
The Best Cities Around the World to Celebrate Pride
Pride is more than just rainbows and parades.
Cats have long played a part in St Petersburg’s history, beloved by Peter the Great and credited with keeping rats (and disease) at bay during the long siege of WWII. The State Hermitage Museum famously has its own resident cats, but the ultimate destinations for cat lovers visiting the city are the Republic of Cats Museum and Cafés.
Part museum, part cat café, this rescue center (which consists of two distinct locations) houses up to 85 cats at a time. The original Republic of Cats Museum and Café (on Yakubovich) is home to 25 cats, including 17 different breeds and a number of cats adopted from the Hermitage Museum. Visitors can learn about the city’s love for cats and different breeds at the museum, enjoy a coffee at the café, shop for cat-themed souvenirs, or book a time to visit the cats themselves.
The Republic of Cats Café (on Liteiny) is home to around 60 cats, all of which are available for adoption. Highlights include a cat-filled rooftop terrace, a cat-themed photo gallery, and a large souvenir shop.
There is an entrance fee for visitors to the Cat Museum and Café on Yakubovich. Visiting the cats is by appointment only (entrance to the museum and café is permitted without a booking, but you won’t get to see the cats). No entrance fees or bookings are required for the cat café on Liteiny, although donations are encouraged.
Both locations have cat-themed gift shops and cafés, which serve a range of snacks and hot and cold beverages.
Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Republic of Cats café at Yakubovich 10 is located one block from St Isaac’s Cathedral; the closest subway station is Admiralteyskaya, a 10-minute walk away. The Republic of Cats café at Liteiny 60 is located just off Nevskiy prospekt; the closest subway station is Mayakovskaya, a 5-minute walk away.
Both cafés are open daily year-round, but to see the cats at their most active, it’s best to visit in the morning (when the cats are fed) or in the evening. Throughout June, the cafés both stay open through the night until 6am, offering visitors a chance to see what the felines get up to in the evening hours.
St. Petersburg is best known for its palaces, museums, and parks, but there are a few attractions that animal lovers may want to add to their itinerary: After cozying up with furry friends at the Republic of Cats, you can marvel at the sharks, seals, and stingray at the Planet Neptune Oceanarium. Another highlight is the Leningrad Zoo, the oldest of its kind in Russia and home to over 400 species, including lynx, Siberian tigers, and polar bears.