Tombs, Mountains, Souks: An Artist’s Guide to Traveling Marrakesh

Marrakesh offers a perfect mix of centuries-old history and a contemporary edge, said Yahya Rouach, a self-taught artist and designer who has lived in the Moroccan city for more than 20 years and only goes by his first name. Yahya has a gallery and showroom, Yahya Creation, in Marrakesh’s new town, Gueliz.

“Marrakesh is a melting pot of cultures, religions and people. It was the trade route from the north to the south and east to west,” Yahya said. “It’s anchored in its roots but open to the world, forward-looking, and able to reinvent itself to stay modern and fresh.”

Marrakesh is framed by the majestic Atlas Mountains, which he said, are “simply breathtaking.”

“The light, the beauty of the metalwork, and the city’s vibrant energy draw you in,” Yahya said

In his own words, he shres his top spots in Marrakesh that give visitors an authentic lens into the city’s present and past.

Stay

For an exceptional stay, I’d recommend the Royal Mansour. It is stunning, with lush gardens and an architectural elegance that feels like a masterpiece. For a taste of history, La Mamounia is a classic. Known as the grand dame, it was once frequented by Winston Churchill.

If you want something more intimate and immersive in the heart of the city’s Medina, a Unesco World Heritage Site, La Maison Arabe offers an authentic souk experience in a traditional setting. Also, Jnane Tamsna is a boutique hotel in a beautiful building with a garden. It feels like a private residence more than a hotel.

Eat

When it comes to dining, Marrakesh offers a feast for the senses.

The restaurants at Royal Mansour are exceptional. Sesamo is a fine-dining Italian spot, and the Moroccan restaurant Le Jardin offers an inventive, modern take on traditional dishes.

For something more casual yet extraordinary, Monas in Gueliz serves the most incredible Lebanese food I’ve ever had. It’s a small, unassuming spot, but the flavours are unforgettable. Another great option is Dai, a restaurant in the new town with fantastic food and ambience. The saffron risotto is a must.

For as traditional as it gets Moroccan cuisine like tagines and couscous, Dar Yacout is the place to go. It feels like you’re transported into “1001 Nights.” You get dropped off in the heart of the souk, and someone from the restaurant meets you and walks you through a labyrinth of alleyways. You won’t be able to find it otherwise. The restaurant is spread out over several floors and has been owned by the same family for decades. For coffee, you can’t beat Bacha Coffee in the former palace of Pasha Thami El Glaoui. It’s located in Dar El Bacha, a charming area filled with boutique shops, galleries, and a museum.

The options are endless, but two landmarks stand out. The Koutoubia Mosque, built over a thousand years ago, is the city’s iconic centrepiece. Its minaret can be seen from all over Marrakesh, thanks to the French planners who preserved its line of sight. Another fascinating spot is the Saadian Tombs. They date to the 16th century and were built by the Saadian ruler Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur to show off his wealth. You can see beautiful carvings as you walk through.

Day Trip

A visit to the Atlas Mountains is an unforgettable experience. My favorite spot is the Kasbah Bab Ourika, where you can enjoy lunch while enjoying gorgeous views. It’s an escape into tranquility, just a short trip from the bustling city. You can also go for a hike with a guide or take a donkey ride up the mountain and visit centuries-old villages that stand still in time.

Shop

Hire a guide and wander through the Medina or market. Khalid’s Art Gallery is unparalleled for antique treasures. For women’s fashion, particularly exquisite caftans, Fadila El Gadi in Gueliz is a genius designer and a favourite of the late designer Yves Saint Laurent. Her gallery is just across from mine in Passage Ghandouri, a creative hub that has evolved beautifully over the years.

This passage is also home to the Matisse Art Gallery and MACMA Museum, which blend modern and classical art. It’s a wonderful place to shop, explore, and soak up creativity.

Australian furniture brand King Living has expanded its Aura Collection with the launch of a new modular sofa designed to blend contemporary aesthetics with adaptable living.

The Aura Sofa builds on the success of the Aura Island range, first introduced in 2023, which included indoor and outdoor sofas as well as fixed and swivel occasional chairs.

The latest evolution introduces modular functionality to the collection, allowing homeowners to configure the sofa to suit a variety of spaces and uses.

As living spaces continue to evolve, particularly in urban environments where flexibility is increasingly valued, furniture designers are placing greater emphasis on products that can adapt over time.

King Living says the new Aura Sofa has been developed with this trend in mind, enabling customers to create corner, L-shaped or U-shaped layouts, while also allowing additional modules to be added as needs change.

King Living founder David King said the original Aura concept began as an exploration of sculptural design before being reimagined as a modular system.

“Aura began as an exploration of sculptural form. Now, we’ve brought modularity into that design language, giving the freedom to reimagine your space with a modular design made for flexibility,” he said.

The collection’s defining feature remains its soft, flowing silhouette, with curved forms replacing traditional angular sofa designs.

The company describes the sofa as a response to changing lifestyles, where living rooms increasingly serve multiple purposes, from entertaining guests and family gatherings to quiet reading corners and work-from-home spaces.

Its rounded profile and minimalist aesthetic are intended to enhance the flow of contemporary interiors while maximising available space. According to the company, the design is equally suited to compact apartments and larger open-plan homes.

“Today, living space is both a luxury and a constraint. Aura is our response, a purposeful design that proves when intention and fluidity converge, the result can feel both expansive and refined,” King said.

Beyond aesthetics, the new sofa incorporates several engineering features synonymous with the King Living brand.

These include the company’s Postureflex steel suspension system, extra-high pocket springs and its signature steel frame, which is backed by a 25-year warranty. The company says the design has been engineered to deliver long-term comfort and durability.

Sustainability has also been a focus of the design. Each module features a removable cover that can be professionally cleaned, repaired or replaced individually, reducing the need to replace an entire sofa and potentially extending the product’s lifespan.

The Aura Sofa is available made to order in a range of premium fabrics and European leathers, allowing customers to tailor the piece to different interior styles and colour palettes.

Designed, manufactured and sold exclusively by King Living, the Aura Sofa launched in showrooms and online early this month, marking the latest addition to the Australian company’s growing portfolio of modular furniture designs.

Tombs, Mountains, Souks: An Artist’s Guide to Traveling Marrakesh

Designer and gallery owner Yahya Rouach offers his go-to places to stay, dine and sightsee while in the bustling Moroccan metro.

King Living has unveiled a modular version of its Aura Sofa, bringing greater flexibility to the sculptural design collection as demand grows for furniture that can adapt to changing lifestyles.