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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
Amazing roast beef and a cracking beer.
Last day sadly flying home tomorrow.
