CATstanbul: Meet Istanbul's Famous Cats
Welcome to CATstanbul!
Before we meet Istanbul's feline celebrities, we'll stop at a local pet shop to pick up some treats for our four-legged friends.
Then we'll set off to discover the cats who have made Istanbul their home, from palace residents and Hagia Sophia celebrities to neighborhood legends and internet-famous cats.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
In front of the Egyptian Spice Bazaar (Mısır Çarşısı), Eminönü
- We'll meet in front of the Egyptian Spice Bazaar in Eminönü, one of the liveliest historic corners of Istanbul. Before we start meeting Istanbul's feline celebrities, we'll make a quick stop at a nearby pet shop to pick up some cat food or treats. Then our CATstanbul adventure begins! From Eminönü, we'll explore Istanbul's historic streets, meet local neighborhood cats, hear the stories of some of the city's most famous feline residents, and make our way toward the palace and Hagia Sophia.
Local Pet Shop – Cat Treat Mission
Our first mission is an important one: we need supplies!
We'll stop at a local pet shop to choose some cat food or treats before heading out to meet Istanbul's feline residents.
Along the way, we'll talk about Istanbul's unique street-cat culture and how local residents, shopkeepers and communities care for the cats living in their neighborhoods.
Eminönü & Historic Streets
We'll begin our cat walk through the historic streets of Eminönü, keeping an eye out for the neighborhood's four-legged residents.
We'll stop for photos, stories and, when appropriate, a little snack for the cats we meet.
This is where we'll start seeing Istanbul not only through its monuments, but through the everyday life happening around them.
Topkapı Palace & Şerbet
We'll continue toward Topkapı Palace and explore the fascinating relationship between cats and Istanbul's historic palaces.
We'll talk about Şerbet, Simba and many more , the palace's beloved feline residents, and discover how cats have long been part of life around Istanbul's historic buildings.
We'll also look for the small entrances, passages and architectural details that allowed cats to move through palace spaces.
Hagia Sophia & Gli and Sofia
Next, we'll visit the surroundings of Hagia Sophia and hear the stories of two of Istanbul's most famous feline residents: Gli and Sofia.
We'll talk about Gli's rise to fame, her life around Hagia Sophia and why she became an unofficial symbol of Istanbul.
We'll also hear about Sofia and the generations of cats that have made this historic monument part of their territory.
Sultanahmet – Cat Feeding & Photo Stop
We'll take a relaxed break in the Sultanahmet area to meet some of the local cats.
Using the food and treats we picked up at the beginning of the tour, we'll have the chance to feed suitable cats along the way.
There will also be time for photos, petting cats that are comfortable with it, and simply watching Istanbul's neighborhood life unfold around us.
Gülhane Park – Cat & Coffee Break
We'll finish our walk in the peaceful surroundings of Gülhane Park.
We'll take a coffee break, relax after our cat-spotting adventure and talk about some of Istanbul's most famous cats and the city's long-standing relationship with its street animals.
If we're lucky, there may be one more feline guest waiting for us before the tour ends.
Ending Point
Gülhane Park
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
• Private CATstanbul walking tour with a licensed local guide
• Guided exploration of Istanbul's cat culture, historic neighborhoods and famous feline residents
• Stories about famous Istanbul cats including Gli, Sofia, Şerbet and Tombili
• Public transportation used during the tour when necessary
• Cat food and treats purchased at the beginning of the tour for our feline stops
• Entrance tickets to museums or historic sites.
• Food and drinks for guests
• Personal shopping and souvenirs
• Any optional transportation or entrance fees not specifically mentioned as included are not included.
• Gratuities & tips for the guide and service providers
**Estimated cash to bring:** Approximately €20-50 per person is sufficient for personal drinks, snacks or small purchases. More may be needed if you choose to make additional purchases during the tour and you may mostly use credit cards.
Tour Important Information
• **Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended.** CATstanbul is a walking experience with several outdoor stops, so please dress comfortably and according to the weather.
• **Cats are guaranteed to be part of the experience, but cats have their own schedules!** We expect to see and interact with cats during the tour, and there will be opportunities to feed and photograph them. However, we cannot predict exactly which cat will appear, where it will be, or when it will decide to join us. Even our famous feline residents have their own plans!
• We will always respect the cats' space and let them decide whether they want to be approached, petted or photographed.
• **Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays.** If your tour takes place on a Tuesday, the Topkapı Palace portion will not be available and the overall tour may be shorter than the usual duration. We will use the available time to explore more of the surrounding historic streets and meet Istanbul's neighborhood cats instead.
• Please bring sun protection, water and rain protection when appropriate, depending on the weather.
• Please remember that we'll be visiting religious sites and the modest dress code is appreciated. Shoulders and legs should be covered and women should bring a headscarf.
The Topkapı Palace is closed on Tuesdays, if the tour is on Tuesday the palace can be replaced with the Turkic and Islamic arts museum or Archeological Museums of Istanbul.
Important message from the supplier
I can give day tours and evening tours as well as excursions far from the city that I currently live in such as Cappadocia,Ephesus,Kuşadası,İzmir,Sardes,Antalya,Fethiye,Bodrum etc. (simply all around Turkey & Balkan countries along with Georgia and Northern Cyprus.)
For those tours which requires a remote city visit (and for the ones that we’ll customize together for you) I will need an advance booking (best to book 3-5 weeks prior and earlier)
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Yağmur B.
I’ve been a professional tour guide for9 years, and let me tell you, I absolutely adore my job. I love showcasing my country, Turkiye, with all its cultural, historical, and modern treasures. Every day, I get to share my enthusiasm and pride for my homeland with visitors. I truly enjoy making everyone feel like a cherished guest, and I take great pleasure in introducing them to the unique wonders of Turkiye with both joy and a touch of humor. For me, every tour is a delightful experience, and it’s all about making memories and having fun along the way!
Reviews
Joel L.
“Thoroughly Enjoyable”
Showed us hidden gems of Istanbul. Very pleasant and knowledgeable. Highly customizable. We had a great day
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Yağmur B.
Dear Joel, Thank you so much for your lovely review! It was a real pleasure spending the day with you and your dear wife and exploring some of Istanbul’s lesser-known corners together. I’m especially happy that you enjoyed the hidden gems and the flexibility of the day. Istanbul has so many layers, and being able to adapt the experience along the way always makes a private tour more personal. Thank you again for such a wonderful day together. I hope the rest of your travels are filled with many more great memories! Warm wishes, Yağmur
Zainab A.
“ Where the Richness Doesn’t Need to Shout”
Yağmur was an exceptional guide: knowledgeable, insightful and thoroughly professional, while also being wonderfully warm, friendly and human. She struck the perfect balance between leading us confidently through the experience and remaining flexible and attentive to how we were feeling. She read the moment beautifully, never rushing us or being pushy, and adapted naturally whenever needed. She was also fantastic with my son, which made the experience especially easy and enjoyable for us both. What I appreciated most was the depth and richness she brought to everything she shared. She didn’t simply show us the sights; she gave us a genuine sense of Turkish culture, history and everyday life. I came away feeling as though I had received so much that I will still be absorbing and reflecting on it for weeks to come. Yağmur is intelligent, humorous, thoughtful, helpful and incredibly kind. She made me feel deeply welcomed by her country and left me wanting to return. I couldn’t recommend her more highly.
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Yağmur B.
Thank you so much for these incredibly kind and thoughtful words. It truly means a lot to me to know that you felt not only guided through Istanbul, but also welcomed into Turkish culture and everyday life. It was such a pleasure spending time with you and your son. I’m especially happy that the experience felt relaxed and natural, and that I could share Istanbul with you in a way that went beyond simply visiting the sights. Knowing that you left with so many stories, impressions and reflections to carry home is the greatest compliment a guide could receive. And of course, I would be absolutely delighted to welcome you back to Türkiye whenever you return. Thank you again for trusting me with your time in Istanbul. It was a genuine pleasure meeting you both.
Aseem K.
“An unforgettable day with the best guide in Istanbul”
We booked the Istanbul Highlights Tour with Yagmur and it was the best decision of our trip. She was warm and quick to respond from our very first message, and it only got better from there. The day covered Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar, and Yagmur brought every stop to life. She explains centuries of history like a friend telling you stories, not a lecture, pointing out details we'd have walked right past on our own. She paced the day perfectly, knew when to slow down and grab a coffee, and steered us toward local spots for lunch that were far better than anything we'd have found ourselves. By the end of the day it felt like we'd made a friend, not just hired a guide. If you're headed to Istanbul, book with Yagmur. You'll leave with a deeper appreciation for the city and stories you'll be telling for years.
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Yağmur B.
Aseem, thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. It was truly a pleasure spending the day with you and sharing Istanbul with you. I’m especially happy to hear that the stories, little details, local recommendations, and the pace of the day made the experience memorable for you. For me, guiding is about much more than simply visiting the sights. I want my guests to feel the city, understand its stories, and hopefully leave with a few wonderful memories of their own. And hearing that it felt like you had made a friend rather than simply hired a guide genuinely means a lot to me. Thank you for trusting me with your day in Istanbul. I hope our paths cross again someday, whether in Istanbul or somewhere else in the world! Wishing you both many more beautiful journeys ahead.
$165/ per group
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