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Diego Delso CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Popeye Village

Park

A film set built for the 1980 movie Popeye at Anchor Bay, now a family attraction in Mellieħa with restored wooden buildings, boat trips, a small beach and seasonal shows and cafés.

Popeye Village VallettaMdinaGozoPopeye Village
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Popeye Village essentials

Address: Anchor Bay (Popeye Village), Mellieħa, Malta
Website: popeyemalta.com
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About 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.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Popeye Village

Best visited in late spring or early autumn for pleasant weather, calmer seas and fewer crowds.

Summer (best for swimming)
June - August · 25-32°C
Warm sea temperatures and long daylight make this the busiest time for water activities and open-air attractions-expect crowds.
Shoulder seasons (best balance)
April - June, September - October · 18-26°C
Milder temperatures, fewer visitors and pleasant sea conditions-good balance of weather and lower crowd levels.
Winter
November - February · 10-16°C
Milder winters but cooler sea and fewer services; quieter and often cheaper, though some attractions or boat services may operate reduced hours.

Weather & Climate near Popeye Village

Climate

Popeye Village's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Mediterranean - Hot-Summer Mediterranean climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cool winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 10°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (504 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 51 Moderate
Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
32°
Warmest Month
8°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Good 10° - 16° 13° 83 mm partly cloudy 74% 4.6 m/s 0.4 low 9.9h
February Very Good 10° - 16° 13° 56 mm partly cloudy 76% 4.2 m/s 0.6 moderate 10.8h
March Very Good 11° - 17° 14° 36 mm partly cloudy 80% 4.3 m/s 1.0 high 11.8h
April Excellent 12° - 19° 15° 20 mm some cloud 83% 4.9 m/s 1.5 high 13.0h
May Ideal 16° - 22° 19° 7 mm mostly sunny 82% 4.3 m/s 1.9 very high 13.9h
June Ideal 19° - 26° 23° 2 mm clear 80% 3.8 m/s 2.3 extreme 14.4h
July Ideal 21° - 29° 25° 0 mm clear 77% 3.6 m/s 2.4 extreme 14.1h
August Ideal 22° - 30° 26° 5 mm clear 75% 3.3 m/s 2.0 extreme 13.3h
September Ideal 21° - 28° 24° 39 mm mostly sunny 75% 3.4 m/s 1.5 high 12.3h
October Excellent 18° - 24° 21° 78 mm some cloud 76% 3.6 m/s 0.9 moderate 11.2h
November Very Good 15° - 20° 18° 79 mm partly cloudy 74% 4.0 m/s 0.5 moderate 10.2h
December Good 12° - 18° 15° 99 mm partly cloudy 73% 4.3 m/s 0.3 low 9.7h
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Popeye Village

Popeye Village (Anchor Bay, Mellieħa) is on Malta’s northwest coast near Mellieħa village. By car it’s about a 25-30 km drive north from Valletta and typically takes around 30-40 minutes depending on traffic; follow the main coastal/primary roads toward Mellieħa and then local signs to Anchor Bay/Popeye Village where there is visitor parking. There are regular public buses from Valletta to Mellieħa; from Mellieħa village a short taxi ride or a 20-30 minute walk will bring you to the bay.

Tips for Visiting Popeye Village

  • Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid the packed coach groups and to get unobstructed photos of the colorful film set at Anchor Bay.
  • Don't just view the set from the shoreline - allow time for the small museum/exhibits about the 1980 film and for the short coastal walks around the bay that reveal different vantage points and quiet swimming spots.
  • Check seasonal opening hours and any boat-trip schedules in advance; some visitors combine a Popeye Village stop with nearby Mellieħa Bay or a short boat excursion when services run.