The Cats of Istanbul
September 10, 2026
Susan Cook Henry
I was fortunate to spend three days in Istanbul with my good friend, Beth Holly, at the beginning of May this year prior to a cruise up the Danube River to Budapest. While the cruise was absolutely lovely, the time spent in Istanbul was incredible: such an amazing city – full of history, spectacular architecture (both ancient and new), delicious food … and LOTS of cats!
Istanbul straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosporus (which links the Black Sea to the Mediterranean), and has served as the capital of three great empires: the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman. Each of these left remarkable architectural and religious landmarks that continue to emphasize the city’s skyline. Because of its location, it was the epicenter of overland trade routes from Northern and Western Europe, Eastern Asia, and Africa. But its port capabilities were even more impressive, with ships traversing the Atlantic Ocean and the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean, and the Pacific and Indian Oceans to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal (which opened in 1869). These sea routes were defined by ships carrying not only precious cargo, but cats to control the rodents on board.
Once in the Port of Istanbul, many cats decided to “jump ship” – and over centuries, a very diverse group of cats remained in Istanbul, making it their forever home. No visit to this city is complete without meeting its feline residents, many of whom serve as a “welcome wagon” of sorts, with their self-perceived duties which include greeting guests at their hotels, in parks, and at museums and mosques. Unlike stray animals in many places, Istanbul’s cats are widely cared for by local residents, shopkeepers, and municipal programs that provide food, water, and veterinary care (many have notched ears, signaling they have been neutered or spayed). You will even find cat food vending machines when strolling a number of the city’s streets!
These cats exhibit a rare kind of confidence as they nap on centuries-old marble columns, supervise fishermen along the waterfront, stroll through mosque courtyards as if conducting inspections, and occasionally occupy the best seat in a café if it is left empty for even a moment. In a city where emperors, sultans, merchants, and pilgrims have all left their marks, the cats provide a charming reminder that Istanbul’s story isn’t only cast in stone; it also purrs, stretches lazily in the afternoon sun, and expects you to step around it with proper respect. And like most tourists, I found myself taking almost as many photos of the whiskered locals as I did the historic monuments. So, if you are a cat lover looking for a very special place to put on your bucket list, Istanbul should be very near the top!
