Popeye Village is one of the places that totally impressed me during my trip to Malta. I still remember the moment when I first saw this village from the cliff that borders the beautiful Anchor Bay.
The colored houses of all shapes and sizes, which cover an entire side of the hill, together with the turquoise water of the bay create an unreal setting. Just like a waterfall, the 19 colored wooden houses give the impression that they will fall and sink in the sea.
Considered an open-air museum, Popeye Village has become a popular tourist attraction among the tourists who visit Malta. Its beauty and its interesting story are the main reasons why Popeye Village has become so popular. Also known as Sweethaven Village, this place is the film set of the 1980 musical production “Popeye” which presents the story of Popeye the Sailor with Robin Williams in the leading role. According to the story, this is the village where Popeye arrives to find his long-lost father.
The construction of this place started in 1979 and it involved hard work. A team of 165 workers needed seven months to complete the project. Nowadays, the village can be visited if you are willing to pay an entrance ticket which costs 11 euros. I recommend this theme park because it has a lot to offer regardless of your age. You can visit the 19 interesting settlements, including Popeye and Olive’s houses, a post office and a bar.
It will be very interesting to visit the houses and enjoy the animators’ performances. The variety of animation shows will give you the feeling that you are part of the story. These shows can be watched both inside the houses and in the narrow streets of the village. An improvised cinema will also urge you to watch a short documentary about the construction of the film set.
After exploring these animated houses, you can take a walk along the shore of the bay or you can relax in the sun on the pontoon. The seaweed smell and the noise of the waves will make you feel relaxed. Only the shrill voices of the animators will bring you back to reality. A short boat trip around the bay, the possibility to use the mini-golf course and the option of visiting Popeye’s Comic Museum are also included in the price of the ticket. Not to mention that you will get popcorn and a postcard for free.
It was a real pleasure to explore this small village after we had admired it for almost an hour from the top of the cliff. The view from the top is gorgeous and this is why we decided to come back another day and admire it again. It goes without saying that we took hundreds of pictures there.
As I have already said, Popeye Village is situated in Anchor Bay, three kilometers away from the famous Maltese village of Mellieħa and this is why it is easily reachable. You can get there using public transportation, a rented car or even transportation provided by the administrators of the village. In case you choose the last option, you should call and make the reservation in advance. If you get there by car, you can use the parking lot in front of the village for free. We used the bus because we were staying very close, in Mellieħa, and it was the easiest way to get there.
Popeye Village is open all year long, but you should take into account that the schedule is different depending on the season. In winter, between November and March, the village can be visited from 9.30 to 16.30. In spring and autumn, between April and June and September and October, the village is open from 9.30 to 17.30. The village has an extended summer schedule, in July and August and it can be visited from 9.30 to 19.00.
To conclude, no matter what you choose to do in Malta, in case you get there make sure you add Popeye Village to your trip itinerary because it is worth visiting.
