La Tomatina Festival in Spain

Itinerary

• Day 1: Overnight Flight

  Board your overnight flight, bound for Barcelona! Sit back, relax, and practice saying, ‘una jarra de sangría,’ and be ready to order sangria upon arrival.

• Day 2: Arrive in Barcelona + Welcome Dinner

  Welcome to Barcelona, a city of endless parties, wacky architecture, premium beaches and the beloved FC Barcelona futbol team. If you thought you were a dedicated sports fan, wait ‘till you meet the futbol-obsessed citizens of Barcelona (that’s soccer, for us Americans). Get ready to fiesta all night, because this city truly doesn’t sleep (except during siestas, because let’s face it, adults need naps, too).

  In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!

  Today's highlights:

  • Meet an EF representative at the airport.
  • Transfer to your accommodations and check in.
  • Receive the latest schedule from your Tour Director.
  • Meet your fellow travelers as they arrive.
• Day 3: Tour Barcelona + optional Sagrada Familia & sangria

  Experience Barcelona’s unique architecture and atmosphere with a local guide as you wander the streets of this enchanting Spanish city. This historic city is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, seven of which were built by Gaudi (he’s kind of a big deal around here). Take in the impressive sites, and understand why Barcelona is the only city to receive a Royal Gold Medal for architecture—the buildings are basically art.

  Today's highlights:

  • Explore the Gothic Quarter with your guide. Don't forget your black eyeliner (cue crickets).
  • Visit one of Antoni Gaudí’s greatest works of modernist art, Parque Güell. This colorful park is adorned with tilework, dreamlike structures and not a straight line anywhere.
  • See the 1992 Olympic Park which lines the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Check out the unfinished Sagrada Familia cathedral, where construction started over 100 years ago by Gaudí.
  • Take the evening to revisit any of the sights, hit the beach, or explore on your own.

  Sagrada Familia & Sangria (extra cost)

  Antoni Gaudí’s Sagrada Família Basilica is the world’s most unbelievable church—under construction since 1882, finished by 2026 at the earliest. Tour it with a local guide, then enjoy included Sangria and pintxos, which are small finger snacks popular in Spain.
  
  This excursion is pre-book only; if your trip is less than 30 days away, please call 800-766-2645 to purchase.

• Day 4: Free Day in Barcelona + Optional Beach Day & Paddleboarding

  The day is yours to experience Barcelona as you please. Whether that means exploring a new neighborhood, lounging on a beach, or kicking back with some tapas and a pitcher of sangria, you really can’t go wrong.

  Free time suggestions

  Market Down: Visit La Boqueria, the famous market just off of Las Ramblas, with everything from fresh fruits to meats, flowers and sweets.
  Playa Long: Barcelona’s coast is lined with beaches, each with its own personality. Try party-centric Barceloneta, tranquil Caldetes or water sports at Mar Bella.
  Comer Little Closer: From paella, a traditional rice dish, to Basque-style tapas, Barcelona has gastronomy locked down.

  Barcelona Beach Day & Paddleboard Lesson (extra cost)

  When in Barcelona, go the beach. Head to Barceloneta, one of the city’s most popular sandy spots to have some fun in the sun learning to paddleboard with a professional instructor and chilling on the beach. *Ability to swim is a pre-requisite for this optional*
  
  While this optional runs year-round, prime beach season in Barcelona is May to September. If you’re traveling outside of this period, weather conditions may vary.
  
  Why wait? Save money by booking this optional excursion before your trip departs.

• Day 5: Transfer to Valencia

  Your time in Barcelona has come to an end. But never fear, because you’re on your way to the coastal city of Valencia, the third largest city in Spain and home of La Tomatina Festival. Explore the city with a local guide, and then head to a La Tomatina pre-party, because it’s never too soon to get the good times rolling.

  Today's highlights:

  • Enjoy a scenic bus ride down the coast of Spain before arriving in Valencia.
  • Get to know your new stomping grounds on an introductory walk with your Tour Director.
  • Snap some selfies in front of a few of Valencia’s most famous monuments, including Valencia Cathedral, Torres de Serrans, and Llotja de la Seda (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
  • Start celebrating La Tomatina a day early with a pre-party at an exclusive, outdoor nightclub.
• Day 6: Throw Tomatoes at La Tomatina Festival

  Prepare to get messy—you’re headed to La Tomatina Festival. Each year, more than 220,000 pounds of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets. Yeah, let that sink in for a bit. This whole crazy event started back in 1945 when a scuffle broke out during a parade, and people started pelting each other with tomatoes (why settle things with your words when you have tomatoes?). And the rest is history. If you’ve ever fantasized about throwing a big, mushy tomato at someone, here’s your chance.

  Today's highlights:

  • Board a bus to Buñol, the Valencian town where you will spend your afternoon basically swimming in tomato juice.
  • Think disposable: bring a change of clothes for after the festival, and wear clothes you would be willing to toss. Unless tomato-stained clothes are the next new fashion trend.
  • Volunteer as tribute (kidding, please don’t). The festival technically doesn’t begin until one fearless person has climbed to the top of a two-story high, greased wooden pole with a ham at the top. We told you this party was weird.
  • Grab your tomatoes! Once the ham has been obtained, or the first cannon has been fired, the tomato-throwing begins.
  • Get cleaned up and head to a post-party in Valencia to celebrate your participation in the world’s biggest food fight.
• Day 7: Enjoy a Free Day in Valencia

  Today’s your day to hang out in Valencia and shop, eat, beach, relax, explore, or whatever other verb you feel like doing. Then, tuck in to a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers.

  Free time suggestions

  Beach, please!: Head to some of Valencia’s most picturesque beaches, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. La Malvarrosa is a local favorite that we would 10/10 recommend checking out.
  Get cultured: The City of Arts and Sciences is an architectural wonderland that is as fun to look at as it is to explore. Visit Oceanogràfic, Europe’s biggest aquarium, or stroll through The Umbracle, a huge, open-access garden.
  Go Medieval(ish): Old meets new in Barrio del Carmen, a trendy area in medieval old town. This is the go-to place for hip restaurants, cozy cafes, and bustling nightlife in Valencia

  Farewell Dinner
  Share some last laughs (and maybe shed a few tears) at an included farewell dinner with the group.

• Day 8: Fly Home

  ¡Adiós, amigos!
  Translation: Goodbye, friends. Your next destination awaits—home. Before you head to the airport, enjoy your last few moments together. Take one more group photo. Grab that final drink. (Fine, maybe a couple of drinks.) But this isn’t goodbye. It’s “See you later.” The only question is, where?

  –OR–

  EXTEND YOUR TRIP 2 WAYS

  1. Double the fun
  A lot of our trips line up back to back! Give us a call—we can help you add another and save big while you're at it.

  2. Go ahead or stay behind
  Extending your trip is easy! During checkout, you'll have the option to fly to (or from) the gateway of your choice for an additional fee. We'll adjust your flights accordingly, but you'll be responsible to take care of your transportation, hotels, and other logistics outside of tour.

  Note: Depending on your desired gateways, additional fees may apply.