Marrakech — Medina, colours and discretion

Gay Marrakech is a destination with reservations: the city attracts many gay travelers, but there is no open scene with gay bars or clubs. According to Article 489 of the Penal Code, Morocco criminalizes same-sex acts. In everyday life, this means above all restraint in public, renunciation of visible tenderness and a conscious approach to one's own journey. If you pay attention to this, you will still experience Marrakech as a fascinating destination. Meeting places here are not a neighborhood or a street, but rather gay-friendly riads, i.e. traditional townhouses with courtyards, some of which are run by queer hosts. Before booking, it is worth taking a look at current reviews.

The heart of the city is the medina, the historic old town with its narrow streets, souks and the central square Jemaa el-Fnaa. Outside the city walls is the modern Gueliz district with cafés, restaurants and galleries, where a more international crowd moves. The fixed points of contact include the Jardin, Majorelle and Menara gardens as well as numerous hammams. If you like, you can combine a stay with a trip to the Atlas Mountains or the desert. Spring and autumn are best. Marrakech often gets very hot in midsummer, while the winter months remain mild and pleasant to explore.