The Ultimate TOMATINA Roadtrip (World's Biggest Food Fight)

A guide to combining Tomatina with a legendary Spain road trip. You'll learn everything you need to know: Where to Stay How To Get There What To Bring Where To Party 🕺🏼

As always, we'll be scoring the trip using the 3 L's:

• List: How many bucket list items am I checking? Most often this is countries, but it also applies to cities, landmarks and iconic events.

• Local: How much authentic / local / cultural fix can you expect? This is the stuff you'll tell your kids about. It's also where you earn your trip (hard hikes, lessons in something local, all apply)

• Loco: Spanish for "crazy", this is the hot sauce to your trip's burrito. Think nightlife, adrenaline sports, the 'hangover' in Hangoverseas.. Price: Reluctantly, we'll rate this too - though it's not as fun to think about

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La Tomatina (& Spain Roadtrip)

When: August Where: Madrid ↣ Valencia ↣ Buñol ↣ Alicante

Summary

We head to one of the most beloved countries in Europe - the affordable, inviting, naturally beautiful and unnaturally wild, Spain. To time this trip, we're anchoring to the legendary Tomatina festival, while mixing in: A-level cities Madrid and Valencia, as well as a roadie down Spain's "Costa Blanca" (White Coast) to the ever-popular beach destination of Alicante. Expect a mix of delicious, affordable eats, epic "until-sunrise" nightlife, the world's biggest food fight, and a culture that's so laid back and fun-loving it'll have you seriously considering a permanent move.

🗺️ The Route:

Madrid ↣ Valencia ↣ Buñol ↣ Alicante

📍Madrid

Madrid acts as the perfect start-end point because of its access to cheap flights (it's a Ryanair hub). Luckily, it also happens to be a great f***g city. I spent a year there and can tell you the combination of "laidback" and "wild" that the people there embody is intoxicating (literally and figuratively). Picture a combination of Tuscany by day and Ibiza by night. They live like Wednesday is Saturday, Thursday is Sunday and Monday is a write-off so who cares. It's brilliant.

Where to Stay in Madrid

While you're in town, you'll want to consider Puerta del Sol to be the middle of your map. Anything close is good. For reference, Puerta del Sol is literally the middle-point of Spain (there's a plaque showing the central point where the road system and train-lines started; which is a cool nerd pic for the memory bank. It's also the best connected to Madrid's Metro System: which is one of the very best in Europe. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, it's an absolute RIOT. The walking streets, bars, pubs and landmarks nearby (including Plaza Mayor) are all in walking distance.

HOSTELS The current, unanimous champion for pure party hostel is Cats Hostel Madrid Sol (Hostelworld 8.9). The location is a perfect 5-minute walk from Puerta del Sol and sits in an ultra-vibey neighbourhood right off of Calle de Las Huertas, a famous pub and bar street. It's also on the way to Madrid's wildest nightclub, which we'll get to in a minute. Cats has a badass, Bohemian courtyard in the middle of it's building, where everyone gets together to party. Don't be surprised to see 10+ people sipping sangria (simultaneously) from the courtyard's central fountain. It's that kind of spot!

If you want a little extra luxury and comfort while still being in a central and social hostel: The Hat (Hostelworld: 9.4) has been a staple for quite a few years and sits in a PRIME location close to Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol. It also has a wicked lobby bar and rooftop patio (one of the best in the city). I've stayed here multiple times and have nothing but great things to say! It's a matter of preference between these two.

Nightlife & Eats in Madrid

We'll have to make a Madrid blog because it has way too many awesome secrets. The second we do, it'll be linked here.

EATS:

You'll have to try the popular 100 Montaditos chain, where you can choose from 100 little slider sandwiches of all the flavours you can think of. Travellers love it because it's super cheap, and has great beer and sangria on tap (also cheap). These spots are always full and tend to be a great hangout day or night. For a personal-favorite authentic tapas joint, head to Calle Barcelona and visit La Descubierta. Their tapas are as authentic and delicious as you can find. If you're looking for a cool notch on your belt, head to El Botín, the World's oldest restaurant (Guinness World Record). NOTE: You'll have to book this weeks in advance, but it's worth the experience. Make sure to try their "cochinillo". Lastly, for a quirky day-snack, head to the nearby Mercado San Miguel and find the stall selling tequila shots with caviar.

NIGHTLIFE

You're absolutely spoiled for choice: Patio / Day-Drinks: Definitely don't miss the jewel that is La Terraza Florida Park (image above). This patio is absolutely packed every Saturday and Sunday during the summer, as the crowds flock to the stunning property and it's immaculate terrace. There's a lot more to this place, a restaurant, a club, and a luxurious version of a "food court" called Los Kioskos, all part of the Florida Park property located right in Retiro (Madrid's version of Central Park).

Pub: Fontana de Oro, a proper tavern / pub vibe, live music, international beers and a great night out. Alternatives: James Joyce Irish Pub

Nightclub: Teatro Kapital, easily the crown jewel of Madrid nightlife, a 7-story super-club with a monolithic main stage courtyard that you can see from all other floors. Each floor plays different genres of music (including a karaoke room) and there is a rooftop patio that acts as the proverbial cherry on top. Alternatives: Teatro Barcelo, Fabrik, Opium, Shoko, Joy

Unique: Ojala is a cool hidden gem in which you can sip on Coronas with your feet in the (literal) sand. They've imported tons of sand into their bar and it feels like an night-time beach hangout.

Speakeasy: Clandestino, or Hemingway.

Rooftop: There are literally too many rooftops to count, much less list, in Madrid. That said, some top picks would be be Terraza de Cibeles, Gymage, Azotea, La Terraza Florida Park, Oroya and the hostel rooftop at The Hat.

I'd recommend at least 2-3 days in Madrid, before heading to Valencia, so plan your flight dates accordingly, to align with the day of La Tomatina.

🚂 From Madrid, you'll head to Valencia, which will be your basecamp for La Tomatina. Your best bet is the RenFe AVE train (approx. 2 hours).

📍Valencia

What a city this is too.. and on the beach no less.

Where to Stay in Valencia

The simple breakdown is as follows:

• Ciutat Vella - is just that, the "old town". You know how these go, beautiful streets, all the tourist sights, great ambiance at all times.

• Ciutat Vella South - just south, it's still the old town but this area is known for eats.

• Russafa - south of that, this is the party neighbourhood. Bars, clubs, patios, here.

• El Cabanyal - this is the beach

Realistically, Ciutat Vella South is your best place to set up shop - in that it's still within the old town, close to the best food, and sits right next to Russafa neighbourhood meaning an easy way home after the bar. Alternatively, you can just stay in Russafa itself.

Hostels: In Ciutat Vella South, you can't go wrong with Home Youth Hostel (Hostelworld: 9.4) which boasts among the highest "atmosphere" scores in the city at 9.3, and is known for it's awesome staff, social vibe and sangria nights. Alternatively, you can stay right in Russafa at Cantagua Hostel (Hostelworld: 9.3). Ironic based on it's location, this isn't a party hostel per se - but is definitely the "feel at home" hostel, with it's smaller size, close-knit community and family dinners. It also sits nicely on route to our favorite spot in the city (see below). Needless to say at 9.3 it's loved by the people. NOTE: Everyone going to La Tomatina stays in Valencia, so book your hostel in advance!!

What to Do in Valencia

First and foremost, we have to talk about the Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias. This is the picture you see on postcards. By day, it's a "museum" ..on steroids. The architecture, fountains and gardens are impressive enough, but inside you're treated to a zoo, aquarium, science and art exhibitions and great food. And that's just during the day..

At night, the Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias becomes one of the bets patios in Valencia, if not Spain. A whole section of the grounds, including indoor, outdoor and rooftop garden space lights up into a BANGER patio, lounge, nightclub and overall party. Picture a rooftop promenade lined with palm trees, giant white arches, fountains, stages and bartenders at every 30 feet, ready to serve you. It's amazing just to look at, much less party in. Before entering, you'll see hundreds of people; travellers, local and international students, partiers of every kind, all sitting in the park across the street, embracing the Spanish tradition of "botellon", aka pre-drinking with sangria while sitting in circles and socializing. It's a vibe in and of itself. Then they migrate into the super-club for a night of unparalleled Spanish fiesta.

Then of course, you have the old town and the beach itself Each of these can (and should) easily take up a day, so I'd avoid trying to squeeze them into one. Spend a day exploring old town, a day at Ciudad de Artes y Ciencias, and a hangover day at the beach for some rest and recovery.

⭐️Pro Tip: Don't forget to try paella Valenciana while you're in its birthplace, and drink vermouth in the bars, a staple around here.

On your third day, you'll want to get your stuff (and yourself) ready for the big dance, LA TOMATINA! 🍅 For transport, you'll be taking a train to Buñol first thing in the morning.

📍Buñol & La Tomatina

It's time for the big dance - LA TOMATINA - aka the world' biggest food fight. If you're unfamiliar, it's a gathering of thousands of people for a day of tomato-throwing insanity in the main square of Buñol. Legend has it La Tomatina started when a group of ruckus kids interrupted a town procession. A tomato cart was tipped over, tomatoes were thrown - and generations later the city still honours the food fight that ensued. What you really need to know, though, is everyone who's done it says the same thing:

"I would never do that again.. but if you haven't done it.. you absolutely have to do it once."

What to Pack

Obviously "monumental tomato food fight" doesn't fall into any standard trip-types, so it requires a bespoke packing list. Here's the rub:

• Clothes - you're fine parting with. Let's be honest, they're gone after this. Make sure to wear white!! (it's not mandatory but it's the norm).
  

• Shoes - again, ideally runners you don't care about, but definitely shoes, not sandals. Thousands of innocent flip flops have been lost forever in the river of tomato sauce.
  

• Waterproof (!!) - Anything you bring better be waterproof. I'd definitely recommend this waterproof phone holder for your phone (and maybe your ticket / cash) because it also attaches to you. Anything that isn't attached to you, will fly away, and once it's in the soup, it's gone. Even for a waterproof GoPro, make sure you're using a mount / strap. Can't stress enough how big of a shit show this is haha.
  

• Goggles - to our readers who dive, your mask will come very clutch! Mask-style goggles are the best, smaller swimming goggles will do the job, and sunglasses do absolutely nothing for you. You could also go bare, but watch out for pink-eye lol.
  

• Change of Clothes - if you can manage a change of clothes (in a waterproof day-pack maybe - this is the one I use and have never had a leak) your future self will love you. As you ride the bus home to Valencia it's nice NOT smelling like a rotten bloody Mary.

How to Get There, How to Book

You have two options. Either book an organized tour (there are countless online including La Tomatina Tours) or do it freestyle. If you do a tour, it's all taken care of. Perks here include organized transport, pre and post parties, a shirt and designated showers after the fact. The link above has a video showing it all.

If you go freestyle, here's the scoop: You'll take a train (approx. 50 minutes) from the Valencia train station - which you don't have to book in advance. You can find the schedule here. The earlier you go the better, as things get crazy busy, and you don't want to be stuck outside the square missing the party. You can purchase tickets for the event here. When you get to Buñol just follow the crowds.. you can't go wrong.

THE TOMATO FIGHT 🍅

This couldn't be more simple. Pack into the designated area (the heart of the town), watch out as the trucks roll in (packed to the brim with tomatoes), wait for the "GO" cannon (at 12:00pm), and then chaos... for 60 minutes straight! A river of tomato soup at your feet, tomatoes flying overhead (or at your head), people screaming and laughing hysterically.. it's the best of gongshows..!

At 1:00pm, a second cannon sounds and all tomatoes must be dropped. From there it's a comical parade of soaked idiots (including you) roaming through the streets being hosed down by good samaritans from their balconies. It sounds so stupid, and it is so stupid, but it's also amazing.

Afterparty

The official Tomatina after party is notorious for it's brilliant debauchery, as are those organized by tour groups. Follow the crowds, follow your guides, you're in good hands either way.

When it's all said and done, you'll be in Valencia sleeping it all off. 🚂 From there, your last leg will be a train along the Costa Blanca to Alicante (2 hours)

📍Alicante

Time to kick back and let the mediterranean clean off the last bits of tomato. Sort of. Alicante is the backyard beach destination for Spaniards. Anyone you meet will tell you about "that time in Alicante last summer". That means great beaches, it means a good mix of locals and tourist, and it means more than enough "Loco" to go around.

Where to Stay

There are a few hostel options, but the most established is certainly Olé Backpackers Hostel (Hostelworld: 8.1). Their location is the best (right in the central neighbourhood, close to Mercado Central - more on that below), and they have quite a vibey lobby bar and terrace with beer on tap and good bar-food!

A Day in Alicante

Obviously, you start with the beach. Playa del Postiguet is undoubtedly the most popular, and has a ton of good facilities around it (restaurants, cafes, bars, bathrooms, etc.). You'll encounter plenty of families here as well, but there's a good mix.

At some point, you should dry off, head up the (very convenient) elevator and check out the thing you've been seeing above you all day: the Castell de la Santa Barbara, a thousand year-old castle that sits above a stone cliff and overlooks both the city and beach. It's historic, it's beautiful, and it has the best panoramic view of Alicante.

In the afternoon, you can do what the locals affectionately call "tardeo" (or, afternooning) which basically means day-drinking beers on the many patios and courtyards of the town's center. Specifically, close to the Mercado Central which in and of itself is worth a walk-through.

In the later afternoon-to-evening, you can continue the "tardeo" as it moves toward Calle Castaños. This is the prototypical Spanish "happy street" lined with pubs, patios, umbrellas and people having a whale of a time. The quantity and variety of establishments on this street make it a crowd-favorite for starting the night. All of these places shut down at 4am.

Eventually, the sun goes down, the kids go to bed and the party-seekers make their last move. You have a few choices of "neighbourhoods" (and depending on your schedule you can try a different one each night), but the two we recommend most highly are El Barrio and Alicante Marina.

El Barrio is one of the best areas to party in Alicante. From haute-cuisine restaurants, to 80's music, trendy electronic beats, terraces, gastropubs and everything in between, this is a bonafide hedonism buffet. Being on the historic cobblestone streets only adds to the immaculate vibes.

Alicante Marina on the other hand is home to one of the best spots in all of Alicante; the beloved Marmarela Mediterranean Cocktail Club. This place is special. Sitting right on the water, overlooking the sea, the town, and the towering castle, it's the perfect setting for a monumental open-air night club. The two palm-lined pools, top-shelf cocktails and frequent DJ sets don't hurt either. Being so large, it has two separate sections with differing music, so it's up to you what you're feeling tonight. Either way, you'll be feeling something tomorrow!

Honorable Mention: Code Social Club is a respected spot for people in the know, with a main room playing a mix of electronic and 90's music and another playing pure reggaeton, it attracts an interesting mix of 'older' crowd (early 30's) and younger latin-seekers (early 20's).

🚂 When you're all done, you'll take the 2h25m train back to Madrid just in time for your round-trip flight back to wherever you came from. That is, of course, unless Spain steals your heart and you decide to stay. You wouldn't be the first one.

🏅 The Rating:

List: 8.2 - One country, one world-famous festival, and (if you're lucky) the oldest restaurant in the world. There are more prolific trips on this list, but this one definitely holds its own. Local: 9.4 - The culture in Madrid is thick, as is the history and culture in Alicante. When you add those to the truly unique experience that is Buñol's historic Tomatina, you have an overload of Local, and plenty to feel good about despite your excessive partying (see below)

Loco: 9.5 - Madrid's Teatro Kapital (and clandestine speakeasy network), the world's biggest food fight, along with it's afterparty, clubbing next to dolphins (close enough) in the Ciutat de Artes y Ciencias, and ending with the legendary nightlife scene of Alicante. Yea, this is a 9.5.

Price: $ - Believe it or not, relative to European neighbours like France, Italy and Germany, Spain is substantially more affordable. The euro might still sting North Americans, but the payoff is well worth it. Your biggest expense might be your La Tomatina Tour which can run upwards of 150+ Euros. Otherwise, this trip is pretty affordable.

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