How to get to La Tomatina 2026 in Buñol and how much a ticket costs

La Tomatina in Buñol lasts exactly one hour. During that time, tons of tomatoes are dumped onto the streets of the town, and participants turn the center into red mush. The next battle will take place on August 26, 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00 (La Tomatina website, as of 09/2026).

A ticket is mandatory, and there are only 22,000 spots. Without entry access you won't get into the battle zone, and packages with transfers sell out long before the end of summer. Below you'll find the date and time, prices, rules, and ways to get to Buñol from Valencia.

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© Graham McLellan from London, UK · CC BYPhoto: Graham McLellan from London, UK, CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), Wikimedia Commons

When La Tomatina 2026 takes place

💡 In short:

• La Tomatina 2026 takes place on Wednesday, August 26, from 12:00 to 13:00.
• Location: Buñol, province of Valencia, about 40 km from the city (on the map).
• A basic ticket costs from 15 € (as of 09/2026, ticket page).

© Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez ( Qoan ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez ( Qoan ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

The battle always falls on the last Wednesday of August. Buñol sits inland in the province of Valencia.

Arrive well before the start: access checks, the pre-battle atmosphere, and the traditional palo jabón take several hours. The town is compact, and you can walk from the train station to the center.

How the tomato battle in Buñol works

Everything starts at the palo jabón pole. It's a greased pole with a jamón ham on top, and daredevils try to reach it. Then the starting signal sounds, and trucks loaded with tomatoes drive into the streets.

After that comes an hour of throwing. Underfoot is a slippery red mass, there's little room around you, and tomatoes fly from all directions. A second signal stops the battle immediately, and you must stop throwing. Municipal crews with hoses clean up the center of Buñol surprisingly fast.

The day's program also includes:

• palo jabón: the traditional challenge before the battle;
• the main battle: exactly one hour of tomato throwing;
• Tomatina Infantil: a separate celebration for children aged 4 to 14 on the Saturday before the battle (festival program, as of 09/2026);
• street cleaning: municipal services wash the city center;
• package add-ons: a T-shirt, paella, or an after-party, depending on the organizer.

Tickets and prices for La Tomatina 2026

You won't be allowed into the battle zone without a ticket. Access is restricted for safety, and the number of participants does not exceed 22,000 (official website, as of 09/2026). Buy only through the official channels of the Buñol city council, not from resale websites or social media.

Basic entry costs from 15 € and includes access to the battle zone (as of 09/2026, verified on the ticket page). Packages from local organizers start at 40 € and add services:

• Basic entry: from 15 €;
• Packages from the Buñol business association: from 40 € (as of 09/2026, package price list);
• Packages from Valencia: entry and round-trip bus;
• Packages from Alicante, Benidorm, Calpe, Denia, and Javea: the trip is longer, so the price is higher;
• Add-ons: paella, sangria, a T-shirt, or an after-party.

Local residents and people with a confirmed connection to Buñol may qualify for a free advance ticket under the city council's conditions. If you need a full-day tour with transfer, La Tomatina tours on GetYourGuide assemble a group in advance.

La Tomatina rules worth following

The battle looks like a game, but the safety rules here are no joke. They protect you and your neighbors in a dense crowd. The tomato mass turns the streets into a skating rink, and trucks are driving nearby.

© Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez ( Qoan ) · CC BY-SAPhoto: Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez ( Qoan ), CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

• Squash the tomatoes before throwing them: a soft fruit won't hurt anyone;
• Don't throw hard objects: bottles and cans are banned;
• Stay away from the trucks: vehicles need room to pass;
• Stop at the final signal: after the second signal, the fight is over;
• Bring as little as possible: ID and phone in a waterproof pouch, leave valuables at home;
• Wear old clothes: a light t-shirt and shorts you don't mind getting stained;
• Choose closed shoes with good grip: flip-flops are banned under safety rules (as of 09/2026, official website);
• Bring swim goggles: tomato juice irritates your eyes;
• Agree on a meeting point: it's easy to lose your group, and cell service is unreliable in the crowd.

How to get to Buñol from Valencia

Buñol is about 40 km west of Valencia (on the map). On festival day, getting there is harder than on a regular weekday.

Train from Valencia

The Cercanías C3 line connects València Sant Isidre station with Buñol. The train takes just over an hour, but on battle day the cars are packed. Take the first morning train, otherwise you'll spend a long time waiting in line to get off.

Bus packages

An organized bus is often the easiest option. It picks you up in Valencia or on the Costa Blanca coast and brings you back after the streets are cleaned.

By car

From Valencia, take the A-3 toward Madrid and turn off at Buñol. On festival day, restrictions are in place morning and evening, and finding a parking spot is difficult.

History of La Tomatina

La Tomatina began in 1945 during the gigantes y cabezudos parade in Buñol's main square (festival website, as of 09/2026). According to the most widely known version, a group of young people tried to join the procession, a scuffle broke out after one participant fell, and the brawl spilled over to a vegetable stand. Tomatoes became the weapon of choice.

Authorities broke up the fight, and the event was later banned, but pressure from locals brought it back. Over time, La Tomatina grew into an international event and in 2002 received the status of Fiesta de Interés Turístico Internacional. Today it's the festival you travel to Buñol for in late August.

Buñol beyond the tomato battle

After the tourists leave, Buñol settles into a completely different rhythm. It's a compact town, and the center is easy to cover on foot. Walk up to Buñol Castle: by the fortress wall there's a square with a view over the rooftops and the church.

The surrounding hills and river valleys are good for a quiet walk after the noisy festival. The C3 line connects the town with Valencia, so Buñol is easy to visit as a day trip. The catch: on battle day the town is packed, so pick a different day for a stroll.

Other unusual festivals in Spain

The Spanish calendar isn't limited to the tomato storm in Buñol, and you'll find similar celebrations in other regions. In Haro, in La Rioja, Batalla del Vino participants douse each other with red wine on a hill near the town. Sant Jordi in Barcelona brings books and roses to the streets every April. The Festival de los Patios in Córdoba opens flower-covered courtyards to visitors each spring.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When will La Tomatina 2026 take place?

The battle will take place on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 12:00 to 13:00. It is the last Wednesday of the month, as it is every year. Arrive in Buñol early: access checks and ticket-to-wristband exchange start in the morning. The official date is confirmed on the festival page.

How much does a La Tomatina 2026 ticket cost?

Basic entry costs from 15 € (as of 09/2026, tickets on the official page). Packages from local organizers start at 40 € and include extras: a T-shirt, paella, or an after-party (as of 09/2026, package pricing). Buy your ticket only through the official channels of the Buñol town hall.

Do I need a tour or can I get there on my own?

You can get there independently: the Cercanías C3 line runs from València Sant Isidre station to Buñol in just over an hour. But on the day of the battle, trains are packed, so many people choose a package with a bus. It picks you up from Valencia or the Costa Blanca and brings you back after the festival.

What to wear and what to bring?

Wear old light-colored clothes and closed shoes with good grip: flip-flops are banned under the safety rules. Bring as little as possible, and put your documents and phone in a waterproof case. Swim goggles will protect your eyes from tomato juice, and it is best to agree on a meeting point with your group in advance.

Can I come with children?

For children aged 4 to 14, a separate Tomatina Infantil is held on the Saturday before the main battle (program and rules, as of 09/2026). It is better not to bring small children to the adult battle: the crowd is dense, the ground is slippery, and trucks drive right alongside. The Infantil format is safer and calmer.

In short: what to book

If you are coming from Valencia for one day: take a package with a bus so you do not depend on the overcrowded train. If you are passing through Buñol: a basic ticket covers all the formalities, and choose your clothes and shoes according to the rules above. If you are traveling along the Costa Blanca: look at packages from Alicante and Benidorm with transfers.

Book your spot in advance: the number of participants is limited, and putting together a package with a transfer on GetYourGuide is convenient from Valencia.