Popeye Village is a village in name only. In fact, it is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Malta – an amusement park combined with a film set. Do you want to try your hand at being in front of cameras and then watch yourself on a cinema screen? Nothing could be simpler, just go to Malta, visit Sweethaven, and then walk the streets until the director hires you in his ambitious production. Sounds interesting? Here we go!
See the best attractions in Malta! It’s warm here even in winter.
Popeye Village – video and photos
Before we reveal what awaits you after crossing the gates of the iconic Popeye Village, we must first write a few words about its exceptionally picturesque location. It was created on the rocky coast of Anchor Bay. Wooden, colorful huts against the background of azure water and golden rocks look simply magical. There are no ordinary buildings in the area, which makes Popeye Village look like something from a fairy tale. It’s no wonder that filmmakers chose this place as their dream set for a musical.
Construction began in mid-1979. It’s hard to believe, but the work lasted only 4 months. 19 buildings were built in such a short time. As many as 165 workers were employed for the work. Building materials were transported from Canada and the Netherlands – quite a long way. Thanks to such an intensive construction, in 1980 the musical “Popeye” was released. It was directed by Robert Altman, produced by Robert Evans, and distributed by Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions.
The film received mixed reviews from critics. It was definitely not an Oscar production. But it was thanks to this movie that we were able to have so much fun. When we crossed the threshold of Sweethaven, we wanted to immediately check off the points on the paper map received at the entrance. Unfortunately, when we were crossing the street, we were caught unnoticed by the director, who dragged us straight to the film set. We started to believe these stories about the great careers of actors accidentally noticed in a shopping mall by producers or photographers.
And this is where the fun began! Every minute, new amateur actors appeared on the film set, recruited from among random passers-by. Each improvisation participant received appropriate props, along with short instructions from the scriptwriter. There was no written script, so we had to rely only on descriptions of the scenes whispered in our ears or shouted to the entire crew. Here we had to really let our imagination run wild.
Wiolczi played a very secondary role in the entire adaptation (her task was mainly to swing plastic fish and wipe tears with a scarf). Patryk had to prove himself much more, as both the director and the camera liked him. We can honestly say that we were very impressed with the skills of the rest of the team. For real! The kids played their roles most naturally. But there was also a gem among adults – we confused an amateur playing Popey with a professional actor.
It was great fun on the film set. Taking part in all this live improvisation, it’s hard not to laugh. But that’s not the end. Each production is shown at Sweethaven Cinema on a large screen. This is an opportunity to watch a masterful screening with your own participation in a real cinema with a bucket of popcorn. Could we have dreamed of a better holiday in January? Those interested can buy the film for a symbolic amount – to show off to their loved ones; when there is nothing left to see on Netflix; or as an everlasting keepsake.
After playing the role of a lifetime, we could finally go on further sightseeing. Despite participating in the film, we were not yet recognizable enough as movie stars to be stopped on the street for autographs. ; ) Popeye’s world had us hooked. We have never had the opportunity to admire this type of architecture anywhere before. Wooden houses with delicately curved roofs are impressive. The village is full of gadgets and props related to the famous sailor. In addition, there are animators from musicals or comics lurking at every step.
And what exactly can be done in the village? Here are some examples! At the post office you can send a greeting card, at the dentist you can see dental torture tools, at the bakery you can sell vegetables and fruits, and in the museum you can see exhibits related to Popeye. Don’t forget to climb to the viewpoint. During the season, you will have the opportunity to sail on a cruise on Anchor Bay, sunbathe or play mini golf. There are games and outdoor activities for active people.
Time always passes too quickly during magical moments. We are glad that we could visit such a wonderful place. Taking into account modern film technology, today’s creators’ passion for greenscreen and the development of AI, such attractions will become fewer and fewer. That’s why they will gain in value – not only the sentimental value. With this optimistic accent and the obligatory entry in the guest book, we say goodbye to Popeye Village. Now it’s your turn to visit!
Popeye Village – tickets and price list
Ticket prices to Popeye Village depend on the month in which you go here.
- High season (01/07-30/09)
- Adults and teenagers – €24.00.
- Children (3-12 years) and pensioners – €16.00.
- Children up to 3 years of age enter for free.
- Medium season (31/05-30/06 and 01/10-06/11)
- Adults and teenagers – €18.00.
- Children (3-12 years) and pensioners – €14.00.
- Children up to 3 years of age enter for free.
- Low season (07/11-30/05, but there are exceptions, including Christmas, Easter, carnival – check the Popeye Village website for more details)
- Adults and teenagers – €15.00.
- Children (3-12 years) and pensioners – €10.00.
- Children up to 3 years of age enter for free.
Remember that children up to 16 years of age may stay on the attraction premises only under the supervision of an adult guardian.
Popeye Village – opening hours
The opening hours of Popeye Village depend on the month in which you visit.
- High season (01/07-30/09) – 09:30 – 18:00.
- Medium season (31/05-30/06 and 01/10-06/11) – 09:30 – 17:30.
- Low season (07/11-30/05, but there are exceptions, including Christmas, Easter, carnival – check the Popeye Village website for more details) – 9:30 – 17:00.
Popeye Village – visiting time
- Are you looking for entertainment for the whole day? Popeye Village – especially in high season – will certainly not disappoint you. This place will appeal to both children and adults. Lots of fun guaranteed.
- If you cannot afford such a long stay but you want to take advantage of many of the village’s attractions, at least briefly, spend here 3-4 hours.
- We could afford – unfortunately – only 2 hours to stay in this extraordinary place. It was enough to play in the film, enter into each house, go to the viewpoint and take photos. It seems like a lot, but we feel a bit unsatisfied.
Popeye Village – address and how to get?
Look for Popeye Village at Triq Tal-Prajjet, Il-Mellieħa, Malta. The exact location of the place can be found at the end of the post.
- On foot. We encourage walking and cycling trips. Popeye Village is only 3 kilometers away from the center of the tourist town of Mellieħa, or about a 45-minute walk.
- Bus. There is a bus stop just outside the village – it’s called Popeye.
- Car. You can easily reach Popeye Village by car – don’t worry about parking, you will find it in front of the facility. We reached the attraction from Mellieħa by taxi, which is relatively cheap in Malta.
Popeye Village – interesting facts and tips
- Did you know that Malta is called the “Mediterranean Hollywood”? Not only “Popeye” was shot on the island, but also scenes from the films “Troy”, “Gladiator”, “Alexander”, “The Spy Who Loved Me”, “For Your Eyes Only”, “The Da Vinci Code”, “The League of the Extraordinary Gentlemen”, “Asterix & Obelix: Mission Cleopatra”, “U-571”, “The Count of Monte Cristo”, “Clash of the Titans”, and the series “Game of Thrones”.
- The musical “Popeye” was not a spectacular success – and to put it bluntly, it turned out to be a cinematic flop. The Maltese village is therefore more successful as a tourist attraction than as a film set.
- Popeye Village has a special wedding offer for newlyweds. In our humble opinion, this is a truly original place for this type of party. It’s definitely fairy-tale – literally!
Popeye Village – reviews / opinions
- Patryk – 7/10. When I was a little boy, I really liked watching Popeye. Like the main character, I wanted to eat spinach and gain superhuman powers. While in Malta, I knew I had to visit this village. My impressions are very positive. Popeye Village not only reminded me of my childhood, but it also had a lot of fun. There is an extremely funny atmosphere there. Animators still encourage us to have fun. The buildings are very worn by time, but I still recommend it.
- Wiola – 8/10. After reading some not so positive comments online, I had mixed feelings about visiting this place. The photos looked tempting, but the reviews were discouraging. We spent only a few days in Malta, so we put Popeye Village in the “optional attractions” category. And on the last day, before departure, our slot was empty, so we headed to the village. And it was worth it! Don’t follow comments from the Internet (unless ours), but always rely on your own intuition. We would really miss a lot if we didn’t visit the film village. Not only did we have our five minutes in front of the cameras and then on the big screen, but what’s more, our stomachs hurt from laughing so hard. The place is very nicely arranged, straight out of a fairy tale. Even though not all attractions were open due to the low season, I still have fond memories of a few hours spent in Popeye Village.
Popeye Village – frequently asked questions
How to get to Popeye Village?
The easiest way to get to Popeye Village is by car or taxi. For non-motorists, we recommend the excellent public transport in Malta – there is a Popeye bus stop right next to the attraction. If you are relaxing in the town of Mellieħa, 3 kilometers away, you can go to the film village on foot. It will only take you 45 minutes.
How much does Popeye Village cost?
Ticket prices to Popeye Village depend on the date of your visit. In the high season (01/07-30/09), adults and teenagers will pay €24.00, children (3-12 years) and pensioners will pay €16.00. In the mid-season (31/05-30/06 and 01/10-06/11), a regular ticket costs €18.00 and a reduced ticket – €14.00. In the low season (07/11-30/05), tickets are the cheapest: adults and teenagers can buy them for €15.00, and children (3-12 years old) and pensioners – for €10.00. The youngest guests (up to 3 years old) enter Popeye Village free of charge.
Where in Malta was Popeye filmed?
The movie “Popeye” was shot in Popeye Village in the north of Malta, near the famous tourist town of Mellieħa, on Anchor Bay. A specially prepared film set was used for this purpose, on which a real sailor’s village with several buildings was built.
Where is Popeye village?
Popeye Village, also known as Popeye Village or Sweethaven, is located in Malta, specifically in the northern part of the island, 3 kilometers from Mellieħa.
Popeye Village – map
Popeye Village is located in the north-west of the island of Malta.
