How Kedi Inspired Our Trip to Istanbul
We had always wanted to visit Istanbul, but it kept getting postponed. What finally pushed us to go? A documentary called Kedi.
It’s all about the cats of Istanbul and the people who care for them. The film doesn’t focus on landmarks; it shows the city through the everyday life of its cats. Watching it made us want to see the streets, cafés, and neighborhoods ourselves, slowly and up close.
In Turkish, a cat is called “kedi” (pronounced keh-dee). So when you say psst to call a cat, you can just use “kedi kedi” or even “miyav” (like “meow”) to get their attention, it’s common to repeat “kedi kedi” when calling a street cat in Istanbul.
A City That Belongs to Cats
From the moment we arrived, we realized that Kedi wasn’t exaggerating. Cats of Istanbul are everywhere: on sidewalks, lounging outside cafés, wandering through shops, and napping on rooftops.
What struck us most was how well people care for them. Bowls of food and water were left outside shops, and some cats wandered indoors as if they owned the place. We even saw small cat houses on the streets! It gave a softer, calmer atmosphere to the busy city, making Istanbul feel unexpectedly welcoming and alive.
Exploring Istanbul Slowly
Inspired by the film, we didn’t rush to the big sights. Instead, we wandered through streets, stopped at cafés, and explored hidden corners. Cats were around almost every corner, reminding us constantly of the city’s character.
Neighborhoods like Karaköy, Kadıköy, and Balat felt alive in a way we hadn’t expected, with street art, local shops, and small cafés popping up everywhere.
A Different Way to See Istanbul
Kedi didn’t just make us want to see Istanbul, it changed how we explored it. Instead of checking off sights, we looked at the city in small moments: a cat sleeping in the sun, a shopkeeper feeding a stray, or a quiet street with colorful buildings. That’s how we fell in love with Istanbul.
If you want to see Istanbul like we did, check out our full guide on 3 Days in Istanbul: Food, Coffee & Local Neighborhoods.
Tips for Spotting Cats of Istanbul
- Bowls of food and water are often left outside shops and cafés: look around!
- Neighborhoods like Balat, Karaköy, and Kadıköy are especially cat-friendly.
- Respect their space: some cats are shy, others love attention.
- Keep a camera handy; these cats make perfect street photography subjects.
