For another lovely Turkish breakfast, stop by Cafe Privato, and if you have time for lunch, you might be interested in one of the many restaurants tucked away in Çiçek Pasajı, formerly known as Cité de Péra. Another restaurant of interest is Barnathan İstanbul which offers a fantastic view of Galata Tower and we even witnessed a proposal on the night that we dined there.

Kuzguncuk

A real hidden gem is the quiet neighbourhood of Kuzguncuk. Tucked away on the Asian side of the Bosphorous, this area provides more green space than other areas in Istanbul. The area also heavily features architecture from the Ottoman Era and is the access point for the tourist attraction known as the Maiden’s Tower. Kuzguncuk is the perfect spot to grab a book and unwind if you’re looking for a space to escape the rest of the busy and populated city. This was also the area where we saw the most cats in a single hour, and I was particularly pleased while walking through one of the small parks as we saw no less than ten cats enjoying the grassy area and benches.

Within Istanbul awaits an endless amount of history and culture, but of course cats will also be an inevitable part of your trip. I probably saw around seventy-five cats in three days (although I should note that my numbers were definitely reduced by the major rainstorms), and while riding the historical tram through İstiklal Caddesi, I was chatting with other tourists who proudly announced that they had seen one hundred cats in just three days of sightseeing. The next time you visit Istanbul, I’d challenge you to try and beat their record as you enjoy all that the city has to offer!