How Kotor Became a Cat Town
Kotor's relationship with cats stretches back centuries. When ships arrived from Venice, Egypt, and the Levant, cats came with them — stowaways earning their passage by keeping grain stores free of rats. The narrow stone lanes of the Old Town turned out to be perfect cat territory: warm in winter, shaded in summer, with walls to climb and fish scraps from the harbour.
Today the cat population is maintained by a network of local volunteers who organise neutering programmes, veterinary care, and feeding stations discreetly placed around the town. The cats are not strays in the neglected sense — they are a managed colony that has become inseparable from Kotor's identity.
The Cat Museum
Tucked into a side lane near Trg od Salata, the Cats Museum (Muzej Mačaka) is a one-room collection of cat-themed art, postcards, posters, and photographs spanning several centuries. Entry is a few euros and the proceeds fund the local cat welfare programme. The museum itself is small — 10 minutes is enough — but the courtyard outside is one of the Old Town's best spots for meeting the residents in person.
Best Cat-Spotting Locations
The Flour Square (Trg od Brašna)
The small square behind the Cats Museum is the unofficial headquarters. On warm afternoons, five or six cats drape themselves across the stone benches and windowsills. A feeding station is tucked against the northern wall.
Trg od Oružja (Arms Square)
The main square is too busy during cruise ship hours, but early morning and late evening it belongs to the cats. They patrol the café tables looking for sympathetic tourists with leftover pastry.
The Base of the Fortress Walls
Where the vegetation meets the stone at the start of the fortress trail, a cluster of cats has established a semi-permanent colony. They appear entirely indifferent to the hikers passing above them. After the cat trail, burn off the pastry with a climb to the fortress above. Read our guide to hiking the Kotor city walls.
Bastion Area Near the River
The quieter northwestern corner of the Old Town, where the walls meet the Škurda river channel, is where the more independent cats live. Less foot traffic, more shade, and the sound of running water.
Cat-Themed Shopping
Several shops in the Old Town sell cat-themed merchandise — from hand-painted ceramics and watercolour prints to embroidered tote bags. Look for the studios along the lane between St. Tryphon's Cathedral and the North Gate. A portion of sales at some shops goes directly to the cat welfare fund.
Cat Etiquette
- Don't pick up or chase the cats. They will approach you if they feel like it.
- Don't feed them human food — the feeding stations provide appropriate nutrition.
- Photograph respectfully. No flash, and don't disturb sleeping cats for a better angle.
- If you notice a cat that appears injured or unwell, mention it to any of the shop owners along the main lane. They know who to contact.