Event Dates
From: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
To: Wednesday, August 28, 2024
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.
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. The event is held on the final Wednesday in August.
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 2024
- 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.
SH Valencia Palace, 32, Passeig de l'Albereda, el Pla del Real, Valencia, Comarca de València, Valencia, Valencian Community, 46023, Spain
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 in the hotel. Free Wi-Fi is available in public areas.
Carrer de la Pau 42, 46003 València, Valencia, Spain
Vincci Palace is located in
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
, 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 of the hotel.Carrer de Bailén 8, 46007 València, Valencia, Spain
Zenit
boasts a fantastic opposite Valencia’s Estación del Norte and the city’s bullring. It offers free Wi-Fi and has a fitness centre, sauna and .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.
Plaça de Sant Llorenç 2, 46003 València, Valencia, Spain
Located 100 m from the Turia Gardens, in Valencia’s Old Town, Hotel San Lorenzo Boutique offers stylish rooms with free WiFi. The hotel is 200 m from Torre de Serranos City Gate.
Featuring free WiFi, each spacious air-conditioned room has a minibar, flat-screen TV and views of the city. The private bathroom includes a bath or shower, hairdryer and free toiletries.
Carrer de la Barcelonina 5, 46002 València, Valencia, Spain
Catalonia Excelsior is located in
’s , just a few metres from ayuntamiento Square. This elegant hotel features a café, free Wi-Fi access, rooms with satellite TVs.The Excelsior’s rooms are bright and air conditioned. Each has air conditioning, a small fridge and a well-equipped bathroom.
Carrer de Minyana, 19, 46002 València, Valencia, Spain
The air-conditioned apartment consists of 2 bedrooms, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave and a kettle, and 1 bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. For added convenience
Carrer de Cervantes, 27, 46007 València, Valencia, Spain
The apartment has 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a bath or shower.
Carrer de Roger de Llòria, 8, 46002 València, Valencia, Spain
All units here are air-conditioned and feature a flat-screen TV, a living room with a sofa, a well-equipped kitchenette with a fridge and a private bathroom with bidet, a hairdryer and free toiletries.
Carrer de Sant Martí, 1, 46002 València, Valencia, Spain
All units feature air conditioning a living room with a satellite flat-screen TV. A kitchen with an oven, a microwave and toaster as well as a coffee machine and a kettle. A Washing machine and Free WiFi
Carrer d'Alacant 11, 46004 València, Valencia, Spain
Hò men s Sex bar is a nightclub in the heart of the city, a classic in the gay scene of Valencia with role-playing night parties during the week. Popular with bears
C/ de Pepita, 13-15, La Saïdia, 46009 València, Valencia
gay night club offering Drag shows, podium dancers & house music
Carrer del Túria 22, 46008 València, Valencia, Spain
Gay parties every day. Slip or nude, blind sex or total blackout, porn sex show, raffles, Rooms, labyrinths, glory holes, videos, slings, cabins, motorcycles, lounge-bar, x-room, dark room, bars ...
Carrer de Cuba 59, 46004 València, Valencia, Spain
Nice gay cafe bar popular with every one
Carrer del Comte d'Almodóvar 1, 46003 València, Valencia, Spain
Gay cafe bar offering Cocktails, coffees and teas in the historic center of Valencia
Carrer de Sueca 33, 46004 València, Valencia, Spain
Gay cafe bar with the best breakfasts and drinks any day of the year
Carrer de Moratín 7, 46002 València, Valencia, Spain
Popular gay bar and can get very packed
Plaça del Músico López Chávarri 2, 46003 València, Valencia, Spain
A Gay Café-Pub with a good atmosphere in the heart of Carmen.
Carrer de Juan de Mena 7, 46008 València, Valencia, Spain
Classic gay bar good place for a drink and to make friends
Carrer del Botànic 7, 46008 València, Valencia, Spain
Popular gay Bears bar always busy
Carrer de Ruaya 48, 46009 València, Valencia, Spain
Gay bar / Club with a dance floor
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We have chosen hotels in Valencia that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Highlights of the hilarious tomato fight.
Valencia is LGBTQ+ friendly, and there are several areas in the city that are popular among the gay community. The city is also known for its vibrant culture, stunning architecture, and rich history.
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