Valencia: Montanejos Thermal Spring & Girlfriend Waterfall

The best part of this day trip is the contrast: a chilly swim beneath Girlfriend Waterfall, followed by a soak in Montanejos where the water stays around 25°C year-round. Between the two, you get mountain scenery, local stories, and a welcome break from Valencia’s city streets.

I like the small-group feel and the guides’ personal touch. Ivan, Miguel, Serena, Francesca, and other guides are often praised for explaining local history, watching out for swimmers, and keeping the long rides lively. I also like that the tour supplies water toys, snorkel masks, noodles, and life jackets.

The main thing to understand is that these are warm thermal waters, not a hot spa. At 25°C, Montanejos can feel wonderfully refreshing in summer but cool in winter, and the river water mixed into the pool may be colder than you expect.

Key points at a glance

• Two very different swims: Start with the cool water at Salto de la Novia, then relax in Montanejos’ year-round thermal swimming area.
• A genuine mountain escape: The route takes you away from Valencia into natural scenery, small towns, waterfalls, and the rugged interior of the Valencian Community.
• Small-group attention: Guides such as Ivan and Miguel help with swimming gear, photos, water, local stories, and keeping the group together.
• More than a swim: Depending on the day, you may hear about Spanish Civil War trenches, local culture, and the area’s natural resources.
• Good practical value: The $57 price includes transport, tickets, insurance, a guide, and basic water equipment, though food is not always included.
• Bring water shoes: Montanejos has rocky edges and river stones, making sturdy footwear more useful than bare feet or smooth sandals.

Why this makes a good break from Valencia

Valencia is easy to enjoy without leaving town, but its nearby mountains show a different side of the region. This excursion takes about eight hours, including transport, and gives you a full day outdoors rather than another museum or city walk.

I like the balance. You are not asked to spend the entire day hiking, and you are not simply driven to one crowded bathing spot and sent off on your own. The schedule combines swimming, scenery, guided time, a meal break, and short stops along the way.

The group size is intimate enough to feel personal, especially when the trip runs in a smaller van. That matters on a day with water activities. A guide can notice who needs a life jacket, who has forgotten water shoes, or who wants a hand getting comfortable in the river.

This is also a social outing. The guides are known for using humor, music, local stories, and practical help to bring people together. If you are traveling alone, it is easier to meet people here than on a private taxi ride to the springs.

The ride from Valencia to the mountains

The meeting point is at Av. d’Aragó, 31, at The Little Corner Café, though the exact starting point can depend on the option you book. Hotel pickup is not included, so allow time to reach the meeting point on your own.

Transport is by air-conditioned bus or van. The itinerary lists a 45-minute ride to the waterfall, another 45-minute transfer to Montanejos, and about 75 minutes on the return journey. These times give you a useful sense of the day: this is not a quick outing just beyond the city.

The road time is part of the experience. Guides such as Ivan and Miguel use the journey to explain local culture, the countryside, Spanish history, and points of interest along the route. If you suffer from motion sickness, ask to sit near the front when you board. One guide made this adjustment for a passenger who needed it.

The smaller vehicle is generally more comfortable and personal than a large coach, though the back seats may have less effective air-conditioning. If you are sensitive to heat, mention it early rather than waiting until the van is full.

Salto de la Novia and the first swim

The first main stop is Salto de la Novia, also called Girlfriend Waterfall. The name gives the place a romantic air, but the real draw is simple: a waterfall, a swimming area, and pretty mountain surroundings.

You have about an hour and a half here for photos and swimming. The water is colder than Montanejos, so this stop feels more like a fresh mountain plunge than a relaxing bath. In hot weather, that is exactly what you want. On a cooler day, you may prefer to admire the falls, take pictures, and keep your swim short.

The waterfall is not beside the thermal springs. That matters because the day includes another road transfer rather than a walk between the two. The separation is also what gives the excursion its variety. You get one cool-water stop and one warmer-water stop instead of two similar bathing areas.

Some itineraries may include a short walk or photo stop near local points of interest. The exact mix can depend on the chosen activity and the guide’s handling of the day. Do not expect a demanding mountain hike unless you specifically select the hiking option.

Montanejos at 25°C: warm, not steaming

Montanejos is the main event. The swimming area stays at about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. That is warm enough to make swimming comfortable for many people, especially in summer, but it is not the temperature of a bubbling spa.

This distinction is important. The name thermal spring can lead you to imagine hot water. In reality, the pool is best understood as a naturally warm river setting. Mountain runoff can mix with the spring water, making the swimming area feel cooler than expected. In winter, that difference is especially noticeable.

The water can feel pleasant once you are in it, but not everyone will want a long soak. One small retaining pool may feel warmer than the broader swimming area, and it can be quite compact. If you want the warmest water available, ask the guide where to go.

The setting is the bigger reward. You swim outdoors among rock, trees, and mountain scenery, with plenty of room to pause, float, or take photos. Some parts are rocky, so water shoes are a smart addition. Several guides carry spare equipment, but I would not rely on that when you can pack your own.

The tour provides noodles, life jackets, snorkel masks, and water toys for children. That makes the stop easier for mixed-age groups and less confident swimmers. Safety equipment is available, but you still need to follow the guide’s instructions and judge your own comfort in the water.

Time for a walk, lunch, and the local story

The Montanejos stop includes around two hours for a guided visit, hiking, photos, and swimming, followed by about 30 minutes for lunch. That is enough time for a taste of the place, but not enough for a long independent hike.

Some people may find the walking portion useful because it adds context and views. Others may feel that the short hike is mainly a way to fill time between swims. If swimming is your priority, tell your guide so you can use your free time well.

The guides add value here. They may explain the area’s natural resources, local customs, and events such as the Spanish Civil War trenches. The history is not presented as a formal museum visit. It comes in short stories during the ride and at the stops, which keeps the day relaxed.

Lunch is not included as a fixed part of the advertised package, and food is listed separately from the inclusions. However, the day may include a sandwich and drink or a food stop, depending on the arrangement. One important practical point: ask what your booked option includes before leaving Valencia, especially if you have dietary needs. A guide has prepared a gluten-free lunch for a passenger, but you should still state your requirements in advance.

Bring snacks if you need a particular diet, but remember that food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle. Alcoholic drinks, smoking, and drugs are prohibited, along with fireworks and explosive substances.

Guides who make the day work

The strongest part of this experience is the guide service. Ivan is frequently singled out for his friendly manner, history stories, safety awareness, and ability to keep a group talking during the drives. Miguel is another guide known for humor, local facts, and making smaller groups feel at ease.

Serena, Francesca, Kika, Borja, Paula, Alexandra, and other guides have also led this outing. The guide you receive will depend on the departure, but the service is offered in English and Spanish.

Good guiding matters here because the day has several moving parts. You need to know where to change, when to meet, which water is safest, and how much time is left before the van departs. Guides have also helped with photos, spare water shoes, cold drinking water, and choosing a front seat for someone prone to car sickness.

The guide style is lively rather than formal. Expect jokes, conversation, music, and short explanations rather than a continuous lecture. If you want silence during the return journey, the guide may be happy to let you rest, but this is a social tour rather than a quiet private transfer.

What the $57 price really covers

At $57 per person, this is good value if you want transport and support for a full day outside Valencia. The price includes private transport from Valencia, an air-conditioned vehicle, tickets, accident insurance, taxes, a professional local guide, and safety equipment.

You are also paying to avoid arranging several pieces yourself. Reaching Montanejos independently means dealing with transport, directions, timing, and the separate waterfall stop. Here, the driver handles the route and the guide keeps the schedule moving.

The value is strongest for couples, solo visitors, families with older children, and anyone without a car. It is also useful if you want to swim but do not want to manage equipment or worry about finding the right access point.

The value is less clear if you only want a hot bath. This is not a luxury spa day, and the water may feel cool. Food is not consistently included in the basic description, so add a little budget for lunch or confirm your selected option before booking.

What to pack for a comfortable day

Pack light, but bring the right things. You will want swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, comfortable clothes, and comfortable shoes.

I would add water shoes to that list. The river edges can be rocky, and they will make getting in and out much easier. A dry change of clothes is also sensible after two swims, even though it is not specifically listed among the required items.

Use a waterproof pouch for your phone, especially if you want photos near the waterfall. Guides may help take pictures, but you are responsible for protecting your own device.

The springs have changing facilities and bathrooms, and there is a concession stand at Montanejos. Still, facilities do not turn the area into a full resort. Bring what you need for a simple outdoor day and expect to share public spaces with other bathers.

Who should book this day trip

I would recommend it to anyone who wants a nature break with manageable activity. You get swimming without committing to a full-day trek, and you can choose hiking, rafting, or kayaking instead of the waterfall when booking if one of those suits you better.

Families can benefit from the water toys and life jackets, though the experience is not suitable for babies under one year. It is also not suitable for wheelchair users because of the outdoor terrain, vehicle arrangements, and water access.

Couples will like the mix of waterfall scenery and the warm pool. Solo visitors can enjoy the small-group atmosphere, while older children and teenagers have enough activity to avoid a dull sightseeing day.

If you dislike cold water, rocky entries, or several hours in a vehicle, think twice. The 25°C springs may not feel hot, and the waterfall swim can be chilly. If you are happy with a refreshing swim and mountain scenery, those same details are part of the appeal.

Should you book Montanejos and Girlfriend Waterfall?

Book it if you want an easy way to reach two beautiful swimming spots outside Valencia, with a guide handling transport, timing, safety, and local context. The $57 price is fair for the combination of transport, tickets, insurance, equipment, and a full eight-hour outing.

Go in with the right expectations. Montanejos is warm rather than hot, the waterfall water is cooler, the river stones call for water shoes, and lunch arrangements may vary. Confirm the meeting point and food plan, pack a towel and sunscreen, and choose the hiking, rafting, or kayaking option only if you prefer it to the waterfall.

For a relaxed mountain day with real swimming time and a friendly guide, this is one of the more useful add-ons to a Valencia stay.

FAQ

How long is the Montanejos tour?

The excursion lasts about eight hours, including transport from Valencia, time at Salto de la Novia, the Montanejos thermal area, lunch time, and the return journey.

Where does the tour meet?

The listed meeting point is Av. d’Aragó, 31, at The Little Corner Café. The exact meeting point can vary depending on the option booked.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. Hotel pickup is not included, so you need to make your own way to the assigned meeting point.

How warm is the Montanejos water?

The swimming area is about 25°C, or 77°F, throughout the year. It is warm enough for comfortable swimming for many people, but it is not a hot, steaming spa.

Is the Girlfriend Waterfall close to the thermal springs?

No. Salto de la Novia and the Montanejos thermal springs are separate stops, with vehicle transport between them.

Can I swim at both locations?

Yes. The itinerary provides swimming time at Girlfriend Waterfall and at the Montanejos thermal swimming area.

What languages are available?

The live tour is available in English and Spanish.

What activities can replace the waterfall?

When booking, you can select hiking, rafting, or kayaking instead of the Girlfriend Waterfall option.

Is the tour suitable for everyone?

It is suitable for all ages except babies under one year, but it is not suitable for wheelchair users. You should also be comfortable with outdoor terrain, swimming areas, and transport in a bus or van.