Rabil is Boa Vista's second village and its former capital — a quiet cluster of houses inland from Praia de Chaves, best known for keeping alive the island's traditional pottery, and for sitting beside the greenest stretch of an otherwise arid island.
The pottery workshop
Rabil's ceramics tradition is the reason most visitors stop here. At the village workshop you can watch potters shaping clay by hand and firing it in wood-fired kilns, using techniques passed down locally. Pieces are for sale at fair prices, and buying directly supports one of the island's few surviving crafts — see shopping and souvenirs for what else is worth taking home.
The village and church
The village itself is small and unhurried, arranged around the church of São Roque, one of the oldest on the island. Rabil served as Boa Vista's capital before the role passed to Sal Rei, and there is a faded dignity to the older buildings that rewards a slow wander.
The Ribeira de Rabil
Beside the village runs the Ribeira de Rabil, a dry riverbed lined with date palms — the closest thing Boa Vista has to an oasis, and a magnet for birdlife. It is a good spot for birdwatching, particularly early in the morning, and a striking contrast to the dunes a few kilometres away.
Practical information
- A few minutes inland from Praia de Chaves; 10 minutes from Sal Rei.
- Usually included on island 4x4 and quad tours.
- Bring cash for pottery purchases.
- Pack pieces carefully — ceramics travel badly in hand luggage.
Frequently asked questions
What is Rabil known for?
Traditional pottery. Rabil is Boa Vista's ceramics centre and former capital, with a workshop where you can watch pots being made and fired.
Is Rabil worth visiting on Boa Vista?
Yes, as a short stop — for the pottery workshop, the old church and the palm-lined riverbed, which is good for birdwatching.