From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Springs & Great Waterfall

Warm river water, a dramatic waterfall, and a full day away from Valencia make this a strong choice for anyone who wants nature without renting a car. The main treat is Montanejos, where the swimming area stays at about 25°C all year. That is warm enough to feel pleasant, but cool enough to refresh you on a hot Spanish day.

I like the two very different swimming stops and the fact that transport, a local guide, insurance, and entrance tickets are included in the $69 price. I also like the practical care shown by the guides, including life jackets and pool noodles available during one recent outing. The main drawback is the large-group format, and the supplied schedule gives slightly mixed information about the order of the waterfall and thermal springs, so confirm the final meeting details before you go.

The guides receive especially strong marks for being friendly, helpful, and generous with local tips. One family also appreciated advice about Valencia and the surrounding area, along with careful attention to a 12-year-old swimmer. This is not a quiet spa day. It is a sociable road trip with swimming, scenery, and a fair bit of time in a vehicle.

Key points to know before booking

• The water stays near 25°C: The Montanejos swimming area is comfortable throughout the year, unlike many river swimming spots that depend heavily on the season.
• You get two water stops: The day includes Salto de la Novia, also called the Girlfriend waterfall, plus the thermal springs at Montanejos.
• The group is large: This is designed for a social day out, not a private escape or a slow, personal nature walk.
• Guides add practical value: English and Spanish guides help with the schedule, safety, swimming areas, and local suggestions for Valencia.
• Transport is included: You travel by air-conditioned bus or van, with a longer return journey of about 75 minutes.
• Pack for swimming: You need swimwear and a towel. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and easy clothes will make the day much better.

Why Montanejos makes a good break from Valencia

Valencia is easy to enjoy for several days, but its city comforts can start to feel repetitive if you want open air and water. Montanejos offers a clear change of pace. You leave the city, ride into the Valencian countryside, and spend the day beside rivers, rock walls, and waterfalls.

The appeal is not a long list of sights. It is the simple pleasure of getting into warm mineral water, taking photographs, and letting the day move at a slower pace. The springs are described as medicinal mineral waters, though you should think of them as a pleasant natural bathing place rather than a formal health treatment.

At $69, the value comes from combining two distant natural stops with private transport from Valencia. You would otherwise need to arrange transportation to Montanejos and the waterfall yourself, and the route is much easier when someone else handles the driving. Food and drinks are not included, so the price is good, but not all-inclusive.

Meeting at Mestalla and setting out

The stated meeting point is at Valencia’s Mestalla football stadium, on the side facing Suecia Avenue, at gate N1 in the corner. Another part of the schedule names The Little Corner Café as the starting location and return point. Because those details do not match perfectly, I would check the final confirmation carefully and arrive at the stadium location unless the operator sends an updated instruction.

That small bit of caution matters. A nature excursion can leave promptly, and the vehicle will not wait while you walk around Mestalla looking for the right corner. Have the meeting point, start time, and operator contact details ready on your phone.

The vehicle is air-conditioned, which is welcome after a morning in Valencia. The drive to the first stop takes about 45 minutes, followed by another 45-minute road section between the two main attractions. The return journey is listed at about 75 minutes. You will spend a meaningful part of the day riding, but that is the trade-off for reaching two swimming areas outside the city.

The tour is offered in English and Spanish. Since the group can be large, the guide’s role is mainly to keep everyone moving, explain the area, and help with practical matters rather than provide a long, private walking tour.

Salto de la Novia and the Girlfriend waterfall

The first listed stop is Salto de la Novia, the waterfall known in the description as the Girlfriend waterfall. You have about an hour and a half here for photographs and swimming. This gives you enough time to enjoy the water rather than simply step off the bus, take one picture, and leave.

The waterfall is separate from the thermal springs, so do not picture both attractions side by side. You need the included transport to move between them. That separation is actually part of the appeal: the two stops feel like different settings, rather than one crowded river area with two names.

The waterfall stop is the more refreshing part of the day. The water temperature is not given, so bring a towel and expect a natural swimming environment rather than a heated pool. You may find uneven ground around the water, which is why comfortable shoes are sensible even though you will spend much of the time in swimwear.

This is also a good place for photographs. The tour description promises a surprise and attractive surroundings, but it does not spell out exactly what that means. Keep expectations sensible: the reliable features are the waterfall, the photo stop, and time to swim.

A recent family outing found the safety equipment especially useful at the river, where deeper sections made life jackets and pool noodles helpful for a younger swimmer. Equipment availability can depend on the day and operator, so do not treat it as a replacement for your own judgment. Stay within your comfort level and follow the guide’s instructions.

The 25°C thermal springs at Montanejos

The Montanejos springs are the centerpiece of the excursion. The swimming area remains around 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. That makes the stop appealing in both warm and cooler seasons. You are not waiting for the sun to heat a shallow pool, and you are not facing an icy mountain stream.

The setting is described as resembling Thailand, which points to the visual appeal of water, rock, and greenery around the bathing area. The natural setting matters here. This is not a tiled spa complex with changing rooms and treatment menus. It is an outdoor river swimming experience, so pack with that in mind.

You have about two hours at the thermal springs, followed by a 30-minute lunch break in the same area. That is generous enough for a proper swim, a rest, photographs, and a little wandering nearby. If you dislike rushing between attractions, this portion should feel more relaxed than the waterfall stop.

The water is called mineral and medicinal in the tour information. I would enjoy the warmth and the setting, but avoid booking this as medical care. The clear benefit is comfort: warm water can feel good after walking or after a cooler swim, and the year-round temperature gives the visit a reliable quality.

The springs are suitable for all ages according to the activity information. Still, all natural water requires care. Depths can vary, and one family found flotation equipment useful for a 12-year-old. Children should remain supervised, especially if they are not strong swimmers.

The schedule, transport, and group size

The listed order places Salto de la Novia first, then the Montanejos thermal springs, with lunch after the spring visit. Elsewhere, the description says the group goes directly to the thermal springs before visiting the waterfall. Since both versions appear in the supplied details, ask the operator to confirm the running order before departure.

This does not change the main attractions, but it can affect what you wear, when you eat, and how you plan your energy. If the waterfall comes first, you may want to keep dry clothes easy to reach for the second ride. If the springs come first, you may prefer to eat during the later break and save the waterfall for a final swim.

The tour is advertised as a big-group outing, although one family was placed in a small air-conditioned van. That means vehicle size may vary. You could travel in a bus or van, and you should not book this expecting a fixed private vehicle or a quiet group of six.

Large groups bring both good and bad points. You get a lower price and a guide who handles the route, but you may wait for people to board or gather. The guide must also divide attention among many swimmers. If you enjoy meeting people and want the easiest way to reach Montanejos, that is a fair exchange. If you want to set your own pace, rent a car or seek a private trip instead.

What the guides add to the day

The human side of this trip is one of its best features. The guides are described as friendly, helpful, and good at keeping the day organized. They also offer suggestions for things to do in Valencia, which is useful if this is your first visit and you are still building your plans.

That local advice can make a short tour more valuable. You are not only being shown a waterfall and a spring. You can also ask what else is worth seeing in the city and nearby area, subject to the guide’s time and the group schedule.

The guides also appear to take safety seriously. Life jackets and pool noodles were available for use, and the family traveling with a younger swimmer felt supported. This is worth noting because natural swimming areas are not the same as hotel pools. The presence of a guide does not remove the need for caution, but it gives you someone to ask before entering the water.

Do not expect a specialist geology lecture or a private cultural program. The tour’s strength is practical guidance, friendly company, and smooth movement between stops. For most people, that is exactly what a day trip like this needs.

What to bring, and what not to expect

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and comfortable clothing. You may also want a dry change of clothes for the ride back, although that is a practical suggestion rather than a listed inclusion.

Food and drinks are not included. There is a 30-minute lunch break at Montanejos, but the exact food arrangements are not specified. Plan to buy or bring food only in a way that follows the operator’s rules, since food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. Alcohol and smoking in the vehicle are prohibited, as are pets.

The tour includes transport, accident insurance, taxes, tickets, and a professional local guide. An express security check is also listed, though the natural stops themselves are not typical airport-style attractions. I would regard the important inclusions as the vehicle, guide, insurance, and access arrangements.

Hotel pickup is not included. You need to reach the meeting point yourself, which makes this less convenient if you are staying far from Mestalla. On the other hand, a central stadium meeting point is simple to reach within Valencia once you have confirmed the exact instructions.

Who should book this experience

I would recommend this day trip to you if you want to swim outdoors but do not want to plan rural transport. It suits couples, families, and solo visitors who are comfortable spending a full day with a group.

Families should value the warm spring temperature, the reasonable swimming time, and the reported access to flotation equipment. Parents still need to supervise children, especially at the waterfall and deeper river sections.

It also suits anyone staying in Valencia for a short time. You can see a different side of the Valencian Community without giving up a night in the city. The 8-hour duration uses most of a day, but it gives you two natural stops rather than a single quick excursion.

I would hesitate if you dislike group tours, need a private guide, or want a long hike. The main focus is swimming and scenery. Walking is part of moving around the stops, but this is not presented as a serious hiking trip.

Is the $69 price fair?

For $69 per person, the tour offers solid value if you compare it with the cost and effort of arranging transport to two separate natural sites. Air conditioning matters in summer, and the included insurance, guide, and transport remove several practical worries.

The price does not cover lunch or drinks, and the group may be large. Add your own food costs and remember that the day is not a private outing. Even so, the combination of two water stops and several hours of included transportation makes the fare reasonable.

The strongest value is convenience. You can leave Valencia in the morning, swim in a year-round warm spring, visit a waterfall, and return without navigating rural roads. You pay in flexibility, since the group controls the schedule.

Should you book the Montanejos tour?

Book it if you want an easy nature day from Valencia, especially if swimming matters more to you than museums or long walks. The 25°C spring, the separate waterfall stop, air-conditioned transport, and attentive guides create a well-rounded outing for the price.

Think twice if you want silence, a private vehicle, or a carefully paced solo adventure. Confirm the meeting point and the order of the stops, bring your own lunch plan, and accept that the group size may vary.

For families, first-time visitors to Valencia, and anyone craving a change from city streets, I would put this high on the shortlist. The day gives you real time in the water, not just a roadside photograph, and that is what makes the trip worthwhile.

FAQ

How long does the Montanejos tour last?

The activity lasts 8 hours, including transportation from Valencia, time at the waterfall and thermal springs, a lunch break, and the return journey.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is at Mestalla football stadium, on the side facing Suecia Avenue, at gate N1 in the corner. The schedule also names The Little Corner Café, so confirm the final meeting instruction before the day of departure.

What temperature are the thermal springs?

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

Is swimming included?

Yes. The itinerary includes swimming time at Salto de la Novia and at the Aigües Termals de Montanejos.

Are meals and drinks included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. There is a 30-minute lunch break at the thermal springs, but the provided information does not specify a meal arrangement.

What languages are available?

The live tour guide is available in English and Spanish.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now-and-pay-later option is also available.