Praça João Lisboa is one of the smaller squares in the historic centre, named for João Francisco Lisboa, a 19th-century journalist and historian born in São Luís who wrote extensively about Maranhão's history and culture. The square has a small statue of Lisboa and a few benches where residents sit in the evenings.
The square is surrounded by some of the better-preserved azulejo facades in Praia Grande, making it a good spot for photography. In the late afternoon when the light is right, the reflections of the tile patterns create a shifting visual effect. It's a quieter alternative to the main Praça Benedito Leite when you want to sit and absorb the city without being in the middle of the tourist activity.