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.
Now, after experiencing Morocco firsthand, we want to share everything we learned so you can decide if it's a destination for you—and how to travel safely if you do go. Since we only had a few days, we only explored Marrakech, so this will be specific to there.
Before we dive in, if you're planning to visit Morocco or other destinations as a gay traveler, grab our free safety guide! It includes top essential tips to help you travel smarter and more confidently.
📩 Click here to download the LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Guide
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: the French Quarter and the Medina
Marrakech has two sides, which we didn’t know of when we did our research. and they are night and day. Not kidding. The French Quarter is modern with new-age buildings, restaurants and a lot of money. You'll see some of the most expensive cars. 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 even more souks. According to our cab driver, the French Quarter 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 the French Quarter, it offers a truer Moroccan experience. If you are nervous, even after your research, stay in the French Quarter and venture into the Medina when you want. We' were glad our first experience was in the Medina because it's truly one of a kind. It's chaos at its finest.
🛏️ Where we stayed: A local gay-owned riad in the Medina. We didn't know the riad was gay-owned; it was a beautiful surprise. The owners weren't there, but the host was as lovely as pie. She welcomed us with Moroccan treats (tea and bites) and once we felt comfortable enough, we asked if it would be safe for us in Marrakech, she reassured us it was. The riad included breakfast, which was delicious, and offered great views of the Medina. We do not want to publicly disclose the riad name out of respect for privacy, so message us and we will send you the name.
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 and other parts of Morocco!
✅ 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
The Medina in Marrakech
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 in the French Quarter 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 or available, 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
✅ Stay in international hotel chains if you are nervous
✅ Respect local customs and avoid any PDA
✅ Use dating apps cautiously
✅ Dress modestly to avoid standing out
✅ Join gay travel groups for real-time advice, on Facebook or Reddit
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: Our Marrakech itinerary will be live soon, so stay tuned and happy, safe travels lovelies!
