▲Located on the banks of the inspirational Tagus river, Lisbon's Praça do Comércio is regarded as one of Europe's most graceful squares. It marks the central riverfront area of Portugal's capital city.

▲This square's name was inspired by the fact that it sits at the center of a triangle made up of the National Congress (seat of the legislative power) the Palácio do Planalto, (seat of the executive power) and the Supreme Federal court (seat of the judiciary power). It's a well-known Brasília city reference point. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.0)

▲The rectangular and relatively symmetrical outlook of Madrid's Plaza Mayor is the result of successive monarchs' grand designs. However, most of the square's features are attributed to Philip III, whose statue stands proudly in the center.

▲The Piazza Navona is one of Rome's most famous squares. Lined with historical buildings and fabulous examples of baroque architecture, it has become a must-see for tourists from all over the world.

▲Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Exhibition, the Plaza de España is a striking example of Sevillian architecture. Tourists who visit the city should not skip an opportunity to stroll through this stunning square.

▲Also known as Fed Square, this destination is an important cultural focal point in Melbourne. The area is home to many museums, cinemas, theaters, and restaurants, which together form a real hub of leisure in this vibrant Australian city.

▲The official name of Mexico City's biggest square is the Plaza de la Constituición, but it has been called Zócalo since the 19th century. This is because there was a plan to construct a huge monument here to celebrate the country's independence, but it never materialized.

▲Located in the center of Isfahan, this is one of the largest and most compelling squares in the world. It's surrounded by magnificent Islamic buildings from the Safavid era—among the most significant ruling Persian dynasties.

▲This square marks the iconic historical center of colonial Cusco. It's built over an important ceremonial site used by the Incas.

▲Set in the center of London, the square pays tribute to the Battle of Trafalgar, in which Admiral Lord Nelson defeated the combined fleets of the French and Spanish Navies in 1805.

▲Located in the heart of Marrakesh's old city, this ancient square, also known as Jemaa el-Fnaa, is crammed with food stalls, wandering tourists, and local inhabitants. It's a scene straight out of 'One Thousand and One Nights.'

▲After ambling through the narrow, winding streets of Siena, arriving in this vast medieval square (the venue of the biannual Palio horse race) makes any visitor catch their breath in awe. You'll see the magnificent Palazzo Pubblico here, and the impressive Torre del Mangia, a 102-m-high (334-ft) clock tower that was built in the 14th century.

▲Technically, Times Square is not a square at all. In fact, it's more akin to a concourse separating two major streets. Nevertheless it's an iconic area, and a makes for a typical Big Apple postcard scene.

▲The landmark St Peter's Square unfolds in front of Vatican City's St Peter's Basilica, one of the holiest Catholic shrines. The square is adorned with dozens of statues of saints and at its center stands an Egyptian obelisk, a symbol of the dominance of the church over paganism.

▲Old Town Square, or Staromestké Nám as the locals call it, dominates Prague's historical center. It's a huge square crammed with street artists, souvenir shops, restaurants, and tourists of all ages.

▲The Grand Place in Brussels has been the central business and social hub of the city for almost 1,000 years. The diverse architectural styles of the buildings and their rich histories afforded this square the status of UNESCO World Heritage Site.

▲Kraków's Main Square is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. Around its edges are some of the best places to stay in the city, as well as excellent restaurants, bars and cafés. Market Square is a UNESCO world heritage site.

▲Moscow's main gathering point for public demonstrations is also a place of great tourist interest, thanks to the incredible buildings which surround it. The walls of the Kremlin and the vividly colored St. Basil's Cathedral bring beauty and intrigue to the square.

▲Place de la République marks the junction of several of Paris' biggest streets, and is one of the main places for public demonstrations, both cultural and political.

▲A major Istanbul gathering point and famed for its collection of restaurants, shops, and hotels, Taksim Square is also noted for its Republic Monument, inaugurated in 1928.

▲The beautiful Plaza de Mayo is a point of reference in Buenos Aires. It sits between the Casa Rosada, seat of the Argentinian government, the city hall, and the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Cathedral.

▲Also known as the square of Heavenly Peace, Tiananmen Square achieved notoriety in 1989 as the location of student unrest and the subsequent crackdown during the pro-democracy demonstrations that shocked the world. Today, locals and tourists wander the area freely.

▲One of the most magnificent squares in the world, Piazza San Marco in Venice is one of the best places from which to appreciate the city's unique sights, and take in restaurants and museums.

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Some of the world's most compelling travel destinations are city and town squares, the often vast open public spaces that serve as community gatherings for both political and cultural purposes.

Noted for their architectural splendor, public squares fulfill all sorts of functions and are suitable for markets, concerts, and rallies, among other events. As principal city center reference points, they also make ideal places for visitors to meet up before exploring further.

Browse the gallery and start circling some of the most famous and attractive squares in the world.

▲Designed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart around 1699, most of the structures in this Paris square are historic monuments. In other words, it's definitely worth a look.

▲This architectural wonder found in Nancy, in the French region of Lorraine, was constructed in the 18th century by architect Emmanuel Héré. It's been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.

▲Regarded as the vibrant, beating heart of Amsterdam, Dam Square is home to a collection of fascinating historical buildings, and serves as a traditional meeting point for locals and tourists alike.

▲This charming Bremen Old City attraction lures visitors to its well-preserved historical buildings. Marktplatz is the setting for one of the Brothers Grimm's stories.

▲This fabulous St Petersburg landmark is of great historical significance, not least as the location of the imposing Winter Palace and the site, in part, of the October Revolution of 1917.

▲This beautiful square is one of several nestling among Old Havana's back streets. But Plaza de la Catedral has a colonial charm all of its own.

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Munich's historic central square, which dates back to 1158, was mercifully saved from destruction during the Second World War. It's the location of one of Europe's most colorful and lively Christmas markets.

▲This Edinburgh square was designed in the late 18th century by Robert Adam. Notable for its neoclassical architectural, it's also home to the Edinburgh International Book Festival, one of the most important literary events in the world.

Discover the world's grandest squares

Over the course of history these wide public spaces have also become famous visitor destinations

09/12/20 por StarsInsider

TRAVEL Squares

Some of the world's most compelling travel destinations are city and town squares, the often vast open public spaces that serve as community gatherings for both political and cultural purposes.

Browse the gallery and start circling some of the most famous and attractive squares in the world.