Currency
Euro (EUR; symbol €) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of €500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.
Public Holidays
2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
8 Mar Mardi Gras (Carnival)
22 Apr Good Friday
24 Apr Easter Sunday
25 Apr Freedom Day.
1 May Labour Day.
23 Jun Corpus Christi.
10 Jun Portugal Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
5 Oct Republic Day.
1 Nov All Saints’ Day.
1 Dec Restoration of Independence Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are not observed on the following Monday.
2012
1st January New Year’s Day
21st February Mardi Gras (Carnival)
6th April Good Friday
8th April Easter Day
25th April Liberation Day
1st May Labour Day
7th June Corpus Cristi
10th June Portugal Day
15th August Assumption.
5th October Republic Day.
1st November All Saints’ Day.
1st December Restoration of Independence Day.
8th December Immaculate Conception.
25th December Christmas Day.
Holidays falling on a Saturday or Sunday are not observed on the following Monday
Climate
Central Portugal has hot summers and cool, rainy winters, with 50-75 cm (20-30 in) average annual rainfall.
Health
The only special precautions advised are Tetanus and sometimes Hepatitis A depending on the season and time of year. As regulations concerning inoculations can change at short notice, you are advised to seek medical advice.