Popeye Village Malta

August 12, 2014, news broke that Robin Williams, the star of Popeye and many more movies had died, apparently by his own hand. My thoughts quickly returned once more to Popeye Village Malta and this earlier review of our visit.

Hubby and I had a fun day out at Popeye Village, which can be found near Mellieha on the Island of Malta. The fact that we were two adults, approaching middle age made not one difference to the visit experience.

However, if you visit as a family or with a group of children the experience will be even better. Since our visit, Popeye or Sweethaven Village has grown in size and added many more attractions.

We stayed at the resort Bugibba on the Mediterranean Island of Malta. Sandy beaches are in short supply on this lovely Island and Bugibba has only rocks near the water's edge where holiday makers gather like basking seals.

Mellieha is only a short bus journey west of Buggiba and has a pleasant village, a magnificent church, some hotels and a beautiful sandy beach; this meant that we visited a couple of times during our two-week vacation.

We actually came upon Popeye Village almost by chance.

Being too hot for the beach at Mellieha one day we opted for a stroll. Not far from the beach we saw a dirt track between fields which had Popeye Village signposted. The sign stated the distance and as it did not sound far away, intrigued, off we went.

As we strolled in the hot afternoon sun there were huge gourds at the side of the road. It was September and the crops were rolling in. About halfway along this track we could see back to Mellieha and forward to the coast in the south of the island, where Popeye village is located. This part of the island is so slender that you can see the water in both the north and the south of the island at once; well you can if you look at the right time and you are in the right place.

Popeye Village.

One thing we learned when we visited Malta is that the island's tourism is ingenious and inventive. Anything that could be even remotely turned into a tourist attraction is! This made for some unusual and fascinating attractions.

Popeye Village was actually the set of the 80's Robin Williams film Popeye.

Ever the opportunists the Maltese had turned this set into an attraction for tourists. These days it is more like a small theme park though.

When we visited the entrance fee was reasonable, so in we went.

The setting was certainly perfect. Popeye Village is set on the coast of Malta where the beach is a soft sand and the waters turquoise blue. There was a tourist shop with the usual gifts such as Popeye tea-towels and numerous items displaying Popeye Village or Malta.

Hubby and I stuck our heads through wooden cut-outs of Popeye and Olive. When I find the old photos, if I ever do, I will scan them and add to this review.

These days the programme of events includes boat trips, mini golf, beach sun bathing, wine tasting, a silversmith demonstration, fun park, cinema screenings and more. There are special school package deals for organised visits. Popeye Village also hosts various corporate events.

The characters and events at Popeye Village will vary according to the time of year.

But I have fond memories of our visit to a less commercialised Popeye Village.

Even if you just briefly visit, like we did, and sunbathe, have a dip in the Mediterranean, stroll around Popeye village and saunter back to Mellieha it is a great day out.


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