A day tour in Montanejos hot springs.

Montanejos gives you a fine change of pace from Valencia’s city streets: warm spring water, mountain roads, a waterfall, and time to swim. The day is built around Fuente de los Baños, where you can bathe and stop for lunch at a restaurant near the springs.

I like the small-group format, with a maximum listed at six people, and the easy transport from Valencia. I also like the second water stop at Salto de la Novia, since you get more than one scenic place to swim. The main catch is the long time on the road, and the guide’s level of commentary may vary, so this suits you best if the natural stops matter more than a fully narrated tour.

Key points to know

• Two water stops: Bathe at Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos, then visit Salto de la Novia waterfall.
• About eight hours: The schedule includes roughly three hours on the road each way between Valencia and the sites.
• Small group: The published maximum is six people, though one past booking involved eight participants, so confirm the current group size.
• Juan Carlos or Carlos may guide: He is praised for friendly service, humor, good views, and help with swimming spots.
• Lunch costs extra: A restaurant stop is included in the day, but your meal is not part of the price.
• Early meeting matters: Meet at 9:00 a.m. at gate A3 of Mestalla Football Stadium on Av. d’Aragó.

Why Montanejos is worth a full day from Valencia

Valencia has beaches, markets, old lanes, and excellent food. Montanejos gives you something different: a day in the inland countryside built around water. The trip takes you away from the coast to a place where swimming and scenery share equal billing.

The journey from Valencia to Montanejos takes about one hour and 30 minutes. That is not a quick side trip, so you should book this with the mindset of spending the whole day outside the city. The ride is part of the bargain, but it also explains why the day lasts about eight hours.

I like the basic idea. You do not have to rent a car, find the springs, work out parking, or arrange a second stop at the waterfall. Transfers between the attractions are included, and the vehicle is air-conditioned. For a short Valencia stay, that can be a fair use of a day.

The price is $107.17 per person. That is not a low-cost bus outing, but the value improves if you would otherwise pay for a rental car, fuel, admission, and transport to two separate places. It is less compelling if you only want a brief swim at Montanejos or prefer to plan your own picnic day.

The 9:00 a.m. start at Mestalla Stadium

The meeting point is on Av. d’Aragó, at gate A3 of Mestalla Football Stadium. The departure time is 9:00 a.m., and punctuality matters. The operator says the guide arrives early, so do not treat the start time as a loose suggestion.

This location is practical if you can reach Mestalla easily, but it may not be directly outside your hotel. One past participant described walking about 30 minutes to the meeting point. Check your route before booking and allow extra time, especially if you are carrying swimming gear or traveling with children.

The small group is one of the best features on paper. A maximum of six people should make the van feel more personal than a large coach, and it gives you a better chance to ask for help during the day. Yet one account described a group of eight, so I would confirm the current capacity if that detail matters to you.

The guide connected with the outing is Juan Carlos, also referred to as Carlos in one comment. He receives strong praise for his warm manner, jokes, flexibility, and ability to point out good views and places to swim. At the same time, one disappointed participant felt the day was mainly a van ride with limited explanation. That contrast is useful: book this primarily for the places, and regard the guide’s commentary as an added benefit rather than the central product.

The road to Montanejos and the Fuente de los Baños

The first stop is Montanejos, reached by van or bus after about 90 minutes. There is no separate admission charge for the town stop. The schedule then gives you about three and a half hours at Fuente de los Baños de Montanejos.

This is the heart of the day. You have time to bathe in the hot springs rather than rush in, take one quick look, and leave. The long stop also allows room for a meal at a nearby restaurant. Food is not included, so set aside money for lunch.

The springs are best viewed as a relaxed outdoor bathing stop. Bring a swimsuit, towel, dry clothes, and anything you need after getting wet. The supplied details do not specify changing facilities, lockers, water temperature, or the exact restaurant, so you should not build your plans around those details unless the operator confirms them.

Three and a half hours is generous for a water-based visit. You can swim, sit by the water, eat, and enjoy the setting without watching the clock every few minutes. If you do not like swimming, though, this long pause may feel slow. The day is strongly shaped around bathing, not sightseeing from a series of viewpoints.

I also like that the stop is not treated as a quick photo break. The best part of Montanejos is the chance to settle into the place. You can spend time in the water, then dry off and eat before the next drive. For families, this slower rhythm can work well, though you will need to keep track of children around the water and bring suitable clothing.

Lunch near the springs, with your own budget

A restaurant meal near the springs is part of the plan, but lunch is not included in the $107.17 price. That is worth noting when you compare this outing with a self-drive day. The price covers the transport and tickets, not a full day of meals.

The restaurant stop adds convenience. You do not have to leave the bathing area to search for food, and you can use the break to warm up or dry off. Still, the exact menu, cost, and meal length are not stated, so keep some flexibility in your budget.

If you prefer a picnic, the available details do not confirm that outside food is permitted at the springs. Ask before packing a full meal. At minimum, bring water and a small snack unless the operator tells you otherwise.

Salto de la Novia and the second swim

After Montanejos, the van continues toward Salto de la Novia, sometimes described in the supplied information as Girlfriend Waterfall. The drive takes about an hour, followed by roughly one hour at the waterfall.

This second stop changes the pace. Fuente de los Baños gives you the longest bathing period, while Salto de la Novia is more compact and focused on seeing the waterfall and bathing in the river. You get a second chance to enter the water, but you should not expect another three-hour stay.

I like this pairing because it gives the day some variety. You are not spending the entire outing in one bathing area, and the waterfall adds a clear visual goal after lunch. The one-hour visit also keeps the stop from becoming another long pause.

The tradeoff is road time. From Valencia to Montanejos, then from Montanejos to Salto de la Novia, and finally back to Valencia, you spend a substantial part of the day in the vehicle. If you dislike long drives, this may feel like too much travel for two water stops. If you enjoy seeing the countryside from the road and want both locations without driving yourself, the arrangement makes sense.

The supplied information does not specify the walking distance to the waterfall, the exact river access, or facilities at the site. Wear shoes that can handle outdoor ground and bring a towel, but avoid assuming that the area has changing rooms or other services.

What the guide adds to the day

The strongest personal praise goes to Juan Carlos. He is described as friendly, funny, accommodating, and attentive. One family group with children credited him with making the route feel special, pointing out scenic views and historical sites, and keeping the mood light with well-timed humor.

That matters on a long day. A good guide can make the road sections feel shorter, help you understand where to go, and steer you toward appealing views or swimming areas. With a small group, you may also find it easier to ask questions or request practical help.

Still, you should set your expectations carefully. One person felt there was little guidance beyond driving the van and taking the group to the stops. The operator disputed that account and said the scheduled places, plus an extra surprise stop, were visited. The fair reading is that the guide may be personable and helpful, but the depth of narration may not match a traditional history tour.

Some past outings also included Navajas and a nearby reservoir. Those places are not part of the stated core schedule, so treat them as possible additions rather than guaranteed stops. Do not book this expecting a fixed collection of bonus sights.

Family suitability and physical demands

The outing is open to most people, and children have joined successfully. The family-friendly appeal is clear: you have transport, two water stops, a guide, and no need to organize a complicated route.

You should still consider the practical side. The day involves a 90-minute ride to Montanejos, another hour to Salto de la Novia, and an hour back to Valencia after the waterfall. Add the return trip from Montanejos to Valencia, and you have a full day with several transitions.

Swimming is central at both main stops. If you are not comfortable in natural water, you may spend much of the day sitting beside it. The information does not describe accessibility features, changing facilities, water depth, or safety equipment, so ask the operator directly if you have mobility or medical concerns.

The air-conditioned vehicle is useful after swimming and during the warmer months. Bring a dry layer for the ride home, since sitting in damp clothing for an hour is an easy way to turn a pleasant outing into an uncomfortable one.

Price, group size, and cancellation rules

At $107.17 per person, this is a convenience-focused day trip. You are paying for the vehicle, transfers between the stops, and admission tickets. You are not paying for lunch, and the experience does not promise a long guided walking tour or a fully narrated cultural program.

I would call it reasonable value for someone who wants two nature stops without renting a car. It is harder to justify for a confident driver who can arrange the route independently and wants to control the timing. The small-group format helps the price feel more worthwhile, but confirm the current number of participants because the stated maximum and one past group size do not match.

You can cancel for a full refund if you do so at least 24 hours before the 9:00 a.m. start. Changes made less than 24 hours ahead are not accepted, and late cancellations are not refunded. The trip also depends on good weather and a minimum number of participants. If the operator cancels for either reason, you are offered another date or experience, or a full refund.

Who should book this Montanejos day trip

I would choose this outing if you want an easy escape from Valencia and your ideal day includes swimming, fresh air, and scenic drives. It is especially suitable for couples, friends, and families who value transport and a small group more than a detailed lecture at every stop.

It also works well if you want both Fuente de los Baños and Salto de la Novia in one day. Organizing those stops independently would require more planning, and the included transfers remove much of that work.

I would hesitate if you want a short excursion, a gourmet lunch, or a tightly structured cultural tour. The day is long, the roads take time, lunch costs extra, and the amount of guiding may vary. Arrive early at gate A3, bring swim gear and a dry change of clothes, and confirm the meeting details and group size before you go.

Book it for two water stops and simple transport, not for a polished sightseeing production. If that balance suits you, Montanejos offers a refreshing day beyond Valencia with enough time to enjoy the springs properly.

FAQ

Where does the Montanejos tour start?

It starts at Av. d’Aragó, 31, El Pla del Real, 46010 València, at gate A3 of Mestalla Football Stadium.

What time does the tour leave Valencia?

The scheduled departure time is 9:00 a.m.

How long does the experience last?

The tour lasts approximately eight hours.

What is included in the price?

The price includes transfers to the attractions, an air-conditioned vehicle, and admission tickets.

Is lunch included?

No. You stop at a restaurant near the hot springs, but lunch is not included.

How long do you spend at Fuente de los Baños?

The planned visit lasts about three and a half hours, including time to bathe and eat at a nearby restaurant.

Does the tour visit a waterfall?

Yes. The group visits Salto de la Novia, also called Girlfriend Waterfall in the supplied description, with about one hour at the site for viewing and river bathing.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Poor weather or failure to meet the minimum group size may also lead to an alternative date or a full refund.