Plizio Visual Lab

Anchor Bay

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Port

Weather…

Anchor Bay is a distinctive inlet located on the northwest coast of Malta, renowned for its steep limestone cliffs and crystal-clear waters. The location gained international fame in 1979 when it served as the filming location for the movie 'Popeye', starring Robin Williams. Popeye Village, the film set constructed for the production, remains preserved today as a popular theme park, defining the bay's visual identity with its colourful wooden buildings. Geologically, the bay provides shelter from strong northwest winds, making it a favoured destination for scuba divers who explore its complex underwater cave systems and lively marine life. A notable highlight for divers is the wreck of a small tugboat, intentionally scuttled to create an artificial reef. The cliffs surrounding the bay are home to rare endemic plant species, contributing to the area's ecological significance. Despite its popularity as a tourist attraction, the bay retains a rugged natural beauty, particularly during sunset.

Location: Malta
Top sights: Prajjet Bay · View on Popeye Village · Popeye Village
Nearby: Mġarr, Malta (5 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May–Jul.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	15	14	15	16	19	23	26	27	25	23	20	16
Rain mm	74	65	51	33	17	11	4	10	63	82	95	82

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

Anchor Bay is a bay in Malta that houses the open-air museum Popeye Village, originally built as a film set for the musical movie. The bay is also used as an anchorage for small boats and yachts.

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Visiting

Popeye Village is open as a tourist attraction and can be visited for an entry fee. The bay itself is publicly accessible and invites swimming and sunbathing.

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Where to view it

From the lookout point above the bay, you get a spectacular view of the colourful Popeye Village and the turquoise water. The cliffs around the bay also provide great photo opportunities.

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Local products

In Popeye Village, souvenirs, local crafts and snacks are on offer. In the surrounding area, small stalls sell Maltese specialties like pastizzi and fresh fruit.

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Active season

Popeye Village and the bay are very busy mainly in the summer months from June to September. The main tourist season is July and August when the weather is best.

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Nearby

Combine the visit with the nearby Mellieha Bay and its beaches. The ferry to Gozo is also just a short drive away.