Discover the Popeye Village in Malta: A Day in Sweethaven Village
If you’re questioning whether you should take a day trip to the Popeye Village in Malta, look no further! Perched on the stunning shores of Anchor Bay, this colorful little village was originally built as the set for the 1980 musical Popeye starring Robin Williams. Today, it’s a must-visit lively attraction bursting with character, activities, and jaw-dropping views.
Whether you’re a movie buff, searching for fun activities around Malta, or just want to soak up the gorgeous coastline, the Popeye Village in Malta offers a little bit of everything.
Discover Popeye’s Village in Malta: How to Spend the Day in Sweethaven
Popeye is one of those quirky cult classic movies that you enjoy rewatching because you love the nostalgia. I wouldn’t say it’s the best movie from the 80s, but I love watching Robin Williams in his first starring role!
The movie follows Popeye as he heads to the village of Sweethaven in search of his father. Along his journey, he befriends the quirky Sweethaven residents, takes on his nemesis, Bluto, and wins over the heart of Olive Oyl.
How to Get to the Popeye Village in Malta
Popeye’s Village is located in Anchor Bay, just a short distance from Mellieha (a Good Ship Murder filming location) in the northern part of Malta.
- By Car: If you rent a car in Malta, Popeye Village is only a 40-minute drive from Valletta, and there is a free parking lot next to the entrance.
- By Bus: If you take the bus, you have to get to Mellieha first. Several buses from Valletta go to Mellieha and once you are there, take the 101 bus to the Popeye Village.
- By Taxi: You can use one of Malta’s many taxi apps to get you there, I prefer Bolt as the prices are normally cheaper than Uber and the location is more accurate than eCabs.
You can purchase tickets directly from the Popeye Village Official Website or when you get there. I recommend purchasing your tickets if you are visiting in high season to avoid disappointment.
The Popeye Village in Malta is open year-round but has seasonal hours, so make sure you check the website and plan accordingly.
Things to Do in the Popeye Village Malta
You will want to leave yourself at least a couple of hours to fully enjoy the village. I spent wayyyy more than 2 hours there, but I wanted to go to the Popeye Village viewpoint, see the live show, and explore all the houses.
Explore the Popeye Film Set
Wander around the iconic film set, weaving in and out of the colorful wooden houses, and even visiting the Oyl residence!
I rewatched Popeye right before I visited Malta, so the film was fresh in my mind and I could go around and spot the little details. It was so cool to walk around the Oyl residence and see the house set up!
A fun fact: in the movie, Bluto, destroys the Oyl residence. The house was actually torn apart for filming and then rebuilt in the 90s before the Popeye Village opened to the public.
Other iconic locations include:
- The Mayor’s (or Taxman’s) house, where the town’s bossy Mayor lived and upheld his ridiculously strict rules for Sweehaven, even though the interior wasn’t used in the movie, you can go inside.
- The Sweethaven General Store is now the souvenir shop where you can pick up your free postcard before you leave.
- Beaver Sawmill Inc is where Popeye and Swee’Pea move to after he gets fed up with Olive. You can see the slide into the bay where the tax man rolls down.
- The actual bay is used in several scenes throughout the movie, including Popeye’s arrival scene at the beginning of the movie.
Don’t miss out on climbing to the roof of the firehouse. You can go on the top floor balcony, but you can also climb to the very top and get an amazing view over the Popeye Village and bay.
You can visit the interior of most houses on the set and while some are set up with props, others are set up like museums and information rooms. There is a Robin Williams shrine, a cinema with free popcorn and a Popeye documentary, the main museum has Popeye memorabilia and the movie playing on a loop, and more! You’ll just have to explore them for yourselves! *wink*
Meet Popeye and Friends
It’s not uncommon to see Popeye walking with Olive or Bluto huffing and puffing about. It really immerses you in Popeye’s world. They will chat with you or take photos… even Bluto will reluctantly snap a selfie!
You can also immerse yourself further by starring in your very own production of Popeye, complete with director and silly props.
If you want to stay out of the limelight, but need some Popeye, don’t miss one of the several live shows throughout the day. The silly cast of characters reenacts the iconic scenes from the movie.
It all happens in front of the Firehouse and you won’t be able to miss it because the music rings loudly through the village.
Water Activities and Family Fun
The Popeye Village in Malta and Anchor Bay transforms into a water park during the summer with giant inflatables spanning the bay.
There are water trampolines and sunbathing decks, boat rides, and a beach lido. So you won’t get bored if you visit for a water activities day!
I didn’t visit during the summer months because I wanted the bay to be empty for my photos, but if you want some family fun then it’s a great place.
Aside from the water activities, there are play areas for children. The largest area is at the top of the village (called the Upper Complex), by the ticket area, so technically not a part of the film set, but there is mini-golf and a mini assault course for kids.
Dining at the Popeye Village in Malta
While you won’t get amazing cuisine in the Popeye Village, you will get quick bites and refreshments to keep you going.
The largest restaurant is The Popeye Diner in the Upper Complex, which serves breakfast, pizzas, burgers, and more.
The Beach Bar is a quick grab-and-go outlet that is only open during the summer season. You can grab ice cream, drinks, or sandwiches here. If you are going to jump in the water to cool off, you can also get a locker here for your belongings.
The Seafarers Restaurant is the main food outlet in Popeye’s Village. It serves homemade pizzas and signature burgers. While you eat, you can also get a great view overlooking the bay.
Popeye’s Village Viewpoint
Most of the iconic, Instagram-famous photos of Popeye’s Village are from the opposite side of the bay. You do not need a ticket to visit this area, but it is close to the road, so be mindful of cars passing by.
When you exit the village, continue on the top of the cliff, following it around to the other side.
You can no longer sit on the cliff (because the edge is too weak), which you see in so many Popeye Village photos, and there is a big metal fence that spans the cliffside, but you still get your panoramic shots of the Popeye Village in Malta!
Seasonal Events at the Popeye Village in Malta
I’ve already told you about the water park in the bay that opens up every summer, but there are plenty of other seasonal celebrations throughout the year.
During Easter, there are Easter-themed crafts and games for the kids, Easter puppet shows, and lots of treats! During Halloween, go on a spooky haunted trail, trick or treat, or join in the Halloween Dance-Off!
During the holiday season, there are festive village parades, meet and greets with Santa, and so much more!
Tips for Visiting Popeye’s Village in Malta
- Wear comfortable shoes, you will be doing more walking than you think!
- Bring some snacks and water. The lines for the food outlets can be long during lunchtime, so just in case you are desperate, pack a snack!
- Find a shady spot to take a break. It’s ok to chill out for a few minutes, Malta’s sun can get hot!
- Arrive at opening time. The village can get very crowded, especially during the summer, so arrive early and take advantage of fewer people.
- Thoroughly explore Popeye’s Village. You never know what you might find in the nooks and crannies.
- Take advantage of free wi-fi! Before I had my roaming plan, this would’ve been amazing!
- Everyone gets a free postcard and free popcorn with their ticket, so don’t forget to claim!
Where to Stay When You Visit the Popeye Village in Malta
I firmly stand by that Valletta is the best place to stay in Malta (unless you are exploring Gozo for more than one day), but Mellieha is a wonderful village too!
Mellieha starts at the top of the cliff with the town and ends at the bottom with Mellieha Bay. If you want more peace and quiet, stay in the town, but if you are with kids, Mellieha Bay is the perfect choice!
Mellieha also gives you easy access to the Popeye Village, just take the direct 101 bus!
- DOMS Boutique Living: Peaceful, clean, and with an amazing pool view!
- Pergola Hotel & Spa: Great location and offers self-catering options
- Mellieha Bay Apartment: Nice location, pretty view
Have you already visited Popeye’s Village? Or are you planning a trip and excited to explore all the fun for yourself? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your experiences, favorite parts of the village, or any tips you might have!
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