Gay Travel: Our Honest Experience Traveling Morocco as a Gay Couple
Is Morocco safe for gay travelers? Here’s everything we learned from our trip—from accommodations to cultural norms, plus essential safety tips for visiting as a gay traveler or couple.
Why Morocco Was on Our Bucket List (Despite the Risks)
Morocco had been on our radar for years, particularly Marrakech. The bustling souks, the rich history, the hammans (hello!), it’s a dream destination. But as a gay couple, we had to ask ourselves an important question: Is Morocco safe for gay travelers?
A quick Google search told us that same-sex relationships are criminalized under Moroccan law. That was… not exactly reassuring, and it made us even more nervous about going. But, at the same time, we also found articles about how Morocco was a gay haven for Western tourists in the 1950s and came across countless stories of gay travelers who had visited without issue, so we decided to do extensive research to ultimately decide if we’d go for a short-trip or not.
Since visiting Marrakech for the first time in 2022, we visited again this year! So we want to share our first hand experiences so you can decide if it's a destination for you, and how to travel safely if you do go. This article will be specific to Marrakech, one of the most fascinating places in the world.
If you're planning to visit Marrakech, we put everything we learned — including where to stay, safety realities, and our exact itinerary — into our Gay-Approved Marrakech Guide below. It’s designed specifically for LGBTQ+ travelers, based on our firsthand experiences going to Marrakech.
Is Morocco Safe for Gay Travelers? What the Law Says vs. Reality
Moroccan law technically criminalizes homosexuality, with potential prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 3 years. That sounds terrifying, but in reality, enforcement is inconsistent and typically only comes into play when gay locals or travelers attract unwanted attention. So while you can visit as a same-sex couple, discretion is key—more on that later.
That said, it’s important to remember:
✔ Public displays of affection (even for straight couples) are frowned upon
✔ Gay nightlife is very much underground, and hard to find if you don’t know a local, so don’t expect a gay bar scene
✔ Some travelers have faced issues with police entrapment using dating apps, so be very careful
Where We Stayed: Finding Gay-Friendly Hotels in Marrakech
The biggest question we had before going was: Where should we stay? As you can imagine, finding ‘gay-friendly’ hotels wasn’t necessarily the easiest thing. Many gay travelers recommend booking international hotel chains because they operate under global policies that promote inclusivity, like Hilton or Four Seasons. But let’s talk…
Two Sides of Marrakech: Medina and Gueliz
Marrakech has two sides, which we didn’t know of when we did our research. and they are night and day. Not kidding. Gueliz (aka New City or French Quarter) is modern with new-age buildings, restaurants and a lot of money lol. You'll see some of the most expensive cars, which was utterly fascinating considering how just a few minutes away is the Medina. The Medina couldn’t be more opposite, it’s filled with traditional Moroccan architecture, narrow alleys with practically no cars, a lot of motor bikes and endless souks. According to our cab driver, the Gueliz is upscale where locals prefer speaking French instead of Arabic because it’s a sign of class. We wanted to experience the Medina, so we decided to go for a riad (a traditional Moroccan guesthouse). Although not as upscale as Gueliz, it offers a truer Moroccan experience.
If you’re unsure where to stay, we go much deeper into choosing between the Medina and Gueliz in our Gay-Approved Marrakech Guide. We also share accommodation options ranging from budget to ultra-luxury, based on the places we personally stayed and felt most welcomed (it even includes a gay-owned riad). 👉 View the full guide here.
🛏️ Riad or Hotel? This is one of our most commonly asked questions, especially from LGBTQ+ travelers. Experiencing a traditional riad is a must in Morocco, but as gay travelers, they can be riskier than, say, well-established hotels that take a more Western approach. It’s risky not because it’s dangerous, but because most riads are owned by locals, and so the view towards LGBTQ+ travelers, couples or families might be different than choosing a Hilton hotel. We totally understand this because we felt the same during our first trip to Marrakech. We were nervous coming up to the riad (which ended up being fine and in fact, the riad was gay-owned), but we had no idea at the time. Fast forward to our second visit, where we stayed at a hotel, and those nerves weren’t there because we knew it carried a more Western hospitality vibe.
Now, we always want to be safe than sorry, so we booked two separate beds ahead of time. We recommend the same if you’re feeling nervous, but trust us, while it’s no guarantee, you will be fine visiting Marrakech!
✅ Cheeky Tip: If you’re booking a riad, read reviews carefully and look for ones that mention "friendly staff" or past LGBTQ+ guests.
Navigating Morocco as a Gay Couple: What We Did & How We Felt
From exploring the souks to interactions with locals, let’s talk about a few important things:
Did we show affection? Absolutely not. While we wouldn’t hesitate to hold hands in other places, we knew better in Morocco. However, even straight couples avoid public displays of affection, so it wasn’t an issue for us. We’re also not the PDA type!
How did locals treat us? To be totally honest, all interactions were warm and welcoming; we never felt outright hostility. While some did catch on and knew from a distance we were a gay couple, no one was at all disrespectful. We did get catcalled once, which was more for fun banter than anything. More often than not, locals assumed we were friends or business partners.
What did we wear? We weren’t as worried about clothing because it was hot, so shorts and tank tops (or vest if you’re from Europe) were fine. We did dress very gay cis-gender, so keep this in mind if you’re wardrobe is different.
Dining & Nightlife: What to Expect? The gay nightlife is none existent, but there is an underground scene. We didn’t care going through the trouble of finding a party, so had a few hetero nights out (we talk more about this in our guide) and it was fun! We went to Comptoir Marrakech, where they had Moroccan performers and beats. If you’re looking for a gay night out, it’s possible! Use apps to connect with locals but be careful.
🥂 Insider Tip: Alcohol is not as common, though more available than other Muslim-majority countries, so if you want a drink (or three), go to restaurants in well-known hotels and/or rooftop lounges. Those are your best bets.
Our Top Safety Tips for Gay Travelers in Morocco
✅ If you’re still nervous after this article, stay in international hotel chains
✅ Respect local customs and avoid any PDA
✅ Use dating apps cautiously
✅ Dress modestly to avoid standing out
✅ Get our Gay-Approved Marrakech Guide (shameless plug 😝 but we created it from the heart and others have found it helpful)
Final Thoughts: Would We Visit Morocco Again?
In our honest opinion, yes! While we were only able to visit Marrakech, Morocco as a country is breathtaking, unique, and worth experiencing. It carries so much history and we too deserve to experience it firsthand. We only got a taste but can’t wait to explore the Sahara or the Atlas Mountains. And the shopping? One-of-a-kind. We have not found better leather items than the ones we bought in souks in the Medina.
Now, is Morocco for every gay traveler? That depends.
✔ If you’re comfortable being discreet for a short time, then you’ll be fine. While nothing is guaranteed, we can assure you it’ll be okay.
✔ If you want to travel openly without worry, Morocco might not be for you.
We don’t regret going and look forward to visiting again in the future. But, we wouldn’t recommend it for gay travelers who are uncomfortable adjusting their behavior for safety. If you’re still feeling anxious, follow us on social media and DM us your questions. We’d be happy to help in any way!
PS: We’re so excited to share that our itinerary guide is finally out!! It took us ages to put together, but it’s here and we’re thrilled to share it with you all. And thank you deeply for supporting small. independent creators like us. xx
The Gay Traveler’s Guide to Marrakech (PDF)
As always, happy, safe travels!
Davey & Omie
