Whenever I travel to a new city, I always start off at the city square, or in rural areas, the town square. It is where you can find almost anything you may need that you forgot to pack and bring with you. From necessities like shampoo or coffee, to souvenirs or that extra memory card, more often than not, you can find it here.

I like to call it the heart of the city. A meeting point of locals and tourists alike. In smaller towns, everything happens here – from parades to town events. The best thing I love about these squares – the architecture of the buildings around it. You can sit in the middle and just admire how one can build such a beautiful structure with those intricate details.

After a few years of traveling, I’ve gathered my favorite photos of city squares around the world. Now tell me, which city/town square is yours?

1/Times Square, New York  2/Grote Markt, Brussels 3/Red Square, Moscow 4/Piazza San Pietro, Vatican 5/Plaza de Armas, Cusco