Where can you see lots of cats in Istanbul?
Based on 2 discussions with 3 participants · Last activity: 14 days ago
TL;DR
If you want to specifically see Istanbul’s famous cats, a top tip is Kennedy Avenue waterfront between Zeytinburnu and Yenikapı, where cats gather on the lawns, seawall, and rocks by the water. In general, cats and dogs are common across the city and are usually fed by locals.
What the community said
The most specific recommendation is the Kennedy Avenue waterfront between Zeytinburnu and Yenikapı. Travelers report a very high concentration of cats there, on the grass, along the seawall, and down on the rocks by the sea.
14 days ago Kennedy Avenue waterfront, between Zeytinburnu and Yenikapı
Travelers note that street animals are a normal part of daily life not just in Istanbul but across Turkey. Locals often feed them, they are usually calm, and they may be sleeping on benches or in public spaces, so expect to share space with cats and dogs.
14 days ago
There is also a cultural angle: people more often mention the old story about Istanbul’s dogs being sent to Sivriada during the Young Turk era. Cats, by contrast, are seen as part of the city’s identity, so spotting them in Istanbul is easy in many neighborhoods.
14 days ago Sivriada Island