diff --git a/pyiceberg/catalog/__init__.py b/pyiceberg/catalog/__init__.py
index a4f1d47bea..46a3731f7d 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/catalog/__init__.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/catalog/__init__.py
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
 import re
 import uuid
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
-from collections.abc import Callable
+from collections.abc import Callable, Iterator
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from enum import Enum
 from typing import (
@@ -581,42 +581,42 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
         """
 
     @abstractmethod
-    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List tables under the given namespace in the catalog.
 
         Args:
             namespace (str | Identifier): Namespace identifier to search.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: list of table identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of table identifiers.
 
         Raises:
             NoSuchNamespaceError: If a namespace with the given name does not exist.
         """
 
     @abstractmethod
-    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List namespaces from the given namespace. If not given, list top-level namespaces from the catalog.
 
         Args:
             namespace (str | Identifier): Namespace identifier to search.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: a List of namespace identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of namespace identifiers.
 
         Raises:
             NoSuchNamespaceError: If a namespace with the given name does not exist.
         """
 
     @abstractmethod
-    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List views under the given namespace in the catalog.
 
         Args:
             namespace (str | Identifier): Namespace identifier to search.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: list of table identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of table identifiers.
 
         Raises:
             NoSuchNamespaceError: If a namespace with the given name does not exist.
diff --git a/pyiceberg/catalog/bigquery_metastore.py b/pyiceberg/catalog/bigquery_metastore.py
index b762c1047c..ec8048d6d3 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/catalog/bigquery_metastore.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/catalog/bigquery_metastore.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 # specific language governing permissions and limitations
 # under the License.
 import json
+from collections.abc import Iterator
 from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Any, Union
 
 from google.api_core.exceptions import NotFound
@@ -244,7 +245,7 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
         except NotFound as e:
             raise NoSuchNamespaceError(f"Namespace {namespace} does not exist.") from e
 
-    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         database_name = self.identifier_to_database(namespace)
         iceberg_tables: list[Identifier] = []
         try:
@@ -256,9 +257,9 @@ def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
                 iceberg_tables.append((database_name, bq_table_list_item.table_id))
         except NotFound:
             raise NoSuchNamespaceError(f"Namespace (dataset) '{database_name}' not found.") from None
-        return iceberg_tables
+        yield from iceberg_tables
 
-    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         # Since this catalog only supports one-level namespaces, it always returns an empty list unless
         # passed an empty namespace to list all namespaces within the catalog.
         if namespace:
@@ -266,7 +267,7 @@ def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
 
         # List top-level datasets
         datasets_iterator = self.client.list_datasets()
-        return [(dataset.dataset_id,) for dataset in datasets_iterator]
+        yield from ((dataset.dataset_id,) for dataset in datasets_iterator)
 
     def register_table(self, identifier: str | Identifier, metadata_location: str) -> Table:
         """Register a new table using existing metadata.
@@ -299,7 +300,7 @@ def register_table(self, identifier: str | Identifier, metadata_location: str) -
 
         return self.load_table(identifier=identifier)
 
-    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def drop_view(self, identifier: str | Identifier) -> None:
diff --git a/pyiceberg/catalog/dynamodb.py b/pyiceberg/catalog/dynamodb.py
index 2d35b2c5e2..fde71549aa 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/catalog/dynamodb.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/catalog/dynamodb.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 #  specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #  under the License.
 import uuid
+from collections.abc import Iterator
 from time import time
 from typing import (
     TYPE_CHECKING,
@@ -384,7 +385,7 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
         database_name = self.identifier_to_database(namespace, NoSuchNamespaceError)
         table_identifiers = self.list_tables(namespace=database_name)
 
-        if len(table_identifiers) > 0:
+        if len(list(table_identifiers)) > 0:
             raise NamespaceNotEmptyError(f"Database {database_name} is not empty")
 
         try:
@@ -396,14 +397,14 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
         except ConditionalCheckFailedException as e:
             raise NoSuchNamespaceError(f"Database does not exist: {database_name}") from e
 
-    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List Iceberg tables under the given namespace in the catalog.
 
         Args:
             namespace (str | Identifier): Namespace identifier to search.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: list of table identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of table identifiers.
         """
         database_name = self.identifier_to_database(namespace, NoSuchNamespaceError)
 
@@ -428,7 +429,6 @@ def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
         ) as e:
             raise GenericDynamoDbError(e.message) from e
 
-        table_identifiers = []
         for page in page_iterator:
             for item in page["Items"]:
                 _dict = _convert_dynamo_item_to_regular_dict(item)
@@ -436,21 +436,19 @@ def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
                 if identifier_col == DYNAMODB_NAMESPACE:
                     continue
 
-                table_identifiers.append(self.identifier_to_tuple(identifier_col))
+                yield self.identifier_to_tuple(identifier_col)
 
-        return table_identifiers
-
-    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List top-level namespaces from the catalog.
 
         We do not support hierarchical namespace.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: a List of namespace identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of namespace identifiers.
         """
         # Hierarchical namespace is not supported. Return an empty list
         if namespace:
-            return []
+            return
 
         paginator = self.dynamodb.get_paginator("query")
 
@@ -473,14 +471,11 @@ def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
         ) as e:
             raise GenericDynamoDbError(e.message) from e
 
-        database_identifiers = []
         for page in page_iterator:
             for item in page["Items"]:
                 _dict = _convert_dynamo_item_to_regular_dict(item)
                 namespace_col = _dict[DYNAMODB_COL_NAMESPACE]
-                database_identifiers.append(self.identifier_to_tuple(namespace_col))
-
-        return database_identifiers
+                yield self.identifier_to_tuple(namespace_col)
 
     def load_namespace_properties(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Properties:
         """
@@ -537,7 +532,7 @@ def update_namespace_properties(
 
         return properties_update_summary
 
-    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def drop_view(self, identifier: str | Identifier) -> None:
diff --git a/pyiceberg/catalog/glue.py b/pyiceberg/catalog/glue.py
index 7260b29447..ec9325bab0 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/catalog/glue.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/catalog/glue.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #  under the License.
 
 
+from collections.abc import Iterator
 from typing import (
     TYPE_CHECKING,
     Any,
@@ -92,7 +93,6 @@
     from mypy_boto3_glue.type_defs import (
         ColumnTypeDef,
         DatabaseInputTypeDef,
-        DatabaseTypeDef,
         StorageDescriptorTypeDef,
         TableInputTypeDef,
         TableTypeDef,
@@ -701,20 +701,19 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
                 )
         self.glue.delete_database(Name=database_name)
 
-    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List Iceberg tables under the given namespace in the catalog.
 
         Args:
             namespace (str | Identifier): Namespace identifier to search.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: list of table identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of table identifiers.
 
         Raises:
             NoSuchNamespaceError: If a namespace with the given name does not exist, or the identifier is invalid.
         """
         database_name = self.identifier_to_database(namespace, NoSuchNamespaceError)
-        table_list: list[TableTypeDef] = []
         next_token: str | None = None
         try:
             while True:
@@ -723,37 +722,36 @@ def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
                     if not next_token
                     else self.glue.get_tables(DatabaseName=database_name, NextToken=next_token)
                 )
-                table_list.extend(table_list_response["TableList"])
+                for table in table_list_response["TableList"]:
+                    if self.__is_iceberg_table(table):
+                        yield (database_name, table["Name"])
                 next_token = table_list_response.get("NextToken")
                 if not next_token:
                     break
 
         except self.glue.exceptions.EntityNotFoundException as e:
             raise NoSuchNamespaceError(f"Database does not exist: {database_name}") from e
-        return [(database_name, table["Name"]) for table in table_list if self.__is_iceberg_table(table)]
 
-    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List namespaces from the given namespace. If not given, list top-level namespaces from the catalog.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: a List of namespace identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of namespace identifiers.
         """
         # Hierarchical namespace is not supported. Return an empty list
         if namespace:
-            return []
+            return
 
-        database_list: list[DatabaseTypeDef] = []
         next_token: str | None = None
 
         while True:
             databases_response = self.glue.get_databases() if not next_token else self.glue.get_databases(NextToken=next_token)
-            database_list.extend(databases_response["DatabaseList"])
+            for database in databases_response["DatabaseList"]:
+                yield self.identifier_to_tuple(database["Name"])
             next_token = databases_response.get("NextToken")
             if not next_token:
                 break
 
-        return [self.identifier_to_tuple(database["Name"]) for database in database_list]
-
     def load_namespace_properties(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Properties:
         """Get properties for a namespace.
 
@@ -808,7 +806,7 @@ def update_namespace_properties(
 
         return properties_update_summary
 
-    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def drop_view(self, identifier: str | Identifier) -> None:
diff --git a/pyiceberg/catalog/hive.py b/pyiceberg/catalog/hive.py
index e096470451..1371eb6a79 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/catalog/hive.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/catalog/hive.py
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@
 import logging
 import socket
 import time
+from collections.abc import Iterator
 from types import TracebackType
 from typing import (
     TYPE_CHECKING,
@@ -464,7 +465,7 @@ def register_table(self, identifier: str | Identifier, metadata_location: str) -
 
         return self._convert_hive_into_iceberg(hive_table)
 
-    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def view_exists(self, identifier: str | Identifier) -> bool:
@@ -710,7 +711,7 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
         except MetaException as e:
             raise NoSuchNamespaceError(f"Database does not exists: {database_name}") from e
 
-    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List Iceberg tables under the given namespace in the catalog.
 
         When the database doesn't exist, it will just return an empty list.
@@ -719,14 +720,14 @@ def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
             namespace: Database to list.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: list of table identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of table identifiers.
 
         Raises:
             NoSuchNamespaceError: If a namespace with the given name does not exist, or the identifier is invalid.
         """
         database_name = self.identifier_to_database(namespace, NoSuchNamespaceError)
         with self._client as open_client:
-            return [
+            yield from [
                 (database_name, table.tableName)
                 for table in open_client.get_table_objects_by_name(
                     dbname=database_name, tbl_names=open_client.get_all_tables(db_name=database_name)
@@ -734,18 +735,18 @@ def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
                 if table.parameters.get(TABLE_TYPE, "").lower() == ICEBERG
             ]
 
-    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List namespaces from the given namespace. If not given, list top-level namespaces from the catalog.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: a List of namespace identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: an iterator of namespace identifiers.
         """
         # Hierarchical namespace is not supported. Return an empty list
         if namespace:
-            return []
+            return iter([])
 
         with self._client as open_client:
-            return list(map(self.identifier_to_tuple, open_client.get_all_databases()))
+            return map(self.identifier_to_tuple, open_client.get_all_databases())
 
     def load_namespace_properties(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Properties:
         """Get properties for a namespace.
diff --git a/pyiceberg/catalog/noop.py b/pyiceberg/catalog/noop.py
index ac2423c198..ae582361a7 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/catalog/noop.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/catalog/noop.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #  KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
 #  specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #  under the License.
+from collections.abc import Iterator
 from typing import (
     TYPE_CHECKING,
     Union,
@@ -102,10 +103,10 @@ def create_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier, properties: Properties =
     def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def load_namespace_properties(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Properties:
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ def update_namespace_properties(
     ) -> PropertiesUpdateSummary:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def view_exists(self, identifier: str | Identifier) -> bool:
diff --git a/pyiceberg/catalog/rest/__init__.py b/pyiceberg/catalog/rest/__init__.py
index 3b77fd47f0..5129df580a 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/catalog/rest/__init__.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/catalog/rest/__init__.py
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #  KIND, either express or implied.  See the License for the
 #  specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #  under the License.
+from collections.abc import Iterator
 from enum import Enum
 from typing import (
     TYPE_CHECKING,
@@ -598,7 +599,7 @@ def register_table(self, identifier: str | Identifier, metadata_location: str) -
         return self._response_to_table(self.identifier_to_tuple(identifier), table_response)
 
     @retry(**_RETRY_ARGS)
-    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def _fetch_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
         namespace_tuple = self._check_valid_namespace_identifier(namespace)
         namespace_concat = NAMESPACE_SEPARATOR.join(namespace_tuple)
         response = self._session.get(self.url(Endpoints.list_tables, namespace=namespace_concat))
@@ -608,6 +609,11 @@ def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
             _handle_non_200_response(exc, {404: NoSuchNamespaceError})
         return [(*table.namespace, table.name) for table in ListTablesResponse.model_validate_json(response.text).identifiers]
 
+    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
+        """List tables, returning an iterator to handle retry logic properly."""
+        tables = self._fetch_tables(namespace)
+        yield from tables
+
     @retry(**_RETRY_ARGS)
     def load_table(self, identifier: str | Identifier) -> Table:
         params = {}
@@ -679,7 +685,7 @@ def _remove_catalog_name_from_table_request_identifier(self, table_request: Comm
         return table_request
 
     @retry(**_RETRY_ARGS)
-    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def _fetch_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
         namespace_tuple = self._check_valid_namespace_identifier(namespace)
         namespace_concat = NAMESPACE_SEPARATOR.join(namespace_tuple)
         response = self._session.get(self.url(Endpoints.list_views, namespace=namespace_concat))
@@ -689,6 +695,10 @@ def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
             _handle_non_200_response(exc, {404: NoSuchNamespaceError})
         return [(*view.namespace, view.name) for view in ListViewsResponse.model_validate_json(response.text).identifiers]
 
+    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
+        """List views, returning an iterator to handle retry logic properly."""
+        yield from self._fetch_views(namespace)
+
     @retry(**_RETRY_ARGS)
     def commit_table(
         self, table: Table, requirements: tuple[TableRequirement, ...], updates: tuple[TableUpdate, ...]
@@ -756,7 +766,7 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
             _handle_non_200_response(exc, {404: NoSuchNamespaceError, 409: NamespaceNotEmptyError})
 
     @retry(**_RETRY_ARGS)
-    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def _fetch_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
         namespace_tuple = self.identifier_to_tuple(namespace)
         response = self._session.get(
             self.url(
@@ -772,6 +782,10 @@ def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
 
         return ListNamespaceResponse.model_validate_json(response.text).namespaces
 
+    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
+        """List namespaces, returning an iterator to handle retry logic properly."""
+        yield from self._fetch_namespaces(namespace)
+
     @retry(**_RETRY_ARGS)
     def load_namespace_properties(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Properties:
         namespace_tuple = self._check_valid_namespace_identifier(namespace)
diff --git a/pyiceberg/catalog/sql.py b/pyiceberg/catalog/sql.py
index 2b6fa74517..f8f8202808 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/catalog/sql.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/catalog/sql.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
 # specific language governing permissions and limitations
 # under the License.
 
+from collections.abc import Iterator
 from typing import (
     TYPE_CHECKING,
     Union,
@@ -568,8 +569,12 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
             raise NoSuchNamespaceError(f"Namespace does not exist: {namespace}")
 
         namespace_str = Catalog.namespace_to_string(namespace)
-        if tables := self.list_tables(namespace):
-            raise NamespaceNotEmptyError(f"Namespace {namespace_str} is not empty. {len(tables)} tables exist.")
+        tables = self.list_tables(namespace)
+        try:
+            next(tables)
+            raise NamespaceNotEmptyError(f"Namespace {namespace_str} is not empty. {len(list(tables))} tables exist.")
+        except StopIteration:
+            pass
 
         with Session(self.engine) as session:
             session.execute(
@@ -580,14 +585,14 @@ def drop_namespace(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> None:
             )
             session.commit()
 
-    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List tables under the given namespace in the catalog.
 
         Args:
             namespace (str | Identifier): Namespace identifier to search.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: list of table identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of table identifiers.
 
         Raises:
             NoSuchNamespaceError: If a namespace with the given name does not exist.
@@ -599,16 +604,17 @@ def list_tables(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
         stmt = select(IcebergTables).where(IcebergTables.catalog_name == self.name, IcebergTables.table_namespace == namespace)
         with Session(self.engine) as session:
             result = session.scalars(stmt)
-            return [(Catalog.identifier_to_tuple(table.table_namespace) + (table.table_name,)) for table in result]
+            identifiers = [(Catalog.identifier_to_tuple(table.table_namespace) + (table.table_name,)) for table in result]
+            yield from identifiers
 
-    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         """List namespaces from the given namespace. If not given, list top-level namespaces from the catalog.
 
         Args:
             namespace (str | Identifier): Namespace identifier to search.
 
         Returns:
-            List[Identifier]: a List of namespace identifiers.
+            Iterator[Identifier]: iterator of namespace identifiers.
 
         Raises:
             NoSuchNamespaceError: If a namespace with the given name does not exist.
@@ -629,7 +635,6 @@ def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
         with Session(self.engine) as session:
             namespace_tuple = Catalog.identifier_to_tuple(namespace)
             sub_namespaces_level_length = len(namespace_tuple) + 1
-
             namespaces = list(
                 {  # only get distinct namespaces
                     ns[:sub_namespaces_level_length]  # truncate to the required level
@@ -640,7 +645,7 @@ def list_namespaces(self, namespace: str | Identifier = ()) -> list[Identifier]:
                 }
             )
 
-            return namespaces
+            yield from namespaces
 
     def load_namespace_properties(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Properties:
         """Get properties for a namespace.
@@ -721,7 +726,7 @@ def update_namespace_properties(
             session.commit()
         return properties_update_summary
 
-    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> list[Identifier]:
+    def list_views(self, namespace: str | Identifier) -> Iterator[Identifier]:
         raise NotImplementedError
 
     def view_exists(self, identifier: str | Identifier) -> bool:
diff --git a/pyiceberg/cli/console.py b/pyiceberg/cli/console.py
index 9baa813eff..0f5ac7250b 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/cli/console.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/cli/console.py
@@ -108,13 +108,20 @@ def list(ctx: Context, parent: str | None) -> None:  # pylint: disable=redefined
     """List tables or namespaces."""
     catalog, output = _catalog_and_output(ctx)
 
-    identifiers = []
+    identifiers = None
     if parent:
-        # Do we have tables under parent namespace?
         identifiers = catalog.list_tables(parent)
-    if not identifiers:
-        # List hierarchical namespaces if parent, root namespaces otherwise.
+        try:
+            first_item = next(identifiers)
+            from itertools import chain
+
+            identifiers = chain([first_item], identifiers)
+        except StopIteration:
+            identifiers = None
+
+    if identifiers is None:
         identifiers = catalog.list_namespaces(parent or ())
+
     output.identifiers(identifiers)
 
 
diff --git a/pyiceberg/cli/output.py b/pyiceberg/cli/output.py
index 332221008c..a6581d087f 100644
--- a/pyiceberg/cli/output.py
+++ b/pyiceberg/cli/output.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 # under the License.
 import json
 from abc import ABC, abstractmethod
+from collections.abc import Iterator
 from typing import (
     Any,
 )
@@ -40,7 +41,7 @@ class Output(ABC):
     def exception(self, ex: Exception) -> None: ...
 
     @abstractmethod
-    def identifiers(self, identifiers: list[Identifier]) -> None: ...
+    def identifiers(self, identifiers: Iterator[Identifier]) -> None: ...
 
     @abstractmethod
     def describe_table(self, table: Table) -> None: ...
@@ -88,7 +89,7 @@ def exception(self, ex: Exception) -> None:
         else:
             Console(stderr=True).print(ex)
 
-    def identifiers(self, identifiers: list[Identifier]) -> None:
+    def identifiers(self, identifiers: Iterator[Identifier]) -> None:
         table = self._table
         for identifier in identifiers:
             table.add_row(".".join(identifier))
@@ -199,7 +200,7 @@ def _out(self, d: Any) -> None:
     def exception(self, ex: Exception) -> None:
         self._out({"type": ex.__class__.__name__, "message": str(ex)})
 
-    def identifiers(self, identifiers: list[Identifier]) -> None:
+    def identifiers(self, identifiers: Iterator[Identifier]) -> None:
         self._out([".".join(identifier) for identifier in identifiers])
 
     def describe_table(self, table: Table) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/catalog/integration_test_dynamodb.py b/tests/catalog/integration_test_dynamodb.py
index 6ae14bca06..87988f9237 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/integration_test_dynamodb.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/integration_test_dynamodb.py
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ def test_list_tables(test_catalog: Catalog, table_schema_nested: Schema, databas
     test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
     for table_name in table_list:
         test_catalog.create_table((database_name, table_name), table_schema_nested)
-    identifier_list = test_catalog.list_tables(database_name)
+    identifier_list = list(test_catalog.list_tables(database_name))
     assert len(identifier_list) == LIST_TEST_NUMBER
     for table_name in table_list:
         assert (database_name, table_name) in identifier_list
@@ -207,10 +207,10 @@ def test_create_namespace_with_comment_and_location(test_catalog: Catalog, datab
 def test_list_namespaces(test_catalog: Catalog, database_list: list[str]) -> None:
     for database_name in database_list:
         test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
-    db_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    db_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     for database_name in database_list:
         assert (database_name,) in db_list
-    assert len(test_catalog.list_namespaces(list(database_list)[0])) == 0
+    assert len(list(test_catalog.list_namespaces(list(database_list)[0]))) == 0
 
 
 def test_drop_namespace(test_catalog: Catalog, table_schema_nested: Schema, table_name: str, database_name: str) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/catalog/integration_test_glue.py b/tests/catalog/integration_test_glue.py
index c429770268..c73035b48e 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/integration_test_glue.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/integration_test_glue.py
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ def test_list_tables(test_catalog: Catalog, table_schema_nested: Schema, databas
     test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
     for table_name in table_list:
         test_catalog.create_table((database_name, table_name), table_schema_nested)
-    identifier_list = test_catalog.list_tables(database_name)
+    identifier_list = list(test_catalog.list_tables(database_name))
     assert len(identifier_list) == LIST_TEST_NUMBER
     for table_name in table_list:
         assert (database_name, table_name) in identifier_list
@@ -316,10 +316,10 @@ def test_create_namespace_with_comment_and_location(test_catalog: Catalog, datab
 def test_list_namespaces(test_catalog: Catalog, database_list: list[str]) -> None:
     for database_name in database_list:
         test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
-    db_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    db_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     for database_name in database_list:
         assert (database_name,) in db_list
-    assert len(test_catalog.list_namespaces(list(database_list)[0])) == 0
+    assert len(list(test_catalog.list_namespaces(list(database_list)[0]))) == 0
 
 
 def test_drop_namespace(test_catalog: Catalog, table_schema_nested: Schema, database_name: str, table_name: str) -> None:
diff --git a/tests/catalog/test_base.py b/tests/catalog/test_base.py
index 42702c8c2b..e68935d0a6 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/test_base.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/test_base.py
@@ -376,12 +376,12 @@ def test_list_namespaces(catalog: InMemoryCatalog) -> None:
     # Given
     catalog.create_namespace(TEST_TABLE_NAMESPACE, TEST_TABLE_PROPERTIES)
     # When
-    namespaces = catalog.list_namespaces()
+    namespaces = list(catalog.list_namespaces())
     # Then
     assert TEST_TABLE_NAMESPACE[:1] in namespaces
 
     # When
-    namespaces = catalog.list_namespaces(TEST_TABLE_NAMESPACE)
+    namespaces = list(catalog.list_namespaces(TEST_TABLE_NAMESPACE))
     # Then
     assert not namespaces
 
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ def test_list_tables_under_a_namespace(catalog: InMemoryCatalog) -> None:
     catalog.create_namespace(new_namespace)
     # When
     all_tables = catalog.list_tables(namespace=TEST_TABLE_NAMESPACE)
-    new_namespace_tables = catalog.list_tables(new_namespace)
+    new_namespace_tables = list(catalog.list_tables(new_namespace))
     # Then
     assert all_tables
     assert TEST_TABLE_IDENTIFIER in all_tables
diff --git a/tests/catalog/test_bigquery_metastore.py b/tests/catalog/test_bigquery_metastore.py
index c8c7584262..bfca9ec081 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/test_bigquery_metastore.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/test_bigquery_metastore.py
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def test_list_tables(mocker: MockFixture, gcp_dataset_name: str) -> None:
     catalog_name = "test_catalog"
     test_catalog = BigQueryMetastoreCatalog(catalog_name, **{"gcp.bigquery.project-id": "my-project"})
 
-    tables = test_catalog.list_tables(gcp_dataset_name)
+    tables = list(test_catalog.list_tables(gcp_dataset_name))
 
     # Assert that all tables returned by client.list_tables are listed
     assert len(tables) == 2
@@ -173,7 +173,7 @@ def test_list_namespaces(mocker: MockFixture) -> None:
     catalog_name = "test_catalog"
     test_catalog = BigQueryMetastoreCatalog(catalog_name, **{"gcp.bigquery.project-id": "my-project"})
 
-    namespaces = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    namespaces = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(namespaces) == 2
     assert ("dataset1",) in namespaces
     assert ("dataset2",) in namespaces
diff --git a/tests/catalog/test_dynamodb.py b/tests/catalog/test_dynamodb.py
index 5933e7d472..adf44bb0ec 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/test_dynamodb.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/test_dynamodb.py
@@ -417,7 +417,7 @@ def test_list_namespaces(_bucket_initialize: None, database_list: list[str]) ->
 def test_create_namespace_no_properties(_bucket_initialize: None, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog = DynamoDbCatalog("test_ddb_catalog")
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 1
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     properties = test_catalog.load_namespace_properties(database_name)
@@ -433,7 +433,7 @@ def test_create_namespace_with_comment_and_location(_bucket_initialize: None, da
     }
     test_catalog = DynamoDbCatalog("test_ddb_catalog")
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name, properties=test_properties)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 1
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     properties = test_catalog.load_namespace_properties(database_name)
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ def test_create_namespace_with_comment_and_location(_bucket_initialize: None, da
 def test_create_duplicated_namespace(_bucket_initialize: None, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog = DynamoDbCatalog("test_ddb_catalog")
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 1
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     with pytest.raises(NamespaceAlreadyExistsError):
@@ -456,11 +456,11 @@ def test_create_duplicated_namespace(_bucket_initialize: None, database_name: st
 def test_drop_namespace(_bucket_initialize: None, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog = DynamoDbCatalog("test_ddb_catalog")
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 1
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     test_catalog.drop_namespace(database_name)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 0
 
 
@@ -472,7 +472,7 @@ def test_drop_non_empty_namespace(
     test_catalog = DynamoDbCatalog("test_ddb_catalog", **{"warehouse": f"s3://{BUCKET_NAME}", "s3.endpoint": moto_endpoint_url})
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name)
     test_catalog.create_table(identifier, table_schema_nested)
-    assert len(test_catalog.list_tables(database_name)) == 1
+    assert len(list(test_catalog.list_tables(database_name))) == 1
     with pytest.raises(NamespaceNotEmptyError):
         test_catalog.drop_namespace(database_name)
 
diff --git a/tests/catalog/test_glue.py b/tests/catalog/test_glue.py
index 5273db22f8..aa64337fc0 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/test_glue.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/test_glue.py
@@ -465,7 +465,7 @@ def test_list_tables(
 
     for table_name in table_list:
         test_catalog.create_table((database_name, table_name), table_schema_nested)
-    loaded_table_list = test_catalog.list_tables(database_name)
+    loaded_table_list = list(test_catalog.list_tables(database_name))
 
     assert (database_name, non_iceberg_table_name) not in loaded_table_list
     assert (database_name, non_table_type_table_name) not in loaded_table_list
@@ -487,7 +487,7 @@ def test_list_namespaces(_bucket_initialize: None, moto_endpoint_url: str, datab
 def test_create_namespace_no_properties(_bucket_initialize: None, moto_endpoint_url: str, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog = GlueCatalog("glue", **{"s3.endpoint": moto_endpoint_url})
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 1
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     properties = test_catalog.load_namespace_properties(database_name)
@@ -503,7 +503,7 @@ def test_create_namespace_with_comment_and_location(_bucket_initialize: None, mo
     }
     test_catalog = GlueCatalog("glue", **{"s3.endpoint": moto_endpoint_url})
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name, properties=test_properties)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 1
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     properties = test_catalog.load_namespace_properties(database_name)
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ def test_create_namespace_with_comment_and_location(_bucket_initialize: None, mo
 def test_create_duplicated_namespace(_bucket_initialize: None, moto_endpoint_url: str, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog = GlueCatalog("glue", **{"s3.endpoint": moto_endpoint_url})
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 1
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     with pytest.raises(NamespaceAlreadyExistsError):
@@ -526,11 +526,11 @@ def test_create_duplicated_namespace(_bucket_initialize: None, moto_endpoint_url
 def test_drop_namespace(_bucket_initialize: None, moto_endpoint_url: str, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog = GlueCatalog("glue", **{"s3.endpoint": moto_endpoint_url})
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 1
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     test_catalog.drop_namespace(database_name)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert len(loaded_database_list) == 0
 
 
@@ -542,7 +542,7 @@ def test_drop_non_empty_namespace(
     test_catalog = GlueCatalog("glue", **{"s3.endpoint": moto_endpoint_url, "warehouse": f"s3://{BUCKET_NAME}/"})
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name)
     test_catalog.create_table(identifier, table_schema_nested)
-    assert len(test_catalog.list_tables(database_name)) == 1
+    assert len(list(test_catalog.list_tables(database_name))) == 1
     with pytest.raises(NamespaceNotEmptyError):
         test_catalog.drop_namespace(database_name)
 
diff --git a/tests/catalog/test_hive.py b/tests/catalog/test_hive.py
index 1a3978a045..4c6b43d2ab 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/test_hive.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/test_hive.py
@@ -1037,7 +1037,7 @@ def test_list_tables(hive_table: HiveTable) -> None:
     catalog._client.__enter__().get_all_tables.return_value = ["table1", "table2", "table3", "table4"]
     catalog._client.__enter__().get_table_objects_by_name.return_value = [tbl1, tbl2, tbl3, tbl4]
 
-    got_tables = catalog.list_tables("database")
+    got_tables = list(catalog.list_tables("database"))
     assert got_tables == [("database", "table1"), ("database", "table2")]
     catalog._client.__enter__().get_all_tables.assert_called_with(db_name="database")
     catalog._client.__enter__().get_table_objects_by_name.assert_called_with(
@@ -1051,7 +1051,7 @@ def test_list_namespaces() -> None:
     catalog._client = MagicMock()
     catalog._client.__enter__().get_all_databases.return_value = ["namespace1", "namespace2"]
 
-    assert catalog.list_namespaces() == [("namespace1",), ("namespace2",)]
+    assert list(catalog.list_namespaces()) == [("namespace1",), ("namespace2",)]
 
     catalog._client.__enter__().get_all_databases.assert_called()
 
diff --git a/tests/catalog/test_rest.py b/tests/catalog/test_rest.py
index b8bee00225..ebafa9327f 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/test_rest.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/test_rest.py
@@ -411,7 +411,7 @@ def test_list_tables_200(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
         request_headers=TEST_HEADERS,
     )
 
-    assert RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_tables(namespace) == [("examples", "fooshare")]
+    assert list(RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_tables(namespace)) == [("examples", "fooshare")]
 
 
 def test_list_tables_200_sigv4(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
@@ -423,9 +423,9 @@ def test_list_tables_200_sigv4(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
         request_headers=TEST_HEADERS,
     )
 
-    assert RestCatalog("rest", **{"uri": TEST_URI, "token": TEST_TOKEN, "rest.sigv4-enabled": "true"}).list_tables(namespace) == [
-        ("examples", "fooshare")
-    ]
+    assert list(
+        RestCatalog("rest", **{"uri": TEST_URI, "token": TEST_TOKEN, "rest.sigv4-enabled": "true"}).list_tables(namespace)
+    ) == [("examples", "fooshare")]
     assert rest_mock.called
 
 
@@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ def test_list_tables_404(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
         request_headers=TEST_HEADERS,
     )
     with pytest.raises(NoSuchNamespaceError) as e:
-        RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_tables(namespace)
+        list(RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_tables(namespace))
     assert "Namespace does not exist" in str(e.value)
 
 
@@ -457,7 +457,7 @@ def test_list_views_200(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
         request_headers=TEST_HEADERS,
     )
 
-    assert RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_views(namespace) == [("examples", "fooshare")]
+    assert list(RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_views(namespace)) == [("examples", "fooshare")]
 
 
 def test_list_views_200_sigv4(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
@@ -469,9 +469,9 @@ def test_list_views_200_sigv4(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
         request_headers=TEST_HEADERS,
     )
 
-    assert RestCatalog("rest", **{"uri": TEST_URI, "token": TEST_TOKEN, "rest.sigv4-enabled": "true"}).list_views(namespace) == [
-        ("examples", "fooshare")
-    ]
+    assert list(
+        RestCatalog("rest", **{"uri": TEST_URI, "token": TEST_TOKEN, "rest.sigv4-enabled": "true"}).list_views(namespace)
+    ) == [("examples", "fooshare")]
     assert rest_mock.called
 
 
@@ -490,7 +490,7 @@ def test_list_views_404(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
         request_headers=TEST_HEADERS,
     )
     with pytest.raises(NoSuchNamespaceError) as e:
-        RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_views(namespace)
+        list(RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_views(namespace))
     assert "Namespace does not exist" in str(e.value)
 
 
@@ -537,7 +537,7 @@ def test_list_namespaces_200(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
         status_code=200,
         request_headers=TEST_HEADERS,
     )
-    assert RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_namespaces() == [
+    assert list(RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_namespaces()) == [
         ("default",),
         ("examples",),
         ("fokko",),
@@ -552,7 +552,7 @@ def test_list_namespace_with_parent_200(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
         status_code=200,
         request_headers=TEST_HEADERS,
     )
-    assert RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_namespaces(("accounting",)) == [
+    assert list(RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_namespaces(("accounting",))) == [
         ("accounting", "tax"),
     ]
 
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ def test_list_namespace_with_parent_404(rest_mock: Mocker) -> None:
     )
 
     with pytest.raises(NoSuchNamespaceError):
-        RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_namespaces(("some_namespace",))
+        list(RestCatalog("rest", uri=TEST_URI, token=TEST_TOKEN).list_namespaces(("some_namespace",)))
 
 
 @pytest.mark.filterwarnings(
@@ -626,7 +626,7 @@ def test_list_namespaces_token_expired_success_on_retries(rest_mock: Mocker, sta
     # which results in the token being refreshed twice when the RestCatalog is initialized.
     assert tokens.call_count == 2
 
-    assert catalog.list_namespaces() == [
+    assert list(catalog.list_namespaces()) == [
         ("default",),
         ("examples",),
         ("fokko",),
@@ -635,7 +635,7 @@ def test_list_namespaces_token_expired_success_on_retries(rest_mock: Mocker, sta
     assert namespaces.call_count == 2
     assert tokens.call_count == 3
 
-    assert catalog.list_namespaces() == [
+    assert list(catalog.list_namespaces()) == [
         ("default",),
         ("examples",),
         ("fokko",),
diff --git a/tests/catalog/test_sql.py b/tests/catalog/test_sql.py
index 22b9883c6f..1ede8bf0ea 100644
--- a/tests/catalog/test_sql.py
+++ b/tests/catalog/test_sql.py
@@ -982,11 +982,11 @@ def test_list_tables(
     catalog.create_namespace(namespace_2)
     catalog.create_table(table_identifier_1, table_schema_nested)
     catalog.create_table(table_identifier_2, table_schema_nested)
-    identifier_list = catalog.list_tables(namespace_1)
+    identifier_list = list(catalog.list_tables(namespace_1))
     assert len(identifier_list) == 1
     assert table_identifier_1 in identifier_list
 
-    identifier_list = catalog.list_tables(namespace_2)
+    identifier_list = list(catalog.list_tables(namespace_2))
     assert len(identifier_list) == 1
     assert table_identifier_2 in identifier_list
 
@@ -1001,7 +1001,7 @@ def test_list_tables(
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("namespace", [lazy_fixture("database_name"), lazy_fixture("hierarchical_namespace_name")])
 def test_list_tables_when_missing_namespace(catalog: SqlCatalog, namespace: str) -> None:
     with pytest.raises(NoSuchNamespaceError):
-        catalog.list_tables(namespace)
+        list(catalog.list_tables(namespace))
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
@@ -1142,17 +1142,17 @@ def test_list_namespaces(catalog: SqlCatalog) -> None:
         if not catalog._namespace_exists(namespace):
             catalog.create_namespace(namespace)
 
-    ns_list = catalog.list_namespaces()
+    ns_list = list(catalog.list_namespaces())
     for ns in [("db",), ("db%",), ("db2",)]:
         assert ns in ns_list
 
-    ns_list = catalog.list_namespaces("db")
+    ns_list = list(catalog.list_namespaces("db"))
     assert sorted(ns_list) == [("db", "ns1"), ("db", "ns2")]
 
-    ns_list = catalog.list_namespaces("db.ns1")
+    ns_list = list(catalog.list_namespaces("db.ns1"))
     assert sorted(ns_list) == [("db", "ns1", "ns2")]
 
-    ns_list = catalog.list_namespaces("db.ns1.ns2")
+    ns_list = list(catalog.list_namespaces("db.ns1.ns2"))
     assert len(ns_list) == 0
 
 
@@ -1169,9 +1169,9 @@ def test_list_namespaces_fuzzy_match(catalog: SqlCatalog) -> None:
         if not catalog._namespace_exists(namespace):
             catalog.create_namespace(namespace)
 
-    assert catalog.list_namespaces("db.ns1") == [("db", "ns1", "ns2")]
+    assert list(catalog.list_namespaces("db.ns1")) == [("db", "ns1", "ns2")]
 
-    assert catalog.list_namespaces("db_.ns1") == [("db_", "ns1", "ns2")]
+    assert list(catalog.list_namespaces("db_.ns1")) == [("db_", "ns1", "ns2")]
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
@@ -1183,7 +1183,7 @@ def test_list_namespaces_fuzzy_match(catalog: SqlCatalog) -> None:
 )
 def test_list_non_existing_namespaces(catalog: SqlCatalog) -> None:
     with pytest.raises(NoSuchNamespaceError):
-        catalog.list_namespaces("does_not_exist")
+        list(catalog.list_namespaces("does_not_exist"))
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize(
diff --git a/tests/integration/test_catalog.py b/tests/integration/test_catalog.py
index 0c77666568..5e7c887b33 100644
--- a/tests/integration/test_catalog.py
+++ b/tests/integration/test_catalog.py
@@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ def test_list_tables(test_catalog: Catalog, table_schema_nested: Schema, databas
     test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
     for table_name in table_list:
         test_catalog.create_table((database_name, table_name), table_schema_nested)
-    identifier_list = test_catalog.list_tables(database_name)
+    identifier_list = list(test_catalog.list_tables(database_name))
     assert len(identifier_list) == len(table_list)
     for table_name in table_list:
         assert (database_name, table_name) in identifier_list
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ def test_concurrent_create_transaction(test_catalog: Catalog, test_schema: Schem
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("test_catalog", CATALOGS)
 def test_create_namespace(test_catalog: Catalog, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
-    assert (database_name,) in test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    assert (database_name,) in list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
 
 
 @pytest.mark.integration
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ def test_create_duplicate_namespace(test_catalog: Catalog, database_name: str) -
 def test_create_namepsace_if_not_exists(test_catalog: Catalog, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
     test_catalog.create_namespace_if_not_exists(database_name)
-    assert (database_name,) in test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    assert (database_name,) in list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
 
 
 @pytest.mark.integration
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ def test_create_namespace_with_comment(test_catalog: Catalog, database_name: str
         "comment": "this is a test description",
     }
     test_catalog.create_namespace(namespace=database_name, properties=test_properties)
-    loaded_database_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    loaded_database_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     assert (database_name,) in loaded_database_list
     properties = test_catalog.load_namespace_properties(database_name)
     assert properties["comment"] == "this is a test description"
@@ -446,23 +446,23 @@ def test_create_namespace_with_comment(test_catalog: Catalog, database_name: str
 def test_list_namespaces(test_catalog: Catalog, database_list: list[str]) -> None:
     for database_name in database_list:
         test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
-    db_list = test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    db_list = list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     for database_name in database_list:
         assert (database_name,) in db_list
-    assert len(test_catalog.list_namespaces(list(database_list)[0])) == 0
+    assert len(list(test_catalog.list_namespaces(list(database_list)[0]))) == 0
 
 
 @pytest.mark.integration
 @pytest.mark.parametrize("test_catalog", CATALOGS)
 def test_drop_namespace(test_catalog: Catalog, table_schema_nested: Schema, table_name: str, database_name: str) -> None:
     test_catalog.create_namespace(database_name)
-    assert (database_name,) in test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    assert (database_name,) in list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
     test_catalog.create_table((database_name, table_name), table_schema_nested)
     with pytest.raises(NamespaceNotEmptyError):
         test_catalog.drop_namespace(database_name)
     test_catalog.drop_table((database_name, table_name))
     test_catalog.drop_namespace(database_name)
-    assert (database_name,) not in test_catalog.list_namespaces()
+    assert (database_name,) not in list(test_catalog.list_namespaces())
 
 
 @pytest.mark.integration