From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Springs and Great Waterfall

Trade city streets for clear mountain water. This eight-hour outing from Valencia combines the Montanejos thermal springs with two waterfall stops, giving you a full day outdoors without arranging transport, tickets, or directions yourself. The water at Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos sits at a mild 25ºC, or 77ºF, so this is more of a pleasant natural swim than a steaming spa bath.

I like the two very different water stops: the thermal springs offer time to bathe and relax, while Salto de la Novia adds a more dramatic waterfall setting. I also like that a local guide travels with the group and can speak English and Spanish, which helps when the day moves between transport, swimming, and town visits.

The main point to weigh is the large group size, with as many as 100 people. That can make the outing sociable and easy to join, but it is unlikely to feel private or tailored. You also need to bring your own lunch and drinks, and hotel pickup is not included.

Key points to know before booking

• 25ºC thermal water: Fuente de los Baños feels comfortably warm, but it is not a hot spring in the steamy spa sense.
• Two waterfall stops: You visit Salto de la Novia for swimming and exploration, then continue to Navajas to explore another great waterfall area.
• About eight hours away: The day includes roughly 1 hour 15 minutes going out, several stops, and a 45-minute return to Valencia.
• Bring swimming gear: Pack a swimsuit, towel, and backpack. Water shoes are optional.
• Lunch is your responsibility: A picnic stop is planned, but food and drinks are not included.
• English and Spanish guidance: The guides speak both languages, a useful feature for a mixed group.

Leaving Valencia from Av. de Suècia

The meeting point is The Little Corner Café at Av. de Suècia, 27, in Valencia’s El Pla del Real district. You need to make your own way there, since hotel pickup is not offered. The return is to this same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a second pickup location at the end of the day.

The outward journey takes about 1 hour 15 minutes in an air-conditioned vehicle. That is long enough for transport to matter, especially in warm weather. Air conditioning gives you a more comfortable ride before and after swimming, and having a guide with you removes the need to find Montanejos, the springs, and the waterfall stops on your own.

The trip is listed as lasting around eight hours, with an expected return to Valencia at about 5 pm. Exact timing can shift because of weather and group movement, but this is best treated as a full-day outing rather than a quick half-day escape.

Fuente de los Baños at 25ºC

The main stop is Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos, where you get about 1 hour 30 minutes to bathe. The spring water temperature is 25ºC, or 77ºF. That number matters: the water should feel pleasantly mild, but you should not book this expecting a very hot soak.

I like the balance here. You have enough time to swim and enjoy the setting without spending the entire day at one swimming area. The stop is also long enough to make changing clothes worthwhile, so bring a towel and a backpack that can hold your dry clothing.

Water shoes are optional. They may be useful if you prefer extra protection around the water, but they are not listed as required. A swimsuit is essential, and you should also pack a towel and water to drink.

The tour description places a lunch period before bathing in the springs, then includes a separate 30-minute picnic stop at Montanejos. Since lunch is not included, carry your own food. Do not assume that tickets, transport, or guiding cover your meal. Drinks are also excluded.

The picnic stop and the practical rhythm

The picnic lasts about 30 minutes. That is a useful pause, but it is not a long restaurant meal. I would prepare a simple packed lunch that is easy to carry and eat outdoors, along with enough water for the day.

The schedule gives you a pleasant rhythm: transport, a main spring stop, a short meal break, and then another water-based outing. It is active without requiring you to spend every minute moving. Still, you will need to manage your own belongings carefully, especially when changing for the water.

A backpack is specifically recommended for carrying clothes. That advice is worth following. A small bag is easier to handle than loose shopping bags or a bulky suitcase, and it keeps your wet swimsuit and dry clothes together.

Salto de la Novia and the second water stop

The next major stop is Salto de la Novia, where you have about one hour to swim and explore the great waterfall. The name is often translated as Girlfriend Waterfall, and the stop gives the day a different feel from the thermal springs.

The springs are about warm water and unhurried bathing. Salto de la Novia is about seeing a waterfall and spending time near it. You may find the hour passes quickly if you want to swim, look around, and take photographs, so keep an eye on the meeting time.

The tour includes admission fees, which simplifies the day. You are not left to work out separate entry arrangements for the listed stops. The provider also states that tickets and all fees and taxes are included, adding useful certainty to the cost of the outing.

The wording says you will go swimming and explore the waterfall, but it does not promise any particular swimming conditions, water depth, or facilities. Weather can affect the experience, and the activity requires good weather. Pack for a day outdoors, but avoid treating the waterfall stop as guaranteed beach-style swimming.

A short stop in Navajas

The group then visits Navajas for about 50 minutes to explore the great waterfall. This is a shorter stop than the Montanejos bathing period, so expect a compact visit rather than a long town stay.

Navajas gives you a change of setting after the springs and Salto de la Novia. You get time to see another waterfall area before returning to Valencia. The supplied details do not specify additional activities, guided walks, or free time beyond exploring the waterfall, so keep your expectations focused on that part of the visit.

This stop also shows why the excursion works best for someone who wants variety. You are not booking a single swimming hole with transport attached. You are combining springs, waterfalls, and a town visit in one day.

What the guide adds to the day

A local professional guide accompanies the group, and the guides speak English and Spanish. That bilingual support was praised as helpful, especially for a mixed-language group. It also makes the experience easier if you have questions about timing, meeting points, or the stops.

The guide cannot change the basic nature of the outing. With a maximum of 100 people, this is a big-group trip, not a private excursion. You should expect a shared pace and group instructions rather than a flexible schedule built around your own interests.

The positive side is simplicity. You can sit back during the drives, follow the group at each stop, and avoid arranging transport between places. The tradeoff is less personal attention and less room to linger if you prefer a quiet, independent day.

The available feedback gives the guides high marks for being welcoming and friendly. That matters on a long day with several transitions. Good group management can make the difference between an easy outing and one full of confusion.

What is included, and what is not

The package includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a local professional guide, tickets, all fees and taxes, and express security access where applicable. Those inclusions give the tour practical value even without a stated price here, since you are paying for transport, organization, and entry arrangements in one booking.

Lunch and drinks are not included. Hotel pickup is also not included, and you must reach The Little Corner Café at the scheduled meeting point. These exclusions are easy to handle, but only if you plan for them before departure.

Bring:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Backpack for clothes
• Water and packed food
• Water shoes, if you prefer them

There is no need to pack heavy luggage. The day is built around outdoor stops and swimming, so light, practical gear is the sensible choice.

Who will enjoy this day trip most

I would recommend this outing to you if you want to see more of the Valencia region without renting a car or building your own route. It suits people who enjoy swimming, waterfalls, and a full day outside more than people seeking museums, food tastings, or detailed cultural touring.

It also fits a mixed group of friends or family members who want a straightforward day with a guide. The bilingual support is helpful, and the included transport means nobody has to drive back after swimming.

You should think twice if you dislike large groups, fixed timing, or carrying your own lunch. The maximum group size is 100, and the schedule gives each location a set amount of time. Independent visitors may prefer a smaller outing or their own transport, especially if they want to stay longer at one waterfall.

The springs are also not extremely hot. At 25ºC, the water may feel refreshing rather than spa-like. That is a plus on a warm day, but it is important to know before you book.

Weather, cancellation, and timing

Good weather is required for the experience. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. The same applies if the minimum number of participants is not reached and the provider cancels the trip.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local time.

That policy makes early planning worthwhile. Check the forecast before the final cancellation window, especially because the day depends on swimming and outdoor waterfall stops.

Is Montanejos worth a full day from Valencia?

Yes, if you want a convenient nature outing and value having the transport and entry details handled for you. The combination of 25ºC spring water, Salto de la Novia, Navajas, and a bilingual guide gives you more variety than a simple trip to one swimming area.

I would book it if your priorities are easy transport, outdoor swimming, and several scenic stops. I would skip it if you want a quiet private experience, a hot spa bath, or a flexible schedule. The biggest question is not the water or the waterfalls. It is whether you are comfortable sharing a long day with a large group.

FAQ

How long does the Montanejos tour take?

The experience lasts about eight hours. The planned return to Valencia is around 5 pm.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at The Little Corner Café, Av. de Suècia, 27, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, Valencia, Spain.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the meeting point in Valencia.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You must make your own way to the stated meeting point.

What is the temperature of the thermal springs?

The water at Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos is 25ºC, or 77ºF.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. A 30-minute picnic stop is part of the schedule, so you should bring your own food.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and backpack for your clothes. Water shoes are optional.

How large can the group be?

The activity is described as a big-group experience with a maximum of 100 participants.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded.