Where Was Popeye Filmed?

The Short Answer

The 1980 film Popeye was filmed mainly on the island of Malta. A full-scale wooden village called Sweethaven was purpose-built at Anchor Bay near Mellieha for the production. Sea and boat chase sequences were shot in the waters around the nearby island of Comino, including the Blue Lagoon. Some interior scenes were filmed at Malta Film Studios in Kalkara.

Robert Altman's 1980 adaptation of the classic comic strip brought Robin Williams, in his first film role, to a quiet bay on Malta's north coast. Rather than shoot on an existing backlot, the production built an entire fishing village from scratch, and then left it there.

That decision turned out to be a happy accident for travelers. The set survived, opened as Popeye Village in the early 1980s, and remains one of the few film sets in the world that became a permanent attraction you can walk through.

Every Location At A Glance

Location	Where	What was filmed	Access
Popeye Village (Sweethaven)	Mellieħa	Most town and harbor scenes including Sweethaven village, Popeye's arrival, and daily life sequences	Ticketed
Comino / Blue Lagoon	Comino	Boat chase sequences with Bluto, Olive Oyl and Swee'Pea; sailing into Blue Lagoon and surrounding cliffs	Free to see
Malta Film Studios	Kalkara	Some interior scenes	Ticketed

Filming Locations Map

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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Location By Location

Most town and harbor scenes were filmed here, including Sweethaven village life and Popeye's arrival by boat. The set was built over seven months in 1979 by 165 workers, using logs shipped from Holland, shingles from Canada, eight tons of nails and 2,000 gallons of paint. It was never dismantled and now operates as a theme park with the original buildings, boat rides and activities. Entry is ticketed, and the site opens daily with seasonal hours. There is also access to a rocky beach.

The boat chase sequences with Bluto, Olive Oyl and Swee'Pea were shot in the waters around Comino, sailing into the Blue Lagoon and along the surrounding cliffs. The island sits between Malta and Gozo and is reachable by ferry or boat tours from either side, with seasonal services. Today it is one of the Mediterranean's most popular swimming and sightseeing spots, and the turquoise lagoon looks much as it did on screen.

Some interior scenes for the film were shot at Malta Film Studios on St. Rocco Street in Kalkara, across the harbor from Valletta. The facility remains an active production hub and is one of the longer standing studios in the Mediterranean region. Access is ticketed and arranged for tours or productions rather than casual visits, so travelers interested in seeing inside should check current arrangements through the local film commission before planning a stop.

Where It Is Set Versus Where It Was Filmed

The story is set in Sweethaven, a fictional coastal town, but the filming took place in real locations in Malta. The village itself was constructed at Anchor Bay near Mellieha, while the open sea scenes were captured around Comino. Fictional setting, genuine Maltese coastline.

The Studio Side

Malta Film Studios in Kalkara handled some interior scenes. Principal photography ran from January 23 to June 19, 1980, running three weeks over schedule because of bad weather. The production base at Anchor Bay was unusually elaborate, including not just the village set but a recording studio, editing facilities and living quarters for cast and crew. A breakwater of roughly 60 to 75 meters was built to shield the set from high seas.

Tours That Visit These Locations

For most visitors, the simplest way to see the filming locations is a tour that includes Popeye Village itself.

Popeye Village Set Visit

Popeye Village Film Set

A visit to the surviving Sweethaven set, with 413 reviews from other travelers, covering the wooden village where nearly all the town scenes were shot.

413 reviews

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Visit The Popeye Film Set?

Yes. The Sweethaven set at Anchor Bay was never dismantled and opened as Popeye Village in the early 1980s. It is now a theme park with the original wooden buildings, boat rides and family activities. Entry fees apply and it opens daily with seasonal hours.

Where Is Popeye Village Located?

Popeye Village sits at Anchor Bay, also known as Prajjet Bay, near the town of Mellieha on the north coast of Malta.

How Long Did The Sweethaven Set Take To Build?

Construction took seven months in 1979 and involved an international crew of 165 workers. The builders used logs from Holland, shingles from Canada, eight tons of nails and 2,000 gallons of paint.

Was The Whole Movie Shot In Malta?

Almost. The town and harbor scenes were filmed at the purpose-built Sweethaven set at Anchor Bay, boat chases were shot around Comino, and some interior scenes were done at Malta Film Studios in Kalkara.

Why Did Filming Run Over Schedule?

Principal photography ran from January 23 to June 19, 1980, finishing three weeks late because of bad weather. A breakwater was built to protect the set from high seas during the shoot.

Is The Blue Lagoon From The Film Open To Visitors?

Yes. Comino and the Blue Lagoon are accessible by ferry or boat tours from Malta or Gozo, with seasonal services. The area is now a popular swimming and sightseeing destination.

Popeye offers an unusual case among film locations: the set outlived the production and became a destination in its own right. A visit to Anchor Bay, paired with a boat trip around Comino, covers nearly everything seen on screen.