Malta’s Most Unique Attraction? A Fun Guide to Popeye Village

If you’ve ever wanted to walk through a real-life cartoon set or just need a dash of whimsy in your Mediterranean vacation, Popeye Village in Malta is the place to be! 

Nestled in Anchor Bay, this quirky little village was originally built as a film set for the 1980 musical Popeye starring Robin Williams — and it’s been charming visitors ever since.

I knew when we were planning our trip to Malta that we had to come here. It’s such a unique spot and seeing the film set still standing today from one of our nostalgic childhood films was so fun! It’s definitely unique, but was an entertaining way to spend a relaxing morning in Malta.

Built in 1979, this colourful, ramshackle village of crooked wooden buildings known as Sweethaven was constructed for the live-action Popeye movie during the last 7 months of the year. It was a massive undertaking.

It involved shipping tree trunks from Holland and roof shingles all the way from Canada, and  165 people from around the globe using eight tons of nails and two thousand gallons of paint to construct over 20 unique wooden buildings.

Before filming could even start, they had to create an access road and a 200-250 foot breakwater to protect the set from the sea. Finally, on January 23rd, 1980, the cameras rolled on!

From Film Set to Tourist Attraction

After filming wrapped, the Maltese government wanted to tear it down. But rather than tearing it down, they figured some money could be made from people visiting the set.

Today, it’s a living postcard and open-air museum, and one of Malta’s most popular attractions. You’ll find Popeye himself (plus Olive Oyl and Bluto), ready to welcome you with a sailor’s grin and some exaggerated cartoon shenanigans.

The set is exactly the same as it was over 40 years ago; you are free to wander through the buildings where the movie was filmed, check out some Popeye memorabilia dating back to the 1960s, interact with the cast and watch some quirky performances, and even watch a 15 minute documentary about the film set (with free popcorn)!

You’ll also find silversmith demonstrations, mini putt, and a place to rest and grab a bite to eat and drink overlooking Anchor Bay.

During the nicer weather, there is a lovely beach area with water trampolines, sun decks, food outlets and much more to make an entire day of it.

Is Popeye Village Actually Worth Visiting?

Popeye Village isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay!

Some visitors adore it for its kitschy charm and throwback vibes, while others find it a bit touristy and overpriced for what it is.

But – if you go in expecting a quirky, offbeat experience rather than a full-blown theme park, you’re more likely to enjoy it. It’s a throwback to a cult classic film, and a full-on whimsical world that’s impossible not to love.

If you love vintage movie sets, goofy performances, or just want to soak up the sunshine in a truly one-of-a-kind spot, it’s definitely a fun thing to do for a morning or afternoon.

We headed to the ancient city of Mdina afterwards, and both spots make a great day trip (which are totally feasible to do in a day). 

So is it worth it? If you’re after something totally different, love snapping photos, or want a lighthearted detour from Malta’s ancient temples and cathedrals — yes, 100%. It’s especially great for families with young kids, and photographers looking for unique backdrops. 

For the price of admission, you’ll get a dose of whimsy, some scenic views, and a story to tell. So, if you’re already in the Mellieħa area or just love weird and wonderful spots, give it a whirl – even if just for the pics and a laugh.

We loved it and are glad we went! We scored with the low season pricing of $23/adult which I found reasonable. High season (July-September) is priced at $39/adult which I personally find expensive for what it is. However, it’s still a fun few hours (or entire day) that you can have in a stunning setting.

Need-to-Know Info

• Location: Anchor Bay, just outside Mellieħa
• Getting There: We used Bolt to get to Popeye Village from Valletta. If you have a car, you can drive (there’s parking!) or hop on a bus from major tourist hubs like Valletta, Sliema, or Bugibba
• Opening Hours: Daily from 9:30 – 5:30 pm during the winter months and open until 6:00 pm during the spring, summer, and fall.
• Admission: Varies depending on the time of year, but you can expect to pay around $23/adult during the low season (November-May), $39/adult during the high season (July-September), or mid season (June and October). We went in May and found it good value for the $23 we spent. Children and Seniors 60+ are even less, at $19.

I recommend booking tickets in advance because it lets you skip the line! I also suggest booking them through GetYourGuide (like we did) because you can cancel for free up to 24 hours before (whereas they’re non-refundable on the Popeye Village official website) and also the prices listed on GetYourGuide are in your currency and not euros, so you won’t be paying a foreign transaction fee!