You know what’s seriously underrated? City squares! It’s hard to believe but many people cross these concrete slabs without taking a second to think about the history that has unfolded on their surfaces. Today they are giant outdoor living rooms but back in the the day they saw everything from royal proclamations to revolutionary protests, bustling markets to romantic meetups.
These magnificent open spaces offer more than pretty photo opportunities. They pulse with authentic European life, showcasing the heartbeat of each city (if you can escape the obvious tourist traps). Ready for a whirlind tour of the continent’s most jaw dropping urban spaces? Grab your virtual passport, these squares deserve spots on your must visit list.
12. Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy
Piazza Navona sits on the site of an ancient stadium, maintaining the distinctive oval shape where Romans once cheered during chariot races. Today, this baroque masterpiece captivates with three magnificent fountains. The Fountain of Four Rivers stands out as Bernini’s crowning achievement, with marble river gods locked in eternal conversation.
The square buzzes with energy as street artists sketch caricatures, musicians play guitars, and cafés spill onto the cobblestones. Grab a gelato and join the nightly passeggiata, the traditional evening stroll where everyone parades around showing off their finest outfits. Just watch your wallet, those charming pickpockets work as skillfully as the artists.
11. Marienplatz, Munich, Germany
Munich’s central square has served as the city’s main gathering spot since 1158. The dominating Neo Gothic New Town Hall makes your neck hurt from looking up so high. The famous Glockenspiel clock performs its charming mechanical dance of figurines several times daily, causing crowds to gather with phones pointed skyward.
December transforms the square into a winter wonderland with one of Europe’s most magical Christmas markets. The air fills with the scent of glühwein and roasted chestnuts while twinkling lights create the perfect holiday atmosphere. Even on regular days, the surrounding pedestrian zones make this area perfect for shopping and people watching.
10. Praça do Comércio, Lisbon, Portugal
This stunning waterfront square faces the Tagus River with absolute confidence. The massive triumphal arch leads to downtown Lisbon, while bright yellow buildings frame three sides of the plaza. The sunshine bounces off these facades, creating a permanently sunlit mood regardless of your travel blues.
Commerce Square reflects its historical importance as the center of maritime trade during Portugal’s age of discovery. The square rarely feels overcrowded, offering a refreshing break from some of Europe’s more tourist packed plazas. For the best experience, head to one of the rooftop bars overlooking this magnificent riverside space with a glass of local vinho verde in hand.
9. Plaza Mayor, Madrid, Spain
Hidden in the maze of Madrid’s old town, Plaza Mayor surprises visitors with perfect symmetry and striking red façades. This rectangular square dates back to the Habsburg period and hosted everything from bullfights to public executions. Today you’ll find much tamer activities, thankfully.
The frescoed House of the Bakery demands attention, now functioning as the city’s tourist office. King Philip III watches over everything from his bronze horse in the center. Duck into one of the traditional bars for tapas, or better yet, try the famous calamari sandwiches at Bar La Campana just off the square. The surrounding arcades provide perfect shelter during rain showers, proving practical Spanish design exists alongside beauty.
8. Grand Place, Brussels, Belgium
Brussels’ Grand Place surrounds you with ornate guildhalls dripping with gold details. Each building tells the story of a different medieval guild, showcasing the wealth of this historical trading center. The Gothic Town Hall with its soaring spire creates an unforgettable skyline against blue skies or starry nights.
Every two years in August, the square hosts the Flower Carpet, when over a million begonias create a stunning temporary tapestry covering the entire plaza. Visit at night when strategic lighting makes the gold details shimmer against the darkness. The surrounding chocolate shops and waffle stands make resistance futile. Your diet starts after vacation anyway, right?
7. Trafalgar Square, London, England
Admiral Nelson stands tall atop his column in this iconic London square, surrounded by four bronze lion statues that countless tourists try to climb for photos. The National Gallery provides a stunning backdrop, while the square serves as London’s unofficial gathering place for celebrations, protests, and public events.
The square’s famous fountains and fourth plinth rotate contemporary art installations, giving the traditional space a dynamic modern feel. The square stays lively regardless of London’s notoriously fickle weather. Surprisingly tame pigeons provide entertainment for kids, though feeding them officially became prohibited years ago.
6. Old Town Square, Prague, Czechia
Prague’s Old Town Square offers a spectacular architectural history lesson in one glance. Gothic spires of Týn Church reach skyward on one side, the baroque St. Nicholas Church sits on another, while the medieval Astronomical Clock draws crowds hourly. The colorful buildings surrounding the square create a storybook setting in any season.
Street performers entertain visitors year round, from musicians to bubble makers delighting children. Christmas and Easter markets transform the space with wooden stalls selling crafts, food, and hot drinks. For an unforgettable perspective, climb the Old Town Hall Tower for a bird’s eye view of this medieval masterpiece with Prague Castle in the distance.
5. Main Square, Kraków, Poland
Kraków boasts Europe’s largest medieval town square, spanning nearly 4 hectares and remarkably preserved since its 13th century origins. The Renaissance Cloth Hall dominates the center, where merchants still sell amber jewelry and folk crafts from stalls echoing the square’s trading history.
St. Mary’s Basilica watches over the square with mismatched towers, from which a trumpeter plays a tune that breaks off mid note. This commemorates a 13th century trumpeter shot while warning the city of Mongol invaders. The atmosphere remains lively after dark as Kraków’s famous nightlife spills into the square. Students, tourists, and locals mingle in this perfectly preserved medieval setting.
4. Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy
Napoleon called it “the drawing room of Europe,” and Venice’s St. Mark’s Square absolutely delivers. Byzantine splendor surrounds you with St. Mark’s Basilica, the Renaissance perfection of the Campanile bell tower, and the Gothic intricacy of the Doge’s Palace. Beauty greets you from every angle.
Occasional acqua alta floods the square, creating temporary walkways and dreamy reflections of the surrounding architecture in the water. Historic Caffè Florian offers classic Venetian coffee experiences dating back to 1720, though prepare for premium prices. The square transforms throughout the day as cruise ship crowds come and go, making early morning or evening visits ideal for a more peaceful experience.
3. Plaza Mayor, Salamanca, Spain
Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor glows golden in the sunset thanks to locally quarried sandstone that radiates warmth unlike any other European square. Built between 1729 and 1756, the perfectly symmetrical baroque plaza features 88 arches and medallions bearing faces of Spanish royalty and cultural figures.
Students from the city’s historic university, one of Europe’s oldest, mix with tourists in the many cafés lining the square. The plaza remains wonderfully authentic and free from major international chains and fast food restaurants (a rarity these days!). Local businesses thrive here, offering authentic Spanish food and atmosphere. The square truly comes alive after 10pm when Spanish dinner hours begin and the real social scene unfolds.
2. Piazza Del Campo, Siena, Italy
Shaped like a gently sloping seashell, this unique medieval square serves as Siena’s communal living space. The distinctive herringbone brick pattern divides the piazza into nine sections, representing the Council of Nine who once ruled the city. The Gothic Palazzo Pubblico and its soaring Torre del Mangia create a dramatic backdrop for daily Sienese life.
Twice each summer, the square transforms for the famous Palio horse race. Bareback riders representing Siena’s historic districts thunder around a track created at the piazza’s perimeter while thousands cheer from the center and surrounding buildings. This remains one of Italy’s most perfectly preserved medieval spaces.
1. Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City
Bernini created a masterpiece with the massive colonnaded arms of St. Peter’s Square. The space simultaneously feels vast yet intimate, drawing visitors toward the basilica with curved architectural precision. The Egyptian obelisk at the center has witnessed nearly two millennia of history, while the basilica’s façade provides a backdrop of unparalleled grandeur.
The perfectly aligned colonnades create an optical illusion. Stand on specific marble discs marking perfect alignment spots to see multiple columns appear as just one. The square’s enormous scale becomes apparent only when standing among crowds during major events. Whether packed with thousands of believers or hosting just a handful of tourists on a quiet morning, this space maintains serene majesty. The spiritual significance combined with architectural perfection rightfully earns Vatican City’s central square the top spot among Europe’s magnificent public spaces.
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