La Tomatina: The Ultimate Guide to the World’s Messiest Festival

If it’s the last Wednesday in August, it’s got to be the world’s messiest festival. In Buñol, Spain – 40km (25 miles) west of Valencia – La Tomatina festival is a wild, silly, and very saucy tomato-throwing spectacle that draws 20,000 produce-pitching revelers each year. If you’ve always dreamed of throwing your, um, tomato in the ring, here’s all the information you need to squeeze the most out of this chaotic, one-of-a-kind celebration.

What is La Tomatina?

The mayhem takes place in Plaza del Pueblo (Buñol’s main square) and Calle Cid. At around 9 a.m., the palo-jabón —a large greased pole with a ham attached to its end—is hoisted into the air. A mad scramble ensues as people struggle against each other to pull it down.

At precisely 11 a.m., regardless of whether someone has successfully grabbed the ham (which is rare), a firework provides a signal to parked trucks to start tipping over 100 tons of overripe, squishy tomatoes onto the square. For the next hour, everyone joins in a frenzied, cheerful, anarchic tomato battle—until a second firework signals the end of play.

Why does this wacky tradition exist?

The festival dates to 1945, when a kerfuffle during a cultural parade in Buñol led to a market stall of vegetables falling victim to a fired-up crowd. Townsfolk reportedly revived the food fight the following year, bringing their own tomatoes from home. After the festival was banned in the early 1950s, a “tomato burial” held in protest in 1957 paved the way for La Tomatina to be recognized as an official festival. Since 2013, the festival has been ticketed to limit total attendance to a (somewhat) manageable 20,000.

You Haven’t Done Really La Tomatina Unless You…

• Are still finding bits of tomato in your hair, up your nose, under your nails, and between your butt cheeks for days or even weeks after the festival.

What to Pack for La Tomatina

Most important: a change of clothes, including shoes. You can usually leave this on the coach you’ll take to Buñol; if not, bring a backpack-style dry bag. Buñol City Council now provides showers, so you can freshen up before you get back on your bus.

Pack a chest strap if you’re planning to film the action with a GoPro, as you’ll need your hands free for hurling tomatoes (or shielding yourself from tomatoes being lobbed at you). A fully waterproof phone case with a sturdy neck strap for your phone is also crucial if you dare to bring it.

What to Wear to La Tomatina

Wear old clothes and closed-in shoes with decent grip, and a pair of swimming goggles to protect your eyes—those acidic tomato juices can sting. Ski goggles also work, but they can be pulled off more easily. Leave your hat behind.

Outer layers commonly get ripped off in the fray, so it’s recommended that women wear a tight sports bra or a crop-style bikini top and a swimsuit bottom underneath, while men should opt for a snug Speedo.

How Long Does the Tomato Fight Last?

Expect the tomato tossing to last for about an hour. The chaos concludes after the second firework.

La Tomatina: The “Do” List

• Do… ensure your tomatoes are fully squashed before you throw them to avoid injuring someone. Be warned, though, that others won’t always be so kind.
• Do… remember to look up. Locals join in by pelting festivalgoers with their own tomato supplies from apartments above the square.
• Do… look out for your mates and the people around you. La Tomatina gets pretty hectic, so if you’re not big on crowds, mess, and discomfort, this isn’t the festival for you.
• Do… stop throwing tomatoes when the second firework goes off. That’s when it’s all over.
• Do… verify your travel insurance. The festival ticket price includes insurance; make sure the policy provides adequate coverage for your needs.

La Tomatina: The “Don’t” List

• Don’t… bother trying to avoid getting pelted with fruit. Just let it happen.
• Don’t… wear any jewelry, especially hoop earrings—these can get ripped out painfully.
• Don’t… bring bottles or hard objects; you won’t be allowed to take them into the festival area.
• Don’t… get too close to the tomato trucks. You really don’t want to get pushed under those tires.
• Don’t… drink too much alcohol the night before (or the morning of). The stench of rotting tomatoes in the midsummer sun is no fun with a hangover. Drink plenty of water before you enter the festival, as it gets very hot waiting around for the fun to begin.
• Don’t… get too rough. Pushing, shoving, and ripping people’s clothing on purpose is not acceptable.

How Do I Get to La Tomatina?

It takes roughly an hour by bus to reach Buñol from Valencia. Tickets for the festival now include return same-day bus transport from other cities in Spain, allowing you to join in the mess for the day. Keep in mind that buses from Barcelona depart at 3:30 a.m.

What Should I Do If I Want to Return with a Great Story?

Have a go at climbing that greasy pole.

What is the Biggest No-No at La Tomatina?

Bringing anything to the festival that you’re not comfortable losing.

Where Should I Stay?

Most festivalgoers opt to stay in Valencia, so it’s wise to secure accommodations early. If traveling independently, consider staying in Buñol for the week-long celebration, which includes music, dancing, parades, and fireworks.

The night before the fight, a paella-cooking competition is held. Book as early as possible to secure accommodations in town.

Can I Bring Children to La Tomatina?

There’s no age restriction at the festival; however, it’s advisable against bringing young kids as things can get very chaotic. If you do bring children, arrange a meeting point before the festival begins, and write your phone number on their arm/s.

A safer option for kids is the La Tomatina Infantil event (ages 4–12) held the week before the main festival.

What Can I Do After the Festival?

One of the benefits of staying in Valencia is the easy access to the official after-party held in the city. Valencia is a beautiful coastal city well worth exploring afterward.

Is La Tomatina a Waste of Food?

The low-quality tomatoes purchased cheaply for the festival are on the turn or already rotten, meaning they are unlikely to have a future as someone’s salad.

I Missed Out on This Year—How Do I Start Planning for Next Year?

Tickets are already on sale for the next festival, so it’s advisable to act quickly. Bookmark the official ticket site to be first in line for future tickets, which will sell out fast.