Morocco is a popular tourist destination in northwestern Africa and is a land of rich history, deeply entrenched culture, legend and myth. Well-known as a setting for books, play and movies, this desert nation offers visitors the opportunity to explore ancient ruins, traipse across the desert on a camel, stay in a hotel made of sand and bargain with insistent rug and spice traders in old-world open air marketplaces. In many cities and towns traditional homes have been converted into guest lodgings, called riads, which often provide for a more welcoming environment for folks on a gay vacation and allow visitors to experience Moroccan life and culture up close. Morocco is a conservative Muslim country and has no scene to speak of; however other reasons to include this exotic land in your gay travel plans are abundant, including beautiful beaches, exceptional architecture, expansive desert landscapes and the chance to meander through souks (markets) that twist and turn through narrow village streets.

Morocco is a land of legends and myths, steeped in rich history and culture, where travelers can stay in a hotel made of sand, trek across the desert on camels and bargain with spice and rug traders in old-world marketplaces. In many places homes have been converted into hotels, called riads, that are sometimes more welcoming for visitors on a gay vacation and offer visitors the opportunity to experience the life and culture of Morocco more closely. There is no definable scene in Morocco, which is a conservative Muslim country; however there are many reasons to include Morocco in your travel, including pristine beaches, ancient ruins, enticing souks (markets) that wind through narrow streets offering a variety of wares, vast desert landscapes and amazing architecture.

Jet set European and American composers, writers and socialites once flocked to Morocco in droves, making it a well-known, popular vacation destination; however, while Morocco was once a welcoming playground for gay vacations, a push by Muslim leaders to return to the stricter moral code of Islam has negatively influenced this once liberal vacation spot. While rarely enforced, same-sex conduct was criminalized in 1962 and travelers on a vacation to Morocco should keep in mind that it is a criminal offence punishable by up to three years in prison and fines.

In a 2009 statement, the Moroccan government asserted that homosexuality will not be tolerated and will be repressed, which means there may be an increase in enforcement and travelers should be particularly aware of their surroundings when in public. Laws and attitudes such as this are common in countries that are primarily Muslim and do not necessarily indicate that Morocco should be avoided when partaking in gay travel.

However it does mean that caution and discretion are advised while visiting this conservative country and that travelers may want to consider visiting Morocco as part of an organized gay travel group or working with a gay travel agency that is knowledgeable about the safest locations and lodgings for Morocco vacations.