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Portol, Mallorca
Traditional rural town in central Majorca
The neighbouring villages of Portol and Sa Cabaneta, between Palma and Santa Maria del Cami, have become something of an artists colony. Unlike in Deia and Banyalbufar, though, the artists are Mallorcan - potters taking advantage of the rich local soil. The only reason for coming here is to visit the ollerias (workshops), where prices are much lower than in the tourist shops.
Good buys include greixoneras (heavy earthenware cooking pots) and ollas (clay storage jars), as well as simple brownglazed plates and plats morenos, glazed bowls painted with symbols (some of the designs go back to Arab times). Several artists specialise in the clay whistles called siurells. There is a specific route you can follow to see these workshops - look out for 'Ruta del Fang'. A pottery fair takes place in March in Marratxi which is hugely popular and showcases a wide selection of pots, plates, tiles and jugs at reasonable prices.
