From Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Springs and Great Waterfall

The best part of this day trip is the change of pace. You leave Valencia for Montanejos, a mountain town known for warm spring water, then continue to two waterfalls where swimming and short walks replace museums and city streets. The thermal water sits at a mild 25°C, or 77°F, so you can get in without the shock of an icy mountain pool.

I like the air-conditioned transport, which makes the trip easier after a day in the sun, and I like the mix of bathing, scenery, and free time. The guides speak English and Spanish, which helps when practical instructions matter. The main drawback is the group size, which can reach 100 people. This is a social outing, not a quiet private escape.

Key points to know before booking

• 25°C water at Fuente de los Baños: Warm enough for a comfortable swim, with no need to expect a hot-bath temperature.
• Two waterfall stops: Salto de la Novia includes time to swim and explore, while Navajas adds another waterfall visit.
• A bilingual guiding team: English and Spanish are used during the day, useful for a mixed group.
• Lunch is your responsibility: The tour includes a 30-minute picnic stop, but you must bring or buy your own food and drinks.
• Up to 100 people: The large maximum group can affect how peaceful the springs and swimming areas feel.
• Simple packing matters: Bring a swimsuit, towel, backpack, and optional water shoes for wet or uneven ground.

Why Montanejos makes a good break from Valencia

Valencia has beaches, markets, grand squares, and plenty of food. Still, a day beside clear spring water offers a different view of the region. Montanejos gives you a chance to spend time outdoors without arranging several trains, buses, or local connections yourself.

The first transfer takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes in an air-conditioned vehicle. That is long enough to make independent travel feel less appealing, especially if you are carrying swimming gear. You do not need to study regional bus schedules or work out how to connect the town with the waterfalls.

The transport is part of the value here. The tour also covers the listed fees, taxes, guide service, and tickets. Since no tour price is provided, I cannot judge the exact cost against other options, but the package has a useful advantage: your main expenses are known in advance apart from lunch and drinks.

You meet at The Little Corner Café on Av. de Suècia, 27, in Valencia’s El Pla del Real district. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to reach this café yourself. The activity returns to the same meeting point at the end of the day, with arrival planned around 5 pm.

Fuente de los Baños and its 25°C spring water

The main bathing stop is Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos. You have about 1 hour and 30 minutes to bathe after lunch, giving you enough time to change, get into the water, and enjoy the setting without rushing through it.

Do not picture a steaming spa pool. The water temperature is 25°C, or 77°F. That feels pleasantly mild rather than truly hot, especially if you are expecting a thermal bath in the traditional sense. On a warm day, the temperature should feel comfortable for swimming and cooling off. The word thermal describes the spring, but the experience is closer to a natural swimming area than a heated hotel spa.

I would bring a towel and a backpack for your dry clothes. Water shoes are optional, but they may help if you dislike walking over wet or uneven surfaces. The supplied advice specifically recommends bringing a swimsuit, towel, water shoes if wanted, and a backpack. Take it seriously. You will enjoy the stop more if you are not trying to carry wet clothing in your hands.

The spring stop is where the tour earns its place on your Valencia schedule. You get more than a photo stop, since the timetable allows a proper bath. At the same time, the large possible group size means you should not expect the calm of a private spring. The atmosphere may feel lively, and getting in and out of the water could take patience when many people arrive together.

A short picnic, with food and drinks on you

The day includes a picnic break of about 30 minutes at the thermal springs. Lunch itself is not included, and neither are drinks. You should plan ahead rather than assume food will be supplied during the outing.

A half-hour is enough for a simple meal, but it is not a long restaurant lunch. Bring something practical that travels well, along with water. If you prefer to buy lunch, confirm your options with the guide early, since the information supplied for the tour does not promise a restaurant stop or a food shop.

This brief break also helps the day keep moving. You are not spending two hours at a table when the main reason for coming is the water and waterfalls. Still, some people may find the arrangement less convenient than a tour with lunch included, especially families or anyone who prefers a set meal.

The sequence places lunch before the bath. That makes sense if you want to eat before swimming, but keep the meal light enough that you feel comfortable in the water soon afterward. The tour does not describe a formal picnic setup, so think of this as a practical pause rather than a catered outdoor lunch.

Salto de la Novia, the main waterfall stop

Next comes Salto de la Novia, called the Great Waterfall in the tour description. You have about one hour to swim and explore. This is the most active part of the day after the thermal spring, so wear clothes you can change out of easily and keep your towel handy.

The appeal is direct: water, rock, and time outside. You are not simply looking at a waterfall from a roadside viewpoint. The plan includes swimming, which gives the stop a more hands-on feel. If you would rather not swim, you can focus on exploring, but the supplied details do not promise a separate long hiking route or a guided nature walk.

I like that the tour includes both warm spring water and a waterfall stop. They are similar enough to make the day feel joined together, but different enough to avoid repeating the same activity. The first stop is built around a natural spring and a longer bathing period. Salto de la Novia gives you a shorter burst of swimming and exploration.

The one-hour limit is worth noting. It provides time to enjoy the waterfall, but not unlimited time for changing, swimming, and wandering. Keep your gear organized. A small backpack is more useful than a large suitcase, and the tour specifically asks you to bring one for your clothes.

Navajas adds another waterfall and a small-town stop

The route then continues to Navajas, where you spend about 50 minutes exploring the town and its great waterfall. This gives the day a little more local character than a simple spring-and-return outing.

The information provided does not specify a detailed walking route, named viewpoint, or museum visit in Navajas. I would therefore expect a short exploration rather than a full town tour. You get time to see the waterfall and look around, but the stop is not designed for an extended independent visit.

That shorter visit can be a plus. After swimming twice, you may appreciate a change that does not require more water time. It also breaks up the return journey and gives you another view of the inland area outside Valencia.

There is some overlap in the wording of the stops, since both Salto de la Novia and Navajas involve a waterfall. If you want one dramatic site with a long walk, this may feel spread too thin. If you enjoy variety and prefer several short stops, the plan works better.

What the large group changes

The maximum group size is 100 people, which is the most important practical consideration. A group this large can make departures, instructions, changing, and meeting back with the vehicle slower than they would be on a small-group trip.

The upside is that the tour is likely to feel easygoing and social. You are not responsible for navigating between remote stops, and the guides keep the group moving. The bilingual setup is helpful too. English and Spanish are spoken, and one review describes the guides as welcoming and friendly, with the day paced in a way that worked well for the group.

The downside is quiet time. At the springs and waterfalls, the experience may feel busy when everyone arrives at once. If you want personal attention from the guide or a peaceful nature outing, a maximum of 100 people is a clear warning.

I would book this with the right expectation: it is an organized outdoor day with shared transport, not a private escape. The guide’s role is most useful for keeping the schedule clear, helping the group move between stops, and handling the practical details in two languages.

What to pack and how to prepare

Your packing list is short but important:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Backpack for dry and wet clothes
• Water shoes, if you prefer extra grip
• Lunch and drinks

The tour includes transport, tickets, fees, taxes, and a professional local guide. It does not include food, drinks, or hotel pickup. That means you should arrive at the meeting point already organized for a full outdoor day.

Wear something comfortable for the journey and choose clothing that makes changing simple. The exact changing facilities are not stated, so do not rely on a full locker-room setup. A separate bag for wet swimwear will also make the return ride easier, though the tour only specifically requires a backpack.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather cancels the trip, you can choose a different date or receive a full refund. The provider also requires a minimum number of participants, so a cancellation for that reason brings the same choices.

Who will get the most from this day trip

I would recommend this outing to you if you want an active break from Valencia and like the idea of combining swimming with sightseeing. It suits people who are happy with a planned schedule, shared transport, and short stops rather than long independent visits.

It can work well for friends, couples, and families who already enjoy water activities. The 25°C spring water is not a hot spa, so anyone booking mainly for a steamy thermal experience may be disappointed. Think warm natural swimming water, not a heated bath.

You should also consider the group size before paying. A group of up to 100 is fine if you value convenience and company. It is less suitable if you want a silent morning beside the water, a flexible timetable, or close one-to-one guiding.

The 8-hour duration gives you a full day without taking up your evening. The return journey is planned for about 45 minutes, with arrival around 5 pm. The listed schedule includes a 1-hour-15-minute outward transfer, 1 hour 30 minutes at the spring, a 30-minute picnic, one hour at Salto de la Novia, 50 minutes in Navajas, and the return ride. Extra time is likely used for movement and group organization, so keep some flexibility around the stated arrival.

Should you book the Montanejos trip?

Book it if you want water, waterfalls, and simple transport from Valencia without planning the route yourself. The strongest reasons are the proper bathing time at Fuente de los Baños, the chance to swim at Salto de la Novia, and the bilingual guiding team.

Skip it if you dislike large groups, want lunch included, or expect hot spa water. The 25°C spring is mild, the picnic is self-catered, and the group may reach 100 people.

For the right reader, this is a useful, active day outside the city. Bring your swimsuit, food, towel, and patience for a busy group, and the tour gives you several worthwhile outdoor stops in one outing.

FAQ

How long does the Montanejos tour from Valencia last?

The experience lasts approximately 8 hours. The planned return to Valencia is around 5 pm.

Where does the tour start?

It starts at The Little Corner Café, Av. de Suècia, 27, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, Valencia, Spain.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

No. Hotel pickup is not included. You need to reach the meeting point at The Little Corner Café.

Where does the tour end?

The activity ends back at the original meeting point in Valencia.

What is the temperature of the Montanejos spring water?

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

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch and drinks are not included. The tour allows about 30 minutes for a picnic, so you need to arrange your own food and beverages.

What should I bring?

Bring a swimsuit, towel, and backpack for your clothes. Water shoes are optional.

Is the tour offered in English?

Yes. The tour is offered in English, and the guides also speak Spanish.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted and are not refundable. If poor weather or insufficient bookings cancel the experience, you can choose another date or receive a full refund.