Cats from Granada {Spain}

The Alhambra in Granada is the most visited monument in all of Spain. It was built in the 9th century starting as a military zone and became the royal residence and court of Granada in the 13th century after the establishment of the Nasrid kingdom. It is now a Unesco World Heritage Site, consisting of several palaces (Alcazaba, Charles V, Nasrid) and a garden area (Generalife). The fortress sits on a hill overlooking the river Darro and the Sierra Nevada.

Several cats have gathered in and around the Alhambra, making sure you look at them and not at the beautiful architecture.

Haven't we always known cats are meant to live at a palace?

In order to visit the Alhambra, it's best to book your tickets in advance, otherwise, chances are you won't be able to get in. The Nasrid Palace, in particular, is hard to get into without a reservation.

However, it's always possible to go see the Alhambra from the outside, which is also where the majority of the cats reside.

They particularly love to hang around the restaurant La Mimbre...

... and can be quite demanding of attention and food.

They often come and sit on the stools next to the customers (and sometimes even on the tables), hoping to get their share of the tapas.

When their bellies are full, they retreat for a nap.

Read next => Cats from Pampaneira, Spain

Cats from Barcelona {Spain}

Barcelona's first cat café, Espai de Gats, is tucked away off to the busy Passeig de Gràcia. It opened in the summer of 2016 and is now known as an educational center and a place to showcase adoptable cats.

Let's take a tour!

Like in most cat cafés, visitors come into an entry area that is separated from the main room. They are then led to their tables where they can consult a Spanish booklet with the house rules and other café-related information.

The café houses about a dozen cats, all of which were previously abandoned and are now adoptable. These cats have been tested for health issues, sterilized, dewormed, vaccinated, and microchipped. Information about the animals' age, behavior, and preferences is available from the booklet, and the staff will be happy to share their experiences as well.

The main room isn't large, but the cats have plenty of space to run around.

They have all kinds of amenities, such as water fountains, comfy beds, cat houses, scratching posts, food tree cat toys, and interactive food and treat puzzles, as well as a big window to look out.

They also have a private zone in the back, where they can go if they need a break.

Visitors have the choice to sit either at a table or on handwoven poufs so they can be closer to the cats.

As far as the menu is concerned, the café has a daily changing selection of vegan cookies and pastries to accompany the usual coffee or tea.

Espai de Gats has several of cat books on display. However, the majority of these cat books is in Spanish, though they have a few English ones, like Casper the Commuting Cat.

There's also free wifi in case you want to get some work done.

Unfortunately, you won't have much time to enjoy your treat, let alone read a book, because the cat café only allows for half an hour per person. You can stay longer, but they'll be charging you one euro for every 15 minutes extra, regardless of whether you're consuming more or whether you're spending time with a certain cat before deciding on adopting it.

Luckily, since Espai de Gats is located in the center of Barcelona, there will be plenty of cafés, shops, and attractions to spend the rest of your day.

And while you're at it, why not visit this cute little guy who lives in a spiritual center near the café?

It's best to book in advance through the Espai de Gats website to make sure you secure a spot at the café. For half an hour in the company of the cats, you pay $2.50. For $3.50 more, you get a drink and a snack.

Note that in order to guarantee a calm atmosphere, the café generally doesn't allow groups of more than four people. For the same reason, they don't admit more than three children per group.

Over the year, the Barcelona cat café holds several workshops and courses on cat behavior, cat health, communicating with your cat, animal rights, etc.

Address: Carrer de Terol 29, Barcelona, Spain.

Opening hours:

Monday: morning closed / 5 pm to 9 pm

Tuesday: morning closed / 5 pm to 9 pm

Wednesday: morning closed / 5 pm to 9 pm

Thursday: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm / 5 pm to 9 pm

Friday: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm / 5 pm to 10 pm

Saturday: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm / 4 pm to 10 pm

Sunday: 10:30 am to 1:30 pm / 4 pm to 9 pm

Text and photos: Vanessa Morgan

Cat from Tórshavn {Faroe Islands}

When visiting Tinganes, a peninsula in Tórshavn, we were greeted by this black beauty. After stealing some caresses from us, he - well, we think it was a he - showed us the most picturesque corners of Tinganes. Once he made sure we'd seen them all, he asked for some more caresses, looked us in the eyes and went his own way again. What a way to visit this part of the world...

Text and photo: Ursy K Esteloot

Cats from Sainte-Preuve {France}

In Sainte-Preuve, in the heart of the French Champagne region, is a four-star hotel called Château de Barive or Domaine de Barive.

Less than two hours from Paris, many tourists stay at the Château de Barive to enjoy its gorgeous interiors and spa, or to try the restaurant's renowned meat and fish dishes.

But the best part... These two cats will welcome you as you enter the domain.

Photos: The French Cat

Cats from Tangier {Morocco}

When you visit Morocco, especially Moroccan Medinas (cities downtown), you notice cats in every street corner. In some cities like Chefchaouen, Tangier and Marrakech, cats are really everywhere and part of Moroccan streets and everyday life. You see them sleeping, playing, eating and sunbathing in unusual places.

Moroccan cats photography has become one of my favorite kinds of photography. These cats are so special, charming and have their own character. I have pictures of cats I took years ago, and I can still remember when, where and how the picture was taken.

Fixing cats is not very common in Morocco, hence their high number. Although some of them have owners, the majority are wild cats and live on the streets. That's why I always travel with cat food. If you are visiting Morocco, take with you a small bag of croquettes and you'll enjoy feeding the poor cats. They can look happy, but despite locals and associations efforts, many of them are hungry and need help.

Text and photos: Moroccan Zest

Cats from Ubud {Bali}

Meet ‘Christina Aguilera’ and her baby kitty. Both are Balinese locals at the classic Tegalalang Rice Fields on the gorgeous island of Bali. 

Baby kitty loved the snuggles, and mama Christina was busy napping (I don’t blame her. Look how peaceful the spot). 

Make sure to give them a visit on your vacation to the island. They are up high with their daddy, a local rice farmer who plays the xylophone up in the terraces.

Text and photos: Tesi Jacobs