Good weather, rich culture and great cuisine are all important factors when picking the perfect destination. But if you're a cat lover with a passion for exploring the world, why not pick a place that celebrates all things feline? From charming cat cafés and peaceful cat sanctuaries to entire cat-filled islands, there are plenty of destinations where our furry friends take centre stage.
Click through this gallery to see the best holiday spots for cat lovers around the world...
The ancient city of Rome is home to world-famous sights like the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain. But, for visiting cat lovers, Largo di Torre Argentina is a must-see. Now a cat sanctuary, it’s home to over 100 cats who live among the ruins where Julius Caesar is believed to have been assassinated. Don't worry – a team of volunteers provide the colony with food, vet care and adoption services.
Cats are a common sight across Greece's Cycladic islands, often found lounging among the whitewashed buildings. But the small island of Syros stands out as the home of God’s Little People Cat Rescue, an ocean-view sanctuary that went viral in 2018 for offering dream live-in volunteer opportunities. It was also featured in the Netflix series Cat People.
In addition to caring for cats, the sanctuary hosts the Cat Cuddling Café – open during the summer months. If stunning Aegean views and friendly rescue cats sound like your perfect escape, make your way to the Cyclades.
Belgium is home to one of the world’s quirkiest cat parades – the Kattenstoet, which takes place every three years in Ypres. This charming tradition dates back to 1938 but was interrupted by World War II, and has been a regular fixture since 1955.
The playful festival features cat-themed costumes and colourful floats, plus fascinating (if not always pleasant) historical stories about cats. The next Kattenstoet is scheduled for May 2027, so be sure to mark your calendar.
According to the World Population Review, there are more than 74 million cats in America, and some spots are especially cat-heavy.
A visit to writer Ernest Hemingway’s home in Key West, Florida is a wonderful way to weave some cat magic into your day. It's home to nearly 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats, some of which are descended from Hemingway’s pet cat, Snow White. Here you can attend a guided tour, and, of course, enjoy meeting the cats, which wander the beautiful house and gardens.
In Taiwan, street cats are sometimes seen as protective guardians and bringers of good fortune. Houtong Cat Village in Taiwan is a former mining village that's been transformed into a haven for cats of all shapes and sizes.
Here you can find over 200 pampered cats, as well as feline-themed shops, cafés, street art and bridges (or ‘elevated catwalks’). Easily accessible by train from Taipei (which has a host of cat cafés too), cats permeate every aspect of the village.
There’s a spiritual acceptance of animals in Hindu Balinese culture, so it’s not surprising that cats are an ever-present part of life and are often found exploring the island's temples and beaches.
There are several sanctuaries and cafés on the island too, including The Odd Cat in Canggu, which proudly claims to be "Bali's first comprehensive cat centre". It's a cat café, an adoption facility, a cat boarding hotel and a cat-themed event space all in one.
New York City has a diverse range of cat-themed establishments, including Meow Parlour, New York’s first cat café.
But a must-visit is the Algonquin Hotel and its famous hotel cat, Hamlet. Located in Midtown Manhattan, the hotel has had a lobby cat since the 1920s, and ginger tabby Hamlet is the 12th cat to call the Algonquin Hotel home. When he's not 'working' at the front desk, he keeps busy patrolling the lobby or standing guard in the front window.
Famous for its vibrant culture, Cali offers visitors a charming escape from the urban bustle with its art-filled Cat Park, perfect for a riverside stroll. Here you can see El Gato del Río (The River Cat), a celebrated bronze sculpture by artist Hernando Tejada, which he donated to the city in the 1990s. In 2006, more cat statues were painted by local artists and added throughout the park, much to local cat lovers' delight.
Kuching, which means 'cat' in the Malay language, has fully embraced its name, and cats have become symbols of the city. You’ll find numerous cat statues scattered across town, and there's even a museum entirely dedicated to them. The Cat Museum features a diverse collection of cat-related artefacts and historic photos, along with fun showcases of celebrity cats like Hello Kitty and Garfield.
Istanbul is a historic city where cats are cherished. Street cats roam freely, protected and loved by locals, and it’s not unusual to see them strolling into mosques, lounging in shops or napping in parks.
This deep affection for cats is rooted in Islamic teachings, which encourage kindness towards them. If you can't make the trip, you can still experience Istanbul’s cat culture through the critically-acclaimed documentary Kedi, which follows the lives of seven Istanbul street cats.
One of the world's most cat-obsessed cities, Tokyo is home to the Gotokuji Temple, which is known as the birthplace of the maneki-neko, or 'lucky waving cat' (pictured). For visiting kids and the young-at-heart, indoor theme park Sanrio Puroland, where you can meet the iconic Hello Kitty, is a must. Tokyo also boasts a host of cat cafés, such as the popular chain MOCHA, and even cat islands (more on those later).
Amsterdam is famous for its picturesque canals and historic landmarks, but it also offers a unique treat for cat lovers: De Poezenboot, a floating houseboat cat sanctuary. Launched in 1968, this one-of-a-kind refuge provides a haven for stray and abandoned cats. Entry is free, though donations are welcomed to help keep the sanctuary – literally – afloat, as it currently operates without government funding.
Barcelona's well-trodden tourist trail is crammed with famous sights, but feline-friendly tourists should swing by Fernando Botero’s cat sculpture El Gato de Botero, a huge bronze cat in the Raval neighbourhood that's predictably popular on Instagram.
Then take a stroll to Espai de Gats, a cosy café and rescue space where you can relax with adoptable cats. Barcelona is also home to many friendly street cats, which you'll meet in quiet parks and historic spaces throughout the city.
Hawaii is a classic bucket-list destination, but it's also purr-fect for cat lovers. Lanai’s Cat Sanctuary began in 2006 as a small initiative aiming to control Lanai's population of street cats. Today, it’s a haven for more than 700 cats.
The sanctuary takes in cats from Lanai City and from protected areas where endangered, ground-nesting birds like the Hawaiian petrel need safeguarding. Open daily, it’s a serene spot where visitors can enjoy a peaceful picnic surrounded by nature and plenty of feline company.
Paris is a city where culture, art and cats come together beautifully. Commonly kept as pets, you'll spy plenty of cats sitting in Parisian windows as you move through the city. Highlights include Le Café des Chats, a quaint restaurant and tea room home to a dozen adopted cats. The creatures are living their best lives at the café, surrounded by feline companions and adoring humans.
Australia is better-known for other wildlife, but it has plenty to offer feline fans too. The Cat Lovers Show is a lively expo that takes place in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, showcasing rescue groups, breed clubs and all sorts of cat-related products and brands.
For a more relaxed experience, head to one of Australia’s most popular cat cafés, Catmosphere in Sydney. Book a spot in their Catflix Cat Cinema to enjoy a film surrounded by furry friends. Perhaps avoid Lassie and Marley and Me.
Cats are widely adored in Japan, so it’s not surprising that it’s home to several 'cat islands'. Cat lovers from all over come to visit Tashirojima, which can be reached by ferry from Ishinomaki. It's inhabited by more than a hundred cats, which were originally brought over to help with pest control around the island's silkworm farms and are now cared for by the island's residents.
Tashirojima is also known as Manga Island, thanks to a themed resort on its southern tip featuring cat-shaped cottages adorned with artwork by celebrated Manga artists.
The UK is a nation of animal lovers and London was home to Britain’s very first cat café – Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium. The city has also seen its fair share of famous felines, including Bob, a stray cat who formed a remarkable bond with a homeless busker. Their story inspired the best-selling book A Street Cat Named Bob, which was made into a film. Head to Islington to see a statue celebrating their inspiring journey.
And then there’s Larry – resident chief mouser at 10 Downing Street – who has been on duty since 2011. The tales he could tell...
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