Popeye Village is the film set built for the 1980 musical Popeye, starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall, and it never left. Nineteen crooked wooden houses still cling to the rocks of Anchor Bay, near Mellieħa in the north of Malta, and today the set is a family attraction with shows, a small museum and mini golf. Here is everything you need to plan a visit, from us at Experiences Malta: ticket prices for the 2026/27 season, opening hours, how long to spend and the free view from across the bay.
Where
Anchor Bay, about 3 km from Mellieħa
Open
Daily, 9:30 to 17:00 (winter)
Adult ticket
€15 to €16 (Nov 2026 to Apr 2027)
Time needed
About 3 hours
The Story of Popeye Village
Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions built the village of Sweethaven for Popeye in 1979. Construction started in June 1979 and took seven months. Almost everything was imported: logs and planks came from the Netherlands and the roof shingles from Canada, and a breakwater was built across the mouth of Anchor Bay to protect the set while filming ran from January to June 1980.
When filming finished, the set stayed. It is now an open-air museum and theme park, open every day of the year. In February 2023 a boulder dislodged by Storm Helios damaged part of the site, which reopened that June.
Popeye Village Tickets and Opening Hours
These are the official low-season prices for 2026/27. Buying online lets you cancel for a refund up to 24 hours ahead.
| Ticket | 6 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027 | 4 Jan to 30 Apr 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Adults and teens | €15.00 | €16.00 |
| Children (3 to 12) | €12.50 | €13.00 |
| Pensioners (60+) | €12.50 | €13.00 |
- Opening hours: daily, 9:30 to 17:00 in the low season. Attractions close ten minutes before closing time.
- Children: visitors aged 16 and under must be with an adult aged 18 or over.
- Summer: the high season runs from May, with longer hours and extra water activities in the bay. Check the official site for summer prices.
What’s Included in a Popeye Village Ticket?
- Entry to the original film set and the waterfront houses
- Live animation shows with Popeye characters
- Popeye’s Comic Museum and a cinema showing a 15-minute documentary about the making of the film
- Silversmith demonstrations and a scavenger hunt for children
- “Take 2 Filming”, where you star in your own short film
- Mini golf and traditional wooden games in the upper complex (weather permitting)
- Free popcorn and a postcard
In summer the package adds swimming in the bay with water inflatables, sunbeds and splash pools, subject to availability.
Is Popeye Village Worth Visiting?
For families with children, yes: there is enough to fill half a day. For adults, it depends on how much you like film sets and nostalgia. The setting on the bay is beautiful and the houses are fun to photograph, but if you only want the view, you can get it for free (see below).
What visitors say:
- The French travel blog Les Deux Pieds Dehors spent about three hours there on a late-morning visit in early April, found the crowds light and called it a lighthearted change from Malta’s historic sights.
- The same writers say families get the most out of it, and that the view of the village from the opposite cliff is worth a stop even if you do not go in.
- They note that Anchor Bay is a rocky cove with little sand, so swimming is best in summer when the water is warmer.
From a first-hand account by Les Deux Pieds Dehors, linked in the sources below.
Skip the queue
Popeye Village Tickets
Book your Popeye Village entry in advance, or combine it with a north Malta day out.
- Refundable up to 24 hours ahead
- Includes shows, museum and mini golf
- Great for families
The Free Popeye Village Viewpoint
The classic photo of Popeye Village is taken from the cliff on the other side of Anchor Bay, looking back across the water at the coloured houses. You can drive or walk to this side without a ticket. It is a good choice if you are short on time, travelling without children, or passing on the way to the Gozo ferry at Ċirkewwa.
How to Get to Popeye Village
- By car: follow the signs from Mellieħa to Anchor Bay, about 3 km from the village centre. There is parking at the entrance.
- By bus: use the Malta Public Transport journey planner for the current route to Mellieħa and Anchor Bay; services are more frequent in summer.
- Where to stay nearby: Mellieħa is the closest base, with the sandy Mellieħa Bay below the village. See where to stay in Malta.
Things to Do Near Popeye Village
Mellieħa Bay
A long sandy beach of about 800 metres, with shallow water that suits children. See our guide to the best beaches in Malta.
Golden Bay and Għajn Tuffieħa
Two of Malta’s best sandy bays, side by side on the north-west coast, both famous for sunsets.
Gozo and Comino
Popeye Village is close to the Gozo ferry terminal, so it pairs well with a trip to Gozo or the Blue Lagoon.
Popeye Village FAQ
How much does Popeye Village cost?
From 6 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, adult tickets cost €15 and children aged 3 to 12 and pensioners pay €12.50. From 4 January to 30 April 2027, prices are €16 and €13.
Is Popeye Village open in winter?
Yes. It is open every day, from 9:30 to 17:00 during the low season. Outdoor activities such as mini golf depend on the weather.
What film was made at Popeye Village?
Popeye (1980), the live-action musical starring Robin Williams as Popeye and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl.
Can you see Popeye Village for free?
You can see it from the cliff on the opposite side of Anchor Bay without a ticket. Entry to the village itself is paid.
How long do you need at Popeye Village?
About three hours for most visitors, or half a day for families who want to join the shows and games.
Keep Planning
Best Beaches in MaltaSandy bays near Mellieħa
Things to Do in MaltaOur full list
Where to Stay in MaltaAreas compared
How we wrote this guideThis guide was researched and written by us at Experiences Malta, using the official and local sources listed below, and we review it through the year. Prices, timetables and opening hours change, so please check before you travel. More about Experiences Malta.
Sources: Popeye Village Malta: 2026/27 low-season prices, Popeye Village (Wikipedia), Les Deux Pieds Dehors: Visiting Popeye Village, Time Out: Best beaches in Malta, Malta Public Transport.