Things to do · Ouarzazate
Right in the centre of Ouarzazate, set opposite the Taourirt Kasbah, the Cinema Museum (Musée du Cinéma) gathers up the sets, props, costumes and old cameras left behind by the many productions shot in and around the city — the region nicknamed 'Ouallywood'. It is a small, fun, easy in-town stop rather than a grand institution: you wander through reconstructed film sets and decor, from ancient-world thrones to Egyptian-temple-style props and sci-fi pieces, getting a behind-the-scenes feel for how the desert around Ouarzazate has stood in for so many other worlds. Here is what to know before you go.
12 experiences
A small museum in the centre of Ouarzazate dedicated to the region's long film history. Inside, it displays a collection of film sets, props, costumes, decor and old equipment gathered from productions shot in the area — an easy, light-hearted stop rather than a large formal museum.
The museum sits in town, directly opposite the Taourirt Kasbah, so it is simple to reach on foot from the centre and natural to pair with a kasbah visit. Its central position makes it one of the most convenient film-themed stops in Ouarzazate.
Much of the appeal is wandering through reconstructed and leftover film sets — staged rooms, gateways and backdrops built for the screen. Expect ancient-world and sci-fi flavours among the displays; the exact sets on show change over time, so treat specifics as a guide rather than a fixed list.
Alongside the sets are assorted props and decor — old thrones, statues, weapons-style pieces, Egyptian-temple-style decoration and other set dressing left over from shoots. It is the kind of place where you turn a corner and meet a giant prop from a film you may half-recognise.
The collection typically includes costumes and outfits used or made for productions filmed in the region, giving a sense of the wardrobe side of a big desert shoot. As with the rest of the displays, exactly what is out can vary visit to visit.
Look out for vintage cameras and pieces of film equipment among the exhibits — a reminder that Ouarzazate has been a working film base for decades, not just a backdrop.
The museum is a compact, in-town companion to the much larger Atlas Film Studios on the edge of Ouarzazate. The studios give you sprawling open-air lots and standing sets; the museum gives you a quick, concentrated dose of props, costumes and decor in the centre of town.
It is best for film fans curious about 'Ouallywood', and a fun, easy stop for families and anyone wanting a short, low-effort sight in the town centre. If you only have a little time or limited appetite for a big tour, it fits neatly into a gap in the day.
It is modest in size, so most visitors spend a fairly short time here — best treated as a quick stop rather than a half-day. That makes it easy to slot in before or after the Taourirt Kasbah across the road.
There is normally an admission charge on site; check current admission and opening hours locally, as details can change. A short visit is usually enough to take in the sets and props at your own pace.
The staged sets and oversized props are made to photograph well, and the open-air sections can be bright and sculptural in the desert light. Check any signs or ask on site about photography rules before you start snapping.
Because it faces the Taourirt Kasbah and sits in town, the museum combines easily with a kasbah visit and with the Atlas Film Studios on the edge of Ouarzazate — together they make a tidy film-and-kasbah half-day in and around the city.
It is a small museum (Musée du Cinéma) in the centre of Ouarzazate, set opposite the Taourirt Kasbah, displaying film sets, props, costumes, decor and old cameras left over from the many productions shot in the region. It is an easy, fun in-town stop for film fans rather than a large formal museum.
It sits right in the town centre of Ouarzazate, directly opposite the Taourirt Kasbah, so it is simple to reach on foot and natural to combine with a kasbah visit. Check current opening hours locally as they can change.
The museum is a compact, in-town collection of props, costumes, decor and cameras, while the Atlas Film Studios on the edge of town are a much larger site with sprawling open-air lots and standing sets. Many film fans do both: a short museum stop in the centre and a longer studio tour outside town.
It is modest in size, so it is best treated as a short stop rather than a half-day — ideal for film fans, families and anyone wanting an easy sight in the town centre. Most visitors spend a fairly short time wandering the sets and props before moving on to the Taourirt Kasbah or the studios.
See it with a local
We'll build a private, guided plan around the experiences you care about — with a driver, hand-picked riads and a written quote in 24 hours.
Contact us for pricingMore cities