MentioningSpainand only thinking of bullfighting? That’s too lame.Spainactually has a super popular event that draws tens of thousands of people every year—that’s the annual—?SpainTomato Festival?Because tomatoes are soft and squishy, throwing them doesn’t hurt, so on the day of the event, everyone goes all out hurling tomatoes at each other—whether it’s your best friend or a total stranger, if they’re in sight, it’s—smash time. Come on, let’s dive into this juicy battleground with us.
What is?Spain’s Tomato Festival?
Origin
Spain’s Tomato Festival has been held since around 1945 , and its origins are varied and uncertain—the true story has been lost to time. Interestingly, in the early years, tomato fights were actually illegal, and it wasn’t until 1959 that the festival’s tomato battles were first officially permitted. During the Franco era,Spain’s Tomato Festival was even banned for lacking religious significance. Eventually, after Franco’s death in 1975 ,Spain’s Tomato Festival was revived and has been officially organized by the town of Buñol since 1980 .
When and Where
It usually takes place on the last Wednesday of 8 each year in Buñol, and 2018 ’s event date is 8/29.
SpainTomato FestivalHow to Play
After all, being covered in sticky tomato bits isn’t very comfortable, so everyone heads off to rinse off afterward. There are water taps or showers available on the streets and by the river for public use. If you’re in a hurry, you can also try shouting “¡Agua!” (water) under residential buildings — you might just get some kind locals to pour water down on you (lol). Agua(Water), and you might just get some kind locals to pour water down on you (lol).
While people are washing up, the street-cleaning operation also begins, using fire truck hoses to spray down the roads. In about an hour, the streets return to normal, and shops start operating as usual.
— Little Extra Info —
It’s said that every yearSpain’sTomato Festival uses up 120-130 tons of tomatoes (equivalent to the weight of over twenty elephants), which is super impressive, right? No wonder people say it feels like lying in a river of tomatoes in the end.
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How to Choose Accommodation? How to Get In?
The Tomato Festival attracts tens of thousands of participants each year, making it extremely difficult to find a bed in Buñol town. Most people choose to stay in a nearby city the night before and then take a bus or train to Buñol on the day. I highly recommend staying in Valencia first, as it’s relatively close to Buñol — it only takes about an hour and a half by public transport to get there.
Besides the short distance, Valencia is alsoSpain’sthird-largestcity, with plenty of attractions to visit. For example, the famousThe city has many attractions to visit, such as the well-knownCity of Arts and Sciences in Valenciais absolutely stunning — its unique architectural structure is mind-blowing. You can also take a stroll and snap photos in the320-meter-long botanical garden.
The Spanish Tomato Festival used to be free, but in recent years, an entrance fee has been introduced. You can also purchase tickets online in advance. Currently, the official website only sells package tickets, most of which include locker services or transportation options. You can choose based on your needs. Also, the website is only available in Spanish and English, which may make it a bit less convenient to use.
— Little Extra Info —
The event gets quite chaotic, so participation is limited to18adults aged 18 and above.
★ Recommended Attractions:City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia、Silk Trade Center、One of Europe’s Oldest Markets – La Boqueria Market
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Don’t dress too stylishly or beautifully!!
Do you need to dress up fancy, party like you’re going to a special event, for the Tomato Festival? Please, for the love of tomatoes, do not dress up too nicely—because no matter how good you look, you’ll end up completely covered in tomato pulp. Let travel experts share a few tips with you so you can avoid a miserable aftermath after an otherwise fun tomato fight.
- Wear protective goggles or diving masks to prevent your eyes from turning red and getting irritated from the acidity of the tomatoes (check out the girl in the middle of the photo).
- Some people choose to wear white T-shirts to make the tomato stains more vibrant, but please try to wear old clothes—ideally ones you can throw away afterward—because you will definitely be drenched in tomatoes, and even after washing, they’ll still smell strongly of tomato and be stained bright red.
- Wear a pair of comfortable, sturdy shoes that allow you to run through the tomato-mud, but like your clothes, try to wear something you won’t mind tossing afterward.
- If you plan to take photos with your phone or camera, make sure to protect your device (with transparent covers, etc.)—take good care of your gear.
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Follow the Rules to Have Fun
Finally, here are some rules to keep in mind during theSpainTomato Festival:
- Make sure to crush the tomatoes before throwing them to avoid injuring others.
- Only tomatoes are allowed to be thrown—no bottles of any kind (try not to litter with clothes or trash either).
- Do not rip anyone’s clothing.
- Follow the instructions on-site and keep a safe distance from trucks carrying tomatoes.
- When the second cannon fires to signal the end of the event, stop immediately—otherwise, you may be fined.
- Avoid bringing valuables unless absolutely necessary.
Lastly, our final reminder: just enjoy the party!! Don’t overthink it and have fun in the moment. Wishing you all a successful tomato battle!!
By Kayline | Tripresso Travel Cafe Editorial Team
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