A day tour in Montanejos hot springs.

Water, mountains, and a long day out. This trip trades Valencia’s city streets for the warm pools of Montanejos, a waterfall stop at Salto de la Novia, and a scenic ride through the countryside. I like the simple setup: transport, an air-conditioned vehicle, and attraction tickets are covered. I also like the small-group plan, with a published maximum of six people, plus the chance to spend several hours actually bathing rather than rushing through a quick photo stop. The main drawback is the price, $107.17 per person, especially since lunch and any food at the hot springs are extra.

The day starts at 9:00 a.m. on Avenida de Aragón, near Gate A3 of Mestalla Football Stadium. Guide Juan Carlos receives especially strong praise for his warm manner, humor, and knowledge of the best viewpoints. Still, the tour depends heavily on the guide, and one unhappy account describes the day as mostly driving with little explanation, so you should confirm the meeting point and arrive early.

Key points before you book

• Three hours and thirty minutes at the hot springs: This is the heart of the day, with time to bathe, relax, and eat at the nearby restaurant.
• Salto de la Novia adds a second swimming stop: Expect about one hour of driving from Montanejos, followed by roughly one hour at the waterfall.
• Juan Carlos is a major part of the experience: His humor, helpful attitude, and eye for scenic stops receive the strongest praise.
• Lunch is not included: Bring money for the restaurant, and ask what meal arrangements are available before you set off.
• The group-size information needs checking: The tour details list a maximum of six, while one past booking described a larger group.
• Arrive at the exact meeting point: The departure time is 9:00 a.m., and one complaint centered on a missed pickup.

Why Montanejos makes a good escape from Valencia

Valencia is easy to enjoy for several days, but the city does not give you the same kind of water-and-mountain day as Montanejos. This outing gives you a full change of scene without requiring you to arrange a rental car, study regional roads, or work out how to connect two separate natural attractions.

The journey to Montanejos takes about one hour and thirty minutes by van or bus. That is not a short transfer, but it is reasonable for a full-day excursion. You will spend part of the morning watching the city give way to countryside, then arrive with several hours reserved for the hot springs.

I like that the schedule gives Montanejos the largest block of time. Many day trips squeeze a swimming stop into thirty minutes, leaving you to change clothes, take a picture, and leave just as you begin to relax. Here, the planned three hours and thirty minutes allow for bathing and a meal at a restaurant near the springs.

The trade-off is that the trip covers a lot of ground. After Montanejos, you still have an hour-long drive to Salto de la Novia and another hour there before returning to Valencia. This is best seen as a scenic day out, not a slow retreat with one fixed pool.

The 9:00 a.m. departure from Mestalla

Your starting point is Av. d’Aragó, 31, in the El Pla del Real area of Valencia. The more specific pickup information identifies Gate A3 of Mestalla Football Stadium, which matters because a large stadium area can have several possible meeting spots.

I would arrive early. The departure time is 9:00 a.m., and the guide says he is normally at the meeting point half an hour before departure. A missed pickup can ruin the entire day, so do not treat the start time as a rough suggestion. Have the address visible on your phone and make sure you are standing at the stated gate.

The tour is offered in English and includes an air-conditioned vehicle. That makes the long rides easier, particularly if you have spent the morning walking around Valencia. The vehicle is described as a van or bus, but the published group limit is six, suggesting that a van may be used for smaller departures.

There is one practical inconsistency worth noting. The tour information says the maximum is six people, while one account refers to a group of eight and another describes seven people from two families. Group sizes can change, or the details may not have been updated. If a small group is important to you, confirm this before paying.

Montanejos and the Fuente de los Baños

The first main stop is Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos, where you spend about three and a half hours. Admission is included, which keeps the basic cost clear. Food is not included, but the plan allows time to eat at a restaurant in the hot springs area.

This is the part of the tour that gives the excursion its name and purpose. You are not simply looking at the springs from a path. You have time to bathe, enjoy the water, and settle into the setting instead of making a fast stop between transport connections.

I especially like the generous timing here. If you want a proper swim, you need more than a short break. You may also want time to dry off, change, eat, and sit by the water. Three and a half hours gives you room for all of that, though the exact pace will depend on the group and the guide.

You should plan for the visit as a water-based activity. Bring suitable swimwear, a towel, and anything you need after bathing. The supplied details do not specify changing facilities, lockers, or equipment rental, so do not assume those services are available. Pack lightly, but keep your dry clothes and personal items secure.

The restaurant stop is useful, but lunch is on your own account. At $107.17, that extra cost affects the value calculation. The tour covers transport and tickets, yet you should still budget for food and any other personal spending during the day.

The hot springs are also the place where you have the most free time. Guide Juan Carlos seems to work well for people who want a friendly escort who points out good views and helps the day feel easy. Several high ratings praise his kindness, jokes, and ability to find attractive viewpoints. If you prefer a formal lecture at every stop, the tour may feel less structured.

The drive to Salto de la Novia

After Montanejos, the route continues to Salto de la Novia. The stated drive takes about one hour, followed by roughly one hour at the waterfall. That is a sizeable transfer for a relatively short stop, but it gives the day a second setting and another chance to bathe in the river.

The waterfall adds variety. At Montanejos, the focus is hot springs and a longer rest. At Salto de la Novia, the plan is to see the waterfall and swim in the river. You get two different types of water stop in one outing, which is a strong reason to choose this trip over a simple spring visit.

Do not expect the waterfall portion to feel like a half-day hike. The scheduled time is about one hour, and the information provided does not promise a long walking route, a guided trek, or extensive time at the site. Think of it as a scenic stop with the option to bathe, not a detailed exploration of the surrounding area.

The drive also makes guide quality important. An hour in the vehicle is a good chance to learn about the route, local sights, or the places you are passing. Juan Carlos receives praise for explaining scenic and historic points, but one lower rating felt the guide offered little information and mainly acted as a driver. That difference is worth considering before you book.

What the guide can add to the day

This experience is not a large coach tour with a fixed commentary track. Your guide’s personality will shape much of the outing. Juan Carlos is named in several positive accounts, with particular praise for being friendly, funny, helpful, and attentive to families.

One family group with children described a wider route that included Salto de la Novia, the Baños de Montanejos, the town of Navajas, and a nearby reservoir. The stated itinerary here lists the hot springs and waterfall, so extra stops should not be treated as guaranteed. Still, the example suggests the guide may sometimes add a surprise viewpoint or nearby stop when the schedule allows.

That flexibility can be a real advantage. A good small-group guide can adjust the rhythm, point out a better view, and keep children engaged during the long road sections. It can also make the day feel personal rather than mechanical.

The downside is that a flexible small-group tour may not satisfy someone seeking detailed, constant instruction. One low rating described little interaction and limited information along the route. I would book this for scenery, swimming, and a friendly escort first. If expert commentary is your main goal, ask before departure how much guiding is included.

Is $107.17 good value?

The price sits in the midrange for a full-day outing from Valencia. You are paying for around eight hours, round-trip transportation, air conditioning, and admission to the listed attractions. You also avoid the cost and trouble of arranging your own transport to two places outside the city.

The value is strongest if you do not have a car. Montanejos requires a long journey from Valencia, and adding Salto de la Novia makes independent planning more involved. The included tickets also make the price easier to understand, since you are not constantly adding separate entrance fees.

The value is weaker if you only want to visit one spring and spend the entire day there. The route includes long drives, and lunch is extra. A person who prefers a relaxed pool day may find the second transfer tiring, while someone who likes changing scenery will see it as part of the appeal.

Your best value comes from using the whole day well. Take advantage of the long bathing period, enjoy the waterfall stop, and treat the drive as part of the countryside experience. If you plan to leave the water early or dislike road time, the price may feel high.

Who will enjoy this tour most?

I would recommend this outing to anyone staying in Valencia who wants a nature-focused day without renting a car. It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy swimming, viewpoints, and a full schedule.

Families may find the format especially useful because transport and admission are handled together. The positive family account also points to Juan Carlos’s friendly manner with children. Still, parents should remember that the day includes several road sections and two water stops, so the group needs to be comfortable with a long outing.

It also suits people who want more than a single hot spring. The waterfall and river stop make the route feel varied, and the extra scenery gives you more reason to leave Valencia for the day.

I would be cautious if you need a highly structured educational tour, strict small-group numbers, or a quiet spa-style experience. The tour details leave some questions about the exact vehicle and group size, and the guide’s level of commentary may vary.

Booking, weather, and cancellation details

Confirmation is provided at booking, and the activity is offered in English. Most people can participate, but the supplied information does not give detailed accessibility guidance, so ask ahead if you have mobility concerns or need specific facilities at the springs or waterfall.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. It also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for low demand leads to a new date, another experience, or a full refund.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund. The cutoff follows local time in Valencia.

Should you book the Montanejos day trip?

Book it if you want an easy, active escape from Valencia, with two water stops, included transport, and enough time to enjoy the hot springs properly. The strongest part of the day is the combination of Fuente de los Baños and Salto de la Novia, supported by a guide who has earned warm praise for humor and helpfulness.

Before booking, confirm the group size, exact pickup point, and how much guiding is planned. Arrive early at Gate A3, budget separately for lunch, and pack for swimming. At $107.17, this is not the cheapest way to see Montanejos, but it is a practical choice if you value convenience and want both the springs and waterfall in one day.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

It starts at Av. d’Aragó, 31, in Valencia’s El Pla del Real area. The meeting information identifies Gate A3 of Mestalla Football Stadium.

What time does the tour leave?

Departure is at 9:00 a.m. The guide states that he is normally at the meeting point 30 minutes early.

How long does the whole experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours and returns to the original meeting point in Valencia.

How long is the drive to Montanejos?

The journey from Valencia to Montanejos takes about one hour and thirty minutes by van or bus.

How much time is spent at Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos?

The scheduled stop lasts about three hours and thirty minutes. You can bathe at the hot springs and eat at a nearby restaurant.

Is lunch included?

No. Admission to the hot springs is included, but food and lunch are not included in the tour price.

What is Salto de la Novia?

It is the second main stop, where you see a waterfall and have the option to bathe in the river. The drive from Montanejos takes about one hour, followed by around one hour at the waterfall.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum number of participants may also lead to a new date or a full refund.