History: How the Popeye Film Set Came to Malta
In 1979, Hollywood came to a quiet cove on Malta's northern coast. Director Robert Altman and producer Robert Evans chose Anchor Bay in Mellieha as the location for the fictional fishing village of Sweethaven — the setting for the live-action musical film Popeye, starring Robin Williams in his first major film role and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl.
The production team built 19 wooden buildings over seven months, using timber imported from Canada and the Netherlands. The structures were designed to look deliberately ramshackle — crooked timbers, listing walls, and weathered paintwork were intentional artistic choices to evoke a timeworn fishing settlement at the edge of the world. The result was a genuinely extraordinary piece of handmade cinema architecture, entirely constructed without power tools to achieve an authentic period feel.
After filming wrapped in 1980, the set was left standing. Rather than demolish it, the Maltese owners recognised what they had: a unique, ready-made tourist attraction in one of the island's most scenic bays. The village was gradually opened to the public and expanded over the following decades, adding rides, shows, and facilities while preserving the original structures.
Today Sweethaven — known universally as Popeye Village — ranks among Malta's most distinctive family days out. It sits at the intersection of genuine film history, architectural curiosity, and family entertainment, in a setting that remains as photogenic as anything on the island.
What to Do at Popeye Village
The village is compact but well-packed with activities. Plan for three to four hours — enough time to explore thoroughly, swim, catch a show, and eat. Here is what is on offer.
🎭 Live Shows & Character Appearances
Popeye, Olive Oyl, and Bluto appear throughout the day for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities. Live entertainment shows run at scheduled times — check the daily programme at the entrance. Shows typically include comedy skits, sailor-themed performances, and music. Younger children in particular respond brilliantly to the characters, and the photo opportunities here are genuinely charming.
⛵ Boat Trips Around the Bay
Short boat rides depart from the small jetty inside Anchor Bay, circling the cove and offering views of the village from the water. This is one of the best ways to appreciate the scale of the original film set — the buildings look even more extraordinary from sea level. Trips take approximately 15 minutes and are included in the general admission.
🎠 Rides & Children's Activities
A small collection of gentle rides operates inside the village, suited to younger children. There are also a bouncy castle, a miniature train, and trampolines. None are large-scale theme-park rides — the focus is on atmosphere and exploration rather than adrenaline. Older children tend to spend their energy exploring the village buildings, climbing ladders between levels, and discovering the various nooks and lookout points.
📸 Exploring the Film Set Buildings
The 19 original wooden buildings are the centrepiece of the visit. Walk through the crooked interiors, climb to upper-floor viewpoints, and examine the extraordinary craftsmanship that created a whole fictional village from scratch. Many rooms are fitted with period props and costumes from the film production. The weathered colours — faded ochres, peeling blues, rusted oranges — photograph beautifully in both morning and afternoon light.
For film fans: look out for the original production stills displayed throughout the village, and the short documentary screening that tells the story of how the set was built.
🏊 Swimming at Anchor Bay
The bay itself offers some of the cleanest swimming on Malta's northern coast. The water is sheltered, clear, and calm — ideal for families with younger children. Rocky ledges around the bay edges make excellent snorkelling spots, with sea urchins, small fish, and the occasional octopus visible in the shallows. The swimming area is included in the entry ticket and there are basic changing facilities on site.
Tickets & Admission Prices
Prices are seasonal and updated periodically. The figures below reflect 2026 rates — always confirm current pricing at popeyemalta.com before your visit.
| Ticket Type | Price (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Adult (13+) | ~€15 |
| Child (3–12) | ~€12 |
| Under 3 | Free |
| Family ticket (2 adults + 2 children) | ~€46 |
| Senior (65+) | ~€12 |
Online booking is available through the official site and typically offers a small discount versus purchasing at the gate. Booking in advance is strongly recommended during July and August when the village can reach capacity on busy weekday mornings.
Admission covers all shows, boat trips, rides, and access to the swimming area. There are no additional charges once inside, apart from food and souvenirs.
Opening Hours
Popeye Village is open daily throughout the year, with seasonal adjustments:
- Low season (October–May): 10:00–17:30
- High season (June–September): 10:00–18:00
- Peak summer (July–August): Some days extend to 18:30
The village closes on a small number of days annually for maintenance and private events. Check the official website or call ahead during public holidays. Last entry is typically 45 minutes before closing.
Getting There
By Car (Recommended)
Driving is the easiest option. From Valletta, take the main northern arterial road towards Mellieha — the journey takes approximately 35–40 minutes in normal traffic. In Mellieha, follow brown tourist signs for Popeye Village and Anchor Bay. There is a free car park at the site entrance, though it fills quickly on busy summer mornings. Arriving before 10:30 almost guarantees a space.
By Bus
Malta Public Transport routes 41, 42, and 221 serve Mellieha from Valletta. From the Mellieha bus stop, Anchor Bay is approximately 2 km — walkable in around 25 minutes along a reasonable road, or a short taxi/Bolt ride. During peak summer, some operators run seasonal shuttles between Mellieha centre and the village. Check publictransport.com.mt for current routes and a Tallinja card for discounted fares.
From Mellieha Bay
If you are spending the day at Mellieha Bay, Popeye Village is an easy addition — Anchor Bay is just 3 km around the headland. Many families split the day between the main beach in the morning and the village in the afternoon.
Swimming & Snorkelling at Anchor Bay
Anchor Bay is a naturally sheltered cove that provides excellent conditions for swimming throughout the summer months (May–October). The water is genuinely clear — visibility of several metres is typical on calm days — and the bay is protected from the prevailing northwest winds that affect more exposed northern beaches.
The main swimming area is a small sandy and pebble beach at the base of the village. Entry into the water is easy from the sand, though water shoes are useful for the rocky sections to the sides. The bay is shallow near shore and deepens gradually — suitable for non-swimmers with supervision.
Snorkelling is especially rewarding along the rocky margins of the bay. Sea urchins are common (wear shoes), along with wrasse, damselfish, and occasional octopus. Snorkelling gear is not available for hire at the village — bring your own if you want to make the most of it. For dedicated snorkelling and beach days nearby, see our guide to family beaches in Malta.
Food at Popeye Village
The village has an on-site tavern-style restaurant serving Maltese and Mediterranean staples — grilled fish, pasta, burgers, and salads. The setting is charming, with tables on a terrace overlooking the bay, and the food is solid if not exceptional. Prices are reasonable by Maltese tourist-attraction standards.
There is also a snack bar for lighter bites — pastizzi, sandwiches, ice cream — and a bar serving soft drinks, beer, and wine. Outside food is permitted in the picnic areas; many families bring a packed lunch to eat on the rocks or by the water.
For a proper restaurant meal, Mellieha town centre (15 minutes by car) has a good range of dining options. For the wider northern Malta dining scene, our Malta family activities guide has recommendations across the island.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings in May, June, September, or October offer the best combination of conditions: warm weather, swimmable water, and manageable crowds. The village is quietest in the first two hours after opening (10:00–12:00) on any non-peak day.
July and August are the busiest months. The village can feel crowded by mid-morning, shows have longer queues, and the car park fills early. If visiting in peak summer, arrive at opening time (or book the first entry slot online) and plan to leave by early afternoon to avoid the heat.
Winter (November–March) is an option for film enthusiasts and photographers — the village remains open and is dramatically less crowded, with beautifully angled winter light on the weathered structures. Swimming is not realistic in winter (sea temperature drops to around 15°C), but the village itself is still fully operational.
For broader seasonal planning in Malta, see our Malta attractions guide.
Combining with Mellieha Bay & Northern Malta
Popeye Village sits in one of Malta's best day-trip areas. Within 15 minutes you have Mellieha Bay (Malta's largest sandy beach and ideal for families), the Mellieha Air Raid Shelter museum in the town centre, and the nature reserve at Ghadira wetlands. The northern coastline around Mellieha Bay also has excellent snorkelling at Cirkewwa, the embarkation point for Gozo and Comino.
A well-rounded day in northern Malta might look like: morning at Mellieha Bay beach, lunch in Mellieha town, afternoon at Popeye Village, early evening at a clifftop restaurant watching the sunset over Comino. It is one of the best-value, least-stressful family days in Malta.
For a full overview of Malta's family-friendly options, see our Malta family activities guide and the best family beaches in Malta.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Popeye Village in Malta?
Popeye Village (officially Sweethaven) is the original outdoor film set built in 1979 for the 1980 Robert Altman musical film Popeye, starring Robin Williams. Located in Anchor Bay, Mellieha, it comprises 19 wooden buildings constructed over seven months and is now operated as a family theme park.
How much are Popeye Village tickets?
Adult tickets cost approximately €15 and children's tickets approximately €12. Children under 3 enter free. Family tickets (2 adults + 2 children) cost around €46. Prices vary slightly by season — check popeyemalta.com for current rates and online booking discounts.
What are Popeye Village opening hours?
The village is generally open daily from 10:00 to 17:30, with extended hours during peak summer (18:00–18:30 in July and August). Check the official site before visiting as hours can vary around public holidays and for private events.
How do I get to Popeye Village?
By car is easiest — free parking is available at the site. From Valletta the drive is approximately 35–40 minutes. By bus, take routes 41, 42, or 221 to Mellieha, then walk 2 km or take a short taxi to Anchor Bay.
Can you swim at Popeye Village?
Yes. Anchor Bay has a sheltered, clear swimming area included in the entry ticket. Snorkelling along the rocky edges of the bay is excellent — bring your own gear as none is available for hire.
Is Popeye Village worth visiting without children?
Yes — it is a genuine piece of film history and one of Malta's most distinctive architectural curiosities. Film fans, photographers, and anyone interested in cinema history will find the visit rewarding. The bay itself is beautiful and the boat trip gives a perspective on the village that photographs rarely convey.