On 27th August 2025, the small eastern Spanish town of Buñol will once again host La Tomatina – the world’s largest food fight. Famous for transforming the streets into a sea of red pulp, this one-hour tomato battle attracts thrill-seekers and festival enthusiasts from around the globe.
And if you’ve seen a summer action film, Heads of State, now on a major streaming service, you’ll know what to expect. The film opens with crowds of people hurling thousands of over-ripe tomatoes at all and sundry. It’s messy. In real life, of course, there’ll be fewer spies and special service agents doing their stuff – but there will still be plenty of squashed tomatoes. And do note, in the interests of safety, tomatoes must be squashed before you throw them.
The origins of La Tomatina
La Tomatina began in 1945 almost by accident. During a local parade, a scuffle broke out among young residents near a market stall of vegetables. They started throwing tomatoes at each other. The spontaneous food fight became an annual event, growing in popularity despite early resistance from local authorities. Over the decades, it has evolved into a highly organised international spectacle, officially sanctioned by the town council and attracting up to 22,000 participants.
Though it lasts just an hour, the tomato battle is part of a week-long celebration including music, fireworks, parades and the traditional paella cook-off. The festival embodies the Spanish spirit of communal joy and playful chaos, appealing mainly to adventurous travellers aged 18–35.
Reaching Buñol
Buñol is 38 kilometres / 24 miles west of the city of Valencia, the provincial capital of the municipality of the same name. Most visitors stay in Valencia and travel to Buñol for the day. Some might stay a night or two in or near Buñol , although accommodation is limited. There are fewer than 1000 hotel rooms in the area, so they can get booked up quickly. Trains from Valencia to Buñol are affordable at €6-€7 (approx. £5.20-£6.00) each way and take about an hour. Taxis cost €70-€125 (approx. £60-£110) one way, which can be economical when shared among friends.
On festival day, Buñol’s transport options are limited. Streets are closed off, local buses may not operate, and taxis are scarce. Walking is the best way to explore once inside town.
Food, drink and practical expenses for La Tomatina
After the tomato fight, most visitors head to local bars and restaurants to refuel. Wise travellers also take a change of clothes. Based on prices from Madrid and Valencia, plus comments on Trip Advisor, likely costs are: beer €2-€3 (£1.75-£2.60 approx.), individual tapas €3-€6 (£2.60-£5.20 approx.), with a full tapas meal being about €15-€25 (£13.00-£22.00). A larger meal like paella ranges from €25-€50 (£22.00-£43.00 approx.), with individual paella costing from €8-€12 (£7.00-£10.00. A coffee is around €1.50-€2.50 (about £1.30-£2.20), and soft drinks hover at €1.50-€2 (about £1.30-£1.75). It’s natural for retailers to benefit from a large but short-lived influx of tourists, so expect these to be minimum prices.
Card readers are increasingly common, but many food stalls and small businesses prefer cash. Lockers for storing valuables cost around €5-€10 (£4.30-£8.70 approx.) and are crucial if you don’t want your belongings drenched in tomato juice.
Tipping habits
Tipping is more casual than in northern Europe. In restaurants, a 5 – 10% tip is appreciated. In bars and taxis, rounding up is generally sufficient.
Ticketing and local spending
Tomatina tickets must be purchased online in advance (using a card), with strict entry limits to manage safety. However, many other transactions on the day – drinks, snacks, lockers, souvenirs – are in cash.
Buñol is a small town where ATM availability is limited and queues can be long, especially on festival day. Having cash in hand before arrival saves time and considerable hassle.
Why cash is crucial for La Tomatina
While Spain’s cities are increasingly card-friendly, La Tomatina is a vivid reminder that small-town festivals and fiestas often rely on cash for small transactions. From a spontaneous sangria toast to that essential after-fight sandwich, cash ensures easy transactions when preferred by the vendor.
A practical solution is to use a service such as Money4Travel before you travel. Once you’re online and have added your requirements, Money4Travel scans the market for the best exchange rates within a ten minute drive of your postcode. You simply order and arrange a local pick-up. With a few clicks you avoid the frustration of poor exchange rates, ATM fees, and long queues. Their buy-back guarantee and loyalty programme (Pips) help you maximise value, even if you overestimate your cash needs.
Embrace the chaos
La Tomatina is a joyful, uninhibited release of energy and community spirit – albeit a slightly unusual one. There’s plenty of laughter and human connection as well as tomatoes. Being prepared financially allows you to immerse yourself fully, soaking in the fiesta rather than worrying about the mechanics of how you’ll pay for your drink or meal.
For anyone looking to cross this iconic experience off their bucket list, understanding the festival’s history and practical considerations makes all the difference. With the right preparation, including a pocket full of Euros, you’ll be ready to dive headfirst into the world’s most famous food fight.
By Declan Morton, writer and editor at Money4Travel – the online service for foreign currency sales in the UK. More about the author.
For reference: tomatina.es, Region of Valencia Tourist Board, Region of Valencia/Buñol, Numbeo-Valencia, Railway tickets from Renfe, Travel options for rail, bus and taxi, from “Rome2Rio.com”,
