La Tomatina, The Worlds Largest Food Fight!
Published by Kristin Cowles, Editor-in-Chief
Country: Spain 
The Experience
Children brought up in any proper home were taught not to throw their food, but when you visit the La Tomatina Festival, this is the one destination that will deliver the sweetest of pleasures to those suppressed childhood dreams of rebellion. No need to feel guilty about tossin’ out the rules that your mom so sweetly instilled in you here, in Bunol Spain the La Tomatina Festival showcases one of the least publicized talents for many, that of throwing your food, tomatoes to be specific! During the celebration this small town of normally 9,000 is flooded with enthusiasts from all over the world to take part in week long festivities of music, dancing, fireworks, and of course the main event. To start the fight, water canons blast and the hour long battle of every man for himself begins. The after math of such a saucy event is none other then street bathing, which can be just as fun as the initial messy match!
When to Go to La Tomatina
Odds n' Ends
Participants wishing to experience this unparalleled culinary encounter might find accommodations tight due to such a large influx in the city, and can opt to stay in Valencia and travel by bus or train to the festivities approximately 35km away. Some general tips include wearing protective eyewear, squishing tomatoes before throwing and an openness to nudity as inevitably shirts are lost in the battle. Bon appetite!
Want a Guide?
- La Tomatina and the Great Moorish Experience - GAP Adventures
- Experience the world-renown festival La Tomatina! Experience the massive food fight while taking in the beauty of the country around you. Marvel at the history and beauty of Spain on this 15-day exploration that will delight your senses and stimulate your imagination. From the galleries and wild nightlife of Madrid, to the Muslim monuments, flamenco and vibrant culture of Andalucia, to the architecture, cuisine and cool style of Barcelona, Spain is sure not to disappoint.
Places to Stay Nearby
Search over 900,000 global hotel deals from over 30 merchants. Book via Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, Booking.com, Priceline and the websites of popular hotel chains.
The Hotel Restaurante Condes de Bunol is conveniently situated in the heart of the town. 0 miles away
$48 EUR+
The Posada Venta Pilar is ideally located in the heart of the town. 0 miles away
$48 EUR+
+ 23 others. Show all.
More Experiences Nearby
- See Valencia On Fire At The Las Fallas Festival, Spain
- Aside from being the birthplace of paella, there is only one thing that the Spanish city of Valencia is famous for – the delightful papier-mâché models, pageantry and fireworks that take over the town for the Las Fallas festival. Staged annually on March 19th, this centuries-old festival has become a four-day extravaganza that attracts thousands of domestic and international tourists to the city every year. The event traces its origins back to a custom of the city’s carpenters, who burned their scrap wood and utensils worn out from the winter in time for the feast of Saint Joseph – their ...22 miles away.
While You're There - Tours and Trips Nearby
Your guide will pick you up from your hotel and take you around the spectacular city of Valencia. Visit the major sites on a personalized ...22.40 miles away via Valencia.
$116+
On your guided tour of Valencia, travel along the city's broad boulevards and past its bell towers. Visit the city's cathedral, where you can view ...22.40 miles away via Valencia.
$223+
+ 7 others. Show all.
Books and DVDs
- Spain Travel Guide - LonelyPlanet.com
- Got an appetite for art and architecture, food and festivities? Spain's a taste sensation. Tapas in Madrid bars, artful graffiti in Barcelona streets, Gaudi's La Sagrada Familia, beaches, ski slopes - hungry yet?
- A Year of Festivals: How to Have the Time of Your Life (Paperback)
- Journeys of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Greatest Trips (Hardcover)
- No one knows the world like National Geographic—and in this lavish volume, we reveal our picks for the world's most fabulous journeys, along with helpful information for readers who want to try them out.
Elsewhere on the Web
- Tomatina - Wikipedia.org
- "At around 10 a.m., the first event of the Tomatina begins. Many trucks haul the bounty of tomatoes ..."
- Official Site
- To and From La Tomatina - About.com
- "These tips come from my personal experience of the Tomatina Tomato Fight, along with additional suggestions from other people who have attended."
- Travel Report Spain - Voyages.gc.ca
- WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Media References
- The Running of the Tomatoes - NY Times.com (newspaper)
- "ON Wednesday, as on the last Wednesday of August every year, the village square of Bunol turned red in a giant food fight with ripe tomatoes."
- Food fight turns Spanish town red - CNN.com (television)
- "Locals say the Tomatina, which caps a week-long festival in the eastern Spanish town 230 miles from Madrid, began as a spontaneous food fight between a group of young locals having lunch in the tiny "People's Square" in 1945."
Travel Insurance. Simple & Flexible.
Language Guides
Portugese 
,
Spanish
are some of the languages spoken in Spain. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!
Discussion
Experienced this and have something to share? Experienced something like this somewhere else? Looking for advise or travel companions? Use this space to leave your mark. Our writers and editors are more than happy to help answer your questions.
People with experience
People who wish to experience
Recent Tweets
Listed below are the most recent comments made on Twitter for "la tomatina":
