Every year on the last Wednesday of August, the small Valencian town of Buñol transforms into the world’s largest food fight. La Tomatina draws thousands of visitors who hurl over 150,000 pounds of overripe tomatoes at each other in the streets. It’s chaotic, messy, and absolutely unforgettable.
What started in 1945 as a spontaneous street brawl has become one of Spain‘s most famous festivals. But unlike Semana Santa or the Feria de Abril, La Tomatina lasts exactly one hour, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, you’ll spend most of that hour trying to figure out where the tomatoes are.
Here’s how to make the most of Spain’s most colorful mess.
Getting to Buñol
Buñol sits about 25 miles west of Valencia. On La Tomatina day, special trains run from Valencia’s Estación del Norte starting around 6:00 a.m. The ride takes 50 minutes and costs around €10 round-trip. Trains fill up fast — arrive early or buy tickets in advance online through Renfe.
If you’re driving, forget it. The town closes roads to vehicles, and parking is nearly impossible. Organized tour buses from Valencia and Barcelona are another option, though they’re pricier and you’re stuck on their schedule.
Most people stay in Valencia and make it a day trip. The city is close enough that you can be back in your hotel by early afternoon, ready to shower off the tomato pulp and enjoy a proper paella.
What Happens During La Tomatina
The fight officially starts at 11:00 a.m., but the morning begins much earlier. By 9:00 a.m., the streets around Plaza del Pueblo are packed. Locals soap up a wooden pole called the palo jabón and hang a jamón at the top. Brave souls try to climb it and claim the ham, but most slip and fall in spectacular fashion.
When someone finally reaches the jamón — or when the organizers get impatient — a water cannon fires, signaling the start. Trucks roll down Calle del Cid and other central streets, dumping tomatoes while participants scoop them up and throw. The rules are simple: squash the tomato in your hand before throwing (whole tomatoes hurt), don’t rip anyone’s shirt, and stop when the second water cannon sounds at noon.
The streets turn into rivers of red pulp. You will slip. You will get tomato in your eyes, ears, and probably your mouth. It’s pandemonium, and that’s the point.
After the cannon sounds, locals turn on hoses and spray down the streets and anyone who asks. Most bars and restaurants open their outdoor showers for a quick rinse before you head back to Valencia.
What to Bring (and What to Leave Behind)
Wear clothes you don’t mind destroying. Old sneakers with good grip are essential — flip-flops will be torn off your feet in seconds. Some people wear goggles or cheap swim goggles to protect their eyes. A waterproof pouch or ziplock bag for your phone and wallet is critical; even “waterproof” phones don’t fare well in tomato acid.
Leave jewelry, watches, and anything valuable at your hotel. Don’t bring a backpack unless you want it filled with tomato guts. A small plastic bag tucked in your pocket is all you need.
Bring a change of clothes and a towel. Some visitors strip down to swimwear under their clothes, then change on the train or in a Valencia café bathroom afterward. The train ride back is fragrant, to put it kindly.
Tickets and Timing
La Tomatina is now a ticketed event, capped at around 20,000 participants. Tickets go on sale in early summer through the official Buñol town website and cost about €12. They sell out weeks in advance, so book early. Your ticket includes entry to the tomato fight and access to the town’s facilities that morning.
Arrive in Buñol by 9:00 a.m. if you want a good spot near the center. The best action happens on Calle del Cid and around Plaza del Pueblo, where the trucks make their first passes. By 10:30 a.m., the streets are shoulder-to-shoulder.
If crowds aren’t your thing, position yourself on one of the side streets. You’ll still get plastered with tomatoes, but you’ll have more room to move and breathe.
After the Fight
Once you’ve rinsed off, explore Buñol for an hour or two. The town is small but charming, with a medieval castle perched on a hill and a few quiet squares. Most visitors head straight back to Valencia, but if you linger, you’ll find the locals friendly and bemused by the annual invasion.
Back in Valencia, treat yourself to a long shower and a late lunch. The city’s central market, Mercado Central, and the beachside chiringuitos are perfect spots to decompress and toast your survival.
La Tomatina is messy, ridiculous, and completely impractical. It’s also one of the most joyful, uninhibited experiences you’ll have in Spain. Just remember to squash before you throw.
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