La Fábrica de Huellas

Alicante, Valencian Community · 77 mi / 124 km

Cat Relax is a non-profit cat cafe on Plaza Joaquín María López in the Los Ángeles district of Alicante, run since 2016 by ABAIFA, an association that rescues homeless cats in the province. Visitors can have a drink, read or play with around a dozen sociable rescue cats, most of them adults being socialised before adoption, and at some times of year there is also a kitten room upstairs. The cat area is separated from the drinks counter by double doors, guests wash their hands on the way in and out, and the cats have a room of their own to retreat to. The ground-floor cat room is wheelchair accessible. Visits are by advance booking only, through a request form on the association's website, and a volunteer supervises the room. Stays may be limited to an hour at busy times. All the cats can be adopted through the association.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking required

Murcia · 111 mi / 178 km

La Gatera is a cat cafe on Calle Vara de Rey in the historic centre of Murcia, and was the first cat cafe in the region when it opened in 2022. Visitors share the cafe with rescued cats and kittens, all of them up for adoption through the Protectora Ayuda Animal Murcia, whose volunteers handle the adoption process. Entry is a ticket per person that includes the first drink, with no time limit. Tables can be reserved online for the first part of the morning and afternoon sessions; after that, seating is first come, first served. The menu has coffee, infusions in cat-shaped cups, cinnamon rolls, alfajores and vegan options. House rules ask guests to let the cats approach first, not to pick them up or wake them, to avoid flash and to play with toys rather than hands. Children under 14 must come with an adult.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking recommended

Tarragona, Catalonia · 142 mi / 229 km

La Gata Insubmisa is a non-profit social and cultural centre on Carrer d'August in central Tarragona that combines a vegan café, an alternative bookshop and lending library, and a cat café. The cat area is managed by the rescue association La Caseta dels Gats, and the cats living there have been rescued and are available for adoption, so visitors can get to know a cat and see how it behaves with people and other cats before applying. The café, GaTaverna Insubmisa, serves fully plant-based drinks and food, including homemade cakes, using local products. The bookshop focuses on feminist, LGBTIQ+, anti-speciesist and anti-racist titles, and books can also be borrowed. The centre hosts talks, workshops, reading circles, language exchanges, exhibitions and small concerts, most of them free, and describes itself as a safe space for everyone. It opens on weekday evenings and is closed at weekends.

• Adoptable cats

Zaragoza, Aragon · 152 mi / 245 km

EspaZio Felino Shanti is a cat adoption and awareness centre run by Gestión y Protección Felina de Aragón (GyP Felina), a Zaragoza street-cat rescue association, on Calle de Miguel Servet at the edge of the Casco Antiguo. Opened in March 2024 as the first space of its kind in Aragón, it has two areas: a charity shop selling cat food, litter, toys and accessories, and a room where rescued cats live while they wait for adoption. Visitors book places on short sessions with the cats in exchange for a donation; places are limited and must be reserved at least 24 hours ahead by private message on Instagram. Staff explain how to approach the cats respectfully before each session. The association also runs craft workshops and other activities with the cats, and all proceeds go to food, vet care and further rescues.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking required

Alcala De Henares, Madrid · 171 mi / 276 km

Polineko is a neko cafe and cat adoption centre in Alcalá de Henares, east of Madrid, now on Calle de Zaragoza after moving from its earlier premises on Camino de la Esgaravita. It is run by A.P.A. Neko Madrid, a volunteer animal welfare association that rescues abandoned and mistreated cats, places them in foster homes for veterinary care and then brings them to the cafe to meet potential adopters. Around 18 cats live in the lounge, each with its own name and story. Visitors book a session online and pay a donation that includes a drink, such as organic coffee or herbal tea, and can stay with the cats in the afternoon. Adoption follows the association's own process, which requires netting on windows and balconies. Polineko also sells merchandise and holds workshops and small events, such as craft sessions with the cats around.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking required

Madrid · 187 mi / 302 km

La Gatoteca is a cat lounge and adoption centre in central Madrid, on Calle del Duque de Rivas near Plaza de Tirso de Molina, a short walk from Tirso de Molina and La Latina metro stations. It belongs to ABRIGA, a non-profit cat rescue association, and opened in Lavapiés in October 2013 as the first cat cafe in Spain and, after closing that site in 2020, reopened at its current address in 2021. Around 24 adult rescue cats live in a bright salon with climbing furniture and toys, all looking for homes. Visits are booked online in advance as one-hour or half-hour slots, with a self-service soft drink included, and only 12 visitors are admitted at a time. Children up to 12 come with an adult, and visitors may not pick up or feed the cats. The association also sells cat products and runs educational activities.

• Adoptable cats
• Booking required