TrekUnity
When
August
Attendance
~20,000
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
La Tomatina is the world's largest food fight — held the last Wednesday of August in the small town of Buñol, near Valencia, Spain, where tens of thousands of participants hurl roughly 100 tons of overripe tomatoes at one another for one gloriously messy hour, turning the streets into a river of red pulp.
A quirky bucket-list bash since the 1940s, it's pure joyful chaos, easily paired with the beaches, paella, and Modernist architecture of nearby Valencia.
Want to go? Turn La Tomatina into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
The last Wednesday of August (one hour, late morning)
Admission
Ticketed entry (capped)
Parking
Come by train from Valencia — Buñol is tiny and parking is impractical on the day.
Nearest airport
Valencia Airport (VLC) — ~40 min to Valencia, then train to Buñol
Typical weather
Hot, dry Spanish August — 80s–90s °F; wear clothes and closed shoes you'll throw away, plus goggles.
Official website
Location
Buñol, Spain
Where to stay
Valencia city hotels
Most visitors base in Valencia and day-trip in.
Caro Hotel (Valencia)
Boutique hotel over Roman ruins in the old town.
Buñol guesthouses
Very limited — book far ahead if staying in town.
Where to eat & drink
Paella Valenciana
The dish's birthplace — the real thing in Valencia.
Central Market (Valencia)
One of Europe's great food markets.
Horchata & fartons
The Valencian tiger-nut drink and pastries.
Nearby attractions
City of Arts and Sciences (Valencia)
Calatrava's futuristic complex.
Valencia old town
The cathedral, Silk Exchange, and plazas.
Malvarrosa Beach
Valencia's city beach.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + Valencia
- •Fly into VLC
- •Afternoon: old town + Central Market
- •Dinner: paella
2La Tomatina
- •Early: train to Buñol
- •Late morning: the tomato fight
- •Afternoon: hose off + back to Valencia
3Arts + beach + depart
- •Morning: City of Arts and Sciences
- •Afternoon: Malvarrosa Beach
- •Head to VLC
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Base in Valencia and take the train to Buñol on the day.
- Wear goggles and clothes/shoes you'll discard.
- Squash tomatoes before throwing — it's the rule, and it hurts less.
Frequently asked questions
When is La Tomatina?
The last Wednesday of August, for about one hour late morning, in Buñol, Spain.
Do you need a ticket?
Yes — entry is now capped and ticketed; buy in advance.
What should you wear?
Old clothes and closed-toe shoes you can throw away, plus swim goggles to protect your eyes.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by La Tomatina or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.