La Tomatina — a fun tomato fight in Buñol
La Tomatina in Buñol is a famous festival in Spain, the largest tomato fight. Every year it attracts tens of thousands of tourists from all over the world. People are ready to come from another continent to take part or at least see this fun fight.
La Tomatina 2024 will occur on August 28, 2024, from midday to 1:00 p.m.
The Tomato fight is the most anticipated entertainment in Buñol, a small city in the autonomous community of Valencia. La Tomatina is the most colorful event during the celebrations of the city’s patron saint, San Luis Bertràn and Our Lady of the Protection (Mare de Déu dels Desemparats). The festivities last all week. They also include fair, musical performances, fireworks, a parade, dancing, and more.
How La Tomatina is held in Spain
The La Tomatina fiesta in Spain takes place in Buñol, on the main square and several adjacent streets of the city. To protect the buildings from the tomato attack, residents of the houses and municipal teams cover their facades.
At 10:00 a.m., the first entertainment begins, preceding the tomato battle. You need to climb the cucaña and remove the prize — jamon. The cucaña is a pole several meters high. It is greased with grease to make it slide, to make the task more difficult and especially fun. When you manage to remove the pork leg from the cucaña, the Tomatina is declared to have begun.
At the appointed time, a signal is given, at which six trucks with tomatoes enter the square. And the battle begins!
Juicy, overripe fruits are thrown out of the cars. The participants in the battle immediately put them to use, and the square very quickly turns red. Tomato juice flows like a river, and everyone enthusiastically attacks each other.
Participants in the tomato fight should wear protective glasses and gloves.
The tomato fight lasts exactly one hour. After that, a signal is given to stop the fight. However, the Tomatina festival does not end there. Participants are hosed down to wash off the tomato juice.
A cleaning team immediately appears to tidy up the battle site. It must be said that tomato juice is good for the square. Its acid disinfects and cleans all surfaces.
And the participants in the battle continue to have fun in a more civilized manner at other festive events.
When is Tomatina 2024 celebrated in Spain
If you are excited about the opportunity to take part in a large-scale tomato fight, then you should know when it is held. Tomatina is celebrated annually on the last Wednesday of August. But you should also not miss the night before when fun parties take place until dawn. It is called La fiesta de la Empalma.
In 2024, Tomatina will be celebrated in Spain on August 28. The children’s Tomatina will be held on August 24.
Tomatina Infantil in Buñol
La Tomatina Infantil is a great opportunity for children aged 4 to 14 to take part in a mini version of a tomato fight.
The fight takes place in the Plaza del Pueblo. Here, a specially controlled and safe space is created so that children can enjoy the fun without any worries. Parents can watch them at this time. The Tomatina Infantil lasts about 30-40 minutes. In addition to the tomato fight, it also includes additional activities.
History of the Tomatina Festival
A fun festival like Tomatina in Spain must have a funny story. And it does. Although there are several versions of the origin of the tomato fight tradition, they all come down to a fight.
One of the legends claims that in 1945, a group of young people arrived in Buñol for the Gigantes y Cabezudos festival. This is a parade of giant carnival figures with grotesque heads. It took place in the main square, where Tomatina is now celebrated in Buñol. The men wanted to join the procession, but they met resistance. One of the parade participants in a giant costume fell. And when he got up, a fight broke out, and tomatoes from a vegetable stand standing nearby were used.
Another story tells that in the same year, a street musician was singing in the square. A group of young people did not like his performance, and they began throwing tomatoes from a vegetable stand at him. Passers-by joined in, and thus a tomato fight began.
The following year, in mid-August, the participants in the tomato fight tried to recreate the fight, but this time they came with their tomatoes. However, their fun was stopped by the police.
For several more years, local authorities banned the tomato fight. But it always happened in one form or another, although it was stopped by the police.
In 1957, because of the ban on the tomato fight, the youth of Buñol decided to hold a “tomato burial”. They organized a “funeral” procession, at the head of which they carried a coffin. And inside it lay a large tomato. It was followed by an orchestra playing a funeral march. The whole event was accompanied by comedy performances.
The insistence of the youth to organize a tomato fight influenced the authorities of Buñol. In 1959, they allowed the Tomatina, subject to certain rules and conditions. Since 1980, the city council has assumed responsibility for organizing the festival.
La Tomatina gained wide popularity in Spain in 1983 after a report by Javier Basilio, which was shown on the Informe Semanal program on Spanish television. Since then, the number of participants has grown rapidly. In 2002, the festival was declared a holiday of international tourist interest.
Since 2013, paid participation in La Tomatina has been introduced to limit the number of participants to 22,000 people and make the battle safe and controlled.
In Buñol, there is the La Tomatina Museum. It is located in the Molino Galán building and offers an exciting and fun experience for adults and children.
Where to buy tickets for La Tomatina
Participation in La Tomatina in Buñol costs a symbolic 15 euros (2024). You can book tickets on the official website of the festival. They are individual and package. The latter include additional services or souvenirs.
If you book tickets online, you will need to print them out and then exchange them in Buñol at specially authorized exchange offices. They are located at Plaza 5 de Marzo and Carrer Ruiz Pons.
You can also buy tickets at exchange offices on-site just before La Tomatina. This can be done on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday until the start of the tomato fight on Wednesday. At the same time, you can exchange your booked and printed ticket.
All Tomatina participants have their IDs checked. After that, they are given a receipt and a bracelet for access to the festival.
In addition, tours to La Tomatina Buñol can be bought at travel agencies. They organize travel from different cities in Spain: Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Alicante, Almeria, Benidorm, Calpe, and others. In addition to roundtrip transportation, some package tours include a pre-festival party, camping, and dinner.
Useful information for tourists and participants of the Tomatina in Buñol
- After participating in the tomato fight, it is necessary to wash off traces of it. For this purpose, there are public showers in the city, which are located next to the Buñol River.
- Tourists planning a trip by car should keep in mind that there is no special parking zone in Buñol. Therefore, it is necessary to park on the outskirts of the city, since entry into the center after 7:00 a.m. is prohibited.
- The most convenient way to get to Buñol by public transport is the C3 train (suburban lines). It leaves from Valencia Nord station every hour.
- Participants of the Tomatina are prohibited from taking backpacks, cameras, glass, ceramics, and metal items to the fight.
- Do not forget that crowds attract scammers and thieves. Therefore, keep an eye on your valuables.
- If you come to Buñol for La Tomatina with children, do not let them out of your sight. Write a contact phone number on your child’s hand. Be sure to explain that if they get lost, they should contact a security officer. Also, warn your child to stay away from trucks.
- During the tomato fight, be kind to other participants. Help those who have fallen to get up. Crush the tomatoes before throwing them so as not to cause harm and pain.
- In an extreme situation, leave the battle site and go to the nearest street. Follow the recommendations of the security officers.
- Take a waterproof bag to store valuables and clothes that you do not mind getting dirty.
How to get to Buñol for the La Tomatina festival
Getting to Buñol in Spain is easy both by public transport and by car. Buses and trains go here from many large cities.
Buñol is located at a distance from:
- Valencia — 36 km;
- Alicante — 122 km;
- Torrevieja — 160 km;
- Murcia — 162 km;
- Benidorm — 164 km;
- Cartagena — 202 km;
- Zaragoza — 249 km;
- Lleida — 272 km;
- Villaverde — 269 km;
- Salamanca — 271 km;
- Barcelona — 379 km.
From Valencia to Buñol there is the A3 motorway and the A-7 motorway.
You can also get here from Valencia by train on the C-3 line. Keep in mind that Buñol train station is located in the upper part of the city. Therefore, you will have to walk to the site of the Battle of La Tomatina.
By bus you can come from:
- Alicante;
- Benidorm;
- Barcelona;
- Valencia.
Where to Stay During La Tomatina in Buñol
Buñol is a small town and the choice of hotels is limited. Therefore, it is necessary to book accommodation in advance. Many tourists also prefer to stay in Valencia, which is only half an hour away by car.
- Hotel Condes de Buñol (2 stars) is a great option if you come to La Tomatina. The hotel is located in the Old Town, 200 meters from the train station and a 10-minute walk from the historic castle. Guests are welcomed here with special hospitality.
- Posada Venta Pilar (1 star) is a great place to relax after a tomato fight. The hotel has everything you need: cozy rooms, friendly staff, and delicious breakfasts. It is located 5 minutes walk from the train station.
- Casa Rural Castillo de Buñol is a country house where you will find comfort, relaxation, and homemade breakfasts.
It is also worth noting that there are several campsites in the vicinity of Buñol.
Interesting facts about La Tomatina
- Tomatina is the largest food fight in the world.
- In 2002, Tomatina was recognized as a holiday of international tourist interest.
- More than 165,000 kilograms of tomatoes are used in the La Tomatina battle in Buñol.
- The Spanish festival La Tomatina has gained wide fame throughout the world and has repeatedly become a film set. Movies from Hollywood and Bollywood have come here to shoot films.
- About 22,000 people participate in Tomatina every year. In total, the festival attracts up to 50,000 tourists. At the same time, the population of the city of Buñol is 9,000 residents.
- Tomatoes for the Tomatina are specially grown in Chilchesa (Castellón). They are not suitable for consumption. These fruits are cheaper and softer, which makes them ideal for fighting.
Favorite questions about Tomatina, Spain
When is Tomatina?
Tomatina takes place every year on the last Wednesday of August in the city of Buñol, Spain.
Why do people throw tomatoes?
Tomatoes are thrown for fun. In 1945, a tomato fight happened by accident, and later it became a fun festival.
What do they do with tomatoes after the Tomatina festival in Spain?
After the Tomatina, special city teams clean up.
Where in Spain do people throw tomatoes?
The Tomatina festival takes place in the city of Buñol, Spain.
How much does it cost to participate in the Tomatina de Buñol?
Participation in the Tomatina costs 15 euros. Tickets should be booked in advance, as the number of participants is limited.
What is the name of the city where Tomatina is celebrated?
La Tomatina Festival takes place in Buñol, Spain.
What else to do in Buñol?
If you are planning a trip to Buñol for a few days, then in addition to participating in La Tomatina and other festive events, be sure to explore the city’s attractions. Here you can see the Castle of Buñol, built between the 11th and 12th centuries, visit the ethnological and archaeological museums, take a walk through the historic center, and admire the Turche cave and its waterfall.
Add our article to your bookmarks: it contains a lot of useful information.
If you liked this post, subscribe to our newsletter and Telegram.
Also join us on Pinterest to keep up to date with the latest news.
