Here are 8 easy steps to follow if you want to enjoy the Tomatina and "survive" it
1. Discover the origins of La Tomatina
If this is your first time, then you need to know what the festival is all about! The event is held every year as part of the festivities of Buñol (Valencia) and its origin dates back to approximately 1945, when some young locals came down to the town square to watch the parade of figures of the Giants and Cabezudos. Apparently, one of them tripped and knocked over a participant, leading to a fight between neighbors, who started throwing tomatoes at each other. The next year, the group of kids got into a fight and the rest is history. Today the Tomatina attracts young people from all over the world, who gather in the streets of Buñol and throw the fruit at each other.
2. Dress appropriately
Remember that in August the province of Valencia is not exactly cold, so we recommend that you wear shorts to combat the heat. Of course, choose old clothes you won't be wearing later! The tomato is easily removed from the skin, but the clothes... is another story.
3. Watch the shoes! Watch the shoes!
Like your clothes, wear old shoes if possible. Although at first glance it may seem that the sandals are more comfortable and fresh, just think of the amount of stomping "you can take with you"!
4. Don't forget your glasses.
Considering that the ripe tomato is the star of the party, who wouldn't want to protect their eyes? The perfect solution is swimming goggles (included in our
package C). Yes, yes, you read that right. Get ready to show off the authentic look of La Tomatina. Don't worry, you won't be the only one.
5. Make sure the tomatoes are ripe.
It is very important that you make sure that the tomatoes you throw at the other participants are ripe. Although the municipality generally distributes ripe tomatoes, it never hurts to check them to avoid harming anyone. Safety comes first!
6. Find your accommodation in advance
The La Tomatina festival is very popular, so it is advisable to book your accommodation in advance. As Buñol is a fairly small town, accommodation is soon exhausted. We recommend our
package P with aparthotel in Valencia or our
package H with hostel in Buñol.
7. Bring a waterproof camera.
If you want to take pictures and take your memories with you, a waterproof camera is a must. Another option is a disposable camera. But above all, we recommend that you leave your nice and expensive cameras at home to avoid disappointment.
8. Pay attention at the end of the battle
Of course, we all wish it could go on all day long but, unfortunately, all good things come to an end. You will therefore have to pay attention to the announcement of the final release of the tomatoes. In any case, by then you will probably have "given it your all".