Many people have heard of the world famous La Tomatina festivals in Spain where you throw tomatoes on each other, but few know that it’s far from the only food battle festival in the country.
Spain is simply the king of food wars, with celebrations throughout the year using everything from grapes to flour and even eggs in their food battles.
Here are five awesome food fighting festivals when visiting Spain …
5 Best Food Fight Festivals in Spain
Meringue War, Vilanova i La Geltrú
La Merengada, also known as the Candy Fight, is a celebration that simply has to be every kid’s dream (as well as those with a sweet tooth like me).
While other countries and cities celebrate Fat Thursday by eating as much cake and sweets as they can before the fasting period begins, the folks in this little town head to the streets to throw their meringue pies on each other instead!
When the Meringue pies run out, the fun doesn’t end, but continues in candy throwing instead!
One piece of advice for anyone who is planning to hire a car in Spain during any of these festivals (especially sticky ones like this one): park it away from where all the action is so you won’t have to pay for a full cleaning service before handing it back!
When: February 27th 2014
Battle of the Wine, Haro
The Battle of the Wine festival simply sounds too good to be true: participants throw thousands of liters of red wine on each other using whatever containers they have on hand, from buckets to water pistols.
There is only one goal: to soak everyone you pass with wine!
Everyone dresses in white from head to toe with a traditional red handkerchief around your neck, and the rule is simple: there is no such thing as a “spectator” in this festival – anyone can (and will) be a target!
As you can expect there will soon be a purple ocean of people drenched in wine, all heading down from the hill where it begins to the main square of Haro for a procession around the square.
When: June 29th
La Tomatina, Buñol
La Tomatina, BuñolThe most famous food battle in the world, La Tomatina in Buñol, is the mother of all food fighting festivals.
The tomato throwing festival has become so popular that it has inspired other cities across the world to follow in its path, such as Reno in the US.
Every year during the festival the whole town is buried in a red mush of over-ripened tomatoes and people are literally bathing in it.
Approximately 150,000 tomatoes (over 90,000 pounds!) sourced from the four corners of the country are “released” from a fleet of trucks by official instigators and the battle is on!
When: August 28th 2013 (always on the last wednesday of August)
Flour Fight, Ibi
Yes, there is even a food fight for throwing eggs and flour!
Each year in the town of Ibi in eastern Spain a festival called Els Enfarinats is held, staging a massive battle using eggs, flour and firecrackers..!
A group of married men called Els Enfarinats takes control of the village for one day, pronouncing a number of silly and ridiculous laws, fining anyone who infringes them. The other group, La Oposicio, tries to restore order.
By the end of the day the money collected from the fines is donated to charity.
Checkout the slideshow with some amazing photos from the festival earlier this year.
When: 28th December
La Raima Grape Throwing Festival, Pobla del Duc
Dating back to the 1930’s, this annual festival signals the end of the grape harvest by having a huge grape throwing battle!
Up to 90 tons of locally grown Garnacha Tontorera grapes are dumped on the town square in front of hundreds of waiting participants for the huge grape throwing fight.
Expect to look like one happy purple raising once it’s all over!
When: end of August
Which one would you add to your bucket list?
Introducing Salamanca Spain
Salamanca is a great place to visit in Spain – for those who are learning or want to learn Spanish, Spain is the natural choice, whether just for a visit or to live, but instead of opting for the typical cities such as Barcelona and Madrid, why not go to a city like Salamanca?
There you can see some beautiful, ancient architecture, visit museums and get a taste for the Spanish way of life. Situated north-west of Madrid, you can reach it from the capital in just two and a half hours.
It has the most famous university in the country and a well-preserved Old City, which was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1988.
Museums And Galleries
There are a number of museums in Salamanca that you cannot miss on your visit, and the Bullfighting Museum is one of them.
There you get a chance to gain an insight into the history of this popular Spanish sport, which has caused so much controversy in recent years.
The Cathedral Museum is based in one of the most famous buildings of the city, and aside from its incredible architecture, the museum is home to a number of Spanish paintings and the famous 15th-century sculpture Anaya’s Tomb, by Francisco of Salamanca.
If you are interested in modernist literature, you should visit the museum based in Miguel de Unamuno’s home.
There you will be able to absorb the culture that surrounded his works as well as personal items belonging to the novelist, essayist and poet.
Introducing Salamanca Spain University
The university is one of the main attractions of Salamanca. Founded in 1218, it is the oldest university in Spain and the third oldest in Europe with extensive grounds and incredible architecture, a vast library and museums.
Whether you are visiting Spain for language courses abroad or simply to soak up some sun and culture, head to Salamanca for a unique experience.
Salamanca Spain Fine Dining
Eating out in Salamanca can be an incredible experience if you know where to go.
La Cocina de Toño is an award-winning restaurant offering impeccable Michelin-standard food in an intimate setting with excellent service and creative menu.
Although it’s located just outside the centre of Salamanca, it is well worth the journey!
When To Visit
The best time to visit Salamanca is in September, as the weather is not scorching hot but not yet cold, the student atmosphere will be rife again and most importantly it is the season for Salamanca’s main festival: Virgen de la Vega, which includes street parties, events, markets and concerts!
If you’ve been to Salamanca, what are your best tips?
Gabriel says
I would do the wine as well as the flour and eggs. I feel like they would make for the best pictures =)
OCDemon says
I once met someone who wanted to go to the Tomatina, but she was going to miss it. I told her she should just pick a fruit, buy a sack at the local market, and start throwing them at people. It had to start somehow, right?
And that wine festival looks way more fun. All of the craziness, minus the bruises. PLUS alcohol. How can anything else compete?
lola says
sign me up for the wine festival. i don’t mind turning purple. i will just have my mouth wide open the entire time anyway 😉
Sofia says
Yeah those would be my favorites too, combined they seem a bit similar to Holi in India with beautiful color and powder photos – European style 😉
Sofia says
Haha yeah that’s another way to go about it. The wine festival does seem awesome – and crazy!
Sofia says
Me too, would definitely bring along two water guns filled with red wine, it would almost be like a European Songkran 😛
Becky Padmore says
Got to go to some of these one day (but not wearing white 😉
Danny Delnison says
Battle of the Wine – I like it. So i will come here in next year.