12 Fortified Port Cities Where History Meets the Ocean Waves

5. Galle, Sri Lanka: Where Spice Routes Met Star Forts

Initially built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and extensively fortified by the Dutch in the 17th, Galle Fort is a stunning example of a European-style star fort in South Asia. Its ramparts, built from coral and granite, have withstood tsunamis and time, enclosing a charming city where colonial architecture blends with local traditions. Once a bustling port for the spice trade, walking its breezy walls offers views of the Indian Ocean, the historic lighthouse, and a palpable sense of history where East met West.