From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Springs & Great Waterfall

Montanejos gives you a fine change of pace from Valencia: warm river water, a dramatic waterfall, and mountain scenery in one long day. You spend real time at the swimming stops, not just enough for a quick photo, and the guides keep the outing friendly and practical.

I especially like the included transport from Valencia and the useful safety gear, including life jackets and pool noodles when available. I also like that the guides share tips about Valencia and the surrounding area. The main drawback is the large-group format, plus some mixed information about the exact meeting point and order of stops, so confirm those details before setting out.

Key points to know before booking

• 25°C thermal water: The main swimming area stays at about 25°C, or 77°F, all year.
• Two water stops: You visit Salto de la Novia waterfall and the Aigües Termals de Montanejos area.
• Long day out: Allow about eight hours, including roughly two hours and 15 minutes of bus travel.
• Helpful guides: English and Spanish tours include local guides who offer safety advice and Valencia tips.
• Bring your own meal: Food and drinks are not included, and eating is scheduled for about 30 minutes.
• Check the meeting details: The information gives both Mestalla Stadium gate N1 and The Little Corner Café as reference points.

Why Montanejos makes a good break from Valencia

Valencia is easy to enjoy at street level, but it is also worth leaving the city for a day. Montanejos offers a simple outdoor formula: swim, take in the views, move on, and swim again.

The thermal water is not hot in the bathhouse sense. At 25°C, it feels pleasantly mild rather than steamy. On a warm day, that temperature works well for a long swim, and it is comfortable for families and people who do not enjoy very hot water. The setting gives the experience its charm. You are not sitting in a tiled spa, but in a natural swimming area surrounded by the hills around Montanejos.

The outing also includes Salto de la Novia, known here as the Girlfriend waterfall. The waterfall is separate from the thermal springs, so you get two different water settings rather than one stop dressed up as two attractions. The waterfall provides a cooler, more refreshing swim, while the thermal area is the calmer place to linger.

This is an active day, but not an extreme one. The trip is described as suitable for all ages, and the scheduled swims last about one and a half hours at the waterfall and two hours at the thermal springs. You should still be comfortable walking around natural water areas and getting in and out of the water.

The journey from Valencia to the water

The meeting information points you to the Mestalla football stadium, at gate N1 on the side facing Suecia Avenue, in the corner. Elsewhere, The Little Corner Café is given as the starting and return point. That is an important detail to verify directly when you book, since arriving at the wrong end of a stadium or café is not a good way to begin an early day.

From the departure point, the first listed coach ride takes about 45 minutes. Another 45-minute ride connects the first swimming stop with Montanejos. The final ride back to Valencia is listed at about 75 minutes. Add the time spent at both stops, lunch, and the guide’s organization, and the full day comes to around eight hours.

Transport is by air-conditioned bus or van. The vehicle size may vary. The description calls this a big-group outing, while one family reported a small air-conditioned van. I would treat the group size as flexible rather than guaranteed. If you care strongly about a small group, ask before booking.

The included transport is a real part of the value. Montanejos is outside Valencia, and arranging a round trip, finding both swimming areas, and handling parking would add work. You can look out the window, listen to the guide, and let someone else deal with the road.

Salto de la Novia and the Girlfriend waterfall

The first listed stop is Salto de la Novia, where you have about 90 minutes for photos and swimming. The name is often translated as Girlfriend waterfall, and the stop gives the tour its most dramatic water feature.

You can expect time to look around, take pictures, and get into the water rather than simply stop at a roadside viewpoint. The waterfall and its surroundings are presented as a major highlight, and the schedule gives enough time for a proper visit.

Bring shoes that are comfortable around natural terrain. The tour specifically asks you to bring comfortable shoes, swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, and comfortable clothing. I would keep your towel and swimsuit easy to reach instead of burying them at the bottom of a day bag.

The waterfall stop is best understood as a refreshing outdoor swim, not a spa visit. The water may feel cooler than the thermal pools, which is part of the appeal after a warm ride from Valencia. You can use the time at your own pace, taking photos or staying in the water.

The information does not promise changing rooms, lockers, or a café at the waterfall, so do not plan around those facilities. Keep valuables to a minimum. Food and drinks are not included, and food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

Aigües Termals de Montanejos at 25°C

After another transfer, you reach Aigües Termals de Montanejos. The swimming area remains at about 25°C throughout the year, which makes this stop more dependable than a seasonal beach outing.

The temperature is mild enough for a long swim without the shock of very cold mountain water. It is also not hot enough to feel like a traditional thermal bath. Think natural river swimming with comfortably warm water, plus the mineral content that gives the springs their reputation for medicinal qualities.

You have about two hours here, followed by a 30-minute lunch period. That is the longest stop of the day, and it gives you time to swim, sit by the water, take photos, and enjoy the setting without rushing from one attraction to the next.

One useful detail comes from a family who joined the trip with a 12-year-old. The guides provided life jackets and pool noodles, which helped in deeper sections of the river. Equipment availability is not clearly promised as a standard inclusion, so ask if this matters to you, but the detail shows the sort of practical safety support you may receive.

The water area includes deeper parts, so do not assume the entire swimming zone is shallow. Children should be supervised, even though the outing is suitable for all ages. If you are not a strong swimmer, ask the guide about the safest area before entering.

The phrase thermal springs can create the wrong picture. You are not visiting a polished indoor spa. The attraction is the natural setting, open-air swimming, and the chance to spend time in mineral water with the hills around you.

What the guides add to the day

The tour includes a local guide in English or Spanish. The best use of that guide is not only pointing out the waterfall. A good guide helps the group understand the timing, choose safer places to enter the water, and get back to the vehicle without confusion.

The strongest praise in the supplied feedback centers on the guides’ friendly manner, practical help, and local tips. One family particularly appreciated stories about Valencia and the surrounding area, along with advice about what to do in the city after the excursion.

That makes a difference on a nature day trip. Without a guide, the springs can become little more than a swim and a bus ride. With a good guide, you gain context and someone to ask when the water is deeper, where to leave your things, or how long remains before departure.

The guide style appears warm and informal rather than lecture-heavy. That suits this outing. You are there to spend time outdoors, not sit through a long talk. Still, the group format means the quality of the social experience can depend on the people in your vehicle and on the group’s punctuality.

The order of the stops needs checking

The supplied details do not agree completely about the order. The written description says the trip goes to the thermal springs first and then to the Girlfriend waterfall. The detailed schedule lists Salto de la Novia first, followed by Aigües Termals de Montanejos.

This may be a simple seasonal or operational change, but it matters if you have a strong preference. The waterfall first means you may start with the cooler swim and finish with the longer, milder thermal stop. The springs first gives you the warm-water experience before moving to the waterfall.

Ask the operator for the current order and exact meeting location before the day. This is especially useful if you are booking around another Valencia plan.

Is $69 a fair price?

At $69 per person, the value depends on how much you want convenience. The price includes private transport from Valencia, an air-conditioned vehicle, a local guide, tickets, taxes, and accident insurance. You also avoid arranging two separate natural attractions on your own.

Food and drinks are extra. Lunch is scheduled for 30 minutes after the thermal springs, so bring money or food if permitted outside the vehicle, and ask the guide where the group will stop. The vehicle rules prohibit food, drinks, smoking, alcohol, and drugs inside the bus or van.

For a full eight-hour outing, the price is reasonable if you want a guided day rather than a self-drive trip. It is less compelling if you prefer to spend the whole day at one swimming spot, travel independently, or avoid group schedules.

The included insurance and safety arrangements add some peace of mind, but they do not replace sensible behavior around natural water. Wear sunscreen, keep an eye on children, and follow the guide’s advice about deeper sections.

Who will enjoy this trip most?

I would choose this outing if you want a break from museums, plazas, and city streets. It suits families, couples, and friends who like swimming and easy outdoor sightseeing without planning a complicated route.

It is also a good fit if you do not have a car. The journey from Valencia is handled for you, and the guide keeps the two stops connected. The flexible cancellation policy, with a full refund available up to 24 hours before departure, is useful if your plans are still moving around. You can also reserve now and pay later.

You may want another type of excursion if you dislike group travel or need a quiet, private experience. The tour is described as a big-group activity, and the timing is fixed. The vehicle could be a bus or a van, so do not book expecting a guaranteed small-group format.

Pack lightly but practically:

• Swimwear and a towel
• Comfortable shoes and clothes
• Sunscreen
• Any food you need for the day, while following the guide’s instructions about where it can be eaten
• A small bag for wet clothing

Pets are not allowed, and smoking is not allowed in the vehicle. Alcohol and other prohibited drinks are also not permitted.

Should you book Montanejos from Valencia?

Book it if you want two natural swimming stops, reliable transport, and a friendly guide in one day. The waterfall gives you a striking photo stop and refreshing swim, while the 25°C springs offer more relaxed water time. The inclusion of safety equipment on at least some departures is a useful touch for families.

I would hesitate only if you need a guaranteed small group, dislike long rides, or expect a hot spa. Confirm the meeting point, vehicle size, and order of stops before paying. If those details work for you, $69 buys a practical day outside Valencia with plenty of time in the water.

FAQ

How long is the Montanejos day trip?

The excursion lasts about eight hours, including transport from Valencia, time at the waterfall and thermal springs, lunch, and the return journey.

What temperature are the thermal springs?

The swimming area at Aigües Termals de Montanejos is about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

Is swimming included at both stops?

Yes. The schedule includes about 90 minutes for photos and swimming at Salto de la Novia and about two hours for swimming at the thermal springs.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are not included. A 30-minute lunch period is scheduled after the thermal spring visit.

What languages are available?

The live guide service is available in English and Spanish.

Where do I meet the tour?

The meeting information gives Mestalla football stadium, gate N1 on the Suecia Avenue side, in the corner. It also refers to The Little Corner Café as the starting and return point, so confirm the exact location with the provider before departure.