Last Updated on 21 May 2026 by Vanessa
Ghosts? No. But these famous cemeteries are haunted… by cats!
If you’ve ever wandered through an old cemetery and felt like you were being watched, you might be right. But forget ghosts and ghouls. In some of the most famous cemeteries around the world, the real keepers of the graves are cats. Dozens of them.
In this article, we’re visiting 12 famous cemeteries around the world that have become unexpected sanctuaries for strays. We’ll give you the full scoop on each one—including addresses, opening times, and what to expect when you visit.
Get ready for a journey into the world’s most mysterious and meow-sterious cemeteries!
12 famous cemeteries that are home to more cats than spirits
Recoleta Cemetery – Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires is not your typical graveyard; it’s more like an open-air museum, with mausoleums that look like mini palaces. The whole place is steeped in history, and you’ll see the final resting places of some of Argentina’s most famous figures, like Eva Perón. What’s really striking is how quiet and peaceful it is, considering it’s right in the middle of the city.
If you want to learn more about the history behind the cemetery and its notable residents, there are guided tours available, which really help bring the stories to life.
- Address: Cementerio de la Recoleta, Junín 1760, C1113 CABA, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 am – 05:00 pm
Cimitero Acattolico (Non-Catholic Cemetery) – Rome, Italy
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
The Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome is a place that feels more like a peaceful park than a traditional burial site. Located just beside the Pyramid of Cestius, this cemetery has an unexpectedly tranquil vibe for such an iconic city.
While it’s home to some big names like poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley, the cemetery is also filled with lesser-known figures—artists, philosophers, and diplomats from around the world who found a home here when they couldn’t be buried in Catholic cemeteries.
What sets it apart is the beautiful, almost timeless environment. With its ivy-clad tombs and the quiet hum of city life just beyond its gates, you can easily lose track of time as you wander through the shaded pathways. It’s a perfect blend of history and nature that’s hard to find elsewhere in the city.
- Address: Cimitero Acattolico (Non-Catholic Cemetery of Rome), Via Caio Cestio, 6, 00153 Rome RM, Italy.
- Opening times: Monday to Saturday: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm. Closed on Sundays.
Highgate Cemetery – London, England
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
Opened in 1839, Highgate Cemetery is one of London’s most famous cemeteries. The cemetery is a Grade I-listed park, and its Victorian Gothic architecture and crypts have made it a beloved site. It is home to famous figures like Karl Marx, Douglas Adams, and George Eliot.
The cemetery has two sections: the East Cemetery, which is open to the public, and the West Cemetery, which is only accessible via guided tours.
Rumor has it Highgate Cemetery is haunted… and not just by cats.
- Address: Highgate Cemetery, Swains Lane, Highgate, London N6 6PJ, UK.
- Opening times: Monday to Friday, 10:00 am – 05:00 pm. Saturday, 10:00 am – 04:00 pm. Sunday: 10:00 am – 04:00 pm.
Yanaka Cemetery – Tokyo, Japan
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
Yanaka Cemetery dates back to the early 17th century, making it one of the Tokyo’s oldest graveyards. It sits in the heart of Yanaka, a district that remarkably survived World War II bombings. Because of that, the area has retained a distinctly old Tokyo feel—narrow streets, traditional wooden homes, and a slower, more nostalgic rhythm compared to the rest of the city.
The cemetery itself is vast, lined with cherry trees and home to the graves of notable figures like the painter Fujita Tsuguharu and statesman Kuroda Kiyotaka.
But what makes it truly unique is its feline residents. Yanaka has long been known as Tokyo’s “cat town,” and the cemetery is one of their favorite haunts. You’ll see them draped over sun-warmed stone markers, weaving through the pathways, or simply watching visitors with the quiet confidence of creatures who know they belong.
- Address: Yanaka Cemetery, 7 Chome-5-24 Yanaka, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0001, Japan.
- Opening times: Open daily for 24 hours (The cemetery is open to the public at all times, but visitors generally come during daylight hours.)
Montmartre Cemetery – Paris, France
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
Montmartre Cemetery was founded in 1825 and is one of the most famous cemeteries in Paris, especially because so many artists, musicians, and writers are buried there. You’ll find graves of big names like Émile Zola, Dalida, and Francis Poulenc.
The cemetery is tucked away at the foot of Montmartre hill, and it has this peaceful vibe with winding paths, towering trees, and incredible sculptures.
It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you like history or just want a quiet escape from the busier parts of Paris.
- Address: Montmartre Cemetery, 20 Avenue Rachel, 75018 Paris, France.
- Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Montevideo Cemetery – Montevideo, Uruguay
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
Established in the 19th century, Cementerio Central de Montevideo is one of the largest and most important cemeteries in Uruguay. It is the burial place of many notable figures from the country’s history, including politicians, artists, and military leaders. The cemetery is known for its impressive mausoleums and historical significance.
- Address: Cementerio Central de Montevideo, Avenida de las Instrucciones, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Goiânia Cemetery – Goiás, Brazil
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛🐈⬛
Goiânia Cemetery is a quiet, reflective spot right in the heart of Goiás, Brazil. While it might not have the centuries of history that some other cemeteries boast, it’s an important piece of the city’s past.
The cemetery is home to many of Goiânia’s former residents, from local political figures to influential cultural icons.
As you wander through the grounds, you’ll notice a mix of simple and ornate graves, all surrounded by lush greenery.
It’s a peaceful place to take in the history of the area and enjoy the calm atmosphere that feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
- Address: Cemitério de Goiânia, Rua 1, Setor Central, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
- Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 07:00 am – 05:00 pm
Bernardine Cemetery – Vilnius, Lithuania
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛
Bernardine Cemetery is one of Vilnius’ oldest graveyards, with roots going back to the 16th century. Located right next to the Bernardine Monastery, this historic site has been a key part of the city for centuries. It’s the final resting place for many notable figures in Lithuanian history, including intellectuals, clergy, and nobility.
As you wander through the cemetery, you’ll come across a fascinating mix of medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque tombs—each offering a glimpse into the region’s rich cultural and spiritual past.
- Address: Bernardine Cemetery, Maironio g. 8, 01124 Vilnius, Lithuania.
- Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Begraafplaats Groenesteeg – Leiden, Netherlands
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛
Established in the early 19th century, Begraafplaats Groenesteeg is a small and picturesque cemetery in the city of Leiden. It is known for its quaint atmosphere and its role as the burial site of many local residents, including several notable historical figures.
The cemetery features a variety of tombstones, from simple memorials to more elaborate monuments, and is surrounded by greenery.
- Address: Begraafplaats Groenesteeg, Groenesteeg 6, 2312 ZA Leiden, Netherlands.
- Opening times: Open daily: 24 hours (accessible at all times)
Aoyama Cemetery – Tokyo, Japan
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛
Tucked away in the heart of Tokyo, Aoyama Cemetery offers a quiet escape from the city’s nonstop energy.
Established in 1872, this historic resting place is more than just a cemetery—it’s a beautifully landscaped space where history and nature intertwine. Here, you’ll find the graves of influential politicians, artists, and thinkers who shaped Japan’s past.
Despite being surrounded by the busy Aoyama district, the cemetery feels like a hidden sanctuary, with tree-lined avenues that provide a moment of calm in the middle of the metropolis.
- Address: Aoyama Cemetery, 9-8-7 Minato, Tokyo 107-0061, Japan.
- Opening times: Open daily: 24 hours
Sant Sebastià Cemetery – Sitges, Spain
Cat factor: 🐈⬛
The Sant Sebastià Cemetery in Sitges is famous for its beautiful, whitewashed tombs and scenic location near the sea. It dates back to the mid-19th century and is the final resting place for many prominent local figures. This popular place for tourists is home to only one cat, but you can’t miss him because the cemetery is small.
- Address: Sant Sebastià Cemetery, Carrer de la Bassa Rodona, 08870 Sitges, Barcelona, Spain.
- Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 08:00 am – 06:00 pm
Campo Verano Cemetery – Rome, Italy
Cat factor: 🐈⬛🐈⬛
If you’re looking for a different side of Rome—one away from the usual tourist spots—Campo Verano Cemetery is well worth a visit. This vast, peaceful cemetery feels like an open-air museum, filled with elaborate mausoleums, stunning sculptures, and beautifully aged tombs that whisper stories of the past.
Some of Italy’s most famous writers, politicians, and artists are buried here, making it a fascinating walk through history.
The towering cypress trees and quiet pathways create a contemplative atmosphere that offers a break from the city’s chaos.
- Address: Campo Verano Cemetery, Piazzale del Verano 1, 00185 Rome, Italy.
- Opening times: Monday to Sunday: 07:30 am – 06:00 pm
Which famous cemeteries have you visited?
Have you visited one of these famous graveyards with cats, or is there one you now want to explore? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your thoughts!
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