Marrakesh is a magical destination. In the old town inside the city walls you will feel like it's like the old days again. No cars and people in traditional clothing.
Officially there is nothing gay in Marrakesh or Morocco. Gay life is hidden and underground. It makes it still a very recommended destination, including for gays.
Visiting Marrakesh
Marrakesh is one of the 4 so called kings cities and the most popular city in Morocco to visit.
Marrakesh is located in northern Africa. It's summers are very hot, winters not that cold but rainy. So best time to visit is Spring, and late September till early November. You can combine Marrakesh with a few days in other cities, or even a night in a tent in the Sahara dessert. From Marrakesh you can also do day trips to the coast or Atlas Mountains.
Marrakech LGBTQ travellers guide
Gay life in Marrakech
Marrakech gay life is hidden, but it does exist. Every night there is a place to be for gays. It changes frequently. So better ask around on the apps or in a discrete way ask in your Riad for information.
Restaurants
In the Medina (the Old town) there are some very nice fancy restaurants. Most of those are located in old riads, and you can eat at beautiful inside gardens, or on roof terraces. The food is often excellent, and most inside restaurants serve wine and other alcohol. On the outside you will only see a door, as a riad usually has no windows to the outside but only to their inside garden. So these places are sometimes a bit hard to find. For most of these fancy restaurants you need reservations, your hotel will be happy to make them for you. Prices are usually a bit, but not much, less than European standards. Also the new city has nice restaurants, those are more modern and visible from the outside.
Old town or New Marrakech
The Medina, the old historical part of Marrakech is still completely surrounded by it's old city walls. In some parts of it you get the idea if you went back to the old times. It is a magical place. The centre is the big square, Jamaa El Fina. This square is very lively from end of afternoon, with food shops, terraces, and you can go on a photo with monkeys or snakes ... The big square is also on the main road, here you can take a taxi to the new city or other places. Most part of the Medina has only little alleys, where no cars can come.
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. Many old buildings have been restored to their former glory and are now used as hotels and restaurants. The hotel riads often have 5-20 rooms only. There are several gay-friendly riads in Marrakech. Many are very beautiful. The city itself has a very good atmosphere, but can be experienced as busy. So it might be a good idea to invest in a bit luxurious place to stay, for relaxation after a busy day. Hotels often don't allow local visitors. If you plan to have those make sure to book a private apartment or one of the big 5star hotels where you can enter more discrete. See our hotels page for more information on where to stay.
Essaouira is a small beautiful coastal town, about a 3 hour drive from Marrakesh. It's a perfect (long) day trip, or add a few relax days at the sea here.
Essaouira
Trendy restaurants
Marrakesh has many trendy restaurants. The best ones are always fully booked. It is not always possible to reserve online, but your hotel might be able to help making the reservation.
Torremolinos is a small beach town in the South of Spain. In the weekend many Spanish guys from the cities nearby come there to party. It has many gay bars and clubs. Visiting Torremolinos is great in combination with Granada and Sevilla for example.640 km from Marrakech
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