Gay Travel: Our Honest Experience Traveling Morocco as a Gay Couple (2026)
Is Morocco safe for gay travelers in 2026? LGBTQ+ travel can change quickly, so here’s everything we learned from two trips to Marrakech as a gay couple, from choosing accommodations and understanding cultural norms to safety tips for visiting Morocco as a gay traveler or couple.
The honest answer: Morocco is not an openly gay-friendly destination, and same-sex relationships remain criminalized under Moroccan law. However, based on our two visits to Marrakech as a gay couple, we were able to visit safely by being discreet, avoiding public displays of affection, and respecting local cultural norms, which we share in detail below.
We first visited Marrakech in 2022 and returned again in 2026, so this guide is based on our two firsthand trips and focuses specifically on what it’s actually like visiting Marrakech as an LGBTQ+ traveler.
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 hammams (hello!), and the incredible food made it feel like a dream destination that we wanted to experience. But as a gay couple, we had one major question: Is Morocco safe for gay travelers like us?
A quick Google search told us that same-sex relationships are criminalized under Moroccan law. That wansn’t exactly reassuring.
At the same time, during our extensive research, we found countless stories from LGBTQ+ travelers who had visited without issue, along with Morocco's surprisingly complex history with queer travelers dating back decades. After a lot of research and debate, we decided to take the leap and experience Marrakech for ourselves.
👇 Planning your trip to Marrakech? We put everything we learned into a 12-page guide, including how to be safe, where to stay, gay-friendly accommodations, and our exact itinerary. It's designed specifically for LGBTQ+ travelers and couples.
Is Morocco Safe for Gay Travelers in 2026? What the Law Says vs. Reality
Moroccan law technically criminalizes homosexuality with potential prison sentences, which is terrifying. But similar to other countries we’ve visited, the reality is different. Enforcement of said law is inconsistent and typically only comes into play when gay locals or LGBTQ+ travelers attract unwanted attention. So, as we tell our friends, while you can visit as a gay traveler or same-sex couple, discretion is key. Despite positive experiences like ours, Morocco is not openly gay-friendly.
Safety Tips for Gay Travelers Visiting Morocco
Choose your accommodation carefully. If you’re feeling nervous, international hotel chains can feel easier because they usually follow global hospitality standards. That said, riads can be a beautiful part of the Marrakech experience. Just read reviews carefully before booking. We stayed at a gay-owned riad, which was lovely! We’ve included it in our guide, but if you email us, we’re happy to send over.
Avoid public displays of affection. This applies to LGBTQ+ travelers especially, but public affection is generally more reserved in Morocco overall. We didn’t hold hands or show affection publicly, and that helped us feel more comfortable.
Use dating apps cautiously. Some gay travelers have reported scams, harassment, or police-related issues through apps like Grndr or other, so please be careful about who you speak to and where you meet. And use VPNs, friends!
Be mindful of how much you stand out. You don’t need to erase yourself, but Morocco is more conservative than many Western destinations. Dress and behave in a way that feels safe for your comfort level. Davey and I (Omie) wore shorts and tank tops, and were fine. We’d just caution rainbow anything or too clothing that’s too colorful.
Plan ahead if you’re anxious. Make sure you tell friends where you’re staying, research more firsthand experiences, and choose a reputable hotel. We were anxious until we got there, which is why we create our detailed Gay-Approved Marrakech Guide. It’s what we wish we had before we visited Morocco.
Where Should Gay Travelers Stay in Marrakech?
Here’s the thing, if you’ve never been Marrakech, you won’t know that it has two very different areas. We had no idea until we got there and then were like WHAT THE… 😮
Where you stay is probably the most important because it’s the difference between sleeping sounding or sleeping with one eye open. So one of our biggest questions was: Where do we stay as a gay couple? As you can imagine, finding ‘gay-friendly’ hotels wasn’t the easiest thing. But let’s talk…
Two Sides of Marrakech: Medina and Gueliz
Marrakech has two sides, and they are night and day. Not kidding. We go into more detail in this article: Where Should Gay Travelers Stay in Marrakech? Medina vs Gueliz.
If you’ve done some research, you have definitely heard of the Medina. It’s the ultimate Moroccan experience. Think traditional Moroccan architecture, narrow alleys with practically no cars, a lot of motor bikes and endless, colorful souks. It’s the chaos of Marrakech, whereas Gueliz couldn’t be more opposite lol.
So, Gueliz (aka New City or French Quarter) is modern with new-age buildings, restaurants and a lot of money lol. Think Nobu, expensive cars, French-inspired everything. According to our cab driver, Gueliz is upscale and a place where locals prefer speaking French instead of Arabic (apparently it’s a sign of class).
For us, Gueliz lacks character, but it is utterly fascinating considering how just a few minutes away is the Medina. For our first trip, we wanted the true Moroccan experience, so we decided to go for a riad (a traditional Moroccan guesthouse) in the Medina. On our second trip, we chose a hotel close boarding Gueliz and the Medina, so we got to see both sides.
Should You Choose a 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 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, 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.
Should You Ask for One Bed or Two? We’d rather be safe than sorry, so we booked two separate beds ahead of time. We recommend doing the same if you’re feeling nervous, but trust us, while it’s no guarantee, you will be fine visiting Marrakech.
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? No. 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 Davey and I had 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 disrespectful. We did get catcalled once lol, 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 lol) were fine. We did dress very gay cis-gender, so keep this in mind if your wardrobe is different.
Is There Gay Nightlife in Marrakech?
Not openly. You won't find gay bars or a visible LGBTQ+ district in Marrakech. While there is an underground gay scene, finding requires you to know a local with trusted connections.
Davey and I visited Marrakech for the cultural experience rather than the nightlife, so we didn't spend time trying to track down gay events. That said, we still had several great nights out. Two places we particularly liked were Comptoir Marrakech and Safran Marrakech. Both had a lively atmosphere, Moroccan music and performers. They were unique and overall good fun.
Now, if you're set on finding gay parties, they do exist, but you’ll most likely need to find them via dating apps or social media, but again… be careful!
Insider Tip: Alcohol is available in Marrakech, though it's less common. If you love a good drink like us (ay!), your best options are international hotels and restaurants, and rooftop lounges.
Final Thoughts: Should LGBTQ+ Travelers Visit Morocco?
As you’ve read, whether LGBTQ+ travelers should visit Morocco really depends on your comfort level. If you’re comfortable being discreet for a short period of time, avoiding public displays of affection, and respecting local cultural norms, Marrakech can be an incredible place to experience. It’s rich in history, full of color, and unlike anywhere else we’ve visited. But if you want to travel openly without thinking about it, Morocco probably isn’t the right destination for you.
Would we visit again? Honestly, yeah. We don’t regret going at all. In fact, we’d love to see more of Morocco beyond Marrakech, especially the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains. The country is breathtaking, unique, and worth experiencing. Not to mention the shopping is top-tier. We haven’t found better leather items than the ones we bought in the Medina souks.
Our guide below goes deeper into our firsthand experiences, but if you’re still feeling anxious, DM us on @traveling_boyfriends. We want to make sure you have the most amazing experience.
The Gay Traveler’s Guide to Marrakech (PDF)
As always, safe travels! x
Davey & Omie
