Morocco LGBT Travel Guide
Article 489
Article 489 of the Penal Code of Morocco which criminalises "lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex”.
Morocco is a country with everything to offer, from lively souks, stretching deserts, and remote waterfalls. Not to mention the mouthwatering local cuisine, and the vibrant nightlife.
But, before you pack your bag, there are a few LGBT Morocco travel tips you’ll need to know before jumping on a plane. Due in large to the fact that being a member of the LGBTQ+ community in Morocco is illegal, as is the case in many country in the region of the middle east, it is essential that you know how to stay safe whilst you’re there.
I’ve created this LGBT Morocco travel guide to help you stay safe on your trip and enjoy the adventure filled country to its fullest.
Key takeaways:
Morocco is a popular destination for many travellers; however, LGBT rights are very limited in Morocco due to homosexuality being illegal in the country. Although, some destinations within Morocco are known to have LGBTQ+ friendly places.
Morocco is a Muslim country, so modest dress is best!
Dating apps: due to limited LGBTQ+ rights in Morocco, there aren’t are safe or recommended apps for dating.
Gay friendly spots: Tangier, Marrakesh and Agadir.
Why Morocco?
The country of Morocco has so much to offer every kind of traveller. Less than ten miles separate its stunning coastline from Spain’s southernmost tip, which can been seen from notorious cafes in Tangier. Morocco is home to the world-famous Sahara Desert, as well as the Atlas Mountain range and hidden gem waterfalls. A chaotic blend of culture, Morocco has been ruled by the French, the Spanish, Berbers, and Arabs, and has hundreds of years of history as home to Jews. Morocco has centuries upon centuries of cultural and religious influences that have shaped the country into what it is today.
If you’re interested in a little bit of everything, then check out this itinerary which begins in Marrakech and includes the Atlas Mountains, western Sahara Desert camel rides and quad biking, Fes and Chefchaouen.
LGBTQ+ safety in Morocco
Morocco is a hugely popular tourist destination, and a bucket list destination for many LGBTQ+ travellers, however the rights of the LGBTQ+ community suffer in Morocco because it is illegal to be gay in the country. The fact is: Morocco is Muslim country, and being gay is punishable by law. In Morocco, being gay could land you with a prison sentence, which is why I create these guides! A country’s laws on your sexuality should not prohibit you from entering it - but you must ensure to exercise caution, understand local customs, and know the best places to visit, to stay safe whilst you are there.
The unfortunate law which causes such a huge threat to so many people is Article 489 of the Penal Code of Morocco which criminalises "lewd or unnatural acts with an individual of the same sex". In Morocco, being gay is considered a threat to “traditional values”, which is extremely important in a Muslim country. These values typically align with Muslim expectations and heterosexual norms. Naturally, going against these roles leads to the LGBTQ+ community facing societal and legal barriers whilst in Morocco. Regardless of your opinion on the matter, as a visitor in this country, it is your duty to respect and adhere to local customs and cultures - even if only for your own safety.
Like everywhere, Morocco's legilslation of homosexuality does not imply that there are no queer people or gay cultures there. Rather, people are cautious with their relationships and choose to keep them behind closed doors, rather than advertised in public. Casablanca, for example, is one of the most urban cities and is a focal point for the local gay community - though sight seeing wise, there isn’t too much to do! Three other places that have LGBTQ+ friendly hubs or places are Tangier, Marrakech, and Agadir.
What to wear in Morocco
When travelling to Arab countries, my friends always ask me “okay… what do I pack?!”. In a world accustomed to Shein’s see through fabric and Instagram models leaving little to the imagination, it can be difficult to know what how to dress appropriately in order to respect the country’s customs and traditions. Ultimately, the people of Morocco appreciate you dressing modestly and respectfully.
In Morocco, men are expected to wear t-shirts/collared shirts that cover their shoulders, along with shorts or trousers that reach their knees. Pretty standard stuff. Women are expected to wear loose-fitting, longer clothing with their upper arms, chest, midriff, back and knees covered. A good rule of thumb when choosing your outfit is to think ‘would I wear this to church?’. Note: You don’t have to attend church to apply that rule of thinking. As with most countries, the cities are a little bit more relaxed but when visiting rural areas, definitely cover arms and legs as the people are more conservative. Below are some photos from my month in Morocco and I didn’t have any bad experiences in relation to my clothing!
Visitors and foreign women do not have to cover their hair in Morocco, unless they’re visiting a mosque, so keep a scarf in your bag. If you’re headed for a swim, make sure that you’re only wearing swimwear at the beach/pool, and are covered up before leaving the beach area or pool, because swimwear is reserved for the beach.
Morocco is a country where heteronormativity is the norm, and cultural customs are gendered, so if you are a Trans Traveller, you need to be mindful of what Morocco will expect of you when visiting, and come prepared both mentally and physically.
To date or not to dat(ing app)
As homosexuality is illegal in Morocco, there aren't any recommended dating apps for the LGBTQ+ community in Morocco due to limited LGBTQ+ rights. In fact, dating apps in the country can be a dangerous trap - like when a social media influencer encouraged followers to create fake dating app accounts which targeted gay men in the community, in a bid to out them. The police in Morocco also use dating apps as a means of entrapment. They create fake profiles and lure users into meet ups, where they will be arrested for homosexuality. This doesn’t mean you can’t meet or connect with other members of the LGBTQ+ community whilst you travel Morocco, it just means you’ll have to do it old style! You need to know where to visit and how to do it.
Must-see destinations in Morocco
Morocco is a country packed with things to do and things to see. It really is a place you could spend a lot of time exploring - I spent a month exploring and still didn’t see everything I wanted to - but for the purposes of LGBT+, you want to focus on three cities in particular. Two of these are lesser known: Tangier and Agadir, whilst the final city is a hot spot for all travellers: Marrakesh.
Tangier
Tangier is one of my favourite places in Morocco, it was the last place I visited and I fell completely in love. It is a small, up and coming area which has a long history of expats in the area. With expats, comes a small gay scene in Tangier. Admittedly, the gay scene did used to be larger, but as it increased, so did the harassment by the authorities. Just because you’re in an area where it seems safer and more accepted, you still have to remember to be discreet.
Lesbians travelling in Morocco face fewer issues. This doesn’t mean it is easy for them to express themselves or their sexuality, but on the whole, I think it is much more acceptable for females to be closer and touchier than males. For example, you probably wouldn’t look twice at two girls holding hands in a crowded market, but you’d possibly lock in on two guys. Unfortunately, for lesbians local to Morocco, this isn’t the case as women enjoy fewer freedoms in everyday life than men, and are accompanied by their families or husbands. As a result, it is difficult, nearing impossible, for them to establish or maintain relationships with other women.
No travel guides can prepare you for Marrakech. It’s an overwhelming, constantly alive city where you will find an LGBTQ+ hub for expats in Morocco. Marrakesh is a cosmopolitan city and receives extensive tourism, resulting in a mixed crowd of people. It should be noted that in Morocco, platonic affection is shown openly within same-sex relationships, so seeing people holding hands isn’t uncommon. During my time in Marrakesh, a lot of tourists either misinterpreted this platonic affection, or decided to play into it, and engaged in hand holding with their same-sex partners - not much happened in all honesty, but I still wouldn’t recommend it.
Agadir and Essaouira
Essauira is a small port city with infinite charm, whilst Agadir is a major city on the Atlantic shore. Neither city has a gay scene of their own, however, their beautiful beaches attract a large amount of European tourists, amongst whom are pockets of gay and lesbian travellers.
Gay-friendly hotels in Marrakech
When heading to Morocco, a big question for everybody is ‘where do I stay?’, add a layer of LGBT friendly to this search criteria and you might feel overwhelmed, but there are plenty of places to stay and hang out in Marrakech. Comptoir Darna is a great place to enjoy unique cocktails and a blend of gay and straight foreigners and locals. Although there aren't any strictly gay hotels, foreign-owned properties are typically where you’ll find more like-minded people. If you're looking for a local experience, here's a list of riads to visit.
This Medina-based Riad is gay-friendly and welcoming to all. The staff will also offer advice on where to go in Marrakech, and let you take advantage of the pool and terrace. Guests regularly comment on how staff make them feel like family, and welcome them, even as part of the LGBT community.
The market square of Djemaa El Fna is just a short stroll away from this charming Riad. This discreet spot may even allow some nude sunbathing.
If you are searching for modernity mixed with classic Moroccan architecture, look no further than Riad L’Orchidee. You can spend the day exploring the city or unwinding on the sun deck.
Gay-friendly clubs in Morocco
Plastik Club
Tourists headed to the capital city - Casablanca - should make time to visit the Plastik Club, which was originally known as Candy Bar. It offers an anything-goes vibe, with guests and patrons dressing in outrageously wild outfits and dancing to the best music. Depending on the night you go, there might be live entertainment in addition to (trigger warning for epilepsy) an abundance of strobe lighting.
This small, cozy cafe offers a charming terrace perfect for people watching and taking in the atmosphere. It doesn’t serve alcohol but the cuisine is delicious and there is a huge selection of hot and cold drinks to choose from.
This is the place to be if you’re looking for the spot that previously attracted open-minded liberals such as William S. Burroughs, Jack Kerouac, Tennessee Williams, and Federico García Lorca. For LGBTQ+ travellers, the Tanger Inn, located inside the Hotel El Muniria, is a terrific option.
Restaurant d'Orient et d'Ailleurs
Located in Essaouira, this is a discreet, romantic restaurant. If you're looking for a relaxing spot to share a romantic drink with a loved one, then this is where you need to visit.
This club really is the place for the whole community - Gay, transgender, and lesbian travellers alike will enjoy VIP Club Marrakech. As thrilling dance music thumps, strobe lights set the scene for you to dance among the glitz and glamour. You can enjoy techno in one part of the club or experience a Moroccan cabaret show in a different part of the club. If there is anywhere in Marrakech you will feel safe and welcome, it is here.
Are you trying to find a quiet, romantic place to be? Regardless of sexual orientation, couples frequent Comptoir Darna: a renowned bar and restaurant. This welcoming location has plenty of food and dancing for everyone to enjoy.
Flamingo Oriental Night Club
This nightclub draws both residents and visitors and features the latest hits in music while attracting both locals and tourists alike. LGBTQ+ tourists visiting Agadir feel at ease when visiting this seaside resort.
Morocco LGBTQ+ Resources
There are currently 13 active LGBTQ activist groups and organizations across Morocco, each with different priorities but at the heart of them all is the value of human rights, which are threatened by the conservative parts of the country.
Nassawiyat (Feminists in Arabic) is an LBTQ womxn* and feminist group based in Morocco, established with the aim of peacefully combating violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression against marginalised communities in Morocco.
Equality Morocco is an independent NGO fighting against discrimination based on gender and sexuality in Morocco.
Trans Dynamics (TD) is an unregistered organization by and for Trans people in Morocco: founded in 2018, TD is the first and only trans-specific organisation based in Morocco.
Aswat started as an online magazine in April 2012 and focused on topics related to sexual health and sexual education, contemporary culture, and personal life narrative articles written by and for members of the community.
Now that you know some LGBT Morocco hotspots and what you can expect, you can start planning your trip to North Africa! Remember that no matter where you go in Morocco, being gay is illegal. You'll need to be vigilant when visiting, but that doesn't mean you can't have a great trip and enjoy all the country has to offer.
