From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Spring & Girlfriend Waterfall

Montanejos gives you a fine change of pace from Valencia’s city streets: warm spring water, a river canyon, mountain air, and a waterfall where you can cool off in summer. The 25°C thermal pools are the star, but the day works best because it pairs them with Salto de la Novia rather than making you spend all day at one swimming spot.

I like the easy transport, the chance to leave your bags with the guide while you swim, and the friendly way guides such as Ivan, Miguel, Kika, Manuel, Kiki, and Paola bring a group together. The main caution is footwear: parts of the short walk can be steeper and rockier than the word gentle suggests, and the rocks by the water can be slippery.

Key points to know before booking

• 25°C spring water: Fuente de los Baños stays at about 25°C all year, so it is suitable for swimming in every season, though late September water at the waterfall may feel cold.
• Two different water stops: Montanejos is a thermal river setting, while Salto de la Novia is a separate waterfall with non-thermal water.
• Short walk, real rocks: Bring closed-toe trainers for the paths and sturdy water shoes for entering the river.
• Small-group transport: The air-conditioned vehicle carries no more than 24 people, with smaller departures possible.
• Lunch costs extra: The tour price includes transport, guide, insurance, and tickets, but not lunch.
• A guide-led social day: Ivan and Miguel are especially noted for keeping conversation lively and helping solo visitors and families feel included.

Why this mountain day works from Valencia

Valencia is known for beaches, plazas, markets, and late dinners. Montanejos shows you a different side of the region, one built around limestone hills, a clear river, and outdoor bathing. The ride takes about an hour and a half each way, so the day is not a quick outing. Still, private transport saves you the trouble of planning rural connections or driving unfamiliar mountain roads.

The tour lasts about eight hours, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Av. de Suècia, near the Mestalla Stadium area, and returning to the same meeting point. That timing gives you a full day outside without turning the trip into an overnight commitment.

I see this as a good choice if you want nature without arranging a car, or if you prefer a guide to handle the route and timing. It is less suited to someone looking for a serious mountain trek. The walking here supports the swimming stops and viewpoints. It is not the main event.

The ride to Montanejos and the first walk

You leave Valencia in an air-conditioned vehicle and travel by private transport to Montanejos. The ride is useful in the heat, and the guide sets the tone early. Several guides, especially Ivan and Miguel, are praised for introducing people to one another and creating an easy group mood. That matters on a day when you spend hours together in a van and at open swimming areas.

The walking section can include views of the river, the town, mountain vegetation, and old Spanish Civil War trenches. One family found the trenches a worthwhile historical detail, while another visitor felt the walk was more demanding than expected. Both points are useful. You should not picture a flat promenade. Loose rocks, inclines, and uneven ground are possible.

Wear proper trainers or another closed-toe shoe with a firm sole. Crocs, flip-flops, and open sandals are poor choices here. If your knees are uncertain on steep or loose ground, a walking stick or knee support may be helpful, though the tour information says most people can take part.

The walk is short rather than strenuous for an active person, but the condition of the path matters more than its length. You want shoes that let you look up at the scenery instead of worrying about every step.

Fuente de los Baños, Montanejos at 25°C

The thermal springs are the heart of the outing. Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos sits beside the river in a rocky setting, with water kept at about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. It is not a hot spa. Think mild, pleasant water in an outdoor river setting.

You get about two hours here, enough time to swim, float, take photographs, and enjoy the surroundings without rushing through the stop. The water passes over rocks, so water shoes are one of the smartest items you can pack. A waterproof phone pouch is also useful if you want photographs without risking your phone.

The spring area can be busy, particularly in summer. That does not remove its appeal, but you should set your expectations correctly. This is a popular natural bathing place, not a private pool. The tour’s maximum group size is 24, and some departures may be smaller, but the spring itself can still have other people present.

One practical benefit is the guide’s help with belongings. Guides have watched bags while people swim, giving you more freedom in the water. Do not treat that as a reason to bring valuables. Carry only what you need, use a waterproof bag, and keep important documents secure.

The water temperature is its special feature. At the waterfall later in the day, you may get a colder swim. Here, the spring’s steady 25°C makes it easier to settle in, even outside the hottest part of summer.

Lunch in Montanejos

After the spring stop, the group has about 30 minutes for lunch in Montanejos. Lunch is not included in the advertised price, so budget for it separately and confirm the arrangements for your departure. The available information describes the stop as a chance to eat in town, with food options mentioned at an open-air place.

That short break is functional rather than leisurely. You have already spent time walking and swimming, so this is when you can dry off, change, and eat before the next transfer. Bring a snack if you tend to get hungry between meals, especially if you are visiting with children.

The price of $107.68 per person needs to be judged as a transport-and-guidance package, not as a meal-inclusive excursion. It covers the air-conditioned vehicle, professional local guide, tickets, taxes, and insurance, including accident insurance. Since lunch is extra, add that cost before comparing this trip with another full-day option.

For many people, the value comes from the convenience. You get two nature stops, a guide, transport in both directions, and a full day outside without renting a car. If you already have a vehicle and are comfortable planning rural stops yourself, the price may feel less attractive.

Salto de la Novia, the Girlfriend Waterfall

The second major stop is Salto de la Novia, reached by private transport after lunch. The transfer separates it from the thermal springs, and that distinction is important. This is not another section of the same thermal bathing area. It is a different natural site, with a waterfall and a swimming pool that is not thermal.

You have about two and a half hours connected with this stop, including the transfer and time at the waterfall. The actual visit is listed at about an hour and a half. Some people feel that is enough for photographs and a swim, while others wish for more time. If your main goal is to sit beside a waterfall for an entire afternoon, the schedule may feel tight.

In summer, you can swim beneath or near the falls. The water can be cold, especially later in the season. Rocks may be slick, so sturdy sea shoes or water shoes are useful here as well as at the springs. Take small steps, keep your hands free when walking, and do not assume a shallow-looking rock is safe.

The waterfall is photogenic, and guides often help with photographs. You may also have a chance to see local wildlife such as mountain goats, though sightings are not guaranteed. The setting gives the day a second visual high point, instead of making the thermal springs carry the whole excursion.

The guides make the group feel smaller

The guide is one of the strongest reasons to choose this tour instead of arranging the day alone. Ivan is praised for his warmth, local conversation, and willingness to help families. Miguel is known for humor, safety-minded driving, and keeping people connected. Kika has helped visitors with local suggestions and practical questions, while Manuel is noted for explaining the sites and encouraging group interaction.

Guide assignments can change, so you should not book on the assumption that one particular person will lead your departure. Still, the pattern is clear: this is designed as a sociable day, not a silent transfer followed by a self-guided swim.

That suits solo visitors especially well. You are introduced to the group, and the shared swimming stops create easy conversation. Families can also benefit from the relaxed support, including help with photographs and floatation aids when available. Couples get a scenic day without having to plan each road, stop, and parking area.

The guide’s role also has limits. You still need to manage your own swimming ability, footwear, valuables, and comfort on uneven paths. Friendly supervision is not the same as a lifeguard service.

What to pack for this exact outing

Your packing choices will affect the day more than any small difference between tour companies. I would bring:

• Closed-toe trainers for the walk and loose rock
• Sturdy water shoes for both water stops
• Swimsuit and a towel
• Waterproof phone pouch or dry bag
• Sun protection and a hat
• Drinking water and a snack
• Dry clothes for the return ride
• Cash or another way to pay for lunch

The repeated warning about water shoes is worth taking seriously. Sandals may be comfortable on a beach, but they are less useful when you are stepping over submerged stones or walking across wet rock. One-piece practical footwear is safer.

Bring only modest valuables. The guides may watch belongings while you swim, but you remain responsible for what you pack. A waterproof bag lets you keep your phone close without turning the swim into a storage problem.

Is the $107.68 price fair?

At $107.68, this is not the cheapest way to swim outdoors near Valencia. A beach day costs less, and a self-drive outing may cost less for a couple or family already comfortable with Spanish roads. But those alternatives do not offer the same combination of mountain scenery, two distinct water stops, guide support, and included transport.

The cost makes the most sense for you if you are staying in Valencia without a car, want a full day outside, or prefer not to work out rural logistics. It also has value for solo visitors, since transport and a social group are built into the experience.

The price makes less sense if you dislike group travel, want a long hike, or plan to spend most of the day quietly at one swimming spot. The schedule has several moving parts: the ride, walk, spring visit, lunch, second ride, waterfall, and return. You get variety, but not unlimited time at any single place.

Group discounts may be available, and the maximum group size is 24. The actual feel can be more intimate if fewer people book your date, but you should be ready for a shared excursion rather than a private tour.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to families with children who can manage uneven paths, couples who want a mountain day, and solo visitors who like meeting people while sightseeing. It also suits anyone who wants to swim outdoors but does not want to spend the day at Valencia’s beach.

You should be comfortable changing for swimming in a natural setting and walking on rocks. Most people can participate, but this is not the right pick for someone needing a fully level route or someone expecting a formal spa.

The tour requires good weather. If poor weather forces cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. That gives you some useful flexibility when planning around a Valencia forecast.

Should you book the Montanejos tour?

Book it if you want two different natural water settings in one organized day and value a lively guide more than a long hike. The thermal spring is the strongest stop, and the waterfall gives the trip a worthwhile second chapter.

Skip it if you want a quiet private outing, a substantial mountain trek, or a meal included in the headline price. Also skip the open-toed shoes. The right footwear can turn the walk and water entries from a nuisance into part of the fun.

For most visitors with one free day in Valencia, I think the tour earns its price through convenience and variety. Pack trainers, water shoes, a waterproof phone bag, and money for lunch. Then expect a sociable mountain day with swimming, short walks, changing scenery, and a guide who helps keep the whole thing moving.

FAQ

Where does the tour start and finish?

The tour starts at Av. de Suècia, 27, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, near the Mestalla Stadium area. It ends back at the same meeting point in Valencia.

What time does the tour start?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 a.m. The experience lasts approximately eight hours.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included in the tour price, so you should budget separately for food during the Montanejos stop.

How warm is the thermal spring water?

The water at Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos is about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

Can you swim at the Girlfriend Waterfall?

Yes. Swimming is possible there in summer, but the water is not thermal and may feel cold, particularly later in the year.

What is included in the price?

The price includes an air-conditioned vehicle, a professional local guide, tickets, taxes, insurance including accident insurance, and express security access where applicable. Hotel pickup is not included.