5 Cat-Friendly Places You Need to Visit (Even If You’re Not a Crazy Cat Lady… Yet)

Maybe It’s Time to Travel (and this time without the Fur Squad)

Lately, I’ve been toying with a dangerous thought: maybe it’s time to travel without my cats.
After years of driving nearly 2,800 kilometers across Europe every Spring/Summer with furry copilots – who meowed through every border crossing, pit stop and Airbnb – I’m starting to imagine what it might be like to take a trip solo. No litter boxes in the trunk, no suspicious tail flicks from the back seat.

Of course, I’d have to arrange a very patient cat sitter, and I can already picture the scene when I get back – the intense sniffing, the narrowed eyes, the silent interrogation. Still… the idea of exploring new places where cats already rule the streets? Tempting.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no matter where you go, there’s always a cat somewhere waiting to be admired, photographed, or obeyed. Whether it’s a café in Tokyo or a crumbling ruin in Rome, cats have mastered the art of turning any place into their kingdom.

So, while my own trio might stay home this time, here’s my travel wish list – five cat-friendly places that every feline admirer (and even the cat-neutral folks) should visit at least once.

1. Tokyo, Japan – The Zen of Cat Cafés

Tokyo is the undisputed capital of the cat café universe. The city practically invented the concept of sipping tea while a furry philosopher lounges beside you, judging your life choices.

Start with Cat Café MoCHA, known for its dreamy interiors and cloud-like cats that nap in sunbeams. Or visit Calico, one of the oldest in Shinjuku, where the walls are lined with books, soft cushions, and enough catnip-induced bliss to cure any human stress.

Japan’s fascination with cats runs deep – from the beckoning Maneki-neko statues believed to bring luck, to the island of Aoshima, famously overrun by friendly strays who’ve claimed it as their own feline utopia.

Did you know? Japan’s first cat café opened in Osaka in 2004 – sparking a global wave of cat cafés from Seoul to San Francisco.

If you love Japanese cat culture, you’ll enjoy my article on Cats in Japanese Art and Mythology – The Feline Mystique.

2. Rome, Italy – Where History Has Fur

In Rome, even the ruins have cats. Tucked between ancient temples near Largo di Torre Argentina lies the Torre Argentina Cat Sanctuary – one of the most iconic feline havens in the world.

Dozens of cats live peacefully among the same stones that once echoed with Caesar’s last words. Volunteers care for them daily, providing food, love, and medical attention – all in the heart of ancient Rome.

There’s something poetic about cats lounging among fallen columns: centuries pass, empires crumble, and yet, the cats remain – aloof, graceful, timeless.

Whenever I think of Rome, I picture that moment when sunlight hits marble and a cat stretches across history itself. It’s humbling… and a little funny. Because while humans wrote history, cats were clearly editing it.

If you want to help cats like these, visit Cat Protection & Donation – How You Can Help Stray Cats and Make a Difference.

3. Los Angeles, USA – Sunshine and Purrs

If Rome is for philosophers, LA is for influencers – and yes, that includes the feline kind.

Here, you’ll find Crumbs & Whiskers, a chic Melrose Avenue café that feels more like a lifestyle shoot than an adoption center. Cats lounge on pastel cushions under ring lights, ready for their close-up. You sip your oat-milk latte, and they photobomb your selfie like pros.

The city’s hotel scene is also remarkably pet-friendly. Boutique lodgings and Airbnbs proudly announce cats welcome, complete with litter box setups and scratching posts.

But beyond the glamour, LA also has a soft heart – with numerous cat rescue events and adoption fairs sprinkled across the city. You could easily spend a week exploring, latte in one hand and cat toy in the other.

4. Austin, Texas – The Heart of Feline Compassion

Now let’s head south to Austin, where the motto “Keep Austin Weird” could just as well be “Keep Austin Whiskered.”

Here you’ll find the Blue Cat Café, a colorful hangout where rescued cats mingle with customers. But Austin’s true gem is its rescue community – especially Austin Pets Alive!, a nonprofit that turned the city into one of the most progressive animal welfare hubs in the U.S.

Walking into their cattery is like stepping into a furry utopia – calm, playful, and deeply emotional. Every cat has a story, and every volunteer radiates the kind of kindness that restores faith in humanity.

Austin proves that cat-friendly isn’t just about comfort; it’s about compassion. It’s a city where saving lives is part of the culture – and you can sip craft coffee while changing the world one paw at a time.

5. Singapore – The City Where Cats Rule the Streets

Clean, creative, and buzzing with life, Singapore has found a unique harmony between people and stray cats. It’s home to the Cat Museum, Muses & Mansion – a mix of art, adoption, and feline charm all in one.

But what truly makes Singapore stand out are its community cat programs. Rather than ignoring strays, locals care for them through organized feeding, sterilization, and public education. You’ll see cats calmly patrolling spotless streets, lounging beside murals, and charming entire neighborhoods.

Some cafés and shops even have resident cats who unofficially run the place – you just pay rent in snacks and head scratches.

It’s no surprise visitors call Singapore “the city that loves cats right.” It’s modern, tidy, and empathetic – proof that urban life and animal welfare can coexist beautifully.

A Few Tips for Traveling to Cat-Friendly Places

1. Do your homework. Some cafés require reservations or limit photography.
2. Be respectful. Not every cat wants a cuddle – think of them as furry diplomats with boundaries.
3. Support local rescues. Buy merch, donate a little, or share their work online – it helps.
4. Bring treats! Cats everywhere speak the universal language of snacks.
5. Take photos, not cats. Leave the residents where they belong – in their local kingdoms.

And if you’re traveling without your cats, like I might be one day – just remember: every stray you meet will remind you of home. (And yes, they’ll somehow know you already belong to another cat.)

The World Is Better With Paws In It

Even when I imagine traveling alone, I know I’ll still notice every cat in every alley, every pawprint on a café window, every lazy stretch on a sun-warmed wall. It’s like they follow me everywhere – even when they’re not in the car, yowling at border control officers.

From the peaceful cafés of Tokyo to the ruins of Rome, these cat-friendly places remind me that the world feels warmer when shared with something small, soft, and unapologetically mysterious.

So, maybe it’s time – just maybe – to let my cats stay home this once. With a trusted cat sitter keeping them company (and probably spoiling them rotten), I might finally enjoy a few days without fur in my suitcase.

They’ll forgive me. Eventually.
After some intense sniffing and a few judgmental stares, of course.

Because whether I’m here or halfway across the planet – I’m never really traveling without them.