Montanejos Thermal Springs and Waterfall, food included

Montanejos gives you a fine change of pace from Valencia’s streets and museums. You swim in a 25°C natural pool surrounded by a rocky gorge, visit the lovely Salto de la Novia waterfall, and finish near the Arenós Reservoir. It is a full day outdoors, not just a quick photo stop.

I like the small-group setup and the guides’ personal touch. Miguel, Borja, and Paula are praised for keeping the mood light, taking photos, helping with swimming confidence, and sharing facts along the road. I also like the sensible mix of water, scenery, lunch, and a short walk.

The main consideration is the word thermal. At 25°C, the water is pleasantly mild rather than hot. Some people find it cooler than expected, and the area can be very busy in midsummer. The hiking section may also be canceled in summer because of heat and fire risk.

Key points before you book

• The water stays at about 25°C all year: Pleasant for swimming, but not a hot bath.
• Two separate swimming stops: Salto de la Novia comes first, followed later by the Montanejos thermal pool.
• A friendly small-group style: The tour runs with at least two people and uses an air-conditioned van or bus.
• Lunch is seasonal: From April through October, lunch includes one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee.
• The guides make the day personal: Miguel, Borja, and Paula are known for stories, jokes, photos, and careful help.
• Bring beach shoes: The thermal pool has plenty of pebbles underfoot.

Why Montanejos makes a good escape from Valencia

Valencia is easy to enjoy for several days, but a long day outside the city adds something different. Montanejos brings you into the Valencian countryside, where the main attractions are clear water, rock walls, waterfalls, and a reservoir rather than grand buildings or formal sights.

This tour is useful if you want the scenery without arranging a rental car, checking rural bus connections, or working out where to swim. Your transport begins at Mestalla football stadium, on the side facing Aragon Avenue, at gate A3. Look for a guide wearing a Batwalking shirt.

The trip lasts about eight hours. That sounds long, but the day is broken into several stops, so you are not sitting in the van for one long stretch. The first drive takes about 45 minutes, followed by the waterfall, another 45-minute transfer, two hours at the thermal springs, lunch, a reservoir stop, and a final drive of about an hour and a half back to Valencia.

The tour is available in English, Spanish, and German. A minimum of two people is required for departure, and the small-group format helps the day feel more social than a large coach outing.

Salto de la Novia: your first swim and scenic stop

The first major stop is Salto de la Novia, also called Girlfriend Waterfall. It is separate from the Montanejos springs, so do not picture the waterfall as part of the same bathing area. You reach it after the first van ride and have about an hour for a guided visit, walking, and, in summer, a refreshing swim.

This is a smart opening stop. You get into the day quickly, and the waterfall offers a different setting from the broad thermal pool later on. The water is especially appealing on a hot Valencian day, though the exact swimming conditions can vary.

The stop is not only about standing beside the falls for a photograph. You have time to look around and get in the water. Guides have also helped take pictures with visitors’ own phones and cameras, which is handy when everyone wants a group shot but nobody wants to leave a phone unattended.

One useful pattern appears throughout the day: the guides often add small touches that are difficult to arrange alone. They may help with photos, explain where to go, and keep the group moving without making the outing feel rushed.

Montanejos thermal springs: pleasant water, not a hot bath

After the waterfall, the van takes you to Aigües Termals de Montanejos. You have around two hours for swimming. The water temperature in the swimming area is listed as 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year.

That temperature is comfortable for many people, especially under the summer sun. But you should set your expectations correctly. This is not a steaming spa pool. Some swimmers find the water cooler than the phrase thermal springs suggests, and one account described the warmth as more noticeable at the surface than below it.

The pool’s appeal comes from the setting as much as the temperature. Clear water, rocky surroundings, and the enclosed feel of the gorge make the swim memorable. In midsummer, the area can become crowded, particularly on a Sunday. If you have any flexibility, a weekday may give you a calmer experience.

You do not need to be an expert swimmer, and the activity is described as suitable for all ages. Still, you should feel comfortable around natural water. The guides have brought buoyancy aids on some outings, which can make the area less intimidating for cautious swimmers.

Wear water shoes or sturdy beach shoes. Pebbles cover the pool bed, and bare feet may become uncomfortable. Pack a towel, swimwear, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and shoes suitable for walking.

The tour provider does not allow food, drinks, smoking, or alcoholic drinks in the vehicle. Pets, drugs, fireworks, and explosive substances are also not permitted. These rules are ordinary for a shared vehicle, but bring them to mind before you pack snacks or a bottle for the ride.

Lunch after the swim

Lunch comes after the main swim, with about an hour set aside. From April through October, the advertised meal is one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee. Water is also included.

This is a modest meal, not a full culinary tour. Its value is practical: you can change out of your swimwear, eat without hunting for a restaurant, and keep the day on schedule. The guides have reserved tables at the café for some groups, which removes one small hassle after a busy swim.

The food stop has generally been described as good and reasonably priced, but remember the seasonal condition. The included lunch applies from April through October. If you are traveling outside that period, check exactly what is covered before booking.

A beer is listed as an option with lunch, but alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. That distinction matters. Enjoy it at the meal if you choose, not during the transfers.

Arenós Reservoir and the short walk

After lunch, the outing moves to Embalse de Arenós for photographs and a visit. The reservoir gives you another view of the region, with open water and dramatic surroundings replacing the close quarters of the gorge.

The itinerary allows about an hour here, including a short hiking route of roughly 30 minutes with scenic views. This is a gentle add-on rather than a serious trek. You will want comfortable shoes, but you do not need specialist hiking equipment based on the information provided.

In summer, the hiking route may be canceled because of the risk of heat stroke and forest fires. The extra time is then spent in or near the water. That is a sensible safety choice, though it means the experience changes with the season. If a walk is important to you, ask about current conditions before departure.

Not everyone will regard the short hike as essential. For some people, it is a pleasant way to stretch their legs after lunch. For others, it may feel like a filler between the more memorable waterfall and swimming stops. The views are the point, not the walking itself.

The guide can make or break the day

This tour’s strongest feature is its human scale. The guides are not simply driving you from one attraction to the next. Miguel is often praised for his humor, energy, facts about the countryside, and ability to help people in a small group connect. Borja has been noted for arriving early, sharing useful information during the drive, helping with photographs, and even setting up a WhatsApp group so people could exchange pictures.

That does not mean every departure will have the same guide. The listed languages are English, Spanish, and German, and the guide may be Miguel, Borja, Paula, or another member of the team. Still, the pattern is clear: expect an informal, friendly style rather than a formal lecture.

The small group also helps with practical matters. A guide may notice if you are uncomfortable on the drive, help you find a better seat, keep an eye on belongings while you swim, or explain where to change and where lunch is served. One family even received help finding paracetamol when a child had a headache.

You should not expect private guiding in the strict sense. The tour has a minimum of two people, but the total group size can vary. The experience works best if you enjoy conversation, light jokes, Spanish music, and a guide who takes an active role in the day.

Transport, timing, and value at $108

At $108 per person, this is not the cheapest way to visit Montanejos. The price makes more sense when you add the pieces together: private transport from Valencia, an air-conditioned vehicle, a guide, taxes, insurance, water, and the seasonal lunch.

You are paying for convenience and structure. A self-planned visit might cost less if you already have a car and are happy to arrange your own swimming stop, food, directions, and parking. But the tour avoids driving on unfamiliar rural roads and lets you use the day for swimming and scenery rather than logistics.

The 45-minute rides at the start and before the springs are manageable. The return trip is longer, at about an hour and a half. If you suffer from motion sickness, mention it early and ask for a suitable seat. One guide kindly allowed a car-sick passenger to sit at the front, but this should be treated as a helpful possibility, not a guaranteed arrangement.

The day returns to the Mestalla meeting point. In one case, a guide dropped the group near accommodation, but the official end point is the stadium, so plan on returning there unless the guide confirms another arrangement.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Valencia plans are still shifting.

Who should book this Montanejos day trip?

I would choose this for you if you want a full outdoor day without renting a car. It suits couples, friends, families with older children, and solo visitors who like meeting people in a small group.

It is particularly good for:

• You want swimming and scenery more than museums.
• You prefer a guide to handle transport and timing.
• You enjoy an informal group atmosphere.
• You like having a waterfall, thermal pool, lunch, and reservoir in one day.
• You appreciate practical help with photographs, directions, and swimming confidence.

You may want another option if you are seeking genuinely hot water, a long hike, complete independence, or a quiet spa experience. The pool is mild, the summer area may be crowded, and the walk can be canceled.

The activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, babies under one year, or people with heart problems. The provider also advises against it for anyone in those categories, so take that guidance seriously.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Pack light, but do not forget the basics. Your most useful items are:

• Swimsuit
• Towel
• Sunscreen
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Beach shoes for the pebbled pool
• Comfortable clothing
• A phone or camera with a secure case if you want your own photos

Water is included, and lunch is included from April through October. Since food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, do not count on eating during the drives.

A small bag with a dry change of clothes will make the transition from swimming to lunch much easier. Keep valuables simple, as you will spend time in the water.

Final verdict: book it for the change of scene

I recommend this tour if you want to trade Valencia’s urban rhythm for a day of natural water, mountain views, and easy company. The guides’ warmth and practical help add real value, while the waterfall and thermal pool give the day enough variety to avoid feeling like a single-stop excursion.

Book with realistic expectations. The springs are warmish, not hot, and the busiest summer days can feel crowded. The hike is short and may disappear in hot weather. But if you want transport, swimming, lunch, and several scenic stops handled for you, $108 is a fair price for a well-filled day beyond the city.

FAQ

Where does the Montanejos tour meet in Valencia?

The meeting point is at Mestalla football stadium on the side facing Aragon Avenue, at gate A3. The guide wears a Batwalking shirt.

How long does the activity last?

The tour lasts about eight hours. Check availability for the exact starting time. It ends back at the Mestalla meeting point.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is included from April through October. It consists of one sandwich or tapa, a soft drink or beer, and coffee. Water is included as well.

How warm is the Montanejos thermal pool?

The swimming area is listed at 25°C, or 77°F, all year round. It is mild and pleasant for many swimmers, but it is not a hot spa pool.

Is the hiking route always available?

No. In summer, the hiking route may be canceled because of the risk of heat stroke and forest fires. More time is then spent in the water.

Who should not take this activity?

The tour is not suitable for people with heart problems, wheelchair users, or babies under one year old. The activity is suitable for all ages outside those restrictions.