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Popeye Village

Anchor Bay, northwest of the Mediterranean island, houses the town of the famous lively sailor, one of the great attractions of the area next to its beaches of fine sand and waters ideal for diving

Northwest of Malta, about 30 km from Valletta, the capital, Popeye Village is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country. The flirtatious town, which was built in the beautiful Anchor Bay in 1980 as the setting for Popeye , a movie based on the adventures of the comic book hero created by Elzie Crisler Segard in 1929 and starring Robin Williams, who embodied the famous sailor who It was invincible when I ate spinach, today it is an original theme park recommended for adults and children. The enclosure is composed of 19 wooden houses painted in bright colors that mimic an old fishing village on the shores of the crystalline and turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.

In it, in addition to participating in different activities (workshops of facial paint, balloons, a mini-golf, visit the comic museum ...), go to daily shows and get on the attractions, attendees can meet first-hand main characters that accompany Popeye in his adventures just by walking through the streets: Olivia, Bruto, Cocoliso and Wimpy will not get tired of photographing themselves with the little ones. It is also possible to go out by boat through the bay and, in summer, access the swimming pools, water attractions and trampolines and slides located in the quiet bay. The park celebrates this year the 90th anniversary of the creation of the character of the comic with some surprises (admission: adults, 17 eurs; children up to 12 years, 13.50 euros).

Wooden house of Popeye Village theme park in Malta.

Diving and beaches

The Maltese archipelago is one of the world's paradises for diving enthusiasts , with more than 100 dive sites that house boats surrounded by a unique biodiversity, caverns, tunnels and canyons to explore (more information, www.visitmalta.com / en / diving). Popeye Village is located in the aforementioned Anchor Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in Malta. It is especially suitable for the newest in diving, since its waters are not very deep. For the most advanced in this discipline, just 6 km away, in Cirkewwa, is Punta Marfa , one of the favorite places of local divers. It has an impressive slope of eight to 30 m, in addition to an arch that forms a cavern and numerous easily accessible caves, where you can see brunettes, octopuses and coral. Nearby is Punta Ahrax , next to Marfa Ridge, where, among the seagrass beds, there are devil fish, bright corals and red sponges.

The theme park is also located very close to the main beaches of the island (fine white sand), such as Mellieha Bay (about 3 km), also known as Ghadira Bay, or Golden Bay (5 km), two of the more tourist areas and with more hotels in Malta. They are the widest, busiest and with more catering and leisure services (you can practice all kinds of water sports), perfect for going with the family, since its waters are calm and shallow.

The town of Mellieha.

Both are located next to the main town of the area, Mellieha , a city of about 10,000 inhabitants on top of a hill and crowned by its main monument, the sanctuary of Our Lady of Mellieha, imposing temple that is seen from several kilometers away (either by land or sea). It was originally built in the 16th century and highlights its two bell towers, its dome and a Byzantine-style fresco inside. It is nestled in a stop above the main square of the town, local meeting point and lively shopping and entertainment center. In the same square is another of the most visited places in the municipality: the underground shelter of World War II , a maze of cubicles and corridors very well preserved (guided tour: 2.50 euros).

Where to sleep

Seabank Resort + Spa | Marfa Road, Il-Mellieha | from 145 euros. Quiet all-inclusive resort five minutes walk from the beach in Ghadira Bay. It offers indoor and outdoor pools, plus free parking. All rooms (with free Wi-Fi connection) have a balcony with sea or mountain views. The rate includes meals in the restaurants of the complex, as well as an entertainment program for adults and a children's club.

Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa | George Borg Olivier Street, Il-Mellieha | from 130 euros. In the center of Mellieha is this modern hotel with an impressive rooftop pool, from where you can see the sea behind the town's sanctuary. It is one kilometer from the beach.

Where to eat

Pastizzi (cakes stuffed with cottage cheese or peas), ftira biz-zejt (Maltese bread spread with tomato paste and tuna, black olives, cheese, oil ...), custard (sauce based on beans, peppers, garlic and parsley , in the photo) or lampuki (golden) are terms that must be learned if you want to taste any of these components of traditional Maltese cuisine, which complete honey, almonds, wheat, olive oil, pistachios, dates and meat and fish (swordfish is the king of the table). In the town of Mellieha, Bouquet Garni (Triq Gorg Borg Olivier, Il-Mellieha.Tel .: +356 21 52 22 34) is a simple restaurant with local cuisine, with fresh seafood and grilled meats. On the beach, with spectacular views of the Ghadira Bay, Blu Beach Club (Marfa Road, Il-Mellieha) is an elegant beach bar where you can go for a drink or snack on some of its elaborate portions (the selection dish stands out seafood). Good fresh fish and local cuisine with avant-garde touches at Bouquet Garni (Triq it-Tgham), in a stop next to the parish church of Mellieha.

How to get

Iberia Express flies directly from Madrid to Malta International Airport three times a week (from 150 euros). Once there, it is best to rent a car to travel the island (40 km from north to south). Eye, they drive on the left side of the road, as in Britain.

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