Question: Where would you say the best place for a city break is at the end of March/start of April?
Is Marrakech safe to go to?
Neil Bembrick
Answer: Late March and early April is an excellent time for a city break somewhere warm and interesting - so long as you go far enough south.
Eastern cities such as Dubrovnik, Athens and Istanbul can be distinctly chilly. For more westerly Mediterranean cities, it's a matter of flying to the deep south: Valletta, the historic Maltese capital, becomes warm and alluring in March and April. Meanwhile in southern Spain, Malaga, Cordoba and Seville are also bright and beautiful, with fascinating medieval quarters, good museums and great places to eat and drink.
A photo posted by Alia Chergui (@aliachergui) on Aug 29, 2016 at 3:07am PDT
But Marrakech is an inspired idea for its extraordinary souk, handsome monuments and vibrant street life.
It is more sun-sure than European destinations. I have been there at the start of March and, with the exception of a single downpour, the weather was excellent. A spring visit avoids the intense heat of summer, the crowds are not too bothersome and the Jardin Majorelle - developed by the fashion designer Yves Saint-Laurent - will be blossoming.
In terms of danger, the British Foreign Office says “there is a high threat from terrorism in Morocco” and reminds prospective visitors that, five years ago, 17 people were killed and 25 injured in the bombing of the Argana Restaurant in Marrakech, overlooking the Djema el-Fna Square. And it adds: “The Moroccan authorities have warned of an increased threat linked to the growing number of Moroccans sympathetic or belonging to Daesh and other extremist groups.”
It is impossible to say that anywhere is safe, but I believe the risks in Marrakech are tolerably low.
The Independent