Walk along any canal in the old centre for twenty minutes and you will probably spot one: a cat stretched out on a window sill, watching the bikes go by with total disinterest. Amsterdam cats are part of the city’s character, and the best-known place to meet them is a floating shelter on the Singel. This guide covers where to find them, how to behave, and a couple of cat-themed stops for rainy afternoons.
The Poezenboot, a floating cat sanctuary
The most famous address for Amsterdam cats is De Poezenboot, a houseboat moored on the Singel canal near the Leidsegracht area. It was founded in the 1960s by a woman who took in stray cats, and it has operated as a sanctuary ever since. The cats live on the boat while they wait to be adopted or, for the older ones, to live out their days in peace.
Visitors are welcome during set opening hours, usually a few hours in the afternoon on most days. Hours shift, so check the official website before you go. Entry has traditionally been free, with donations welcome, because the boat relies on gifts to pay for food and vet care. If you enjoy the visit, leave something in the box or buy a small item from the shop.
How to behave on the boat
- Be quiet and move slowly. The cats are the residents, you are the guest.
- Let them come to you rather than grabbing them.
- Wash your hands if asked to, and follow the posted rules.
- Keep groups small. The boat is tiny, and a crowd stresses the animals.
- Photos are normally fine, but skip the flash.
Why there are so many cats near the canals
Amsterdam’s old houses are tall, narrow and often have ground-floor windows right on the street. That makes them ideal stages for cats who like to watch the world. Plenty of residents keep their cats indoors or on small balconies, and the animals have learned that a front window is the best seat in the house. You do not need to look for them very hard. Just stroll slowly through quieter streets such as those in the Jordaan or along the smaller canals and glance up and into windows.
Please resist the urge to knock on glass or reach in to pet a cat. Residents get tired of tourists pressing against their windows, and a cat on a sill is not an invitation.
Cat-themed things to do besides the boat
If the Poezenboot has whetted your appetite, there are a few other cat-related stops worth thinking about:
1. Kattenkabinet, a small museum on the Herengracht devoted to cats in art, posters and sculpture, housed in a canal house. Check current opening times and whether it is operating when you visit. 2. Cat cafés. Amsterdam has had a few cafés where you can drink coffee among resident cats. They come and go, so search for current ones and read recent reviews before you plan around them. 3. Souvenir hunting. Cat-patterned Delft-style tiles and prints turn up in many shops around the Nine Streets.
Planning your visit
The Singel is easy to reach on foot from Dam Square or the Leidseplein area, and the tram lines through the centre stop within a short walk. The canal-side path is cobbled in places, so wear comfortable shoes. Spring and early autumn tend to be pleasant, with fewer people than high summer. In winter, a visit to the boat doubles as a warm indoor break.
Bring small change for donations and think about whether your schedule suits the opening window. The boat is not a place to spend hours, so pair it with a walk along the canals, a coffee in the Jordaan or a visit to a nearby museum.
Thinking about adopting
Some visitors fall in love and wonder whether they could take a cat home. Adoption through the boat generally involves an application and checks, and it is usually aimed at people living in the Netherlands. If you are a traveller, you will probably be better off donating rather than trying to adopt. Moving an animal across borders involves microchips, vaccinations and paperwork, so ask the shelter directly rather than assuming anything.
A note on respect
Amsterdam cats are pets and shelter animals, not attractions. The best visit is a calm, short one that leaves the animals undisturbed and the neighbours happy. If you see a cat that looks lost, hurt or in distress, ask a local or contact an animal ambulance service rather than picking it up yourself.
Practical tips
- Check the official Poezenboot website for opening hours and visiting rules, since details change.
- Prices and hours for any museum or café also change, so verify them before heading out.
- Allergic? Cat hair is part of the deal on the boat, so take a tablet or skip the visit.
- Children are generally welcome, but supervise them closely so that nobody grabs or chases the cats.
- Combine the visit with a boat trip, the Flower Market a short walk away, or a stroll to the Rijksmuseum area.
Amsterdam cats are one of the quieter pleasures of the city. A short stop at the floating shelter, a few glances up at sunny windows and a donation to a good cause make for a small but memorable detour on any canal-side walk. Go slowly, stay gentle, and the cats will usually reward you with a look, a stretch, or if you are lucky, a purr.
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Image credit: Oxyman via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.5).
