Visiting Popeye Village Malta
Popeye Village Malta is one of the island’s most unusual and recognisable attractions, located on the north-west coast of Malta near Mellieha. What makes this place special is that it was originally built as a film set for the 1980 musical film Popeye, starring Robin Williams. Instead of being dismantled after filming, the colourful wooden buildings were preserved and eventually turned into a tourist attraction.
Today, Popeye Village is part film set, part theme park, part museum and part scenic viewpoint, making it a popular stop for families, photographers and visitors exploring the northern part of Malta. The village sits in Anchor Bay, a beautiful small bay with clear water and dramatic cliffs, which means even visitors who are not interested in the film set itself often visit for the views alone.
Walking through the village feels like stepping into a cartoon, with bright wooden houses, narrow walkways, small shops and viewpoints overlooking the bay. Staff dressed as characters often perform short shows and entertainment during the day, and there are small attractions included in the entrance ticket such as mini golf, boat rides in the bay and small museums explaining the history of the film set.
Many visitors combine Popeye Village with a visit to Mellieha, Golden Bay, Paradise Bay or the Gozo ferry, as all of these are located in the northern part of Malta. Because of this, Popeye Village is often visited as part of a half-day trip around northern Malta rather than a full-day attraction on its own.
Where Popeye Village Is Located & How to Get There
Popeye Village is located in Anchor Bay, near Mellieha in the north-west of Malta, around 45 minutes from Valletta and about 30 minutes from St Julian’s and Sliema by car. Because it is located in a bay below the main road, the village is not visible until you reach the viewpoint above it, which is actually one of the best photo spots in Malta.
There are several ways to reach Popeye Village, and the best option depends on where you are staying and whether you are using public transport, taxis or a hire car.
If you are travelling by bus, you will normally need to take a bus to Mellieha and then another bus or taxi to Anchor Bay, followed by a short walk downhill to the village entrance. Public transport works, but it can take longer because of the bus changes.
Many visitors choose to take a Bolt or taxi directly from Valletta, Sliema or St Julian’s, which is usually much quicker and not too expensive when split between several people. This is often the easiest way to reach Popeye Village if you are not hiring a car.
If you have a hire car, there is a car park at the top of the hill above Popeye Village, and from there you walk down to the entrance. The walk down offers some of the best views of the village and Anchor Bay, so it is worth stopping for photos before entering.
Because Popeye Village is located in the north of Malta, many travellers visit it on the same day as Golden Bay, Mellieha Beach, Paradise Bay or the Gozo ferry terminal, making it easy to combine several attractions in one trip.
Popeye Village Tickets & Prices
Visitors need to buy an entrance ticket to enter Popeye Village, and the ticket includes much more than just walking around the film set. The attraction is designed as a small themed park, and several activities are included in the price depending on the season.
Tickets usually include access to the entire film set village, live shows and animations, a small museum about the Popeye film, mini golf, and often a short boat ride in Anchor Bay when weather conditions allow. Seasonal events also take place throughout the year, including summer activities, Halloween events and Christmas celebrations, which can make visiting at different times of year a different experience.
Ticket prices vary depending on the season, with higher prices in summer and lower prices in winter, but most visitors consider the attraction reasonably priced considering the location and views. During peak summer months the village can be busy, especially with families and cruise visitors, so visiting earlier in the day is usually a good idea.
Many visitors choose to buy tickets online in advance, especially in summer, as this can save time at the entrance and sometimes offers small discounts compared to buying tickets on arrival.
Even if you do not want to enter the village itself, it is worth knowing that there is a viewpoint above Popeye Village that is free to visit, and this viewpoint is actually one of the most photographed spots in Malta.
What to See at Popeye Village
The main attraction at Popeye Village is, of course, the original film set buildings, which have been preserved and repainted in bright colours. Visitors can walk through the small streets, enter several of the buildings, and learn about how the film was made and how the set was constructed in the late 1970s.
One of the highlights of visiting is simply walking around the wooden houses, balconies and walkways, as the entire village feels like a cartoon town. Many buildings contain small exhibitions, short films about the movie production, or themed rooms linked to the Popeye characters.
Another highlight is the views across Anchor Bay, which are spectacular. The water in the bay is usually very clear and turquoise, and many visitors spend time simply walking around the village taking photos rather than focusing on the attractions themselves.
Depending on the time of year, visitors may also see live shows, character performances, and short animations, which are particularly popular with families visiting with children. There is also a small beach area and swimming platforms in summer, which makes the village more like a small seaside attraction during the warmer months.
Many visitors say that even people who have never seen the Popeye film still enjoy visiting, because the location itself is beautiful and the village is very different from other attractions in Malta. It is one of those places that is partly a tourist attraction and partly a scenic viewpoint.
Is Popeye Village Worth Visiting?
Whether Popeye Village is worth visiting really depends on what type of traveller you are and how much time you have in Malta. Some people visit because they love the film, others visit because it is one of Malta’s most unusual attractions, and many people simply visit because of the location and views over Anchor Bay.
For families travelling with children, Popeye Village is definitely worth visiting, as there are shows, activities, mini golf, and open spaces for children to explore. It is designed to be interactive rather than just a museum, which makes it more interesting for younger visitors.
For photographers and travellers exploring northern Malta, the village is also worth visiting because the viewpoint above Anchor Bay is one of the best photo locations on the island. Even if you do not enter the attraction itself, many people still stop at the viewpoint to take photos of the colourful buildings and the bay below.
Film fans may find the history of the set interesting, especially learning how the entire village was built as a temporary film set and then left behind after filming finished. It is quite unusual to see a full film set still standing decades later, which makes the village quite unique.
If you are only visiting Malta for a short city break and staying around Valletta, Sliema and St Julian’s, Popeye Village may not be essential. However, if you are exploring the north of Malta, visiting Gozo, or visiting Mellieha and the beaches, it is very easy to add Popeye Village as a stop on the same day.
How Long to Spend at Popeye Village
Most visitors spend between two and four hours at Popeye Village, depending on whether they watch the shows, take the boat ride, and explore all of the buildings inside the village.
If you are mainly visiting for photos and to walk around the village, you may only spend around two hours there. However, families with children often stay longer because of the activities and shows included with the ticket.
Many travellers visit Popeye Village as part of a half-day trip in northern Malta, often combining it with Mellieha, Golden Bay, Paradise Bay or the Gozo ferry terminal. Because the island is small, it is easy to visit several places in one day.
The best time to visit is usually earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, as the village can be busy in the middle of the day, especially in summer and during cruise ship days. Visiting earlier also gives better lighting for photos from the viewpoint above the village.
If you visit in summer, it is worth remembering that the village is very exposed and can be hot, so bring water, sunscreen and comfortable shoes for walking up and down the hill between the car park and the entrance.
Tips for Visiting Popeye Village
There are a few simple things that can make your visit to Popeye Village easier and more enjoyable, especially during busy periods.
Parking is located at the top of the hill above the village, and from there you walk down to the entrance. The walk down is easy, but the walk back up can be steep, especially in hot weather, so allow time for this when leaving.
The viewpoint above the village is free to visit and is one of the best places for photos. Many visitors actually stop here first before entering the village itself, as this is where you get the classic view of the colourful houses and Anchor Bay.
If you are visiting in summer, the village can be busy during the middle of the day, so visiting earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon is usually more enjoyable. The lighting is also better for photos during these times.
If you are travelling by bus, remember that you may need to walk downhill from the main road to the entrance. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as the paths around the village are wooden walkways and steps.
Many visitors combine Popeye Village with other nearby attractions in northern Malta, which makes it easier to plan a full day in this part of the island rather than travelling there just for one attraction.
Rupert’s Handy Travel Tips
Planning a visit to Popeye Village Malta? Here are a few useful tips to make your visit smoother:
- Visit the viewpoint first: The best photos of Popeye Village are taken from the viewpoint above Anchor Bay before you enter.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You will walk downhill to the village and uphill again when leaving.
- Combine with northern Malta: Visit Mellieha, Golden Bay, Paradise Bay or the Gozo ferry on the same day.
- Go early or late: The village can be busy in the middle of the day, especially in summer.
Want to meet the reindeer behind our travel tips? Find out more in our page Who is Rupert?.
Further Reading & Related Malta Guides
If you are planning a trip to Malta, start with our Malta travel guide, which covers transport, attractions, where to stay and essential travel tips for visiting the islands.
If you are arriving by plane, read our Malta airport transfers guide to understand the best ways to get from the airport to Valletta, Sliema, St Julian’s and Gozo.
Planning to visit Gozo? Our Gozo day trip guide explains ferry options, travel times and the best things to see on the island.
If you want to explore the island easily, read our Malta hop on hop off bus guide, which explains routes, stops and whether the sightseeing bus is worth using.
If you are planning a boat trip, read our Malta cruises guide covering Comino, the Blue Lagoon, sea caves and Gozo boat tours.
For indoor attractions and family-friendly activities, see our Malta National Aquarium guide, including tickets, opening times and visitor tips.
Last Updated
This Popeye Village Malta guide was last updated in April 2026. Attraction opening times, ticket prices and transport options can change, so always check official websites before visiting.
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