From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Springs & Great Waterfall

Leave Valencia’s streets behind. This Montanejos day trip combines a warm river swim, a dramatic waterfall, and mountain scenery in one full day. I like the chance to visit two very different swimming spots without arranging rural transport yourself, and I like that the guides provide practical help, including flotation gear for deeper parts of the river. The main drawback is the format: this is advertised as a big-group excursion, so the bus or van may feel less personal than a private outing.

I also appreciate the simple, useful schedule. You get time to swim at both locations, a short lunch break, and transport between each stop. The tradeoff is nearly three hours on the road, and food and drinks are not included, so you need to plan ahead.

The best parts of the day

• 25°C thermal water all year: Montanejos stays pleasantly warm in the swimming area, even when the season changes.
• Two separate swimming stops: Salto de la Novia, also called the Girlfriend waterfall, comes first, followed by the Montanejos thermal springs.
• Helpful guides: The guides are praised for friendly service, local tips, stories about Valencia, and careful attention to safety.
• Flotation equipment available: Life jackets and pool noodles have been provided for swimmers who want extra support in deeper river sections.
• Air-conditioned transport: The ride from Valencia is broken into manageable sections, with about 45 minutes to each early stop and 75 minutes on the return.
• Good value at $69: Transport, guide services, entrance tickets, insurance, and taxes are included, though lunch and drinks are not.

Leaving Valencia for Montanejos

The day begins near Mestalla football stadium, at gate N1 on the side facing Suecia Avenue. The meeting point is described as being by The Little Corner Café, so I would check the exact confirmation details carefully before setting out. Large stadiums have a way of turning a simple meeting point into a small treasure hunt.

Once everyone is aboard, the first drive takes about 45 minutes. Transport is by air-conditioned bus or van, depending on the group and the day. One family had a small van with air conditioning, while the experience is also described as a big-group tour. That means the atmosphere can vary. You might get a compact group, or you might share the ride with many other people.

The road time is part of the bargain. You are paying $69 for transport into a rural area that is not easy to reach as efficiently without your own car. The ride also removes the need to coordinate parking, directions, and separate tickets. If you prefer slow independent travel, the fixed schedule may feel restrictive. If you want to see Montanejos in one day from Valencia, it is a practical arrangement.

The guides are one of the strongest parts of the experience. Several guests praised their friendly manner, clear help, and local suggestions for Valencia. One family particularly enjoyed hearing stories about the city and surrounding area. That kind of conversation can turn a transfer into useful travel time, especially if this is one of your first days in Valencia.

Salto de la Novia and the Girlfriend waterfall

The first major stop is Salto de la Novia, known in the tour information as the Girlfriend waterfall. You have about 90 minutes here for photographs and swimming. This is a good opening stop because it gives you a chance to get into the water before the longer visit at Montanejos.

The waterfall is described as impressive, and the stop is more than a quick roadside photograph. You can swim, take pictures, and enjoy the surrounding scenery. I would bring a towel that dries reasonably fast, since you will be moving on to another water stop later.

The name can cause a little confusion. The schedule calls this place Salto de la Novia, while the description uses Girlfriend waterfall. Treat those as the same waterfall stop for planning purposes. It is separate from the thermal springs, not a second waterfall beside the warm pools.

This first swim is also a useful test of your equipment. Wear secure swimwear and comfortable shoes for the approach and surrounding area. The supplied information does not describe the exact walking surface, so sensible footwear is better than flip-flops that slide around.

You should also keep the timing in mind. Ninety minutes is enough for a swim and photos, but it is not an open-ended visit. The guide needs to gather the group and move on, so I would not wait until the final few minutes to dry off and find your belongings.

The 45-minute ride to Montanejos

After Salto de la Novia, the group returns to the vehicle for another roughly 45-minute ride. This is a useful pause between swims, particularly if you want to change clothes, snack, or simply rest in the air conditioning.

The changing arrangements are not specified, so do not assume you will have a private changing room at every stop. A small waterproof bag can help keep dry clothes, a phone, sunscreen, and valuables together. You should also bring your own towel because it is specifically listed as something to pack.

The tour operates in English and Spanish. If you need detailed explanations about the area, it is worth staying close to the guide at each stop. The guide is not only there to keep the schedule moving. Past participants especially valued the local advice and practical assistance.

Swimming in the 25°C Montanejos springs

The main stop is Aigües Termals de Montanejos, where you have about two hours for photographs and swimming. The water in the designated swimming area is 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. That is warm enough to feel comfortable without being hot like a spa pool.

The springs are the reason this excursion is more appealing than an ordinary waterfall outing. You get a natural river setting with mineral water and a steady temperature, rather than a quick dip that depends entirely on summer weather. The surrounding scenery is also part of the pleasure, with rocky terrain, water, and the enclosed feel of the Montanejos area.

The word thermal should not lead you to expect a hot bath. At 25°C, the water is pleasantly mild, not steaming. If you want a very hot spring experience, this may feel cooler than expected. If you want a refreshing swim that is more comfortable than a cold mountain river, it hits the mark.

The water can include deeper sections. This is where the provided life jackets and pool noodles matter. A family specifically found the flotation equipment useful for a 12-year-old swimmer. You should still supervise children closely, even with safety gear, but the extra equipment is a thoughtful touch for people who are not strong swimmers.

The tour is described as suitable for all ages. That does not mean every part will feel equally easy for everyone. You need to be comfortable getting into natural water and walking around the swimming area. Comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, and sunscreen are essential.

You get enough time here to swim without feeling rushed. Two hours allows you to settle into the water, take photos, and enjoy the surroundings. It also gives you a chance to use this stop at your own pace. You do not have to treat the visit as a constant activity session.

Lunch is simple and self-funded

A 30-minute lunch break follows the thermal spring visit. Food and drinks are not included, so you need to bring something suitable or buy food where available. The supplied details do not promise a restaurant meal or a catered picnic, so plan for a short, practical break rather than a long lunch.

The half-hour limit matters. If you bring food, keep it easy to eat. A packed sandwich, fruit, or another simple snack will suit the schedule better than anything that requires a long wait. Do not bring food or drinks onto the vehicle, since those are not allowed there.

You should also carry enough water for the day, but remember that drinks cannot be consumed in the vehicle. Alcohol and alcoholic drinks are prohibited, along with smoking and drugs. These rules are straightforward and help keep a shared vehicle comfortable.

Because lunch is not part of the $69 price, the real cost of the day will be slightly higher. Even so, the package includes the expensive and inconvenient parts: transport from Valencia, a guide, tickets, taxes, and accident insurance. For a full day in the countryside, the price is fair, particularly if you do not have a rental car.

The final 75-minute ride back

The return journey takes about 75 minutes. By this point, you will probably be wet, tired, and ready for a quiet ride. Air conditioning is especially welcome after time outdoors, though the longer return leg is worth remembering if you dislike extended coach trips.

The tour finishes back at The Little Corner Café near Mestalla. Since the day lasts about eight hours, you still have an evening in Valencia, but this is not a short half-day escape. It is a full outing with two water stops, transport, and a lunch pause.

The schedule is efficient, but it is not leisurely in the independent-travel sense. You move when the group moves. That is the price of fitting Montanejos and the waterfall into one day without driving yourself.

What the $69 price really covers

At $69 per person, the strongest value comes from the combination of transport and organization. You receive private transport from Valencia, air conditioning, a local guide, tickets, taxes, accident insurance, and general tour insurance. The experience also includes express security access, although there is no major attraction queue described in the supplied details.

You do not pay for lunch, drinks, or hotel pickup. The meeting point is central enough for people staying in Valencia to reach, but you must make your own way to the stadium. If you are staying far from Mestalla, allow extra time to arrive.

The price also buys convenience. Montanejos is outside Valencia, and the two swimming locations are separate. Reaching both independently would require more planning, and you would need to handle driving, parking, directions, and timing yourself.

I would consider the tour good value for:

• People without a rental car
• Families wanting organized transport and flotation equipment
• Couples who prefer scenery and swimming to museums for one day
• Visitors who want a rural break without staying overnight
• Anyone comfortable sharing a vehicle with a larger group

I would look elsewhere if you want a private guide, a slow lunch, or several hours at one location. A rental car or private excursion would offer more control, but likely at a higher total cost.

Practical packing advice

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and comfortable shoes. I would also carry a waterproof pouch for your phone and a change of clothes for the journey home.

Do not count on food or drinks being included. Prepare for the 30-minute lunch stop and remember that food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. Alcohol is also prohibited.

If you are traveling with children or anyone who is not a confident swimmer, ask about the available life jackets and pool noodles when you arrive. They have been useful in the deeper parts of the river, especially for younger swimmers.

The water temperature is 25°C year-round in the swimming area, but the experience is still outdoors. Sunscreen matters even when the water feels cool, and comfortable footwear will make time around the pools and waterfall easier.

Who should book this Montanejos day trip?

I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want a nature day without renting a car. The combination of a waterfall, warm mineral water, and a guide makes this more varied than a simple beach transfer.

Families may appreciate the flotation gear and the guides’ attention to safety. The trip is also suitable for all ages, provided everyone is comfortable with natural swimming areas and the walking involved.

It is a good match for active couples and friends who want to escape Valencia for a day. The waterfall gives you a scenic first stop, while the springs provide a longer and more relaxed swim.

The main caution is the group format. The experience is marketed for a big group, although the vehicle may sometimes be a smaller van. If you need quiet, privacy, or a flexible schedule, ask about the expected group size before booking.

Cancellation is flexible up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. That is useful if your Valencia schedule is still changing.

Should you book it?

Book this trip if you want an easy, well-organized day outdoors with two swimming stops and helpful guides. The strongest reasons are the year-round 25°C water, the impressive waterfall, the included transport, and the practical safety equipment.

Think twice if you dislike fixed schedules, shared transport, or bringing your own lunch. The road time is real, and the thermal water is warm rather than hot.

For most visitors with one free day in Valencia, I would call the $69 price sensible. You get a refreshing change from the city, a pair of memorable natural stops, and enough guidance to enjoy them without managing every detail yourself.

FAQ

Where does the tour meet in Valencia?

The meeting point is at Mestalla football stadium, at gate N1 on the side facing Suecia Avenue, near The Little Corner Café.

How long does the experience last?

The full experience lasts about eight hours, including transport, swimming stops, photographs, and the lunch break.

What is the temperature of the Montanejos thermal water?

The water temperature in the swimming area is 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

Is lunch included?

No. Food and drinks are not included, so you need to arrange your own lunch. The scheduled lunch break lasts about 30 minutes.

Is transport included?

Yes. Air-conditioned transport from Valencia is included. The vehicle may be a bus or a van, depending on the group and arrangements for the day.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.