Mellieha & Popeye Village Malta 2nd September 25

On Tuesday the 2nd September 2025 we have breakfast at the hotel and walk to the Bugibba Bus Terminal to catch the bus to the Popeye Village.

The bus we were on, drives on through Mellieha and its then I realise it actually doesn't go to the Popeye Village so we get off by Mellieha beach.

Għadira Bay, also known as Mellieħa Bay, is the largest sandy beach in Malta, located on the island's northwest coast. It's a popular destination for families, offering a clear sea, sandy shores, and amenities like sunbeds, umbrellas, and watersports. The beach is easily accessible, with free parking, but can get crowded, especially in the mornings, so it's recommended to arrive early.  

We stand in the heat, its a while for the bus that takes us to the Popeye Village. I decide to book a bolt to take us there.

We buy our tickets and enter the Popeye Village.

The Lookout Tower

Popeye Village, also known as Sweethaven Village, is a purpose-built film set village that has been converted into a small attraction fun park, consisting of a collection of rustic and ramshackle wooden buildings. It is located at Prajjet Bay/Anchor Bay, 3 km (1.9 mi) from the village core of Mellieħa, Malta.

It was built as a film set for the production of the 1980 live-action musical feature film Popeye, produced by Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Productions starring Robin Williams and Shelley Duvall. It is open to the public as an open-air museum and seaside resort.

The construction of the film set began in June 1979. A construction crew of 165 working four months was needed to build the village, which consists of 19 wooden buildings. Hundreds of logs and several thousand wooden planks were imported from the Netherlands, while wood shingles used in the construction of the roof tops were imported from Canada. Eight tons of nails and 7,600 L (2,000 US gal) of paint were also used in construction.

In addition, a 60–75 m (197–246 ft) breakwater was constructed around Anchor Bay's mouth to protect the set from the high seas during filming.

The set was completed in seven months, and filming commenced on 23 January 1980, and wrapped later that year on 19 June. The film, based on the comic strips by E. C. Segar, is set around the fictional village of Sweethaven, where Popeye the sailor arrives in an attempt to find his long-lost father.

Although the film had mixed reviews, Popeye Village remains a popular tourist attraction.

Popeye Village is open to the public seven days a week and, apart from the film set itself, has several family attractions for the visitor to experience. There are shows, rides, and museums, as well as playhouses where children can climb and explore the village. Children can meet the main characters from the movie, such as Popeye, Olive Oyl, Brutus, and Wimpy.

Some of the houses in Popeye Village have been equipped with various items related to the film's production, including props used in the movie.

Situated in the centre of Popeye Village's Lower Complex, visitors can see a 15-minute history and information audio-visual show which includes clips from the actual film and the set's construction. The cinema can accommodate approximately 40 people and has a show every hour.

We continue to stroll around the set, aside from the show and the water aerobics, I cant say its worth the entrance fee to be honest.

Olive Oyls House

The characters now perform a show and get the visitors involved.

One tried to get Mel to dance, she was having none of it! Ha ha

We wander down to the beach and they are doing water aerobics in the sea.

Really wish we had bought our swimming gear.

I stand in the water and a fish keeps pecking at my feet.

We leave the village, I walk around to the viewpoint to get photos of the village from above.

I book a bolt cab to take us all the way back to the hotel in Bugibba.

It arrives, all windows are down. I guess aircon not working. Then 5 minutes into the journey the car starts pinging and warnings of overheating. I hope it gets us back. It does but on getting up, I see the state of its tyres. Totally bald, like slicks. Had I seen that before I'd not got in it in the first place!

After a rest, we grab our swimming stuff and go for a swim in the sea in Bugibba.

Water was nice and warm.

That night we head back to Harry's Bar for dinner and drinks. 

Amazing roast beef and a cracking beer. 

Last day sadly flying home tomorrow. 

Marsaxlokk Malta 31st August 2025

On Sunday the 31st August 2025 we awake in the hotel and again after breakfast we head to Bugibba Bus Terminal to catch two buses to Marsaxlokk. We are getting good value out of these weekky Tallinja bus passes. We catch a bus to Valletta and another out to Marsaxlokk. The second bus was rammed and had to stand the whole way to Marsaxlokk.

We arrive and walk a short distance to the waterfront there

The first impressive building we see is the parish church of Our Lady of Pompei.

The parish of Marsaxlokk was established when fishermen started to build houses near the sea coast in order to save time on travelling. Thus at the end of the 19th century it was decided to build a church that would minister to the spiritual needs of the fishermen and their families. Prior to becoming a parish, Marsaxlokk was part of the parish of Żejtun. The construction of the church started in 1890. It was built as a fulfilment of a promise made by Marquess Rosalia Apap Viani Testaferrata after she was saved from a violent storm at sea. The church was originally built in a rectangular form with the designs attributed to Dun Ġużepp Diacono. Marsaxlokk became an independent parish in 1897. The first parish priest was Reverend Salv Delia. In the 1900s the church was enlarged altering the shape to that of a Latin cross with the addition of east end transepts and a choir. In the late 1920s a new west front was constructed under the direction of architect Giuseppe Lia.

We stop in Costa coffee for a drink, sadly they said their toilets were out of order. Something I doubted but couldn't argue with.

We walk on through the Sunday market and find public toilets at the end.

Traditional Maltese fishing boats.

On Triq Il Wiga there are some very pretty houses.

We stroll through the Sunday market full if food, souvenirs, clothes and a fish market.

Visiting the Marsaxlokk Market on Sunday is probably on every traveller’s list of things to do when they are in Malta. Marsaxlokk was established by the Phoenicians in the 9th Century BC, but the fish trade was likely established along its bay centuries before the colonisation.

Marsaxlokk is the oldest port in all of Malta, a little island that is mostly made up of old ports. It was here the Phoenicians first landed and set up trading posts for their goods which shipped from the Orient to the west. It has long fallen from importance – first to Mdina, then later to the three cities – Birgu, Senglea and Cospicua, and then to Valletta. However, it remains far from forgotten. Today, it is among the Maltese islands’ most popular attractions.

The truly unique thing about Marsaxlokk is its bay filled with colourful boats. These are traditional fishing boats called “luzzu”, which date back to Phoenician times. The giveaway to their ancient heritage can be most prominently seen in the eyes painted at the prow of most ships. Even if you’re not that well versed in ancient Egyptian history, you probably would recognise the eyes as closely resembling the Eye of Horus, a symbol of protection.

Around the bay are old buildings that are a mix of British colonial and Moorish architecture. A stroll around the bay and back is a must, after all this is the main attraction of Marsaxlokk.

We book up a boat trip to St Peters Pool with Charlie's Boat Trip.

We try and find a restaurant to buy some drinks,  turned away from all as they were only interested in those eating.

After a short wait it was time for our boat trip with Charlie.

We cruise along pristine coastlines and enjoy breath-taking views on a traditional boat, the Luzzu.

We depart from Marsaxlokk Harbour and cruise the Delimara coast where we will see the salt pans, St Lucian's tower, Fort Delimara, Kalanka Bay, and St. Peter's Pool.

We set off and Charlie gives commentary as we cruise along. Charlie is a real character and makes the trip that little bit special.

We leave the harbour weaving through the many boats moored there.

We can see the Delimara Lighthouse sitting upon the top of the cliffs.

The Delimara Lighthouse is an active lighthouse on the island of Malta. It is the second lighthouse to be built on the Delimara point near Marsaxlokk at the southern end of the island. The original lighthouse which was built in the mid 19th century still exists alongside the more modern rectangular tower which opened in 1990. This newer two storey building has observation windows, with roof mounted radar and aerials, and is used for coastal traffic control.

We pass a huge gas tanker, Charlie said its here all the gas for Malta is imported and stored here in Marsaxlokk.

We arrive at St Peters Pool. Its very busy and we can see youngsters leaping into the water from the cliffs. As fun as it looks, I'll give it a miss, I'd probably injure myself!

A diving dog called Titti once appeared jumping into the water with its owner Carmelo Abela at St. Peter's Pool, creating an internet sensation. In the aftermath of the video shared online, visitors from all over the world have been enticed to visit the pool and perhaps even see the dog themselves. Although Titti passed away in 2019, a new dog named Tina has made waves online by demonstrating her impressive jumping ability.

We walk away from the busy pool to a slightly quieter area. Mel hurts her leg sliding down from a ledge, hopefully she'll be ok for the rest of the holiday.

Mel sits under a ledge in the shade while I try and find a spot to swim.

I try swimming here, it was difficult trying to get out with the tide pushing me forward and then pulling me back again. I managed to cut my toe on the sharp rocks but nothing too serious.

I find another bay just over that had a ladder down into the deep water, but this was far easier for swimming.

After an hour Charlie returns to take us back to Marsaxlokk.

I highly recommend Charlies boat trips and was quite cheap too.

We catch the two buses back to Bugibba.

We had dinner and retired back to the hotel.