Popeye Village Malta – Tickets, Prices, Opening Hours & Visitor Guide
Popeye Village Malta is the original seaside film set built for the 1980 musical Popeye, starring Robin Williams as Popeye and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl. The colourful wooden village stands beside the turquoise water of Anchor Bay, around three kilometres from Mellieħa, and now operates as an open-air film museum and family attraction.
Visitors can walk through the original set, meet costumed characters, watch live entertainment, visit film-related displays, see a short documentary, play mini-golf and enjoy seasonal activities. During summer, the experience expands to include sunbathing areas, pools and water attractions in Anchor Bay.
I am a resident of Malta and regularly pass by Poppy Village, which always puts a smile on my face. I also go there once a year, and the program is different every year, yet it remains fun to stay there; it is simply a great experience for young and old, and if you bring your swimwear, it makes for a wonderful day trip.
QUICK VISITOR INFORMATION
Location: Anchor Bay, Triq Tal-Prajjet, Il-Mellieħa, Malta MLH 4808
Recommended visit: 3 to 5 hours; allow most of the day in summer
Best for: Families, film fans, photographers and visitors looking for an unusual Malta attraction
Parking: A large gravel car park is available close to the entrance
Public transport: Bus 101 stops directly outside Popeye Village
Accessibility: The attraction has accessible facilities, but steep ramps, steps and uneven areas remain
Food: Catering outlets are available inside the upper and lower complexes
Swimming: Available as part of the summer programme and subject to conditions
Last admission: Normally 30 minutes before closing
Official information checked: 23 July 2026
BOOK POPEYE VILLAGE TICKETS
Popeye Village is one of Malta’s most popular family attractions, and advance booking is sensible during school holidays and the summer season. The GetYourGuide ticket below offers a convenient booking option and may include priority admission, depending on the selected product and date.
Always check the final inclusions, cancellation terms, selected date and starting information before payment. Activities, access to parts of the park and seasonal facilities can change because of weather, maintenance or operational requirements.
Popeye Village opening hours in 2026
Popeye Village is normally open daily, but closing times change with the season.
Winter, November to March: 09:30–17:00
Spring and autumn, April, May and October: 09:30–17:30
Summer, June to September: 09:30–18:00
The official 2026 summer programme runs from 1 June to 30 September. Last admission is normally 30 minutes before closing, while individual attractions or areas may close shortly before the park itself.
Opening hours may change for seasonal events, severe weather, private functions, maintenance or safety reasons. Check the official Popeye Village website or your ticket confirmation shortly before travelling.
Popeye Village ticket prices in 2026
Prices vary by season because the included activities change.
Summer prices, 1 June to 30 September 2026
Adults and teenagers: €25.00
Children aged 3–12: €16.00
Pensioners: €16.00
Mid-season prices
Adults and teenagers: €18.00
Children aged 3–12: €14.00
Pensioners: €14.00
Low-season price
The official low-season package published for 6 November 2026 to 30 April 2027 lists:
Adults and teenagers: €15.00
Children aged 3–12: €12.50
Pensioners: €12.50
Ticket prices, age bands and inclusions can change. Confirm the amount shown for your chosen date before booking. Children and young visitors may need to be accompanied by an adult, in accordance with the current admission rules.
What is included at Popeye Village?
The exact programme depends on the season, weather and daily operations. Typical admission includes access to the original film set and a combination of entertainment, exhibitions and family activities.
Commonly included experiences are:
• Entrance to the original Popeye film set
• Character appearances and animation shows
• Access to the cinema for a short documentary about the set
• Film and comic-related displays
• Silversmith demonstrations
• A scavenger hunt
• Nine-hole mini-golf
• Traditional games and children’s activities
• A complimentary postcard
• Complimentary popcorn
Summer admission may also include:
• Water inflatables in Anchor Bay
• A floating sun deck or bathing platform
• Sunbeds, umbrellas and showers
• Splash pools
• A play pool for younger children
• Additional outdoor entertainment
All water activities are weather-dependent and may be suspended for safety reasons. Bring swimwear, a towel, sun protection and suitable footwear when visiting during summer.
What to see and do
Explore the original Sweethaven film set
The main attraction is the village itself. The timber buildings were created as the fictional village of Sweethaven and remain arranged around the steep shoreline of Anchor Bay. Visitors can walk between façades, interiors, workshops and viewpoints while recognising locations connected with the film.
The set is compact enough to explore without a guide, but the slopes and stairs make comfortable shoes important. Do not rush straight to the lower waterfront: the elevated areas near the entrance provide some of the best panoramic views.
Meet Popeye and his friends
Costumed characters and the animation team bring the set to life through staged scenes, audience participation, dancing and comic performances. The exact timetable changes, so check the day’s programme when entering.
The performances are aimed at families but are also enjoyable for adults who appreciate the unusual setting and playful atmosphere.
Watch the film-set documentary
The village cinema presents a short documentary explaining how the set was built and how the production was filmed in Malta. It provides useful context before or after exploring the buildings.
Visit the displays and workshops
Film memorabilia, comic-related material, set displays and Maltese craft demonstrations add more depth than a simple walk through the village. The silversmith demonstration introduces visitors to Maltese filigree work.
Some rooms and exhibits may be upgraded, moved or temporarily unavailable. The Robin Williams memorial display and museum areas have been undergoing further development, so availability should be checked on arrival.
Join the Take 2 filming experience
Selected programmes allow visitors to participate in a playful filming activity. This is especially popular with families and groups. Participation and scheduling depend on the day’s entertainment programme.
Play mini-golf and traditional games
The upper complex includes a nine-hole mini-golf course and a selection of games. These activities are useful for families planning a longer visit and for filling the time between shows.
Swim and relax during summer
The summer package turns Popeye Village into a combined film-set and seaside day out. Visitors can use designated water facilities, pools, sunbeds and showers when conditions allow.
Anchor Bay is rocky rather than sandy. Access to the water should only be made through the approved park facilities, and all staff instructions must be followed. Water attractions may close in rough weather.
How long do you need at Popeye Village?
Allow at least three hours to explore the film set, see a performance and visit the main exhibits. Four to five hours is more comfortable for families.
During summer, visitors who plan to swim, use the pools and relax on the sunbeds can easily spend most of the day. Arriving near opening time gives you cooler conditions, quieter photo opportunities and more flexibility to follow the entertainment schedule.
Best time to visit
Best time of day
Morning is usually the best choice, particularly from June to September. Temperatures are lower, the light is attractive for photography and visitors have time to see several shows.
Late afternoon can produce beautiful views across Anchor Bay, but arriving too late reduces the number of activities you can experience.
Best season
Summer offers the widest range of water activities and is ideal for families who want a full-day attraction. It is also the hottest and busiest period.
Spring and autumn offer a good balance of pleasant weather, entertainment and lower heat. Winter is quieter and better suited to visitors mainly interested in the film set, history and photography rather than swimming.
History of Popeye Village
Popeye Village was built in 1979 for the musical film Popeye. Construction required an international workforce, a new access road and a breakwater to protect the bay during filming. The set was formed from wooden structures designed to create the fictional harbour village of Sweethaven.
Filming began on 23 January 1980. Robert Altman directed the production, with Robin Williams in his first leading feature-film role as Popeye, Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl and Ray Walston as Poopdeck Pappy.
Unlike many temporary film sets, Sweethaven was retained after production. It gradually developed into a visitor attraction while preserving the distinctive timber buildings and waterfront layout. This makes Popeye Village both a family theme attraction and an important surviving example of a large purpose-built film set.
How to get to Popeye Village
By car
Drive towards Mellieħa and follow signs for Anchor Bay and Popeye Village. The final road descends towards the attraction and ends at the car park near the ticket area.
The address is:
Popeye Village
Anchor Bay
Triq Tal-Prajjet
Il-Mellieħa, Malta
MLH 4808
A gravel car park with ample space is available close to reception. Parking conditions can be dusty in dry weather and uneven after rain.
By bus
Bus 101 connects Mellieħa and the Għadira Bay area with Popeye Village and stops near the entrance.
Visitors travelling from other parts of Malta can first reach Mellieħa or Għadira Bay. Common routes to that area include:
From Valletta: 41, 42, 49 and 250
From Sliema: 222
From Buġibba and St Paul’s Bay: 221
Bus routes and timetables can change. Check Malta Public Transport on the day of travel, especially on Sundays, public holidays and during roadworks.
By taxi or ride-hailing service
A taxi or app-based ride is often the easiest option for families, groups and visitors staying outside northern Malta. Ask for Popeye Village at Anchor Bay rather than simply “Mellieħa”, because the attraction is outside the town centre.
Arrange a return journey in advance during quieter months or late in the day. Reception can normally assist with taxi information.
If you are taking a taxi and still want to see the final parade, book your taxi in the app. This is because many people take a taxi; however, after the final parade, many people take taxis, and the waiting time can increase to as much as 45 minutes.
Parking at Popeye Village
Parking is available near the entrance and is normally included for visitors. The car park is gravel rather than a fully surfaced urban car park.
Accessible drop-off arrangements may be possible for visitors who cannot manage the steep approach to the lower set. Contact the attraction before travelling when assistance is required.
Accessibility
Popeye Village describes the attraction as wheelchair accessible and provides accessible parking, ramps, toilets and catering areas. However, the original film set occupies a steep site and includes slopes, steps, uneven surfaces and wooden interiors.
Important points:
• The route from the upper entrance to the lower film set is steep.
• Some buildings can only be entered by climbing steps.
• Wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility may be driven closer to the lower set by prior arrangement.
• Accessible toilets are available.
• Benches and handrails are positioned around parts of the attraction.
• Floors can become slippery when wet.
• Much of the attraction is outdoors and exposed to direct sun.
Contact Popeye Village before booking when a visitor has specific mobility, medical, sensory or access requirements.
Food and drink
Popeye Village has catering facilities in both the upper and lower areas. Depending on the season and opening arrangements, visitors may find a diner, snack bar and a summer bar serving meals, drinks, ice cream and light refreshments.
The official accessibility information states that catering outlets have wheelchair access and that gluten-free options can be requested. Visitors with allergies should confirm ingredients directly with staff.
GetYourGuide ticket information indicates that visitors may bring their own food and drink, but current park rules should always be checked before arrival. Glass containers and items that create a safety risk should be avoided.
What to bring
For every season:
• Comfortable shoes with good grip
• Sun protection
• Drinking water
• A charged phone or camera
• Your digital or printed booking confirmation
• Proof of age when using a reduced ticket
For summer:
• Swimwear
• Towel
• Water shoes
• Dry clothing for the journey home
• Additional sun cream
• A hat and sunglasses
Rules visitors should know
Drones are prohibited on and from the film set.
Professional or organised photo shoots must be arranged in advance. Ordinary personal photography is welcomed, but visitors should not block paths or interfere with performances.
Small dogs weighing up to 10 kg may be admitted when kept on a lead, according to the official visitor information. Confirm this rule before travelling because event-specific restrictions may apply.
Online tickets purchased directly from Popeye Village are generally non-refundable, although requests to change the date may be considered under the official terms. GetYourGuide products can have different cancellation conditions, so follow the terms shown on the product selected.
The attraction may change opening hours, close areas or cancel activities because of weather, maintenance, private events or safety considerations.
Is Popeye Village worth visiting?
Popeye Village is worth visiting when you enjoy unusual film locations, colourful scenery, family entertainment or photography. It offers more than a static film set because live characters, demonstrations, games and seasonal water activities create a full visitor experience.
Adults travelling without children should still find the setting interesting, particularly if they enjoy cinema history or distinctive architecture. Visitors who are only interested in a quick panoramic photograph can also view the village from the public viewpoint above Anchor Bay, but admission is required to enter and explore the film set itself.
The experience is strongest when visitors allow enough time to watch the shows and enter the buildings rather than treating it as a short photo stop.
Photography tips
The classic wide view is taken from the road and viewing area above Anchor Bay before reaching the entrance. Morning and late-afternoon light create more texture than the harsh middle of the day.
Inside the attraction, useful viewpoints include elevated paths, the main square and the waterfront. A wide-angle lens or phone camera is helpful for capturing the compact streets and bay together.
Do not fly a drone. The ban applies even when the purpose is personal photography.
Visiting with children
Popeye Village is designed as a family attraction. Character interactions, shows, games, the scavenger hunt and mini-golf provide variety for different ages. Summer pools and water activities make a longer stay possible.
The steep site requires close supervision of young children. Bring suitable footwear and do not rely on a pushchair being convenient in every part of the village. Parents should check the age and height rules for pools or inflatables on arrival.
Visiting without children
Adults can enjoy Popeye Village for its film history, coastal location, architecture and photography. The attraction works particularly well as part of a northern Malta day trip combining Mellieħa, Għadira Bay and another nearby sight.
Visitors seeking a quiet museum should be aware that the atmosphere is intentionally lively and family-focused.
What to see nearby
Għadira Bay – Mellieħa Bay
Għadira Bay is Malta’s longest sandy beach and is a convenient stop before or after Popeye Village. It is suitable for swimming and has food outlets and seasonal beach facilities.
Read more ...
Mellieħa
Mellieħa has a historic centre, viewpoints and the Parish Church overlooking the bay. It is the nearest major town and a practical place for lunch or an evening meal.
Għadira Nature Reserve
The nature reserve lies near Mellieħa Bay and protects wetland habitat used by resident and migratory birds. Opening arrangements are seasonal, so check before visiting.
The Red Tower
St Agatha’s Tower, generally known as the Red Tower, stands on high ground north of Mellieħa and offers wide views towards Comino and Gozo. Check its current renovation and opening status before travelling.
Read more about Malta’s watchtowers...
Paradise Bay and Ċirkewwa
Paradise Bay is a small sandy beach near Malta’s northern tip. Ċirkewwa is the departure point for ferries to Gozo and passenger boats to Comino.
Suggested half-day and full-day plans
Half-day family visit
09:30 – Arrive and photograph the village from above
09:45 – Enter and collect the day’s programme
10:00 – Explore the upper and lower film set
11:00 – Watch a show or filming activity
12:00 – Visit the cinema and displays
12:30 – Lunch or refreshments
13:00 – Mini-golf or final photographs
Full summer day
09:30 – Arrive at opening time
10:00 – Explore the film set before the hottest part of the day
11:00 – Watch the main entertainment
12:00 – Lunch
13:00 – Swimming, pools and water activities
15:30 – Cinema, displays and mini-golf
17:00 – Final walk and photographs
17:30 – Leave before closing
Contact details
Popeye Village
Anchor Bay, Triq Tal-Prajjet
Il-Mellieħa, Malta MLH 4808
Email: info@popeyemalta.com
Telephone: (+356) 2152 4781 / 2 / 3 / 4
Because opening hours, ticket inclusions and activities are seasonal, check the official attraction information shortly before travelling.
