Popeye Village is the set of the film "Popeye" (1980), built in 1979 at Anchor Bay, a fairly isolated cove one kilometre west of Mellieħa (Mellieha), according to Visit Malta. In the film, Popeye's village is called Sweethaven. After filming, the set became a park for families, open all year round: shows with Popeye and Olive Oyl, a cinema, mini golf and, in summer, an inflatable obstacle course on the water.
As of 20 October 2026, the park is open every day from 9:30am to 5:30pm; a ticket costs €18 for an adult and €14 for a child aged 3 to 12, then €15 and €12.50 from 6 November. Without a car, bus 101 runs down to the "Popeye" stop once an hour in each direction: about 10 minutes from Mellieħa village. Prices and times were read that day on the websites of the park and of Malta Public Transport: check them before you go.
- Where: Triq Tal-Prajjet, Anchor Bay, in Mellieħa, on the island of Malta.
- Opening times: every day from 9:30am; closing at 5:30pm until 5 November 2026, then at 5pm; last entry 30 minutes before closing.
- Prices: €15 to €25 for an adult depending on the season, €12.50 to €16 for a child aged 3 to 12; tickets online, refunded if you cancel 24 hours in advance.
- How long: the park does not give a time; allow at least two hours, half a day in summer.
- Bus: route 101, "Popeye" stop, from about 9:10am to 8:40pm; from Valletta, change at Mellieħa.
- Car: the park says it has a large car park.
- Children: up to 16, accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
- Swimming: water activities included in summer; the bay is rocky.
Sweethaven village: the story of Popeye's film set
According to Visit Malta, the set was built at Anchor Bay during the last seven months of 1979, for Robert Altman's musical "Popeye", with Robin Williams as Popeye and Shelley Duvall as Olive Oyl (Newsbook, 12 July 2024). Filming took place on site, from late January to late June 1980, according to the American Film Institute catalogue, which describes Sweethaven as the film's fictional town.
Robin Williams stayed for about five months at the Danish Village, in Mellieħa Bay, according to MaltaToday (13 August 2014), which calls the film a notorious critical failure. The set, however, remained: it was turned into a park (Lovin Malta, 14 August 2026).
Inside the park: what is included, season by season
According to the official Popeye Village website, read on 20 October 2026:
| Season | Opening times | Adult and teen | Child (3-12 years) and pensioner | As well as the film set |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 October – 5 November 2026 | 9:30am – 5:30pm | €18 | €14 | mini golf, traditional games, small obstacle course for children, sunbeds |
| 6 November 2026 – 30 April 2027 | 9:30am – 5pm | €15 | €12.50 | Popeye comic museum, treasure hunt, 9-hole mini golf (weather permitting) |
| Summer 2026 (1 June – 30 September) | 9:30am – 6pm | €25 | €16 | inflatable obstacle course on the water, floating deck, paddling pool for children aged 3 to 8, two splash pools, mini golf |
All year round, the ticket also includes the day's shows with Popeye, Olive Oyl and Bluto, the 15-minute documentary about how the set was built, demonstrations by a silversmith, a postcard and popcorn. The website also mentions a filming workshop and boat rides, without saying whether they are included or in which season: ask at the entrance. Everything is "subject to availability", and the attractions close 10 minutes before the park. Prices for summer 2027 have not been published yet.
Good to know: the ticket is valid for a single entry, on the day you choose (QR code on arrival), and the park can move it to another date if you are ill or your travel plans change. Small dogs (10 kg at most) are allowed on a lead, drones are banned. The visit is mostly outdoors, with steep ramps and a lot of steps; a wheelchair user can be driven down to the set by car. The park has several places to eat.
How to get to Popeye Village: bus 101 and car
By bus
Only one route serves the "Popeye" stop: the 101, between Ċirkewwa and Ġnejna, via Għadira and Mellieħa village. Only its daytime buses stop there, not the first or the last ones. From Valletta, Sliema or Buġibba, change at the "Mellieħa" stop. Times read on 20 October 2026 on the Malta Public Transport website:
| Leaving from | Bus | Journey (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mellieħa, "Mellieħa" stop | 101 towards Ċirkewwa, one an hour, from about 9:30am to 8:30pm | 8 to 11 min |
| Ċirkewwa, terminus | 101 towards Ġnejna, every hour on the hour, from 9am to 8pm | 11 to 14 min |
| Valletta, bus terminus | 41, 42 or X300 to "Mellieħa", then the 101 | 50 min to 1 hr 15 min, then the 101 |
| Sliema, "Ferries" stop | 222 to "Mellieħa", then the 101 | 50 min to 1 hr, then the 101 |
| Buġibba | 221 to "Mellieħa", then the 101 | 25 to 30 min, then the 101 |
To come back, the 101 passes once an hour in each direction: towards Mellieħa (10 minutes), from about 9:12am to 8:12pm, where you catch the 41, 42, X300, 222 or 221; towards Ċirkewwa (12 to 16 minutes), from about 9:42am to 8:42pm. A ticket costs €2 until 12 June 2027, then €2.50 in summer; it is valid for 2 hours, changes included, you buy it on the bus (cash or contactless card), and children under 4 travel free. At weekends, the winter timetable starts on 7 November 2026: look at the route 101 timetable before you set off.
By car, taxi or on foot
The address, for your satnav or the taxi: Triq Tal-Prajjet, Anchor Bay, Mellieħa. The park says it has a large car park, without saying whether you have to pay. On foot, Visit Malta places Anchor Bay one kilometre west of Mellieħa, but no official source describes the route: the 101 does the trip in 10 minutes.
Is Popeye Village worth it?
Yes, with children: the ticket includes the shows with the Popeye characters, the mini golf and, in summer, the water activities. Yes as well if you like cinema: it is the real 1980 set, and the documentary tells how it was built.
Less so if you come without children, just to see the set: the ticket (€18 at the moment, €25 in summer 2026) mostly pays for activities for the youngest. The park also warns that the visit is mostly in the sun.
How long? At least two hours for the set, the documentary and a show, half a day in summer with the water activities. What time? At opening time, with your ticket bought online: the park advises booking to skip the queue, and in summer you avoid the midday sun. By bus, plan your return around the 101.
Anchor Bay and the area around Popeye Village
- Anchor Bay: the cove below the park is rocky. According to Visit Malta, the water is usually calm but only suitable for good swimmers, and fishermen sit on the little quay left over from the filming. People also dive here from the shore, via a pier, when a strong north-easterly wind stops diving elsewhere.
- Għadira: the beach of Mellieħa Bay, 4 to 6 minutes away on the 101, gently sloping and shallow according to Visit Malta. Everything about the beach and the village is in our guide to things to do in Mellieħa.
- Ċirkewwa: the terminus where you catch the ferry to Gozo, 12 to 16 minutes away on the 101: see Ċirkewwa and its ferries.
Popeye Village is not part of any of our tours: you go there on your own. For the rest of your stay, see our Malta tours and day trips, our ideas for Malta with kids and our guide to things to do in Malta.
FAQ: Popeye Village
Where is Popeye Village?
At Anchor Bay, Triq Tal-Prajjet, in the Mellieħa area, one kilometre west of the village according to Visit Malta.
What is Popeye Village?
The set of Robert Altman's film "Popeye" (1980), starring Robin Williams, built in 1979. Today it is a park for families, with shows, a cinema and games.
How do I get to Popeye Village by bus from Valletta?
Take the 41, 42 or X300 to the "Mellieħa" stop (50 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes), then the 101 towards Ċirkewwa to the "Popeye" stop (about 10 minutes). The €2 ticket is valid for 2 hours, changes included.
How much are Popeye Village tickets?
As of 20 October 2026, €18 for an adult or a teenager, €14 for a child aged 3 to 12 or a pensioner. From 6 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, it is €15 and €12.50; in summer 2026, it was €25 and €16.
How long do you need at Popeye Village?
The park does not give a time: allow at least two hours for the set, the 15-minute documentary and a show, and half a day in summer with the water activities.
Is Popeye Village open in winter?
Yes, every day of the year according to its website. From 6 November 2026 to 30 April 2027, it opens from 9:30am to 5pm, with the Popeye comic museum as well.
Is Popeye Village worth it?
Yes with children, or if you like cinema: it is the real film set. For an adult on their own who just wants to see it, the ticket mostly pays for children's activities.
Can you swim at Popeye Village?
Yes, in summer: from 1 June to 30 September 2026, the ticket included the inflatable obstacle course on the water and splash pools. Anchor Bay is rocky, and Visit Malta says it is only for good swimmers.
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