Golden hour transforms Savannah’s historic squares into magical photography spots where Spanish moss glows and fountain water sparkles like liquid gold. The city’s 24 public squares each offer unique charm, but some shine brighter than others when bathed in that perfect evening light. Professional photographers and Instagram enthusiasts alike flock to these enchanting locations where centuries-old architecture meets nature’s daily masterpiece. Ready to capture Savannah at its most photogenic?
1. Forsyth Park & Forsyth Park Fountain
While technically a park rather than a traditional square, Forsyth Park’s northern entrance houses Savannah’s most photographed landmark. The 1858 cast-iron fountain becomes absolutely magical during golden hour when warm light dances across its white surface.
Massive live oaks frame this iconic centerpiece perfectly, creating natural borders for your shots. The fountain’s intricate Victorian details pop beautifully against the soft evening glow, while the surrounding water catches and reflects every ray of golden sunlight.
Position yourself on the park’s main walkway for classic frontal shots, or circle around to capture unique angles through the Spanish moss curtains.
2. Chippewa Square
Movie magic lives on in this charming square where Forrest Gump’s famous bench scenes brought worldwide attention. Though the bench was just a Hollywood prop, the square’s timeless beauty remains absolutely real and stunning.
General Oglethorpe’s bronze statue commands the center while magnificent oak trees create a natural canopy overhead. Evening side-lighting transforms this space into a photographer’s dream, casting dramatic shadows between the moss-draped branches.
The surrounding historic buildings provide gorgeous backdrops, especially when golden light hits their brick facades. Circle the square slowly to find your perfect angle as the light shifts and changes throughout the magic hour.
3. Monterey Square
Elegant and refined, Monterey Square showcases the towering Pulaski Monument from 1854 as its dramatic centerpiece. This impressive tribute to the Revolutionary War hero creates striking silhouettes against the evening sky.
The famous Mercer-Williams House anchors one side of the square, its red brick facade glowing warmly in late-day sunlight. Moss-draped oak branches frame every angle beautifully, while the low western sun highlights architectural details you might miss during harsh midday light.
Photographers love how the monument’s height adds vertical drama to compositions. The surrounding historic mansions provide stunning backdrops, each telling its own story through weathered brick and ornate ironwork details.
4. Lafayette Square
Lafayette Square offers photographers a perfect blend of intimate fountain charm and majestic cathedral views. The central fountain, dedicated to the Sisters of Mercy, provides a lovely focal point for close-up shots during golden hour.
Behind the square rises the magnificent Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist, its twin spires reaching toward heaven. Evening light catches these Gothic towers beautifully while the square’s lush greenery stays luminous and inviting below.
The contrast between the delicate fountain and imposing cathedral creates compelling compositions. Smart photographers use the fountain as a foreground element while capturing the cathedral’s dramatic silhouette against the golden sky behind.
5. Madison Square
Madison Square honors Sergeant William Jasper with a striking bronze monument surrounded by some of Savannah’s most impressive oak trees. These ancient giants create a natural cathedral of branches and Spanish moss overhead.
The Gothic Revival Green-Meldrim House flanks the square, its architectural details becoming more pronounced in the warm evening light. Late-day sunlight filters through the moss in absolutely magical ways, creating natural spotlights and shadows.
Photographers often call this square the most atmospheric during golden hour because of how dramatically the light plays through the heavy moss curtains. Every angle offers something different as the light shifts and dances through the natural canopy above.
6. Johnson Square
History runs deep in Johnson Square, Savannah’s oldest and largest public square dating back to 1733. Twin fountains flank the impressive Nathanael Greene monument, creating multiple focal points for creative compositions during golden hour.
Long axial views stretch in every direction, lined with magnificent live oaks that have witnessed centuries of city life. The granite monument and surrounding stonework warm beautifully in evening light, while the abundant greenery stays fresh and vibrant.
The square’s generous size allows photographers plenty of room to experiment with different perspectives and angles. Golden hour brings out rich textures in both the historic granite work and the natural beauty of the towering oak canopy above.
7. Columbia Square
Columbia Square offers a quieter, more intimate photography experience away from the typical tourist crowds. The charming central fountain, originally from Wormsloe Plantation, adds historical intrigue to every shot you capture here.
Surrounding 18th and 19th-century homes create an authentic neighborhood feel that many other squares have lost to commercialization. The square’s smaller scale means golden hour light feels softer and more balanced, perfect for portrait work or detail shots.
Local photographers consider this a hidden gem because visitors often overlook it in favor of more famous locations. The peaceful atmosphere and gorgeous historic architecture make it ideal for capturing Savannah’s residential charm during that magical evening light.
8. Wright Square
Wright Square stands out immediately thanks to its striking pink granite monument honoring William Washington Gordon. This unique stone catches and reflects golden hour light in ways that photographers absolutely love capturing.
As one of Savannah’s original squares, Wright Square maintains an authentic historic atmosphere surrounded by beautiful period facades. The warm evening light brings out rich tones in both the distinctive pink stone and the surrounding brick architecture.
The monument’s unusual color creates opportunities for truly unique photographs that stand apart from typical Savannah shots. Golden hour intensifies the stone’s natural pink hues while warming the historic buildings that frame this special square perfectly.
