Popeye Village

Honest take: what Popeye Village actually is

In 1979, the director Robert Altman built a film set of a fictional fishing village at Anchor Bay in north Malta for his live-action Popeye movie, starring Robin Williams. The set — a cluster of colourful timber houses on stilts above a small sheltered bay — was left in place after filming and turned into a tourist attraction. It has been one ever since.

That is Popeye Village. It is a film set from a 1980 movie that didn’t particularly succeed critically or commercially, kept alive for four decades as a family attraction. The entry fee is around 19 € for adults and 15 € for children.

Inside, there are various activities — boat rides in the bay, a small museum about the film’s production, swimming platforms, characters dressed as Popeye and Olive Oyl for photos, and water slides and inflatables for children in summer. The food and drink are expensive (as always inside paid attractions).

Should you visit Popeye Village?

The honest answer depends on who you’re travelling with.

With children aged 3-10: Yes, probably worth it. The scale of the wooden houses is delightful for small children, the activities are well-designed for that age group, the swimming area in the bay is sheltered and safe, and the Popeye character interactions work at that age. Budget 2-3 hours and expect children to want to stay longer.

With children over 10-12: Maybe, if they’re film history enthusiasts or have strong nostalgia for the character. Most preteens will find it a bit young for them.

Adults without children: Save the 19 € and use the free Anchor Bay viewpoint instead (see below). The village is charming to look at from the outside — you can see the entirety of what it is from the headland in 2 minutes without paying.

History or architecture enthusiasts: Not worth the entry price. The “village” is interesting as a curio and a piece of film history, but there’s no depth of content beyond the basics.

Mellieha: Popeye Village entry ticket

If you want transport from your hotel included with the visit:

Mellieha: Popeye Village with optional private transfers

The free alternative: Anchor Bay viewpoint

The best-kept secret about Popeye Village is that you can see it entirely for free.

Park at the small car park above Anchor Bay (or walk 5 minutes from the main road). There’s a public footpath along the headland that gives a direct view down into the bay and onto the wooden structures below. You can see the entire village from above, take photographs, and appreciate what it is — a colourful film set in a very photogenic bay — without paying 19 € to walk through it.

For most adults without young children, the free viewpoint is genuinely the better option. The walk to the viewpoint also gives you the north Malta coastal landscape, which is worth seeing in its own right.

What’s actually inside

If you do decide to go in, the main offerings are:

• The film production museum (small but well-done — shows original costumes, props, and behind-the-scenes images from the 1980 shoot)
• Boat tours of the bay (included in entry)
• Swimming platform (seasonal)
• Water slides and inflatables (seasonal, summer only)
• Popeye and Olive Oyl character meetings (times posted at entrance)
• Food and drink (café, bar — prices are higher than outside, as expected)
• Souvenir shop

The whole site can be seen in 90 minutes at a slow pace with children, or 45 minutes if you’re primarily there for the photography and the film museum.

Nearby: Mellieha and the north coast

Popeye Village is 5 km north of Mellieha, which is a much more substantial destination with Mellieha Bay (the largest sandy beach in Malta), good restaurants, and connections to the Gozo ferry at Cirkewwa.

A logical north Malta day might be: Mellieha Bay for a morning swim, Popeye Village viewpoint (or full visit for families), lunch in Mellieha, then Cirkewwa for the afternoon Gozo ferry.

For families combining Popeye Village with Mellieha and the north:

Mellieha: Popeye Village Malta Filmset entry ticket

Getting to Popeye Village

By car: Follow signs from Mellieha north towards Cirkewwa. Turn off at Anchor Bay — well-signposted. Car park at the site (small charge in summer).

By bus: The closest bus stop is in Mellieha (routes 41, 221). From Mellieha, Popeye Village is 5 km — accessible by taxi (around 8 €) or with the site’s own shuttle service. Check the shuttle schedule in advance.

On a tour: Some north Malta tours include Popeye Village. For families, this is often the most convenient option because it handles the transport:

Mellieha: Popeye Village transport one-way

How Popeye Village fits into a Malta itinerary

On a 3-day Malta itinerary focused on culture, Popeye Village is not essential. On a 7-day Malta itinerary with children, it’s a solid half-morning that children will enjoy.

For families, north Malta (Mellieha Bay, Popeye Village, Golden Bay) makes a good day-and-a-half segment of a longer trip.

Frequently asked questions about Popeye Village

Is Popeye Village worth the 19 € entry fee?

For families with children aged 3-10, yes. For adults without young children, the free viewpoint from Anchor Bay headland is the smarter option — you see the same charming bay and colourful buildings from above without paying.

Is Popeye Village only for children?

Not exclusively, but it’s primarily designed for young children. Film buffs and Popeye enthusiasts will find the production museum interesting. For most adults, 45-60 minutes is sufficient.

Can you see Popeye Village for free?

Yes. The public viewpoint from the Anchor Bay headland (a short walk from the car park) overlooks the entire bay and village from above. This is the recommended approach for adults without children.

How old is Popeye Village?

The film set was built in 1979 for the Altman/Williams movie and has been a tourist attraction since 1981. The wooden structures have been maintained and extended since then.

Is swimming possible at Popeye Village?

There’s a swimming platform in Anchor Bay inside the attraction. The bay itself is sheltered and calm. Entry to the swimming area requires paying the site admission fee.