Neighborhoods of Istanbul Famous for Their Cats

Did you know that Istanbul is known around the world as the “city of cats”? Whether in mosque courtyards, in front of historic mansions, at cafés, or by the edge of a ferry, encountering a cat feels like the most natural part of daily life. Cats are not just animals here; they are both the symbols and the most charming residents of this ancient city.

If you truly want to get to know Istanbul, you need to follow in the pawprints of its cats. So, let’s begin our journey through the neighborhoods that have become inseparable from their feline friends.

Moda and Kadıköy Cats: The Warmest Hosts of the City

Our first stop is Kadıköy, one of Istanbul’s liveliest and most welcoming neighborhoods. It is a world where the sea meets the street, coffee meets conversation, and music meets cats. Once you step into Kadıköy, you realize that every corner tells its own story, but the most beloved stories always involve cats.

In Kadıköy, cats are not just stray animals; they are at the heart of everyday life. A walk along Moda’s seaside brings you face to face with cats basking on benches, playing in the grass, or watching the sunset alongside locals. Each of them seems to represent a small symbol of Kadıköy’s street culture.

Talk to any shop owner and you will hear how cats are treated almost like family, known by name, personality, and even by their favorite corner. Bookstores and cafés are especially fond of them, as Kadıköy’s bohemian soul seems to attract cats that love both the scent of paper and the aroma of coffee.

Over the years, the spirit of neighborhood solidarity has turned these cats into true locals. The small wooden cat houses you will see around Moda’s streets and parks are the result of this collective care. It is no surprise that Kadıköy is considered one of the most cat-friendly districts in Istanbul.

Cihangir Cats: The True Owners of the Neighborhood

Cihangir, often one of the first neighborhoods that come to mind when talking about Istanbul’s cats, is home not only to artists and writers but also to countless beautiful felines. Napping on café chairs, resting on stairways, or lounging on wall tops, they have become part of the neighborhood’s rhythm.

Each cat in Cihangir has a distinct personality within its own street. One stands guard in front of an antique shop, another frequents a coffeehouse like a regular customer. Thanks to them, Cihangir manages to preserve its small-community feel in the middle of an increasingly modern and hectic Beyoğlu.

In summer, bowls of clean water are always placed by the doorsteps; in winter, you will spot blankets laid out by windows. This everyday kindness is what gives Cihangir its warm, peaceful charm. Loving cats here is not just a habit, it is a shared instinct.
When talking about Cihangir’s cats, it is impossible not to mention Kötü Kedi Şerafettin, the iconic cartoon cat of Turkish satire. His sharp wit, street smarts, and rebellious humor perfectly embody the neighborhood’s spirit. He is the caricatured version of a true Cihangir cat: a little sarcastic, a bit melancholic, but always free.

Balat and Fener Cats: Silent Guardians of Colorful Streets

Balat and Fener are among Istanbul’s most photographed neighborhoods, and if you look closely at those photos, there is almost always a cat resting quietly somewhere in the frame.

Here, the cats have lived alongside locals for generations. For photographers and travelers, they are a source of endless inspiration, but for residents, they are simply part of home life, like the geraniums on window sills or the old bicycle leaning against the wall.

In Fener, cats roam freely along steep streets overlooking the Golden Horn. They reflect the district’s multicultural spirit, calm yet curious, distant yet affectionate. Shopkeepers fill food bowls as they open their stores, and children check the water dishes on their way back from school. These small gestures are what make Balat and Fener so heartwarming. Meeting a cat’s gaze here feels like connecting with the city’s thousand-year-old memory.

Kuzguncuk Cats: The Charming Neighbors of the Bosphorus

Kuzguncuk is one of the most peaceful spots along the Bosphorus, known for its small shops, colorful houses, and friendly atmosphere. But there is another thing that makes it special: its cats, who are an inseparable part of the neighborhood’s identity.

As you wander Kuzguncuk’s narrow streets, you will encounter cats at nearly every step. Some are mascots of the local shops, others bask in the sun at the Bostan community garden. Cat houses and food bowls are a common sight here, reflecting the shared responsibility that locals take in caring for their furry neighbors.

Unlike Balat’s curious or Cihangir’s free-spirited cats, Kuzguncuk’s cats are more settled and observant. They spend their days lounging in sunny corners or watching the street from window sills. They have learned to live side by side with people, quietly becoming the familiar faces of the community. When they meet your eyes, it is as if they are reminding you that they are the true residents of the neighborhood.

The Cats of the Princes’ Islands: True Owners of Quiet Streets

Just a ferry ride away from the chaos and noise of Istanbul, the Princes’ Islands are famous for their fresh air, bicycles, and of course, their cats. From Büyükada to Heybeliada, from Burgazada to Kınalıada, every street has its feline residents. These island cats are quite different from their city counterparts: more independent, curious, and incredibly social. They are so accustomed to visitors that they often approach strangers for a friendly greeting.

Each islander takes care of a few neighborhood cats, leaving boxes in sheltered corners and bowls of water under shady trees. Volunteers and residents alike make sure they are well-fed and cared for.

The cats here have embraced the slow pace of island life. They nap on stone steps during the day, then stroll along the shore at dusk, mingling with evening walkers. Watching this peaceful coexistence makes you realize why the islands are among the most livable corners of Istanbul.

Sultanahmet and Hagia Sophia Cats: The Silent Memory of a City

Sultanahmet Square, the heart of Istanbul’s historic center, welcomes thousands of visitors every day. But today our focus is not on Topkapı Palace, the Basilica Cistern, or the Blue Mosque; it is on the cats that quietly roam among them. Whether strolling through Hagia Sophia’s marble floors, basking by the tram line, or dozing in mosque courtyards, they have become living emblems of this area.

Speaking of Hagia Sophia, do you remember Gli? The famous cat who lived inside the monument for years became so beloved that she turned into a symbol of Hagia Sophia itself. Hundreds of people visited just to meet her and take photos. Though she is no longer with us, many cats still wander her old paths with the same calm curiosity.

What stands out about the cats of Sultanahmet is how they have created their own order amidst the crowds. Shopkeepers, museum staff, and volunteers all ensure they are fed and cared for daily. Despite being one of the busiest tourist zones, everyone makes space for the cats. Perhaps this is where Istanbul’s true magic lies: even in the shadow of history, a cat can still sleep peacefully.

Beşiktaş and Ortaköy Cats: The Social Souls of the City

Among the bustle of Beşiktaş Market and the lively waterfront of Ortaköy, cats live right in the middle of human activity, arguably the most social cats in all of Istanbul. They wander between fishermen in the morning, mingle in breakfast cafés, and rest in tea gardens later in the day. Students, workers, fishermen, and cats all share the same streets and routines. Everyone knows them and loves them, and many even have names.

In both Beşiktaş and Ortaköy, locals and shopkeepers have shared life with cats for generations. Fishermen set aside leftovers for them, cafés place food bowls outside, and some stores even have special “cat chairs” inside. Thanks to this sense of community, cats here truly feel safe and at home.

They are small reflections of Istanbul’s vibrant yet gentle spirit. They belong to no one, yet to everyone. And if one day a cat curls up beside you as you sit by the Bosphorus, its quiet presence will remind you that amid all the city’s chaos, there is still a piece of peace to be shared.