What to Expect at La Tomatina Festival in Buñol
Every year on the last Wednesday in August, the sleepy town of Buñol in Spain transforms into the battleground for the world’s biggest food fight. And we’re not exaggerating – this is 60 minutes of non-stop, messy mayhem involving 150 tonnes of overripe tomatoes, 20,000 people, and a shared love for chaos and laughter.
We’ve done it ourselves, and it’s every bit as bonkers and brilliant as it sounds. We took an early-morning train from Estació del Nord in Valencia packed with tomato-ready travellers, then grabbed ham and cheese bocadillos in Buñol just before stepping into the swelling crowd. The buzz is undeniable – people from all corners of the globe laughing, singing, and warming up with sangria before the real chaos begins.
At 12 midday, the trucks roll in and dump mountains of ripe tomatoes (from the region of Extremadura) into the streets. This follows the traditional attempt to climb a greased pole to reach a ham called Palojabon – which rarely succeeds but sets the mood for the madness ahead. Once the tomato downpour begins, there’s no turning back. Within seconds, you’re knee-deep in juice, ducking and diving, laughing and slipping in the mess with thousands of equally giddy strangers.
Exactly one hour later, it all ends. The streets fall quiet. Locals appear with garden hoses, and many of us make our way to the nearby river to clean off. There’s something surreal and strangely bonding about scrubbing tomato pulp out of your ears beside people who were just lobbing fruit at you minutes earlier.
The History of La Tomatina
This wild tradition began in 1945, entirely by accident. During a festival parade, some local teens got into a scrap – and in true Spanish style, it escalated when a vegetable stand was knocked over. With tomatoes rolling everywhere, a spontaneous food fight broke out. It must have been good fun, because they returned the following year with tomatoes from home to recreate the moment.
The event grew quickly in popularity. The government tried to ban it in the early years under Franco, it was even considered a civil disturbance but the people of Buñol weren’t giving up their new tradition. After years of pushing back, the ban was lifted in 1959, and by 1980 the town officially took over organising it. Today, it’s not just a local tradition, but a global attraction – drawing people from all over for one unforgettable, tomato-stained hour of pure joy.
Top 10 Tips to Survive La Tomatina Festival
You can’t just rock up to a tomato war and hope for the best. Trust us – preparation makes a huge difference. Here’s what we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way).
1. Book your ticket and accommodation early
The event is capped at around 20,000 participants, and it sells out – fast. We live in Valencia, so we didn’t need to book a hostel – we just took a return trip to the city on the same day. But if you’re coming from elsewhere, book early. There are several hostels in Valencia and Buñol, but they go really fast, especially the affordable ones. Get in as early as possible to avoid paying over the odds or missing out entirely.
2. Make sure you know where to get your wristbands
Even with a map, it can be surprisingly confusing. There are multiple collection points in Valencia and Buñol, and queues form quickly. We wandered around longer than expected just trying to find the right spot. Plan ahead, arrive early, and ask the staff for help if you’re unsure.
If you’ve booked your tickets as part of a package, make sure you know exactly where their collection points are. They’re not always the same as the official municipal ones.
3. Wear clothes you’re ready to throw away
We don’t just mean old clothes. We mean really old. That faded T-shirt from university? Perfect. Your trainers with the hole in the sole? Ideal. Don’t bring anything you’ll want to keep. Between the acidic tomatoes and the wild crowd surges, you’ll want to bin your entire outfit afterwards.
We wore plain white T-shirts that we weren’t planning to use again, and brought spare clothes with us which we kept in a locker so we could change afterwards – and we were very glad we did. Some people bought official La Tomatina T-shirts as a souvenir, while others picked up cheap unofficial ones being sold for around five euros in the streets leading to the town centre.
4. Protect your eyes and wear goggles
This isn’t just a suggestion. The citric acid in tomatoes stings. A lot. We came prepared with goggles, and honestly, we were so glad we did. You could see others around us blinking and wiping their eyes constantly -clearly regretting not doing the same. Even with goggles, you’ll feel the sting in the air, but without them, it’s rough. Basic swimming goggles or safety glasses will do the job – just enough to keep your vision tomato-free and your focus on the fun.
We also advise bringing a waterproof case for your mobile phone – like the ones you’d use at the beach or when snorkelling. It’ll help protect your phone from the juice, the chaos, and the crowd while letting you capture some brilliant post-fight photos.
5. Only bring what you can afford to lose
That includes wallets, passports, jewellery and sentimental items. If you don’t absolutely need your passport, leave it behind – think minimally. We brought just our IDs, a little cash, and waterproof phone pouches. Having cash on hand made buying food and drinks easy without worrying about card machines or phone apps. Many people rent lockers (see ticket section), which is the safest bet – but remember, most lockers are only available for a set window, usually no later than 3 PM, so plan accordingly.
6. Make a meet-up plan with your group
You’ll get split up. It’s inevitable. Phones may work properly once the fight begins, and you may not hear each other over the roar of the crowd. Agree on a spot to meet afterwards – for example in a nearby restaurant or bar.
7. Don’t wear flip-flops or sandals
Yes, it’s hot. Yes, you’ll get wet. But flip-flops are a nightmare. The streets become slippery tomato slush slides, and you’ll have 20,000 people stepping on your toes. Trainers with grip or even cheap water shoes are your best friend.
8. Drink water before the start
You won’t get a chance to grab a bottle mid-battle. There’s no moving once you’re in the crowd. Make sure you’re hydrated before you go in and buy bottled water afterwards. And, did we say, there’s lots of alcoholic drinks too that you can savour? Stay hydrated!
9. Crush the tomatoes before throwing them
This isn’t just good manners – it’s a rule. Whole tomatoes hurt. Give them a little squish in your hand before launching. Trust us, it makes a difference (especially when you’re the one being hit in the face).
10. Plan where you’ll shower afterwards
After an hour of being pelted with tomatoes, you’ll want to clean up fast. There are two solid options: head down to the river like we did and rinse off in nature (highly recommended, slightly surreal), or find one of the public hose-down stations provided by locals. Many of the residents bring out garden hoses and are happy to help you wash off – just expect to queue. Even then, the whole town is in such a great mood, no one seems to mind. Everyone’s just happy to be there, swapping stories, laughing, and enjoying the aftermath together. Planning ahead saves you wandering the streets in soggy tomato pulp.
About Buñol
Tucked in the hills of inland Valencia, Buñol is a small town with a big heart. Outside of festival day, it’s a quiet, authentic Spanish town with charming stone streets, a hilltop castle, and locals who are fiercely proud of their tomato-slinging tradition.
We didn’t stay for the evening this time – we live in Valencia and have been to Buñol several times before. But if it’s your first visit, there are a few things worth checking out once you’ve rinsed the tomatoes off:
- Castillo de Buñol – The medieval castle perched above the town is one of its main landmarks. You can walk around its stone walls and soak in some history, though it may be closed or have limited hours during La Tomatina itself, so check in advance.
- Cueva Turche – A lovely little waterfall and swimming spot on the outskirts of town, perfect for relaxing and cooling down if you’re sticking around after the event.
- Town centre – Even on festival day, the atmosphere in the centre is buzzing, and many bars and bakeries stay open. Try a cold horchata or pick up some post-fight tapas while you wait for your train back.
Just be mindful that not all attractions operate as usual on La Tomatina day – some close early or don’t open at all due to the scale of the event. If you’re keen to explore, plan around the festival or come back another day to see Buñol in a different light.
How to Get to Buñol from Valencia
Buñol is a town and municipality in the province of Valencia, Spain and is just 40 km west of Valencia, so getting there is straightforward.
- By Train: Take the Renfe C-3 line from Valencia’s Estació del Nord. It’s about an hour and costs around €8 one-way. On festival day, trains are packed early – aim for one before 7:00am.
- By Bus: Local buses like the 265a and 265b go from Valencia. It takes about 70 minutes and costs €12 for a return.
- By Car: The A-3 motorway takes you straight there. But parking is limited during the event, so go early or skip the hassle and use public transport.
Whichever way you go, arrive early. Buñol’s streets are narrow and start to fill up by 8:00am.
How to Book Tickets for La Tomatina
Tickets are mandatory and they sell out so make sure you book them early. For 2025, general admission costs €15, which goes to the town council.
You can book directly at the official website: https://latomatina.info
Or opt for a tour package from sites like:
https://ticketstomatina.com
https://www.latomatinatours.com
https://booking.tomatina.es/es
Most packages include bus transport from Valencia, Madrid and Bracelona. It also includes access to lockers, goggles, T-shirts, and even after-party tickets. We went with a basic ticket and looked for a locker nearby the centre to store our extra clothes.
Don’t forget to collect your wristband well ahead of time. Some companies let you pick it up in Valencia city centre the day before the event. Remember, No wristband, no entry.
In Summary
So, is it worth every splat? The simple answer is YES!
La Tomatina is madness in the best way. It’s sticky, chaotic, sweaty, and ridiculous and that’s why we love it. From getting drenched in tomato juice to washing off in the river with strangers-turned-friends, it’s the kind of shared experience you never forget.
We’ll be there again this August!
