All You Wanted to Know About the La Tomatina Festival in Spain

What is La Tomatina All About?

It’s fundamentally Holi, but with tomatoes! It begins around 11 a.m. and lasts for precisely an hour. In that hour, participants indulge in the act of hurling tomatoes at one another, purely for fun...till they’re ultimately hosed off  by fire trucks that drive down the streets washing the tomato juice off the participants and lanes! I'm sure you remember Katrina Kaif, Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol throwing tomatoes at each other in the hit song ‘Ik Junoon’ from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD).

Read more: A Backpacker's Guide to Spain

How is it Played?

Crush tomatoes and throw.

Yup, that’s pretty much what it is!

Where Does La Tomatina Take Place?

In the state of Valencia in Spain, surrounded by the multiple mountains ranges and 30 kilometers from the realm of the Mediterranean, lies the city of Buñol.

The land of the La Tomatina festival is one of the many tourist attractions in Spain and for good reason. Apart from being host to one of the most unusual fiestas, it offers a beautiful and culturally enriching visit.

Read more: Explore the Many Facets of Spain with These Fascinating Experiences

When does La Tomatina Take Place?

Tradition calls for celebration on the last Wednesday in the month of August. Mark your dates and plan your trip to Europe.

In 2017, the La Tomatina fest is taking place on August 30.

What Else to Do in Buñol?

If you’re planning a holiday in Spain, slot a couple of days for Buñol. Getting there is fairly easy as it’s about 38 kilometers from the main city of Valencia, which is easily accessible by road, sea and air. However, take your time (3 hours 25 minutes to be precise) and drive to Valencia from Barcelona. The surroundings are breathtaking and the roads are...wait for it…pothole free! 

In terms of things to do there, discover the beautiful natural wonders such as Alta Cave, Turche Cave and Juanes River where there is a 60-meter waterfall. Another interesting spot is its 13^th century castle and the El Salvador church, which are the quarters of the town’s archaeological museum. From a historic and culture perspective, Buñol definitely ranks high.

Clear those planners and head to Buñol in Spain for some La Tomatina fun!

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