Last Updated on 24 September 2025 by Vanessa
Think museums are boring? Not these! From rare cat artifacts to feline-inspired art (and even real resident kitties), these quirky cat museums across the United States and beyond are a must-visit for any cat lover.
15 cat museums every feline fan needs to visit
1 Kotor Cats Museum in Kotor, Montenegro
Address: Kotor Cats Museum, Trg Gospa od Anđela – Stari Grad 371, Kotor 85330, Montenegro.
Montenegro is famous for its large population of street cats; Kotor alone is home to thousands of strays. Organizations like Kotor Kitties have sterilized over 10,000 cats across Montenegro to manage the population humanely.
So, it’s no surprise that one of the most famous cat museums in the world is located in the heart of Kotor’s Old Town, within the premises of the former Monastery of Our Lady of the Angels.
It opened in 2013 and houses many vintage cat-related memorabilia, including historical postcards, artworks, books, coins, medals, posters, newspapers, and magazines.
Entry costs only one euro, making it an affordable stop for cat lovers.
A portion of the museum’s income supports the care and feeding of Kotor’s street cats.
2 KattenKabinet in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Address: KattenKabinet, Herengracht 497, 1017 BT Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The cat museum in Amsterdam showcases paintings, sculptures, and prints by famous artists such as Rembrandt, Picasso, and Toulouse-Lautrec—all featuring cats.
You don’t even have to be a cat lover to enjoy this museum—it’s set in a gorgeous historic canal house that’s worth a visit on its own.
Plus, several real cats roam the museum.
Want to know more? Check out our full visit to the Amsterdam cat museum here.
3 American Museum of the House Cat in Sylva, North Carolina
Address: American Museum of the House Cat, 5063 US Hwy 441 S, Sylva, NC 28779, United States.
The American Museum of the House Cat opened in 2005 in Jackson County, North Carolina.
Dr. Harold Sims, a lifelong cat lover, created the museum to share his extensive collection of cat-related art and artifacts, celebrating the special place cats hold in our lives.
Dr. Sims wanted to preserve the history and culture of domestic cats, and his museum offers a unique look at their impact, featuring everything from antique cat toys to vintage advertising, fine art, and books. Rare pieces include a 600 BC bronze statue of the Egyptian goddess Bastet, who is often depicted with a cat head, and an ancient cat-shaped oil lamp from the Roman era.
Proceeds from the American Museum of the House Cat support the nearby no-kill and cage-free Catman2 Shelter.
4 Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio
Address: Feline Historical Museum, 260 E Main St, Alliance, OH 44601, United States.
The Cat Fanciers’ Association runs the Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio.
It boasts an impressive collection of cat-related artifacts, including antique figurines, rare art, and historical documents about various cat breeds.
The museum also has an incredible library—over 8,500 books on cats, plus a dedicated room filled with historical cat magazines and breed histories. There’s even a special library room just for children.
Occasionally, the museum hosts special breed presentations, and you might even spot live cats roaming around.
Admission is free. Instead, the museum operates on donations.
5 Kuching Cat Museum (Muzium Kucing Kuching) in Petra Jaya, Malaysia
Address: Kuching Cat Museum (Muzium Kucing Kuching), Bangunan DBKU, Jalan Semariang, Petra Jaya, 93050 Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia.
Did you know that Kuching in Malaysia is known as “Cat City” because of its strong connection to cats? The name “Kuching” actually means “cat” in Malay. The city proudly celebrates its feline heritage with cat-themed statues, landmarks, and even a Cat Museum.
Founded in 1993 and owned by the Kuching North City Hall, the museum is located on the bottom floor of the Kuching North City Hall in Petra Jaya, just 20 minutes from the Kuching Waterfront.
Spanning 1,035 square meters, the museum features four galleries with over 4,000 cat-related artifacts, including paintings, memorials, and a mummified cat from ancient Egypt. You can also explore a gallery dedicated to feline-themed advertising and learn about the five species of wild cats found in Borneo.
Curious to know what it’s really like? Check out Ummi Nadra’s review and photos from the Kuching Cat Museum.
6 Van Cat Museum (Van Kedisi Müzesi) in Turkey
Address: Van Kedisi Müzesi, Bardakçı, 65140 Tuşba/Van, Turkey.
Van, Turkey, is home to a rare breed of cats known as the Van Cat. These all-white cats are famous for their distinctive eyes. While some have two blue eyes and others two green eyes, these cats are known for their heterochromia, which means they have two different colored eyes.
The Van Cat Museum is actually a conservation project run by Van University to breed more Van cats with heterochromia. At the museum, you can play with these gorgeous creatures, and learn more about them from the faculty there. These cats are also known for their love of swimming, and are often found swimming in Turkey’s Lake Van.
Submitted by Jenni Russell from the travel blog Jenni Sees the Sights.
Also, check out this book about Avalon, a Turkish Van cat who became a horror movie star.
7 Katzinett in Ludwigshafen
Address: Katzinett, Ritterstraße 35, 67063 Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany.
The cat museum in Ludwigshafen opened in 2010 and sits on the west bank of the Rhine, right across from Mannheim in southwestern Germany.
It is packed with around 10,000 cat-themed exhibits that highlight cats in art and culture: porcelain and glass sculptures, bronze artworks, toys, books, ceramics, and dolls.
The museum has recently expanded with a “Petit Café Journal,” which is available for private events, and an enhanced garden area that is open from April to October.
8 Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West, Florida
Address: Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, 907 Whitehead St, Key West, FL 33040, United States.
The Hemingway Home & Museum in Key West, Florida, isn’t actually a cat museum—it’s the former home of the famous writer Ernest Hemingway. Now a museum, it gives visitors a glimpse into his life, his writing, and the beautiful historic house where he lived in the 1930s.
However, around 60 polydactyl (six-toed) cats roam the property. These cats are descendants of Hemingway’s own feline companion, Snow White. He loved these unique cats, and today, they’re an important part of the museum’s charm. You’ll see them lounging around like they own the place—which, in a way, they do!
Want to see more? Check out our article about our visit to the Hemingway Home & Museum, packed with photos of the house and its famous feline residents!
9 The Cat Museum (Музей Кошек) in Minsk, Belarus
Address: The Cat Museum (Музей Кошек), vulica Internacyjanaĺnaja 23, Minsk, Minskaja voblasć, Belarus.
The Cat Museum (Музей Кошек) in Minsk is a unique mix of an art gallery and a cat café.
On the one hand, the museum features cat-inspired sculptures, paintings, and crafts. Entry to this museum costs 15 Belarusian rubles (around $4.50) for children and students, and 20 rubles (around $6.00) for adults.
On the other hand, there’s a cat café where you can relax with a drink while hanging out with rescued cats that are available for adoption.
In fact, the museum runs a program to help homeless cats. Volunteers rescue cats from the streets, provide them with veterinary care, vaccinations, and any other necessary treatments. Afterward, they bring the cats to the café, where you can enjoy their company and even adopt one if you’re interested.
On top of that, museum volunteers feed stray cats in the streets of Minsk, all with the help of donations from visitors.
10 Nakahama Minoru’s Cat Art Museum on Awaij Island, Japan
Address: Nakahama Minoru’s Cat Art Museum, 668-2 Ura, Awaji, Hyogo 656-2305, Japan.
Dedicated to the works of artist Minoru Nakahama, this museum showcases approximately 120 ink paintings of cats, including a remarkable 30-meter-long picture scroll titled “Nekohama Monogatari.”
You can also participate in ink painting classes.
11 Cats Museum Kft in Budapest, Hungary
Address: Cats Museum Kft, Budapest, Magyar u. 5, 1053 Hungary.
Cats Museum Kft is located in Budapest‘s 6th district. It’s close to popular attractions like Andrassy Avenue, Heroes’ Square, and the Hungarian State Opera, so it’s easy to stop by while exploring the area.
Inside, you’ll find a collection of cat-themed art, including paintings, sculptures, coins, and historical cat memorabilia. The museum also highlights the cultural significance of cats around the world.
And yes, there are real cats at the museum!
12 The Cat Museum in Vsevolozhsk, Russia
Address: The Cat Museum, Koltushskoye Shosse, 214, Vsevolozhsk, Leningrad Oblast, Russia, 188680.
The Cat Museum in Vsevolozhsk, near St. Petersburg, opened in 2008 under the leadership of veterinarian Anna Kondratyeva.
The museum displays over 5,000 cat-related items, including artwork, postcards, toys, household items, and historical objects.
There are several valuable items here, including a cat-shaped castle from Iran and handmade rugs from the siege of Leningrad times.
The museum also showcases works by local artists such as Tatyana Kapustina.
13 Lucky Cat MEWseum in Cincinnati, Ohio
Address: Lucky Cat MEWeum, 2511 Essex Pl, Cincinnati, OH 45206, United States.
The Lucky Cat MEWseum in Cincinnati is dedicated to the famous Japanese “Maneki-Neko” (beckoning cat) figurine. This statue with one paw raised is believed to bring good luck and wealth.
The museum features an extensive collection of lucky cats in all shapes, sizes, and materials from both Japanese artists and from artists outside of Japan. It’s a must-visit for fans of Japanese culture and cat superstitions.
To visit the museum, you must schedule an appointment in advance. Each appointment lasts 45 minutes. You can book your visit here.
Admission is free, but donations are always appreciated!
14 Manekineko Museum in Seto City, Japan
Address: Manekineko Museum, 489-0821 Aichi, Seto, Yakushimachi, Japan.
Manekineko Museum in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, near Nagoya, features one of Japan’s largest collections of over 5,000 Maneki-Neko figures. The collection showcases a variety of sizes and styles, highlighting the cultural importance of these lucky charms.
You can also relax at the café, where they can enjoy tea served in teapots shaped like beckoning cats.
15 The Cat Museum in Ito, Japan
Address: The Cat Museum, 1759-242 Yawatano, Itō, Shizuoka 413-0232, Japan.
Located in the coastal city of Ito (Shizuoka Prefecture), this museum offers insights into various feline species through exhibits featuring both domestic and wild cats. The collection includes artworks, toys, and educational displays.
Cat museums that are permanently closed
- Museo Casa de Gatos in Lloret de Mar, Spain
- The Cat Museum & Academy in Singapore
- Cats Museum Venezia in Venice, Italy
- Cat’s Gallery in Prague, Czech Republic
Final thoughts
Which cat museums have you visited, and which ones are now on your travel bucket list? Drop a comment below and share your thoughts!
And if you’re craving even more museum inspiration, check out these spots with resident cats:
- Folk Museum in Bruges, Belgium;
- Chopin Museum in Valldemossa, Mallorca;
- Museum Van Loon in Amsterdam, Netherlands
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