Is La Tomatina worth it? The Ultimate Guide
La Tomatina pop ups in almost every search for ‘Bucketlist Travel Experiences’. After all, at one point in our lives, we have all dreamt of joining a food fight so why not join the World’s Largest?
Each year 40,000+ people flock from all over the world to do just that. In the small Spanish town of Buñol people are immediately divided into whether they love or hate it… no in-between.
Don’t worry, you won’t have to get covered in tomatoes to figure out what side of that you stand on. Because I braved the sights, smells and sewage with a GoPro attached to investigate the La Tomatina truth!
Reporting back to you with this brutally honest, somewhat embarrassing, LA TOMATINA SURVIVAL GUIDE. Here with everything you need to know before you go, or simply if you should even bother going at all…
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What is La Tomatina?
La Tomatina is famously (or infamously) known as the ‘World’s Largest Food Fight’.
It is a Spanish Tradition dating back to the 1940s, now held annually in the streets of Buñol. Yet what started it all back then remains a blur between several legends. Most notably, from a knocked-over vegetable stand that set off a street brawl.
Instead, you’ll see giant trucks dumping tonnes of rotten tomatoes across crowds sardined into these narrow streets.
You will often read that the fight only lasts for an hour. In reality, it is more of an all-day ordeal full of surprises. Whether or not you think they are good surprises, is up to you to decide…
Where is La Tomatina?
La Tomatina is hosted annually in the Valencian Town of Buñol, Spain.
Buñol is like many small towns in Spain with its own unique charms.
It may get wrapped up in tarps to take on the food fight but throughout the rest of the year, it is ideal for those who love your usual outdoor adventures from hiking, climbing and biking.
Is La Tomantina worth it?
I am going to be straight up with you here, La Tomatina is NOT for everyone.
BUT that does not mean it is NOT worth it.
There is a reason it has become a major bucketlist festival that people sell out year after year. And for those already living it up for a ‘Euro Summer’ it makes sense to zip over.
Even if you end up as one of those people on HATE side, you still shouldn’t regret going.
It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
At least for me, because you could not pay me enough to do that again. We will dive into that a little later…
How to get to La Tomatina?
BY PLANE
Valencia Airport VLC is the closest major airport to Buñol about 30kms away.
Valencia/Manises Airport, connects many domestic and international routes making it and easy gateway to La Tomatina.
BY TRAIN
Trains run from Valencia’s Estació del Nord to Buñol. The journey takes slightly over 1hr with tickets ranging from $3-$8
BY BUS
Direct buses run between Valencia to Buñol. Increased services, routes and special festival buses run around the time of La Tomatina.
Tickets can be booked at the bus stations. Although, it’s recommended to book in advance online as they get extremely busy and can sell out quick. With the ride taking between 60-75 minute you do not want to get delayed.
BY CAR
It is a 40 minute drive making car the fastest way to La Tomatina, however, it can be the most expensive. You will need to weigh up your options and budgets.
Taxi’s and Ride Sharing App options are available but do peak during this major event.
Similarly, renting a car in Europe is easy through Discover Cars !
However, having to worry about parking, traffic and not damaging the car (mostly this one), makes things much harder.
BOOK A TOUR
Arguably the best way to conquer La Tomatina is with a Tour Company.
✔️ Tickets are booked for you
✔️ Transport is pre-organised
✔️ Safer in a group
Best La Tomatina Tours
There are a lot of misconceptions about group tours. Whether that is they are restricted to ‘young people’, targeted to party animals, too overpriced or only for solo travels.
The reality is that all of those points are true and false at the same time.
More than ever, there is diversity within tour companies, their tours and who they are for. Making it easier than ever for you to find the right one for you.
In this case, you have a few options:
Day Trips
This is the perfect way still to fit the event into your own travel schedule without the stress of having to figure out how it fits in.
La Tomatina Tours
Longer Group Tours
Where to Buy Tickets for La Tomatina
If you plan on buying your own tickets for La Tomatina, it is recommended to book through the OFFICIAL LA TOMATINA WEBSITE
Tickets start at €12 but packages with transfers, locker, official event t-shirt, goggles and afterparty access mean prices vary.
Where to stay for La Tomatina, Spain
Valencia is the ideal base for the La Tomatinas with a wide variety of accommodations, for any budget. Here are my recommendations if you plan to tackle the world largest tomato fight for yourself:
Hostel Option: Home Youth Hostel is a highly-rated hostel in the heart of Valencia. Unlike many hostels in the area, it has a majority 3-4 person dorm with female and mixed gender available. PLUS a buffet breakfast included.
Budget Option: Quart Youth Hostel & Apartments is a highly-rated hotel in the city centre. With an on-site restaurant, fitness centre, a shared lounge and bar. Spacious rooms with private bathrooms will make the La Tomatina clean-up a breeze.
Mid-Range Option: Venecia Plaza Centro is a charming top-rated hotel on the Plaza Centro in Valencia. 10,000+ reviews agree this is the perfect location with all the amenities you need.
Luxury Option: Caro Hotel is a 5-star design hotel in the middle of Valencia. What makes it stand out the most of its pool and outdoor lounging perfect to beat the heat.
Common Questions about La Tomatina, Spain
What to wear for La Tomatina?
- goggles – It may seem silly but you will thank me for it.
- cheap but comfortable enclosed shoes you can throw out afterwards
- Old white clothes you do not mind getting ruined – some tours and ticket packages will include an event shirt
- Apply sunscreen and/or wear a hat
What camera should I bring for La Tomatina?
If you are thinking about bringing your phone in I would reconsider.
Despite seeing many carry them around in waterproof casings, it gets so messy that its functions do not even work. It is unfortunately common for phones to get stolen or go missing during the event.
If there was ever a time that GoPro is the ultimate travel camera it would be for this, especially now with its water-repellent screens that make it way easier to keep clear.
I would still recommend having a wrist strap or some kind of GoPro accessory to keep it secure on you.
How long does the Tomato Fight go for?
They say the fight last 1 hour but the entire event is a full-day ordeal.
From getting to the event grounds, early morning wine fights in lead-up, Palo Jabon, the tomato fight itself to water fights in the streets, clean up and after parties…
How many days do I need in Spain for La Tomatina?
You will need to dedicate 1 whole day for the event but I would give yourself 3 to block off so you have the day before and after to prepare and reset, plus get to/from wherever you need to.
Is there an age restriction for La Tomatina?
There is currently no age restriction for the event.
However, as a child-sized adult who barely survived, I would not risk allowing kids or teenagers to participate especially with there being so much alcohol/drunkenness at the event.
La Tomatina vs Running of the Bulls?
I joke about feeling like I was going to die at La Tomatina but compared to where people often do at RUnning of the Bulls this is a no-brainer.
I am not saying La Tomatina is completely ethical or environmentally friendly, however, there is no doubt that Running of the Bulls is unethical and dangerous.
To be brutally honest, I don’t recommend either but it is ultimately up to your bucket list, goals and preferences.
Are there any safety concerns for La Tomatina?
Despite its rules of respect, many do not follow them and overall there are quite a few things you need to watch out for:
Please note that these are not to scare you, instead bring awareness and make the event as safe as possible all around.
What is La Tomatina REALLY like? My day at the World’s Largest Food Fight
Going to La Tomatina with Stoke Travel
At the time Stoke Travel were known as the roughest and rowdiest in the industry for famous festivals of the world and a few unique camping trips across Europe.
I was invited along as one of their Stoke Travel creators to capture the most honest and messy moments of the day.
While they are not the style of tour company I would go for now, I will always admire that they are unashamedly themselves and aren’t afraid for people to share the realities which is what you will find me doing here today… also unashamedly.
An Early Start at the Campground
You could say that was from the nerves or more likely the 4am wake-up call which for someone who is not a morning person, was a challenge in itself.
The sun was barely peeping over the horizon yet people were swigging Bloody Mary’s like there was no tomorrow. On the other hand, no amount of convincing could lead me to do the same.
The morning is all about dressing up, putting your game face on and knocking a few drinks back. AT this point my limits were already being tested.
I would say the 1hr bus ride to Bunol felt like the longest hour of my entire life but that comes a little later in the day…
Entering La Tomatina
From my preparation I had a basic understanding of what the streets of La Tomatina looked like, but I never expected to see the rows on rows of buses and the entire town barricaded up as though we were walking into the Hunger Games.
Nor did I expect so much sangria consumption and wine fights even before entering the designated, toiletless arena.
As I walked further into the labyrinth of Bunol, I remained nervous yet with a hint of optimism.
I was pleasantly surprised with vibrant street art and a huge water fight… well, not so much of a fight and more a refreshing shower if you will. With a giant hose and local sprayed water across the building crowds. It was great at the start until it got freezing, fast.
I managed to temporarily escape the splash zone to check out one of the famous pre-event rituals.
Palo Jabon
‘El palo jabón’ is a Spanish Tradition where a Spanish ham is attached atop a greased (usually with lard) pole that is then erected in the main square.
A tangled human pyramid forms around the pole as people clamber over each other on a mission to be the first one to grab the Ham. If anyone manages to reach the Ham before the official Food Fight is set to begin, they will sound the horns to start the event off early.
The year I went, despite their best efforts, nobody was able to get anywhere near the ham although it was still a highlight of my day watching them try.
It is so much fun having a good view of Palo Jabon (Ham Pole), but be warned that it will also be the most chaotic and busiest part of the fight later on.
Even though I only saw a fraction of the action as I am too short to be in large crowds and may have lost my support group several times, at this point, I would say things were off to a good start but it didn’t last long…
The Tomato Fight
You could feel the tsunami of adrenaline roll in with the giant, tomato-filled monster trucks.
Due to my height restrictions, I had already been devoured by the crowd. My giant goggles were ferociously fogged, but I refused to take them off due to the suffocating smell of rotten tomatoes.
It is encouraged to smoosh the tomatoes before you throw them as they are deceptively painful. Be warned, people rarely do…
More trucks, more tomatoes, more people, more anxiety, more public urination… wait what?
It seemed many had lost any form of self-control or more accurately, dignity and resorted to peeing anywhere and everywhere yet continued to throw and roll around in the weird tomato soup beneath them.
This was my breaking point.
You hear stories of girls sneaking away from dates through bathroom windows but for me, it was spontaneous use of very uncoordinated parkour to get behind the giant hose stand. I was finally able to feel my own body again without feeling at least 5 other slimy people around me for a brief moment but I was stuck here.
Then a miracle happened… I had a complete stranger use himself as a human shield while the kindest lady guided me out of the Tomato war zone.
The Aftermath
It was the light at the end of the tunnel… I finally peeled the goggles off my face once I was out of the fire zone and for the first time I could actually see the waterfall of tomatoes beneath me guiding me down one of the side streets.
Within a couple of minutes, I had come back to life again thanks to a few hose-offs and dance parties with the locals. My only problem now was that I had no idea where I was.
The maze that is Bunol left me with no sense of direction but with a few hours to spare I deserved to treat myself to every shower along the way and I figured out my escape plan as I went along.
Some locals were having fun freely waving their hose from balconies to the slosh pit of people below (get your mind out of the tomato-filled gutter, this is not a sexual innuendo) while others were more business savvy, charging a euro or two for a decent hose down. In my opinion, it was totally worth it!
I have no idea how long I was lost in your complex web for but it seemed the universe had decided to push me in the right direction to find the correct exit just in time for my tour bus.
Clean up
Being part of La Tomatina feels like you are stuck at the bottom of the kitchen sink after doing the dishes and let me tell you, it sticks with you.
My Clothes and shoes were so filthy that I had to throw out on site, even after several hosings.
The con of staying at a campsite with a tour company is that there are limited showers so after a sticky, wet, uncomfortable bus ride you might still end up waiting around for a while.
Do not be surprised if you find bits of dried-up tomato in random places for months/years to come.
Is La Tomatina Worth it? My brutally honest opinion.
I can not lie, this is one of the worst travel experiences I have ever had that I would not recommend to anyone.
However, I do acknowledge that it is an event that divides people; you either LOVE it or HATE it so if it is something on your bucket list, it is worth checking off to figure that out for yourself.
