Event Dates
From: Wednesday, August 30, 2023
To: Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Buñol is a small town, just under a half-hour drive from the city of Valencia and in August becomes the home of the World’s biggest food fight.
Thousands of visitors from Spain and beyond make the pilgrimage to the ancient town of Buñol to party long into the night, in between dodging the odd tomato or two! Over a hundred thousand tomatoes flying through the air over the course of an hour is, without a doubt, a sight to behold.
La Tomatina 2023
- First off, arrive early as roads to the town are closed off from lunchtime. We recommend staying in Valencia and taking a rideshare or bus to Buñol.
- Wear White! Everyone does as they make their way down the hill to the centre of the town square, Plaza del Pueblo; you will find street vendors galore selling drinks as music plays over speakers. The atmosphere is one of hype and mayhem as people prepare for the main event.
- The fight takes place in what is known as “The Mosh Pit”. Trucks carrying 40 tonnes of tomatoes will have arrived earlier that morning, and that’s over 150,000 tomatoes! Get your ticket and pick up your tomato ammunition and start throwing them at everyone and anyone. Afterwards, you can pay locals a small fee to hose you down with water, which is highly recommended. You may not want to see a tomato for a while after your experience in the pit, but you certainly will have a unique memory of your trip to Spain.
Tips for the event
- Bring a change of clothes and wear something you won’t want to wear again. Bring goggles as, believe it or not, tomatoes sting. Avoid flip flops, so pack some trainers you don’t mind destroying.
- This is a ticketed event, limited to 20,000 visitors to avoid overcrowding. Tickets cost EUR 12 approx.
- The food fight begins at 11 am and lasts for one hour, and takes place on the last Wednesday in August each year.
Other Activities
The tomato fight, which dates back to 1945, is the highlight of a week-long celebration full of fireworks, music and dancing held in honour of Buñol’s Patron Saint, San Luis Bertrán.
How La Tomatina began
- La Tomatina started in 1945 during a parade of Giants and Bigheads. Some local youth decided to participate in it, and some of the party members got angry. There was a minor dispute near where there was a vegetable stand, and the argument became a tomato toss between both sides until the police ended the “conflict.”
- The following year and successive years, the same scenario was repeated until the authorities saw a high demand at the party. Due to this, the City Council took over the organization in 1980. Since then, La Tomatina has become popular every year. Now it is a festival that attracts thousands of tourists, making it one of the festivals with a significant international impact.
- The town has few hotels, so Valencia makes an ideal base to explore the region. If you want to stay in the town, or close by, prepare to book well in advance
Where to stay?
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action
Hospes Palau, Zenit Valencia, Vincci Palace, Catalonia Excelsior
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Cathedral Suites Hotel
is our preferred hotel in the city.
For further information and advice on
La Tomatina, Buñol visit The Website
The gay scene in Valencia is spread out in 2 distinct districts, The Botànic/Quart and Russafa (Ruzafa). Both are within close walking distance from the Old Town centre. The city also has one gay beach, Platja de l’Arbre del Gos which is outside of the city, however the city beach is packed full of gay boys throughout the season.
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We have chosen hotels in Valencia that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Located in front of the Palau de la Música in Valencia, this elegant hotel features a rooftop swimming pool and sun terrace. It offers spacious rooms with a classic design and free Wi-Fi. The Albufera restaurant offers local cuisine based on fresh products and gluten-free options are available. There is also a snack bar, an express bar and a lobby bar. A buffet breakfast is served
Zenit Valencia boasts a fantastic central location opposite Valencia’s Estación del Norte and the city’s bullring. It offers free Wi-Fi and has a fitness centre, sauna and car park. All rooms at the Zenit are stylishly furnished, with a private bathroom complete with hairdryer. Each room also contains a work desk, safety deposit box and plasma TV with satellite channels.
Vincci Palace is located in central Valencia, 5 minutes’ walk from the Cathedral. It is an attractive design hotel offering elegant rooms with satellite TV and free internet access. The Hotel Vincci Palace serves a buffet breakfast, which includes gluten-free products. There is a stylish on-site café selling refreshments and snacks, and a wide variety of restaurants can be found within a 5-minute walk
Decorated with bright red accents, the modern rooms at Kimpton Banneker Hotel feature a flat-screen TV, Wi-Fi access, and a work desk. An en suite bathroom and a minibar are also included. Bar Rouge offers breakfast, dinner, and weekday happy hour specials in a sleek, modern environment. Morning coffee and tea are available
Highlights of the hilarious tomato fight.
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We have chosen hotels in Valencia that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
A restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a rooftop terrace are available at this smoke-free hotel. Additionally, a coffee shop/café, self parking, and a meeting room are onsite. All 31 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and room service. For a bit of entertainment, flat-screen TVs come with satellite channels, and guests will also appreciate thoughtful touches like free minibar items and slippers.
2 restaurants, a full-service spa, and an indoor pool are available at this smoke-free hotel. Additionally, a health club, a bar/lounge, and a snack bar/deli are onsite. All 135 soundproofed rooms provide free WiFi, free wired Internet, and 24-hour room service. For a bit of entertainment, plasma TVs come with digital channels, and thoughtful touches like bathrobes and slippers.
This smoke-free aparthotel features self parking, tour/ticket assistance, and multilingual staff. Other amenities include a garden and a front-desk safe. Each apartment provides a kitchen with a refrigerator, an oven, a stovetop, and a microwave. Comforts include premium bedding and a down comforter, a sitting area and a coffee/tea maker. The private bathroom
This smoke-free hotel features a restaurant, a bar/lounge, and a snack bar/deli. Other amenities include a coffee shop/café, concierge services, and dry cleaning. All 29 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and room service. For a bit of entertainment, guests will have flat-screen TVs with cable channels, and other amenities include free bottled water and hair dryers.