La Tomatina Festival

La Tomatina is held every year in the town of Buñol which is just a short journey away from the city of Valencia.

The event is free and starts at 11.00am.

For those coming to this crazy and bizarre event make sure you wear something old. Even better, bring a change of clothes and a pair of goggles so you can have more fun!

The days events begin with a whole ham being tied to a greased pole and you guessed it! Before the event begins, someone must retrieved the ham. This is followed by absolute mayhem when millions of tons of tomatoes are released from the backs of trucks. What follows is an absolute orgy of tomatoe, water and shirt fights - all in good fun!

The origin of this fun-filled event began during a festival in 1945 in the town square of Buñol. The procession included many 'Gigantes y Cabezudos' (giant carnival figures with grotesque heads) and everyone was having fun. Many of the young people tried to join those at the head of the procession and in their haste someone fell.

The scuffles that followed spilled over into an enormous brawl and an open crate of tomatoes (which just 'happened' to be there) proved too tempting - the rest is history! The young people of Buñol repeated the 'battle of tomatoes' the following year and although the authorities tried to stop it they had no choice but to give in. The event ignited so much passion from the surrounding areas that everyone came to join in the fun.

The town of Buñol is now well and truly on the map. People flock from all over the world to enjoy this annual festival of slush and fun which really is a child's (and many adults!) dream come true.

Tip! - There are a few safe-guards which all participants must respect and abide by. For example, 'tomatoes must be crushed before being thrown so they can't hurt anybody'.

Getting to La Tomatina Festival...
The town of Buñol is easily reached from Estación del Norte in the centre of Valencia. It's a good idea to get there as early as possible so as not to miss the fun. Trains can get very crowded and run approximately every hour to Buñol.

If you need any more information on trains check out the Renfe Website.
For a very enjoyable account of La Tomatina festival read Louis de Bernières short story in 'Travelers' Tales SPAIN', appropriately named 'Seeing Red'...See books on Valencia

Book your hotel in Valencia here!

The Festivalpig.com crew have been to La Tomatina and have great information, secret tips and funny pictures on the fiesta”.