Enjoy La Tomatina Event of 2017

How to survive this year to La Tomatina. The best tips!

La Tomatina is the “world’s biggest food fight” and it’s held on the last Wednesday of August each year in Buñol, Spain. Crowds of people attend the waited event to pelt each other with tomatoes. It's that simple!

During the summer event, 175 tonnes of fresh tomatoes are taken from seven lorries, which are driven into the crowd who pack the streets for an hour-long food fight. Dating back to 1945 you can read more about the festival's colourful history here. Although the fight itself, it lasts about an hour. Before the pitched battle, actually the night before, there will be served "paellas" cooked on firewood, to get energy. The party will be held until the early morning.

Reno Tahoe (Flickr/Creative Commons)

The tradition dates back to an incident ocurred in 1945, in the town's central square. A fight between local teenagers where one of them, became very mad and decided to throw to his opponents, what had at hand at that moment. In this case, it was fruits and vegetables. The following year, the same accident happened again. But voluntarily by the same guys, who brought the tomatoes from home.

The party began to be popular in the rest of Spain thanks to the report of Javier Basilio, forecasted in the program of Spanish Television Weekly report in 1983.

Since then, year by year the number of participants and enthusiasm for La Tomatina has increased. The success has led to La Tomatina de Buñol was declared in 2002 International Event of Tourist Interest by the General Secretary of Tourism.

Image by Meerra Dasia (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Before the tomato fight starts, Buñol locals like to soak people with hoses, water bombs and water pistols. The tomato fight leaves everyone within saucy red and the streets will be fulled with a reddish pulp throughout the fiesta.

Buñol is cleaned up immediately after the event ends at noon, while travellers can use public showers to keep themselves clean.

Where? Buñol, Spain (near Valencia)

When? 30th August 2017

La Tomatina tickets

Before 2013, sometimes up to 50,000 people would turn up to Buñol for the event. With reports of serious overcrowding in a city of only 9000 people. They’ve now restricted tickets to 20,000 which will make it a far more enjoyable and less crowded experience for travellers.

La Tomatina travel tips

Image by Graham McLellan (Flickr/Creative Commons)

Remember to wear old clothes or clothes as you won't be able to wear them later. You'll probably have to throw them away once the fiesta has finished.

Wear shoes with a strong grip so that you can throw them out later, or just keep them on your feet. You don't definitely don't want to wear flip flops!

If you have an expensive camera, then make sure its waterproof or use a protective case. Tomatoes will be everywhere and that includes your lens.

If you're not from Buñol and want to stay overnight in nearby Valencia, don't forget to look for accommodation in advance.

La Tomatina Rules

Image by Erkin (Flickr/Creative Commons)

- Don’t bring bottles or hard objects because you can potentially hurt your fellow travellers.

- Don’t tear or throw your t-shirts onto the street.

- Squash the tomatoes before throwing them. It makes it far less painful for the other person!

- Keep a safe distance away from the tomato lorries

- Stop throwing tomatoes when you hear a second warning firework

Where to stay for the La Tomatina

There's limited accommodation available for people who come to La Tomatina, so many people take the easier option of staying in nearby Valencia, which is only 38km to Buñol by bus or train.

With super clean hostels available in Valencia city centre for only 20€ per night, you're only a few miles away from a clean bed and shower.