Rabil & Olaria de Rabil
Rabil
The island's former capital, with traditional pottery workshops where you can watch hand-throwing and buy clay souvenirs.
Rabil lies about 7 kilometers southeast of Sal Rei, near the airport. It was once the capital of Boa Vista and has an 18th-century Church of São Roque. The Rabil pottery workshop (Olaria de Rabil) carries on the island's tradition of handmade red-clay pottery. Visitors can watch artisans throw and fire pieces and buy affordable jars, bowls and small ornaments. Beside the village, the Rabil Valley has an oasis of palm trees. It is often a stop on 4x4 island tours and can also be reached by taxi.
Opening hours
Workshops about 09:00–17:00 (may be closed Sun)
Nearby sights
- Viana Desert, Boa Vista
- Praia de Chaves
- Praia de Estoril
- Ilhéu de Sal Rei & Fort Duque de Bragança
- Sal Rei
- Morro de Areia Nature Reserve
- Cabo Santa Maria Shipwreck
- Rocha Estância