Popeye Village

Popeye Village is a preserved film set and tourist attraction on the northwest coast of Malta, built in 1980 for the feature film ‘Popeye.’ The cluster of colorful wooden houses forms an artificial village on the shore of Anchor Bay and remains the site’s defining element.

The attraction centers on the original film structures and the small harbour area. Visitors typically walk among the buildings, use the pier for short boat trips, swim in the sheltered bay, and see small exhibits or seasonal performances related to the film set.

The set was constructed by the film production in 1980 and subsequently retained as a tourist site rather than being dismantled after filming. Over time the village shifted from a temporary film installation to a permanent visitor attraction with maintenance and visitor facilities added.

The village sits at Anchor Bay near the town of Mellieħa on Malta’s northwest coast, a short drive from the main island road network and accessible from coastal resorts in the area.

• How it operates: Operates as a ticketed open-air attraction with seasonal shows and activities focused on the original film set and family visitors.
• Access and pairing: Located in the locality of Mellieħa on Malta's northwest coast, the site is reached by road from nearby towns and is commonly paired with visits to nearby bays and cliffs.

What to See #

• Sweethaven film set: A compact cluster of painted wooden buildings constructed as the film set for the 1980 musical 'Popeye' and preserved in their original locations; the set occupies the shoreline and includes the main row of houses and a small pier used for visitor boat access.
• Anchor Bay: A sheltered sandy bay on the northwest coast of Malta that provides the village's swimming area and boat-launch point, used for short coastal trips and views of the wooden set from the water.