Antic

Introduction

Whilst ambling along the cobblestoned pathways around Galle Fort, the rustic doors of Antic are hard to miss and the vibrant paintings and quirky furnishings adorning the walls of this characterful Sri Lankan cafe demand your attention. Conceptualised and founded by Irfan Ismail, Antic is inspired by the history of Galle Fort and celebrates the mixture of cultures that have influenced this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Originally his family home, Irfan recently converted it into a guesthouse in order to offer authentic Galle hospitality and food to travellers.

Accommodation

The café is on the ground floor and is decorated with upcycled furniture, bohemian fittings and colourful abstract paintings. The four bedrooms are located on the first and second floors.

Each bedroom at Antic is named after a significant year that influenced the Galle Fort, such as 1411 which was the year that the Galle Trilingual Inscription – a stone tablet with engravings in Chinese, Tamil and Persian – was erected to commemorate the second visit to Sri Lanka by the Chinese admiral Zheng He. The remaining rooms are named as 1505, 1640 and 1815 and represent the dates when the Portuguese, Dutch and British respectively came to Sri Lanka.

All four rooms at Antic are furnished with a double bed, A/C and overhead fan and an ensuite bathroom with h/w shower. Wi-Fi is also available throughout the property. All rooms have a private balcony with a sitting area where guests can unwind whilst enjoying the sunset in the Fort.

Facilities

Antic has a restaurant that serves delicious authentic Galle dishes.

Why We Like It

The quirky and colourful touches in a guesthouse which will delight those who want to stay in the Fort on a limited budget.

Location

Located in the heart of Galle Fort, Antic is an old colonial home that has recently been converted into a quirky, colourful guesthouse. Antic is 2.5 hours from Colombo airport and just a short drive from Unawatuna Beach.