Ellis Square in Savannah — Live Webcam

Live Stream from Ellis Square in Savannah

This live webcam shows an outdoor café terrace at Ellis Square — one of the central squares in Savannah's historic district, Georgia. The camera is positioned at height and covers not only the terrace itself with its wooden tables and green umbrellas, but also the adjacent part of the square with pedestrians, trees, and facades of historic buildings. If you want to soak up the atmosphere of a southern city with its unhurried rhythm, this live camera is a great way to see Savannah in real time.

Ellis Square — From Market Square to Modern Hub

Ellis Square is not just a dot on the map — it's a place with nearly three centuries of history. The square was founded in 1733 as Market Square and is one of the original four squares of Savannah laid out by General James Oglethorpe. For more than two centuries, a public market operated here — trading continued from 1733 until 1954. After the market functions moved elsewhere, the square went through a period of decline, but was later restored and today remains one of the most vibrant spots in the city.

Ellis Square is located on Barnard Street and West St. Julian Street in the northern row of the city's five rows of squares. This place has always attracted merchants, travelers, and locals — first as a marketplace, and now as a magnet with cafes, restaurants, and art galleries.

Savannah's Unique Square Grid

What makes Savannah architecturally unique is the square layout conceived by General Oglethorpe back in 1733. Savannah's historic district includes 22 squares (now 23 with Yamacraw Square) spread across one square mile within the National Landmark Historic District. Each square is surrounded by 8 blocks: 4 residential (tything) and 4 civic (trust). Most squares are named after people or historical events and feature monuments, statues, memorials, and plaques.

Ellis Square is the most "urban" of all Savannah's squares. Unlike the quiet green oases such as Monterey Square or Chippewa Square, there's always life buzzing here. Brick paving, open-air café terraces, a steady flow of pedestrians — this is where history meets everyday life.

City Market — The Heart of Savannah Since the 1700s

Adjacent to Ellis Square lies City Market — a historic market complex that's alive and bustling day and night. City Market was founded in the 1700s and originally occupied the site of present-day Ellis Square, and today stretches from Ellis Square to Franklin Square. The first market building was constructed in 1755, and for centuries this place was called the "heart of Savannah" — residents came here to buy food, goods, and services.

Today, City Market is an open space filled with restaurants, art galleries, bars, and shops. You can find a unique museum with a Zagat-rated speakeasy, try Southern cuisine, or simply watch street performers. The live camera at Ellis Square gives you a chance to see visitors moving between the café and the market.

Cafes and Restaurants at Ellis Square

The outdoor terrace shown on this live webcam is part of one of the dining spots on the square. Nearby is The Collins Quarter — a popular restaurant at 151 Bull Street, styled after Collins Street in Melbourne, Australia. This venue combines elements of a bar, cafe, and restaurant, offering dishes for every taste in a relaxed atmosphere.

Ellis Square is an ideal spot for people-watching. You'll always see tourists with cameras, locals enjoying their morning coffee, street performers, and musicians. Decorative flower boxes, green umbrellas over tables, brick paving underfoot — it all creates that very atmosphere of Southern hospitality that people travel to Savannah for.

What to See Nearby

If this location caught your eye through the live camera, it's worth knowing what's within walking distance of Ellis Square. The Savannah River and the famous River Street are just a few minutes' walk to the north. It's an embankment with stone steps leading from the historic district down to the river — one of the most photographed spots in the city.

Madison Square, located to the west, has a bloody history — it was one of the battle sites during the Battle of Savannah in the Revolutionary War. And if you head south, you'll find yourself near the Botanical Garden and the old mansions of the Southern aristocracy.

Savannah Through the Seasons

The live webcam operates around the clock, and the square looks different depending on the season. In spring and summer, the green umbrellas and flower beds create a shady oasis among the brick facades. In fall, Savannah is mild and warm — temperatures rarely drop below 59°F even in December. In winter, the square empties out but doesn't lose its charm — the brick paving after rain reflects the lanterns and café windows.

At night, Ellis Square transforms. Historic building illumination, light from restaurant windows, the occasional passerby — a completely different atmosphere, more intimate and quiet. If you're watching this live camera in the evening, you'll see Savannah as locals see it after dinner.

What You Can See on the Camera

This live webcam shows a bird's-eye view of Ellis Square in Savannah's historic center, Georgia. In the foreground — an outdoor café terrace with rows of wooden tables and chairs, green umbrellas, and decorative flower beds in boxes. A brick two-story building with a green awning, white window frames, and entryways. To the right — the square with trees, a clock on the building facade, and pedestrians. In the background — city buildings of various heights, including brick and stucco structures. A street with cars runs along the perimeter of the square. The square's surface is covered with red brick paving.