15 Beautiful and Lesser Known Squares in the World

Piazza Grande, Arezzo, Italy
Piazza Grande in Arezzo is one of the oldest medieval squares in Italy, dating back to the 13th century. Piazza Grande was once the main centre of the local market and still even exchanges trade today. The artistic geometrical floor design is surrounded with the precious landmarks including the church of Santa Maria della Pieve.

Tartini Square, Piran, Slovenia
Once upon a time Tartini Square in Piran was a small docking port for fishing vessels and other small boats. As time goes by the dock became surrounded by more and more buildings and monuments, so in 1894 the dock was buried and remains were transformed into a tourism square.

Plaza de Armas, Durango, Mexico
Unlike the other more popular holiday regions in Mexico, Durango is far from the typical complex resorts. To get a true taste of the country, Plaza de Armas is the perfect spot to catch the real essence of Mexican culture with space to relax, dine, socialize and listen to local musicians and bands.

Seillans Town Square, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Nestled deep into the French valleys the small village of Seillans is a rural part of France with the town square as its focal point. The square itself boasts a beautiful fountain and local surrounding eateries. Seillans is a great place to explore even if you are just passing by.

Senado Square, Macau, China
For over 400 years Macau had been a Portuguese colony, contributing to the thorough European atmosphere at this tiny Chinese territory. Senado Square is one of the largest squares in Macau. Also known as the “Las Vegas of the East”, Macau is the only city in China where gambling is allowed, and generates annual gaming revenues seven times that of Las Vegas!

Marktplatz, Leonberg, Germany
The colourful marketplace at Leonberg is a hub of activities for locals and visitors alike. Leonberg is famous for its horse market which takes place in February every year and to mark this occasion a procession marches through the town on the second Tuesday of the month.

Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, Lucca, Italy
Piazza dell'Anfiteatro is not exactly a square and in fact is completely round shaped. Originally built for spectacles and gladiators games, it was designed as an entertainment centre outside of the Roman town much like an amphitheatre. The deep shades of yellow and orange highlight the age and rustic charm this medieval town has.

Moseley Square, Adelaide, Australia
Located practically on the beach front, Moseley Square in Adelaide is a popular meeting place amongst the locals. The open public area is home to Glenelg Town Hall as well as numerous trendy shops, restaurants and refreshment stands - all only a short walk from the beach.

Plaça Reial, Barcelona, Spain
Placa Reial in Spanish means “Royal Plaza”, next to the well known La Rambla this square is a mingling hotspot in the Catalan capital. As the evening falls into the night the plaza becomes a thriving entertainment hub with many bars and restaurants, catering to all different cuisines.

Place Bellecour, Lyon, France
Right in the centre of Lyon, France Place Bellecour is one of the largest open squares in France. The square attracts visitors from around the world and is easily recognisable because of the statue of King Louis XIV and it is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Washington Square Park, New York City, USA
Out of all the many public spaces, Washington Square Park is one of the most beautiful areas in New York City. Set in the neighbourhood of Manhattan, this square is located at the entrance to the park and is home to landmarks including the Washington Square Arch and the park's fountain, which has long been a favourite spot of local residents and as well as holiday makers.

Durbar Square, Kathmandu, Nepal
Durbar Square is actually one of three Royal Palace squares in the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal. The craftsmanship and impressive attention to detail on the ancient buildings which surround the square are truly impressive - a place in the city that overflows with cultural and historical significance.

Grote Markt square, Leuven, Belgium
Since the 14th century, the Grote Markt, or Grand Square, in Leuven, Belgium has been the heart of this historic city, with period landmarks and buildings dominating the skyline. At centre stage is the town hall which is a prime example of the city's imposing gothic style architecture.

Castle Hill, Lincoln, England
Castle Hill an open area between the historic Lincoln Castle and the gargantuan Lincoln Cathedral (see image). The castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1068 and has been a showcasing point of interest ever since. The fairy-tale setting and fresh landscapes make this a beautiful place to explore.

Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Isfahan, Iran
The magnificent Naqsh-e Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square or Shah Square, is considered a very important historical site in Iran; it has been bestowed with the status as one of the world's UNESCO Heritage sites. Located on the south side of the square, the The Shah Mosque takes pride of place and is regarded as one of the most exquisite mosques in the region.