Complete Guide To La Tomatina:
What It Is & What To Expect
- Lucie Viktorin
- 6 Minute Read
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La Tomatina is one of the world’s most unique festivals, celebrated annually in Buñol, Spain and draws thousands of people from around the globe. On the last Wednesday of August, attendees gather for a massive tomato fight. Said fight turns the streets of this charming town into a sea of red, creating a spectacular experience like no other. When I first heard about this messy event, I was hooked immediately on the idea of this craziness! After the event, I realized that the given information on the internet was quite limited and I found myself wishing for more insights on how to navigate the chaos. Therefore, I’ve created a three part guide, offering a comprehensive overview of what La Tomatina is, what to look out for and essential insider tips to make the most of this unconventional festivity. Welcome to the first part of this 3-part guide: What is La Tomatina and what to expect. Let’s get into it!
The History Behind La Tomatina
La Tomatina’s origins date back to 1945. During a parade, a spontaneous tomato fight broke out among excited young people. The chaos, which started with tomatoes from a market stall, quickly became an annual tradition. Although the festical faced bans in the early 1950s, participants continued the tradition despite restrictions. A notable 1957 protest featuring a mock funeral for the event led to its reinstatement. By 1975, La Tomatina was officially recognized, and by 2002, it had gained the title of Festivity of International Tourist Interest.
Fun Fact: The event of La Tomatina was featured in the 2011 Bollywood movie “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara”, and reached a significant popularity within the Indian community and therefore draws a huge number of visitors from India each year.
Where To Buy Tickets For La Tomatina
Purchasing tickets for La Tomatina is straightforward and uncomplicated, but planning ahead is well advised due to the festival’s popularity. Tickets are available online through the official La Tomatina website or authorized vendors. The prices can vary, ranging from basic entry tickets starting at 15€ to packages with extras like festival accessories, food and drinks that vary from 35€ to 45€. Last year, my friends and I bought our tickets on the train to the festival, and by then, all the basic tickets were obviously sold out. We had to purchase the more expensive ones and weren’t even sure we’d get tickets at all, as the website wasn’t accessible for a few tense minutes. To avoid this hassle, secue your tickets early for a smooth(er) experience.
Where Does La Tomatina Take Place
The host of La Tomatina is a charming town called Buñol, located in the Valencia region of Spain. Despite its small size, Buñol has gained international fame thanks to this extraordinary event. The town is situated approximately 40 kilometers west of Valencia, making it easily accessible for those traveling from the city.
How To Get There
Getting to Buñol for La Tomatina is relatively easy, thanks to its closeness to the city of Valencia, with several transportation options available:
–> By Train: The most convenient way is to take a train from Valencia. The trains run regularly from Valencia’s Estació del Nord to Buñol, and the journey takes about 45 minutes. Make sure to check the schedule and arrive early, as trains can get crowded on the day of the festival.
–> By Bus: There are also bus services that operate between Valencia and Buñol. Several companies offer direct routes on the day of the event, making it a hassle-free option. It’s advisable to book tickets in advance due to the high demand.
–> By Car: If you prefer driving, Buñol is accessible by car via the A3 highway from Valencia. However, parking can be a challenge due to the influx of visitors, so plan to arrive early and look for designated parking areas.
–> Through Tours: Several tour operators offer packages that include transportation, festival entry, and additional amenities like guides and post-festival activities. This can be a convenient and stress-free option, especially for first-time attendees.
Choose the option that best fits your schedule and preferences and plan your return trip in advance, as public transport services can be very busy after the festival. To be fair, we didn’t plan anything and it still turned out great. Although it is true, that we had to wait quite some time before being able to head back to the city, because of lack of planning. Therefore checking the options of return is definitely advisable for those who prefer a more scheduled experience.
Typical Timeline Of La Tomatina
The festivities typically begin around 9:00 in the morning, with the streets of Buñol gradually filling up with excited participants. By 11:00, the main event kicks off with a cannon shot, signaling the start of the tomato throwing. Prior to this, trucks loaded with tomatoes arrive, making their way slowly through the crowd. The tomato fight lasts one hour, during which participants throw overripe tomatoes at each other. At 12:00 o’clock lunchtime, another cannon shot marks the end of the battle. Afterward, attendees can choose from various options to wash off the tomato residue. Meanwhile, fire trucks clean the streets, and once you’re washed up, you’ll find numerous stalls offering refreshments and, of course, some delicious Paella!
A quite unexpected turn of events for us was how quickly the streets of Buñol cleared out after the main event and people started heading back to Valencia. We expected there would be more celebrations and parties going on directly in Buñol. Rather, people headed home after a drink and some paella and took a proper shower after getting the major dirt off. In the evening, they gathered again for La Tomatina after-parties.
Food And Drinks Selections
Local vendors set up stalls selling traditional and delicious Paella and refreshing Sangria, as well as beer. Nonetheless, hydration with WATER shouldn’t be forgotten, especially in the August heat. Therefore, many stalls offer bottled water and other beverages to keep you refreshed throughout the festivities.
As you can see,
La Tomatina is a truly unique experience, loaded with excitement from all over the world. Now that you know what it is and what to expect, are you ready to dive into this one-of-a-kind adventure? For even more insights on La Tomatina, check out the essential insider tips and good to knows before attending the festival. These blog articles offer comprehensive advice and practical guidance to ensure you make the most of your La Tomatina experience.
Happy tomato-throwing!And feel free to share on:
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