The Island of Cats

If you ever visit Cyprus, you'll find a coastal paradise, endless sunshine and many local furry friends, ready to welcome your stay. Cats are everywhere on the island. They lounge in courtyards, stroll through the charming streets and bask in the sun, like they own the place. Cyprus is famously known as the island of cats and it's easy to see why-here cats outnumber people.

But How? A Brief Feline History

According to legend, in the 4th century AD, Saint Helen of Constantinople sent boatloads of cats from Egypt to help combat snake infestations on the island, particularly around the Monastery of Saint Nicolas in Akrotiri.

However, Cyprus' relationship with its feline residents began long before that. Archaeological findings from the Neolithic village of Shillourokampos reveal the world's oldest known pet cat buried alongside a human-dating back over 9,500 years. It's the earliest known sign of cats living with humans, a bond that has lasted through millennia.

Cats it seems have always been a part of the island's character.

When Numbers Grow Too Big

Today, an estimated 1.5 million cats stray cats roam the island. And while these adorable furballs have inhabited this island for so long, their growing numbers pose a real challenge. Overpopulation often leads food shortages, increased road accidents and above all, a stray life that can be harsh and unforgiving.

Caring for Our Whiskered Guests

At Atlantica Hotels & Resorts we care deeply about our feline guests too. Across many of our hotels, you'll find dedicated areas where cats can enjoy safe shelter, clean water and daily portions of food.

Our teams also take an active role in spaying and neutering the cats that live around the hotels. It's a hands-on approach to help manage the population humanely and improve each cat's quality of life. You can often spot a spayed or neutered cat by the small cut on their ear-a gentle mark that signals they've been cared for.

But it's not just about food and medical care. Cats at Atlantica Hotels & Resorts are part of the family. Members of staff as well as guests shower them with affection and love.

At Atlantica Oasis Hotel for example, a Cat Fund is available at reception where guests donate to help support food, veterinary care and other welfare efforts. Take a look at some of the pictures shot at the hotel of cats in purrfect harmony.

A Shared Island

So next time you're lounging in the sun and a furry friend pads over to say hello, pause for a moment. You're not just visiting a beautiful island-you are sharing it with some of its oldest and most charming residents.

In Cyprus, cats don't just live alongside us,

They belong here.