From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Springs & Great Waterfall

Warm water, cool mountain air, and a waterfall make a fine escape. I like this day trip because it trades Valencia’s city streets for Montanejos’ natural pools, and because the guides add useful local advice along the way. I also like that life jackets and pool noodles may be available for swimmers, a thoughtful touch when deeper river sections are involved. The main thing to consider is the big-group format, which can make the day feel less personal and less flexible.

The trip costs $69 per person and lasts about eight hours, including transport from Valencia. That is a fair price if you want both swimming stops without renting a car or working out rural bus connections. Just remember that food and drinks are not included, and the two stops are separated by road time.

The best parts of the day at a glance

• Two very different swims: Start at Salto de la Novia, known as the Girlfriend waterfall, then spend longer at the 25°C thermal waters of Montanejos.
• Useful safety equipment: Life jackets and pool noodles have been available for the group, especially helpful for children and anyone less confident in deeper water.
• Comfortable road transport: An air-conditioned bus or van handles the journey from Valencia and the transfers between the natural sites.
• Friendly guiding: The guides are praised for being helpful, good-humored, and generous with tips about Valencia and the surrounding area.
• A full but manageable schedule: You get about 1.5 hours at the waterfall, two hours at the thermal springs, and a short lunch break.
• Good value for a car-free day: The price includes transport, guide services, tickets, taxes, and insurance, but not meals.

Leaving Valencia for Montanejos

The meeting point is beside Mestalla football stadium, on the side facing Suecia Avenue, at gate N1 in the corner. You need to make your own way there because hotel pickup is not included.

From the stadium, the first drive takes about 45 minutes. The air-conditioned vehicle matters here. Montanejos is outside Valencia, and the trip includes several road sections, so sitting in a cool bus or van is much better than piecing together local transport.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. The exact vehicle may be a bus or a van, and the group can be large, although one recent family outing took place in a smaller air-conditioned van. That means the feel of the day can vary. You should expect organized group transport rather than a private outing with complete freedom to stop whenever you wish.

The ride also gives the guide room to explain the area and offer suggestions for the rest of your time in Valencia. This has been one of the strongest parts of the experience for me: the guides are not simply there to count heads. They have been praised for being friendly, helpful, and able to share stories and practical city tips.

Salto de la Novia, the Girlfriend waterfall

The first scheduled stop is Salto de la Novia, also called the Girlfriend waterfall. You have about 1.5 hours for photographs and swimming.

The name gives the stop a little character, but the appeal is simple: you get a scenic natural setting and the chance to cool off in the water. It is a good first break after the drive, especially in warm weather. Bring your swimsuit under your clothes or keep changing time in mind, since the stop is built around getting into the water rather than simply taking a picture.

I would treat the 1.5 hours as enough for a swim, photographs, and a look around, but not as a long, lazy afternoon. The schedule moves on. If you like taking many photographs or prefer to sit quietly beside the water, you may wish for more time.

The stop also helps create a nice rhythm for the day. You begin with the waterfall, then travel onward to the thermal springs rather than spending the entire morning in one place. That variety is one reason the tour works well for families and mixed-age groups.

Bring proper footwear. Comfortable shoes are specifically recommended, and natural swimming areas can be awkward in ordinary city sandals. You should also pack a towel, sunscreen, swimwear, and comfortable clothing. The tour is described as suitable for all ages, but anyone who is not a confident swimmer should make use of the available flotation equipment when offered.

Montanejos thermal waters at 25°C

After another drive of about 45 minutes, you reach Aigües Termals de Montanejos. This is the main event for many people.

The swimming area stays at about 25°C, or 77°F, all year. That is pleasantly mild rather than hot. Do not expect a steaming spa pool. The appeal is natural mineral water in a river setting, where the temperature remains comfortable even when the weather changes.

You get about two hours here for photographs, swimming, and time beside the water. That is enough to enjoy the setting without rushing through it. I like the contrast with Salto de la Novia. The waterfall stop feels like a short scenic swim, while Montanejos gives you more time to settle into the water and enjoy the mineral spring setting.

The water is described as medicinal mineral water, but you should read that as part of the character of the springs, not as a medical treatment. You are visiting for relaxation and a natural swimming experience.

Some sections of the river are deeper. This is where the guides’ preparation makes a real difference. A family group found the supplied life jackets and pool noodles particularly useful for a 12-year-old. That detail tells you more than a general safety promise would: the equipment can make the water more approachable for children and cautious swimmers.

The setting has been compared to Thailand in the tour description, though you should keep expectations sensible. The attraction is the combination of warm water, rock, greenery, and open-air swimming, not a replica of a tropical resort. You will be enjoying a natural site, so conditions can feel less polished than at a built spa.

A short lunch break, not a restaurant meal

The schedule allows about 30 minutes for lunch at the thermal springs. Food is not included, so you need to bring or buy your own meal according to the arrangements available at the stop.

Half an hour is enough for something quick, but it is not a long sit-down lunch. I would plan accordingly and carry a simple meal if you need more than a snack. The rules state that food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, so you should eat during the designated break rather than expecting to picnic on the bus.

Drinks are also excluded from the price. Sunscreen and warm weather can make hydration important, so plan your drink needs before the day begins while respecting the vehicle rules. Alcohol is not permitted in the vehicle, and smoking is not allowed there either.

The short lunch stop keeps the day moving. That is useful if your priority is seeing both natural sites, but less appealing if you want a slow day with a long meal. This tour favors activity and scenery over extended restaurant time.

Why the guide can make or break this trip

A nature outing like this depends heavily on timing and clear instructions. You need to know where to meet, when to leave the water, and how to handle the transfers between locations. The strongest praise for this experience goes to the guides, who have been described as kind, funny, helpful, and good at sharing local information.

One family particularly appreciated a guide who offered ideas for things to do in Valencia and explained stories about the city and nearby areas. That is a useful bonus. You get more than a ride to a swimming hole, especially if you are visiting Valencia for the first time.

The tour is led by a local professional guide in English or Spanish. No individual guide names are provided, so I would not book this expecting a particular person. The consistent point is the quality of the guiding style: friendly support, practical tips, and attention to safety.

Still, a big group changes the experience. You may wait while everyone boards, changes, swims, and returns to the vehicle. The guide cannot give every person the same amount of attention. If you want a private pace, quiet transport, or freedom to linger, a small private trip would suit you better.

The road schedule and the return to Valencia

After the thermal springs and lunch, the final bus or van ride takes about 75 minutes back to Valencia. The full outing lasts around eight hours, so this is a proper day trip rather than a quick half-day escape.

The long final drive is worth considering before booking. You will have spent time in the water and outdoors, which may make the ride restful. But if you dislike road journeys, the return section can feel long after the main activities are finished.

The route returns to the Little Corner Café area, while the stated meeting instructions identify the actual meeting point as Mestalla stadium at gate N1. Check the exact meeting and return details when booking, since the supplied information uses both location references. Arrive early and look for the guide near the stadium’s Suecia Avenue side.

What the $69 price really covers

At $69, the tour offers solid value if you do not have a car. You are paying for private transport from Valencia, air conditioning, a local guide, tickets, taxes, accident insurance, and other insurance coverage. You also get access to both the waterfall stop and the thermal springs in one day.

The price does not include food, drinks, or hotel pickup. Those exclusions are normal for a nature day trip, but they affect your budget and planning. You should also remember that the tour’s value comes from convenience. If you already have a car and are comfortable navigating the area, you may prefer to visit independently and control your timing.

The included transport is especially useful for a group. You avoid arranging parking, finding the two separate natural sites, and keeping track of the return route. The tour also includes express security access, although that feature is more commonly associated with ticketed attractions than outdoor swimming areas.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms give you some useful flexibility, particularly when your Valencia plans are still changing.

What to pack for the water

Keep your packing simple and practical:

• Swimwear
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable shoes
• Comfortable clothing
• Anything you need for a quick lunch
• Drinking water for the day, while following the rule against drinks in the vehicle

Do not bring a pet. Smoking, alcohol, drugs, and food or drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

You should also be ready for a day that mixes walking, swimming, waiting, and road travel. Comfortable footwear matters more than dressed-up clothes. If you are bringing children or anyone who is not a strong swimmer, ask about life jackets and pool noodles when you arrive at the water.

Who will enjoy this day trip most?

I would recommend this outing to you if you want a simple escape from Valencia and like natural swimming more than formal sightseeing. It suits families, couples, friends, and solo visitors who prefer having transport and a guide arranged in advance.

It is also a good fit for anyone who wants two different water stops in one day. Salto de la Novia provides the waterfall setting, while Montanejos offers a longer stay in year-round 25°C water.

I would hesitate if you want a quiet private experience, a long restaurant lunch, or complete control over the schedule. The group may be large, and the day includes several fixed departure times. You should also be comfortable spending roughly eight hours away from Valencia, including the road journey home.

Should you book the Montanejos trip?

Book it if you want an easy, active day outside Valencia and value friendly guiding, organized transport, and time in natural water. The best reasons are the two contrasting swimming stops, the mild thermal water, and the guides’ strong reputation for practical help and safety.

Skip it if your ideal spa day means hot water, silence, and a slow meal. These springs are warm but not hot, the group may be large, and lunch is your responsibility.

For $69, I think it is a sensible choice for a car-free visit to Montanejos. Pack light, bring a towel and sunscreen, expect a busy schedule, and treat the waterfall and thermal springs as outdoor swimming spots rather than polished resort facilities.

FAQ

How long does the Montanejos day trip last?

The experience lasts about eight hours, including the drives from Valencia and the return journey.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Mestalla football stadium on the side facing Suecia Avenue, at gate N1 in the corner.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to make your own way to the meeting point.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

How warm is the thermal water?

The swimming area at the Montanejos thermal springs stays at about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

How much time do you get at the waterfall?

The scheduled stop at Salto de la Novia lasts about 1.5 hours and includes time for photographs and swimming.

How much time do you get at the thermal springs?

You get about two hours at Aigües Termals de Montanejos for swimming and photographs, followed by a 30-minute lunch break.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you need to plan your own refreshments.

What should you bring?

Bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing.