Where to stay during Spain's tomato throwing festival
La Tomatina is the “world’s biggest food fight” and it’s held on the last Wednesday of August each year in Bunol, Spain. Crowds of people attend the ticketed event to pelt each other with tomatoes. It's that simple!
During the summer fiesta, 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.
Image by Reno Tahoe (Flickr/Creative Commons)
Before the tomato fight starts, Bunol locals like to soak people with hoses, water bombs and water pistols. The tomato fight leaves everyone saucy red and the streets will be swimming with a reddish pulp throughout the fiesta.
Bunol is cleaned up immediately after the event ends at noon, while travellers can use public showers to keep themselves clean.
Where? Bunol, Spain (near Valencia)
When? 29th August - 2nd September 2016
La Tomatina tickets
Before 2013, sometimes up to 50,000 people would turn up to Bunol for the fiesta. 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 Bunol by bus or train.
With super clean hostels available in Valencia city centre for only 12 euros a night, you're only a few miles away from a clean bed and shower.
Header image by Graham McLellan (Flickr/Creative Commons)
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