Public spaces are areas that are open and accessible to everyone. Streets (including sidewalks), public squares, parks, and beaches are generally considered public spaces. To a limited extent, government buildings open to the public, such as public libraries, are public spaces, although they often have restricted areas and limited uses. While not considered public spaces, privately owned buildings or properties visible from public sidewalks and thoroughfares can impact the public visual landscape, such as through outdoor advertising. Recently, the concept of public space has been developed to enhance the pedestrian experience in areas shared with cars and other vehicles.

Public spaces have become important for critical theories in philosophy, (urban) geography, visual arts, cultural studies, social studies, and urban design. The term 'public space' is often misunderstood to mean other things, such as 'gathering places,' which are components of the larger concept of social space.