Savannah’s Historic Squares: The Heart of Every Walking Tour
One of the first things visitors notice about Savannah is its layout.
Unlike most American cities, Savannah was designed around a series of public squares — open green spaces surrounded by historic homes, churches, and civic buildings. These squares are not only beautiful, they are central to understanding the city’s story.
If you’re considering a Savannah walking tour, exploring the historic squares will be one of the highlights of your experience.
How Many Squares Are in Savannah?
Savannah was originally designed in 1733 using a grid plan centered on public gathering spaces. Today, 22 of the original 24 historic squares remain, each with its own personality and history.
As you walk through the Historic District, you’ll notice:
Towering live oaks draped in Spanish moss
Monuments honoring notable figures
Quiet benches shaded from the Georgia sun
Architectural styles spanning centuries
Each square feels like an outdoor room — distinct yet connected.
Why the Squares Matter
The squares were not just decorative. They were intentionally designed to serve practical and social purposes in colonial Savannah.
Historically, they functioned as:
Community gathering spaces
Militia training grounds
Markets and public meeting areas
Centers for neighborhood life
Understanding the original city plan helps you see Savannah not just as a collection of pretty streets, but as a thoughtfully designed community.
What You Learn on a Guided Walking Tour
While it’s certainly possible to wander through the squares on your own, a guided Savannah walking tour brings context and connection to what you’re seeing.
On a tour, you’ll learn:
Why certain monuments were placed where they are
How the squares reflect Savannah’s colonial beginnings
Stories of the individuals memorialized within them
How preservation efforts saved much of the Historic District
Instead of simply admiring the scenery, you begin to understand how the city evolved over nearly three centuries.
A Comfortable Way to Explore
Savannah’s squares also make walking tours especially enjoyable.
Because the city was designed with these open spaces every few blocks, tours naturally move in short segments between shaded areas. This allows:
Frequent stops for storytelling
Opportunities to sit briefly if needed
A relaxed, unhurried pace
For visitors concerned about distance or heat, the square layout creates a surprisingly comfortable walking experience.
More Than Just Beautiful Backdrops
Many visitors come to Savannah drawn by its charm and architecture. The squares provide some of the city’s most photographed views — but their deeper significance is what makes a guided experience worthwhile.
Each square tells part of Savannah’s story.
Together, they form the framework of one of America’s most carefully preserved historic cities.
Experience the Squares the Way They Were Meant to Be Experienced
A Savannah walking tour weaves the squares together into a cohesive narrative — connecting people, events, architecture, and city planning into a story that unfolds block by block.
By the end of the tour, the squares feel less like pretty parks and more like living chapters of Savannah’s history.
